Spotlight on Souvenirs

Bringing a Bit (From page 94) consider it for the shop. We are Nordic themed, so I do have to blend in with our theme, but I try to have a nice variety, too.” She added, “And I always try to add name-drops on items. I have Swedish dish cloths that I added ‘Astoria’ to, and those are selling very well.”

Along the river in Needles, Calif., at the Pirate Cove Resort and Marina, gift store Manager Marissa Curtis reported that her top selling souvenirs are “magnets, shot glasses, and various kinds of cups such as tumblers and coffee cups – as long as they are namedropped.” Magnets are her number one seller, but she also does well with pirate-style flags. “They’re not name dropped because the com uct prominently on the racks. We also post a lot on social media when we get a new item in. A little of everything is what works the best to sell new items,” she said.

As to finding new popular souvenir items, Curtis primarily shops at the Las Vegas Souvenir show, and can find new merchandise that fits the resort’s laid back, water-oriented theme there fairly easily, she said. Past souvenir top sellers still do well for the resort, such as shot glasses and koozies. Given the warm climate in Needles, drinkware items that keep cool things cool are a perpetual strong seller, she said. The popularity of these drinkware items is something she’s seen in the past that reflects in her store mix today, as she continues to look for new items in this category.

Whether shops are keeping things beachy or looking for new trends, beach and resort shops have plenty to offer their customers when it comes to souvenirs. ❖