Smoky Mountain Gift Show Section

selling potential.” In the store, he explained, “It’s merchandising and customer service that work best. We also have a variety of price points to appeal to many different customers and encourage impulse buying.” Lower price point items include crew neck sweatshirts that are mass produced for $15 versus smaller run crews that cost $35; they all feature the school logo. “We don’t sell anything without our school’s name or logo,” Parrish said.

Additionally, he maintains a mailing list for potential customers. “Anyone who purchases from us or has a Seattle University email address gets marketing from us if there are new items, clearances, or sales. I also utilize coupons, and I work with the different school departments and offices to distribute them to new student groups at open houses and orientation.”

The store’s primary demographic for apparel and jewelry are students, alumni, staff, parents, and extended family members. “They all are big for us. Sports fans are the only demographic that is relatively small, because they mostly fall into one of those other categories.” To appeal to older customers, he offers items such as polo shirts, while for students, the sweats and T-shirts are the most appealing apparel items in the 10,000-squarefoot store. Parrish’s online offerings “supplement the options in-store. I would say that overall, 90% of the things we offer both in the store and online, appeal to all our shoppers across the board, while 10% are more like niche audience items that sell enough to still be worth carrying.”

Summing up, at college stores throughout the U.S., tradition rules. ❖

Vendor Profile: Mountain Graphics

Mountain Graphics Expands their Line of Stickers and Laser-engraved Wooden Products

Mountain Graphics, a screen-printing company based in Wellsboro, Pa., has expanded their line of laser-engraved wooden products in 2021. Due to the success of their wooden magnets and ornaments, they’ve added wooden key chains to their laser engraved product line. The key chains measure 2-inches-by-3-inches, and are made from sustainable hardwood. They can be laser engraved with most of the Mountain Graphics sticker designs and name-dropped with a park or business name and location at no extra charge.

Mountain Graphics has also added many full-color stickers to their line. “We’re excited to add new designs to our multi-color sticker line this year. Stickers are a fun and a colorful souvenir, and we’re constantly expanding our line of designs. As always, our stickers are printed on weather-resistant vinyl and can be name-dropped at no extra charge,” said Mark Newruck, owner of Mountain Graphics. “As an added bonus, we’re now offering a beautiful wooden display for customers to show off their stickers and magnets. The display is equipped with six sticker pockets and two sides for displaying magnets,” Newruck said.

(For more information on the new sticker/magnet display program or to request a free sample of any of their new products, call Mountain Graphics at 1-888-764-6450, visit www.mtgraphics.com/contact-us, or circle 57 on the reader service card.)