Resort Show Section

Sunny Souvenir Sales (From page 46)

According to Anderson, eventually someone will be interested in the item. In addition, often, customers will prefer an older style of–for instance–a T-shirt, over the designs of the current season. If she feels the need to clear some space, she’ll end up marking slower moving items down.

Unique NOLA, a tour company, gift and souvenir shop managed by Unique NOLA Tours, is located in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Christopher J. Falvey , co-owner of the 351-squarefoot shop, said there has been no noticeable change in the buying power of those entering the shop since the pandemic. The aspect that has been completely disrupted both during and post-pandemic has been the normal ups and downs of the seasons.

“While the number of people in town is not at all as predictable as before, when they are in town we’re not noticing much of a difference with how much they're willing to purchase, nor a difference in the number of lookers versus buyers,” explained Falvey.

This season, customers were drawn to items wholly authentic to their location in New Orleans, and not as attracted to more generic items that can be branded for any location.

“For example, voodoo-related items are something very New Orleans, and we’re noticing tourists gravitating toward that sort of thing,” said Falvey. “This is a totally new category to us. Those specific items would not work in another location.”