Resort Show Section

Going Wild for Mementoes (From page 64)

getting merchandise into their stores. “During 2020-21, sometimes it was hard to keep the shop stocked. It was bare bones a good 40 percent of the time,” Tierney recalled. “There wasn't much we could do. The extra shipping charges blew the budget, the shelves were only half full, and product we could get was not exactly what we wanted. On the bright side, because we are a smaller operation and our guests at the time were all very local, they were very generous in their spending. Even though we didn’t have a ton of product, that fiscal year was the shop’s best year ever.” Tierney was brand new to her position at the start of the pandemic and said she learned the basics about supply chain and moving product very quickly.

Adaptability is essential when dealing with these challenges, Kierstead pointed out. “Supply chain issues have been a problem for the last few seasons. Sometimes getting certain items is impossible and you have to roll with the punches, so to speak. Just because you always had a certain plush animal every year doesn’t mean you’ll get it this year. You may have to try ordering it from another company because your current company may not have it available. We also try to order heavy in the spring and store what we can’t use right away. We use any backordered items that come in later to change things up and keep things fresh during the season.”

A broad selection of merchandise to appeal to different tastes and budgets, as well as compelling product storytelling, all work together to boost the sales of wildlife-themed souvenirs at zoo gift shops. ❖