Customers can’t get enough of these trending animal-themed products.
Get in on the action with hot headwear styles for any demographic.
Bring out the fun with kids’ products that tie into your location’s themes.
A museum fully loaded with the world’s largest collection of iconic PEZ candy dispensers includes a shop with one-of-a-kind collectibles.
The PEZ Visitor Center in Orange, Connecticut, stocks its gift shop with loads of the collectible candy toys with dispensers that appeal to all tastes and preferences and unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
A combination of animal themes and trending styles help zoo gift shops capitalize on their location’s unique features and also appeal to the styles and fads that guests are seeking.
8 10 14 22 24 34 42 44 46 110 112 114 48 58
EDITOR’S LETTER
Coming through the storm together and looking toward 2025.
RETAILER ROADMAP
Discover the stores featured in this issue.
NEWS BRIEF
Retailers and wholesalers are affected by recent hurricanes.
TRADE SHOW CALENDAR
Make plans to attend these upcoming trade shows.
TRADE SHOW NEWS
Coverage from past and upcoming trade shows.
FRESH IDEAS
Reptiles; states; and mushrooms.
ATTRACTION ACTION
Make the investment in education and save money in the long run.
SAVVY SHOPKEEPING
Drive tourists to your store with geolocation tools.
TREND TALK
Find out how to “pawsitively” stock pet products in your store.
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
Get fresh new product ideas for your store.
AD INDEX
Easily locate an advertiser’s ad and website.
SUNSHINE AWARD
North Carolina Zoo’s animal-themed buttons give back to wildlife.
ON THE ROAD:
Heart on Main Street
Learn about shops in Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, New York and Missouri.
NEXT EXIT: Great American Alligator Museum
It’s gators galore at this Louisiana road stop.
PRODUCT TREND: Hats & Caps
Headwear makes a great souvenir that is also a style statement.
PRODUCT TREND: Theme Park Apparel
Theme parks are taking apparel to the next level with trends in mind.
THEME FOCUS:
Cave Stores
Spelunk for souvenirs in these stores that capture underground vibes.
MERCHANDISING: Magnets & Keychains
Extract the most value from these souvenirs with enticing displays.
MERCHANDISING: Pet Boutiques
Stores are stocking paw-fect products for pooches.
MERCHANDISING: Kids’ Products
Entice children with irresistible store displays and fun products.
40 56 66 72 80 84 92 100 84 92 72 66 80 56
It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of 2024. What a year it has been. It started out on a high note with some positive momentum from January Surf Expo, Atlanta Market and The Reunion among other fun and busy trade shows that also carried into the summer months with Atlanta and Las Vegas Markets. A busy tourist season came and went and then Surf Expo September and Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show created some excitement for 2025.
Not long after the ink was dry on all the orders placed in Las Vegas, the Southeast was impacted by the force and direction of Hurricane Helene. And Floridians also had Milton to contend with soon after. The impact of both storms on retailers and wholesalers has been immense and will take some time to completely recover. You can read more about how retailers and wholesalers were affected in our reporting on page 14 of this issue.
SGN wants to do its part to help, so it is donating a portion of proceeds from the November/December issue to Heart on Main Street’s Disaster Relief Fund. Eligible businesses can apply for grants to help cover expenses related to disasters, such as repairs, equipment replacement, or lost inventory.
We appreciate the work that Heart on Main Street does to help strengthen the brick-and-mortar retail community, and we want to support that effort. We share important news updates on the organization’s efforts as well as report on its visits to various Main Street retailers across the country through the “On the Road With Heart on Main Street,” section, appearing on page 40 in this issue.
Our hearts go out to all the businesses and families affected by these recent storms. We have a very resilient retailer and wholesaler community, and by banding together we can get through this. I hope you enjoy this issue of Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties and have a safe and healthy holiday season. SGN
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KAREN CARR
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COLUMNISTS
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CIRCULATION
GREGORY WOLF, RUSSELL MARTH
Entire contents copyright 2024
Breakwall Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
BreakwallPublishing
Armstrong Air & Space Museum Gift Shop
Wapakoneta, OH
Deanna Kindell
Bark Harbor
Bar Harbor, ME
Gale Abbott
Blue Ribbon General Store
Brooklyn, NY
Ann Cantrell
Columbia River Maritime Museum Gift Shop
Astoria, OR
Blue Anderson
Como Friends - Garden
Safari Gifts
St. Paul, MN
Sheila Wewers
Delaware North Buffalo, NY
Cendy Sangermano
Faux Paws
St. Augustine, FL
Lynn Small
Fort Cody Trading Post
North Platte, NE
Nick Henline
Garden of the Gods
Visitor & Nature Center
Colorado Springs, CO
Scott Quine
New Orleans, LA
Liz McDade
Taos, NM
Katy Ballard
Heebe Jeebe
Petaluma, CA
Drew Washer
Great American Alligator Museum
Harwood Museum Store
Howe Caverns
Howes Cave, NY
Terran Radliff
Teton Village, WY
Justin Burkhart
Elysburg, PA
Buddy Knoebel
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, IL
Nicole Raidl
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Knoebels Amusement Resort
San Antonio, TX
Matthew Ogden
North Carolina Zoo
Asheboro, NC
Dan Whitaker
Morgan’s Wonderland
Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties interviews retailers in popular destinations all over the United States. These are the stores featured in the November-December 2024 issue.
Olentangy Caverns
Delaware, OH
Katie Meyerdirk
PEZ Visitor Center
Orange, CT
Shawn Peterson
Sea Dog Pet Boutique
Annapolis, MD
Karen Kosimar
Silver Dollar City
Branson, MO
Michelle Younger
Texas Hot Stuff
Fort Worth, TX
Robert Boling
The Mix Mercantile
Sulphur, OK
Christy Morris
Zoo World
Panama City Beach, FL
Jadena Terrell
HAVE A STORY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? We would love to hear from you! Email Kristin Ely at kristin@breakwallpublishing.com.
Retailers in the South from Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia and Tennessee are cleaning up and evaluating damages from Hurricane Helene. The hurricane made landfall Sept. 26 in northwestern Florida as a Category 4 storm, and high winds and heavy rains wrecked havoc on much of the Southeast.
Helene prompted hurricane and flash flood warnings extending far beyond the coast in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Some destination retailers and wholesalers across the Southeast have experienced flooding and damages due to the hurricane’s effects.
Mast General Store, a destination retailer with storefronts in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, had to temporarily close three of its storefronts due to damages and flooding from the late September storm.
“As we look around, we are overwhelmed with the destruction and damage we see,” said Lisa Cooper, Mast Store president. “Our first concern is the safety of our staff members in all our communities. With cell service and power outages, there are still a handful of people we haven’t been able to contact.”
Pirani Life, a wholesale vendor of sustainable tumblers in Asheville, North Carolina, had to suspend operations in the aftermath of the hurricane flooding and damages as of early October.
“Our warehouse in Black Mountain is expected not to have water for a month,” The company stated in an Instagram post. “The surrounding areas have been devastated, with many still without basic necessities. We ask for your patience as orders will be delayed until we can safely resume operations.”
Heart on Main Street, a nonprofit focused on helping independent retailers, has set up a Hurricane Helene Relief Fund to help small businesses impacted by the hurricane.
Many retailers have also started fundraisers and donation drives to help victims of Hurricane Helene.
The Christmas Shop in the Outer Banks also shared that it was accepting nonperishable donations at the store to help neighbors in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. “While we’ve been uncertain of how to best lend
a hand, we’re now collecting these much-needed supplies and will ensure they are sent down to those in need,” the company said in an Instagram post. “Every contribution helps.”
Meanwhile in Florida, retailers and wholesalers were hit Hurricane Milton less than a week after Helene, some of whom had just reopened after 2022’s Hurricane Ian.
The back-to-back hurricanes flooded Aqua Boutique in Boca Grande, Florida.
“As most of you know, we took on water and were closed for a year with Hurricane Ian,” the retailer shared on Instagram. “Not even a whole year back into our location we flooded with Hurricane Helene and then a week later Hurricane Milton, but this time we lost everything, 4 feet or more of water in the store.”
Mud Pie, a home decor and lifestyle brand, has debuted a vast assortment of plush toys and gifts for the Spring/Summer 2025 season. The collection, which is now available for purchase, features more than 60 characters.
The company says as part of its commitment to quality and creativity, each plush toy is made with soft, high-quality materials. Each animal comes with a gold foil name tag and their own personality. Plush pals feature either huggable velvet plush or sweater-knit yarn, along with gorgeous outfits complete with shimmer lurex. The new plush collection is available on wholesale.mudpie.com or directly with a OneCoast territory manager.
SSA Group has partnered with Wild Republic, an international toy company based in Independence, Ohio, to launch the Zero Waste Box program at six SSA partner locations across the country.
The Zero Waste Box program is designed to reduce waste by encouraging customers to recycle their old or unused plush toys in a responsible manner. SSA Group, which manages retail at leading cultural attractions across the country, will facilitate the program by offering plush recycling stations at select locations.
SSA Group says the program aligns with the companies’ deep commitments to sustainability, environmental stewardship and caring for the world. The initial locations involved include Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Columbus Zoo, Houston Zoo, Oakland Zoo, Dallas Zoo and Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
“We’re excited to bring a new, fun program to our partners that will encourage recycling education for visitors and help reduce waste,” says Jacki Sorvillo, chief retail officer at SSA Group.
The Zero Waste Box program will allow customers to bring old plush toys of any brand to participating SSA Group retail locations. Once boxes are full, the toys will be sent to TerraCycle, which processes hard-to-recycle materials. The companies say they plan to expand the program to additional locations based on customer response and participation. Wild Republic and SSA Group will also engage in educational campaigns at these venues to inform visitors about the importance of recycling and reducing waste.
Rob Wheeler of Wheeler Manufacturing passed away on Aug. 8 after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer.
The son of company founders, R.B. and Fran Wheeler, Rob joined the family business in 1978. Under his leadership, the company grew to more than 120 employees and became the largest U.S. manufacturer of jewelry in the travel and tourism industry — a position it still holds today.
“Through hard work, intelligence, and his larger-than-life personality, Rob Wheeler was instrumental in the growth and success of Wheeler Manufacturing,” says Ken Wilson, president of Wheeler Manufacturing. “Even in retirement he continued to care greatly about the business and the industry. However, he was so much more than just his work accomplishments — Rob was a mentor to many and friend to all. He is greatly missed.”
The Harwood Museum Store represents the grand entrance to this Taos, New Mexico, institution and its legacy as one of the most diverse and extensive art exhibitions. People travel to Taos from all over to immerse themselves in its cultural riches, and now they can take home a piece of this iconic southwest destination with the re-opening of the Harwood Museum Store. It celebrated the grand welcome to community members, guests and artists Aug. 23-25. Katy Ballard, museum store and visitor experience manager, explains that the Harwood Museum Store is the entrance to the museum, setting the tone for all visiting guests. Floors were refinished. Shelving was also reimagined and constructed from local pine. “We really wanted to create a welcoming space that is light and open,” says Ballard. The store also expanded its inventory and worked with local artists to curate works that speak to the area. “People take a piece of Taos home with them,” she says. “We’re not just a retail space, we’re part of a greater mission.”
When a catastrophic tornado swept through Sulphur, Oklahoma, in April, wind speeds of 136 to 165 mph from the category EF-3 cyclone razed the town’s historic main street full of shops.
One of those shops was The Mix Mercantile, a vibrant store known for its unique clothing, charming home decor, eye-catching accessories, array of gourmet local foods and upcycled furniture. The Mix also offered T-shirts honoring its location’s origins as the C. D. Hicks Tent & Tarp store.
The Mix and neighboring businesses were left in devastating shambles.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt told a FOX Weather reporter he hadn’t seen tornado damage this bad in his six years in office.
The Mix Mercantile’s co-owner Christy Morris recounted hearing the blasting alarms sound as the tornado blew out the shop’s front windows and doors. Heart on Main Street raised funds to donate an impactful $10,000 to The Mix Mercantile for its rebuild efforts.
“This donation would not have been possible without fantastic partners like the Boutique Hub, which put out a call to its network of retailers to donate, Crystal Media, which held a fundraiser for our organization at their April conference and the dozens of people who donated to the cause,” says Patrick Keiser, executive director of Heart on Main Street. “We believe in the power of small businesses like The Mix Mercantile to bring life and character to our downtowns.”
More than 2,100 museum stores across all 50 states, 25 countries and five continents will participate in Museum Store Sunday on Dec. 1 to offer shoppers a wide range of discounts, special events, gifts with purchase, and unique, locally made items for everyone.
The number of participating cultural institutions has tripled since the Museum Store Association launched Museum Store Sunday in 2017. The global advocacy campaign’s new slogan, “Shop with Purpose,” reflects the organization’s mission to promote economic sustainability and cultural engagement for museums and their communities.
While Museum Store Sunday only takes place once a year, consumers are encouraged to return to these stores all year long.
Kerusso, a faith-based apparel and accessories company based in Berryville, Arkansas, has partnered with The Link Companies as of Oct. 1. The partnership will expand Kerusso’s reach and enhance its commitment to providing high-quality inspirational products to more retailers across the U.S.
“As Kerusso continues to grow, we are excited to partner with The Link Companies to represent our products,” says Vic Kennett, founder and CEO of Kerusso. “Their passion for excellence and commitment to our mission is truly inspiring, and we believe this collaboration will significantly expand our reach and impact.”
Over 40 years, The Link Companies, originally founded as Southern Link, has grown to become a team of more than 90 professionals across eight agencies, serving 32 states.
The Link Companies’ headquarters and agencies are located in Building 2, Floor 16 of AmericasMart Atlanta.
SRP sells Global Swibco back to original owner
Consumer products company Strategic Retail Partners (SRP) has announced that after careful consideration, it has decided to sell Global Swibco back to its original founder, Sanjay Srinivasan, effective immediately.
This decision aligns with SRP’s commitment to focusing resources on its core channels and accelerating the growth trajectory achieved in 2024. Global Swibco manufactures and distributes products in many merchandise categories, including sunglasses, name programs, headwear, drinkware and apparel.
Srinivasan, the founder of Global Swibco, played a key role in establishing the company as a recognized brand in the industry. His leadership was crucial in shaping Global Swibco’s culture, and SRP says it believes this transition will support the company’s continued growth under Srinivasan’s direction.
DEC. 8-11
Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina www.grandstrandgiftshow.com
JAN. 8-14
Dallas Total Home & Gift Market Dallas www.dallasmarketcenter.com
JAN. 14-20
Atlanta Market Atlanta www.atlantamarket.com
JAN. 24-27
Rocky Mountain Apparel, Gift and Resort Show Denver www.rockymountainshow.com
DEC. 6-8
GTS Greensboro Expo Greensboro, North Carolina www.gtshows.com
DEC. 9-10
Midwest Market Days Chicago River Grove, Illinois www.midwestmarketdays.com
DEC. 9-10
TMC – The Merchandise Center Chicago / Schiller Park, Illinois www.tmcexpo.com
JAN. 4-6
The ASI Show Orlando Orlando, Florida www.asishow.com
JAN. 6-7
MAGIC Miami Miami www.magicfashionevents.com
JAN. 8-10
Surf Expo Orlando, Florida www.surfexpo.com
JAN. 12-13
Northstar Fashion Exhibitors St. Paul, Minnesota www.northstarfashion.com
JAN. 12-14
NRF Retail’s Big Show New York nrfbigshow.nrfbigshow.com
JAN. 13-15
CMC LA Market Week Los Angeles www.californiamarketcenter.com
JAN. 15-17
Alaska Wholesale Gift Show Anchorage, Alaska www.alaskagiftshow.com
JAN. 20-24
Seattle Market Week Seattle www.seattlemart.com
JAN. 21-24
Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market
Dallas www.dallasmarketcenter.com
JAN. 24-28
Minneapolis Mart Home & Gift Show Minnetonka, Minnesota www.mplsmart.com
JAN. 25-27
Biloxi Mississippi Wholesale Gift Show Biloxi, Mississippi www.wmigiftshows.com
JAN. 26-30
Las Vegas Market Las Vegas www.lasvegasmarket.com
FEB. 2-4
NY NOW New York www.nynow.com
FEB. 2-4
Philadelphia Gift Show Oaks, Pennsylvania www.philadelphiagiftshow.com
FEB. 2-4
Shoppe Object New York New York www.shoppeobject.com
FEB. 4-7
Atlanta Apparel Atlanta www.americasmart.com
FEB. 4-7
WWIN - Womenswear in Nevada Las Vegas www.wwinshow.com
FEB. 19-21
ToyFest West Las Vegas www.toyfestus.com
FEB. 25-27
Great Lakes Boutique & Gift Show Kalamazoo, Michigan www.greatlakesgiftshow.com
Buyers from all 50 states and 26 countries attended the 2024 Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show Sept. 17-20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center to check out new products for the 2025 season. This year’s show featured 1,300 booths from over 600 vendors. Clarion Events, the show organizer, reports that 27% of exhibitors were new for 2024.
Buyers in attendance came from
a variety of shop types, including souvenir, gift, apparel, resort, theme park, aquarium, zoo, airport and specialty stores. Clarion says, 40% of buyers were also new to the event this year.
Lisa Berry, group vice president for gift and souvenir at Clarion Events Inc., says the show also featured 13 networking and social events as well as a pickleball court.
Show organizers recognized Great Mountain West / G54 Design as its Best Booth Winner. The vendor offers custom apparel and other souvenirs from its headquarters in South Salt Lake, Utah. “Great Mountain West’s booth was praised for its engaging design,” says Berry. “The company’s custom apparel and hats
were a hit with buyers.”
The show also awarded Mavis by Herrera with its Best New Product award for its sustainable handbags. Berry says the handmade handbags, coupled with the vendor’s unique give-back program resonated strongly with attendees.
Berry says she also received good feedback from attendees and vendors about the event. “We had more stores coming to buy and place larger orders throughout the event,” she says. “The buyers loved the exhibitors that were there this year, and they loved the larger lifestyle section and the pickleball activation area.”
Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show returns Sept. 16-19, 2025, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Following a Summer 2024 reorganization for comprehensive sourcing, one of the nation’s largest collections of gift and home temporaries make a Winter debut at Atlanta Market with over 1,400 brands across seven newly tailored categories.
To date, over 50 brands will debut on the Southeast buying hub, with temporary exhibits running Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 to Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.
“Atlanta Market’s temporary exhibits are the ultimate destination for the trendsetting and bestselling products of today’s retail landscape,” says Dorothy Belshaw, ANDMORE president. “Showcasing a captivating fusion of established favorites and
groundbreaking new brands, the gift and home temporaries invite buyers to discover fresh possibilities this winter.”
This January, buyers can see more than 1,400 temporary exhibitors under seven umbrellas across eight floors in Buildings 2 and 3 of AmericasMart Atlanta: Cash & Carry; Fashion Accessories; Gift; HIGH DESIGN; Home; Kitchen + Table; and Makers Hub.
Some notable newcomers include Cooper’s Small Batch (hot sauce); Creative Home & Kitchen (housewares); Jacqueline Kent (elegant accessories, jewelry and tumblers); Pippen House (zipper duvet covers); Proper Pelican (general gift and ac-
cessories); Redback Cards (greeting cards); Roselli Trading Company (bath accessories); Soap Lily Bath Co. (handmade bath and body care); Stripling’s General Store (jerky, smoked links and Southern pantry products); and The Neighborgoods (eclectic tea towels).
Visit www.atlantamarket.com/ exhibitor/exhibitor-directory for a complete list of all the temporary exhibitors.
The September 2024 edition of Surf Expo, held Sept. 5-7 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, was filled with plenty of optimistic buyers and exhibitors ready to look ahead to 2025.
Roy Turner, senior vice president and show director of Surf Expo, says market conditions are favorable for the coastal retail industry with many people still vacationing despite overall economic concerns with expendable incomes and inflation. He also sees the excess inventory issues as a result of COVID and the sale of some major surf brands getting back to normal by summer 2025.
More than 650 exhibiting companies both returning and new to the show had new products to share,
and attendance was up 7% year over year with a growing number of international attendees.
He adds that cruise lines and the Caribbean were back in full swing, and brands from Hawaii, some of whom were affected by the wildfires from a year ago, were also back along with attendees from South and Central America.
Surf Expo has always been an event to watch for emerging trends, and the September show was no different. Turner says there has been an uptick in what he describes as “new golf,” which is a departure from the “southern prep” style to wilder prints.
There has also been a surge in new surf brands as a result of the
sale of some of the major surf brands about a year ago and they are starting to build traction.
“So I think it was an exciting time, whether you are a brand and you’re talking to retailers or you’ve taken a look around to get an idea of what’s happening in the marketplace,” he says.
Surf Expo will return to Orlando this winter Jan. 8-10, 2025.
The co-located Womenswear in Nevada (WWIN) and Las Vegas Apparel (LVA) market concluded its second collaborative Las Vegas Fashion Week event Aug.18-21 at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, bringing together style, innovation, hospitality and opportunity under one roof.
The event began on Sunday, Aug. 18, giving thousands of Las Vegas Fashion Week buyers a head start in discovering the latest collections and designs from 430-plus exhibitors. A lively welcome set the tone for a week filled with creativity, networking and discovery, and an opening-day meetup with retailer community The Boutique Hub offered advice for sourcing.
“Seeing buyers writing orders and the optimism from our stakeholders was inspiring,” says Mel Montes, vice president of WWIN. “This event has reinforced our commitment to providing a valuable platform for the fashion industry to thrive.”
This August edition was larger and more diverse than the February event. By combining the strengths of WWIN and LVA, attendees were provided with a platform for spotting trends, forging new connections and sourcing products in one venue. The combined shows saw double-digit attendance gains from brand new buyers, many of whom discovered this event as they were in town sourcing across Las Vegas Fashion Week events.
A major WWIN highlight was the introduction of Artisan Alley — a new section of the show floor dedicated to showcasing artisan products from around the world. Visitors to Artisan Alley found designs blending tradition with modern flair and met creators behind these products.
WWIN and LVA are set to return from Feb. 9-12, 2025, at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas.
People love these scaly creatures with interesting features.
1. First and Main: Under-the-Sea alligator plush, www.firstandmain.com; 2. CoTa Global: Sparkling rhinestones gecko charm, www.cotaglobal.com; 3. Bamboo Source Tropical Decor: Green gecko wall decor, faire.com/direct/bamboosourcetropicaldecor; 4. Little Critterz: Alligator Christmas ornament, www.littlecritterz.com; 5. ACE USA: Reptile Mania youth socks, www.aceusa.net; 6. Violette Stickers: Iguana stickers, www.violettestickers.com; 7. Cape Shore: Oh Snap! velvet alligator shot glass, www.cape-shore.com; 8. Wildthings LLC: Lizards of the Southwest safari shirt, www.wildthingstshirts.com; 9. Extol Ltd.: Large green gator decor, www.extolltd.com; 10. Fiesta Toy: Green 14.5-inch iguana plush, www.fiestatoy.com.
1. Outpatch: Montana Big Sky Country patch, www.outpatch.org; 2. Things Uncommon: Customizable Ohio state love tea towel, www.things-uncommon.com; 3. Anju Jewelry: Arizona cuff brass bracelet, www.anjujewelry.com; 4. doodles.ink: Locally Grown California onesie, www.doodlesinkdesigns.com/pages/wholesale; 5. Mountain Graphics: Kentucky-shaped starry camper keychain, www.mtgraphics.com; 6. Fire & Pine: Texas isolated map, www.fireandpine.com; 7. Xplorer Maps: Alaska state map travel drinkware, www.xplorermaps.com; 8. Town Pride: Engraved ceramic mug with speckled camp finish, www.townpride.com; 9. Stuffed States USA: Minnesota state stuffed plush, www.stuffedstatesusa.com.
Mushroom merchandise has a fond following from adventurous travelers.
1. Mowbi Wholesale: Mushroom 8-inch by 8-inch print, www.mowbiwholesale.com; 2. Denik: Midnight Mushroom Classic layflat notebook, www.denik.com; 3. Beach Memories Glasswork: Fungi Illuminati mushroom nightlights, www.beachmemoriesjewelry.com; 4. These Are Things: Fungi mushroom pin, www.thesearethings.com; 5. Gift Essentials: Toadstool Gord-O hand-carved bird house, www.giftessentials.com; 6. Aurora World: Mythical Creatures 9-inch Agaric the Shroom Fairy, www.auroragift.com; 7. Pavilion: “Love You So Much” and “You Grow Girl” tea light holders, www.wholesale.paviliongift.com; 8. Stickers Northwest: Mushroom sticker, www.stickersnorthwest.com; 9. Spoontiques: Mushroom stepping stone, www.spoontiques.com.
Every Monday, Heart on Main Street’s Executive Director Patrick Keiser visits a different community to feature the downtown area and its retailers through their social media channels. Here is a selection of some of the towns he has visited and some of his favorite retailers there. If you would like your town to be featured, email contact@heartonmainstreet.org
Some sections in the historic downtown of McKinney, Texas, make you feel as though you are stepping back into the Wild West. Despite the age of the buildings downtown, many were modernized in ways that add to the aesthetic.
Doozie’s Corner is one store that has had this effect on downtown McKinney. This gift, home decor and women’s apparel store epitomizes the bright and white concept. The brightness of the inside makes it feel larger inside. The retailer applies pops of color throughout the store to perfectly highlight desired products or sections.
Ely, Minnesota, is a charming town nestled in the heart of the Superior National Forest, serving as a gateway to the renowned Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Known for its rich mining and fur trading history, Ely has evolved into a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The town offers abundant canoeing, fishing, hiking and wildlife observation opportunities.
As one retailer remarked, “There’s probably 2,000 of the state’s 10,000 lakes around here.” The town’s vibrant arts scene and annual festivals, such as the Blueberry Art Festival and the Harvest Moon Festival, celebrate its unique cultural heritage and community spirit.
One store that embodies the community spirit of Ely is the Ely Mercantile, or “The Merc.” Specializing in locally made items, artwork and custom apparel, the Merc allows residents of Ely to connect to the area in new and unique ways. Store Owner Kara Polyner has curated products representing her community and what it means to live there.
Follow along with Patrick Keiser and his past Heart on Main Street visits at www.sgnmag.com/heart-on-main-street.
Downtown Saratoga Springs has become a vibrant shopping district over the years, thanks to years of hard work by local merchants and the Downtown Business Association.
Maddy Zanetti, co-owner of Impressions of Saratoga, has been key in this revitalization. Impressions of Saratoga sells housewares, T-shirts, kids’ items and memorabilia from races at the local horse racetrack. The retailer also hosts events and collaborates with other merchants in town because it knows that when the area works together, all businesses benefit.
Surrounded by scenic parks, the Shawnee National Forest, and a university, Murphysboro brings a confluence of outdoor lifestyle cultures, nature lovers and the arts community. This same convergence was found in the store Muddy Roots Collective. This store specializes in houseplants, gifts for plant lovers and plant-themed art by local artists. Muddy Roots has many plant books and starter kits. The store’s emphasis on locally made art and jewelry makes Muddy Roots a great representation of Murphysboro.
The town of Hannibal makes sure that there is ample opportunity for residents and visitors alike to celebrate its rich history. Every year, Hannibal hosts over 40 festivals and events in the downtown area, attracting countless people to patronize the downtown businesses.
Mississippi Marketplace stands out to people in downtown Hannibal. The gift, kitchen and specialty food store has a small-town feel. The retailer hosts in-store cooking classes and carries brands local to Hannibal and Missouri as well as some popular national brands.
BY TOMMY BROWN
Many attraction retailers do not take the time to learn about new retail technology or new advancements in visual merchandising. Yet not taking the time for education could be costing you time and money in the long run. If you only attend shows or markets to buy products, you may be missing new ways to sell your products.
Long gone are the days of simple brick-and-mortar stores. Today we’re entering a new age of AI, sustainability, algorithms, virtual and augmented reality and futuristic online stores. Retailers can benefit from learning more about new technology in the pipeline and applying these technologies in their businesses.
Seek out shows that can help you sell your products. There are two wonderful shows that focus on fixturing and technology. One is Shop!, and the other is the Retail
By attending shows that help sell your products, you can find new technologies and ideas to help your business.
Innovation Conference and Expo (RICE). Shop! shares the latest in fixturing and design, while RICE focuses on technology and retail systems.
By attending shows that help sell your products, you can find new technologies and ideas to help your business. Some ideas could include biodegradable manne-
quins, advancements in store lighting, outside slat wall, thin interactive shelf signs, animated window props and more. Visual merchandising, sometimes called the “silent seller,” is no longer silent. With today’s technology, displays can talk, entertain and put guests in a virtual world.
One should also be concerned on how they are selling products to their guests and whether they can incorporate technology to help.
• Is the guest’s information being captured for future interactions?
• Does your point-of-sale system work for your guests, or is it hurting the shopping experience?
• Are your systems integrated so that you can track guests’ spending and specific purchases?
• Are you applying AI and algorithms to not only target guests in person but also online?
If your facility is not performing a technology audit every three years or attending an industry show to learn about advancements, your facility could be losing money. Good data drives great business.
Remember, a product is only as good as its perception. How you portray the product is very important, so let the latest advancements in technology help you sell. Create that one-of-a-kind in-shop experience, and then carry that experience into your e-store. Yes, you have to be special and unique these days! SGN
TOMMY BROWN has been in RETAIL MANAGEMENT for over 30 years. He has worked for Dillard’s, Sears, and Six Flags Inc. and is currently with the SAINT LOUIS ZOO. He is a past ZAG vice president and can be reached at tbrown@stlzoo.org.
BY KATHY CRUZ
Brick-and-mortar businesses, especially those in tourist-heavy areas, rely on local foot traffic for revenue, even if they have an e-commerce presence.
Geolocation targeting offers a powerful solution to help these businesses maximize their reach to tourists and locals alike. It involves delivering content and ads based on a user’s real-time location through data such as IP addresses, GPS or Wi-Fi signals. Geolocation can be a game changer in targeting nearby customers who are ready to make impulse purchases.
Geolocation can be a game changer in targeting
nearby customers who are ready to make impulse purchases.
BENEFITS OF GEOLOCATION TARGETING
While the term “geolocation” may seem intimidating to some store owners, there are plenty of user-friendly ways you can integrate it into your marketing strategies. Many advertising platforms, including Facebook and Google, offer easy-to-use tools for setting location-based targeting.
Geolocation helps users to attract relevant prospective customers. Souvenir shops can target individuals currently near major landmarks or tourist attractions, increasing the likelihood of converting foot traffic into sales. These marketing efforts can also be tailored to local attractions, festivals or events to ensure they are more engaging and relevant to tourists’ experiences.
FIVE GEOLOCATION STRATEGIES
Here are five ways geolocation strategies can attract more customers to your souvenir and gift shops.
1TARGETED ADS: Use Google or Facebook Ads to reach tourists who are within a certain radius of the shop.
2
LOCAL SEO (SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION): Make sure your shop’s website ranks well in local searches for tourists looking for nearby shops. This includes using location-specific keywords in website content, meta tags and business listings.
3
SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT: Encourage visitors to check in or tag your store on platforms like Instagram or Facebook, which can increase visibility among other tourists. Research and use location-based hashtags relevant to your shop’s area in your social media posts.
4
LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS AND EVENTS: Collaborate with nearby restaurants, hotels and attractions to co-market or participate in local events that attract tourists.
5
MOBILE APPS: Use a mobile app to offer personalized promotions or easy-to-follow directions from key landmarks, helping tourists find the store.
By leveraging location-based tools and strategies, souvenir shops in tourist areas can increase foot traffic as well as drive sales in a targeted, efficient manner. SGN
KATHY CRUZ is a RETAIL BUSINESS COACH and host of the SAVVY SHOPKEEPER RETAIL PODCAST. Reach her via email at: kathy@savvyshopkeeper.com. Learn more on her website, www.savvyshopkeeper.com and Instagram @savvyshopkeeper.
BY MELODY CABAN
Let’s face it, we all spoil our pets a little to much! And why not? Pets have become an integral part of our families. According to the American Pet Products Association, the U.S. pet industry is booming, with pet owners spending a staggering $136.8 billion on their furry friends in 2022 alone, up 10.68% from the previous year. Given the growing demand for pet products, incorporating a carefully curated selection of pet products into your gift shop can be a lucrative opportunity, even if it’s not your primary focus.
Incorporating a carefully curated selection of pet products into your gift shop can be a lucrative opportunity, even if it’s not your primary focus.
Here are a couple of the hottest trends to get your collection going:
1
Party Animals. Dog birthdays and adoption anniversaries are becoming increasingly popular events. Join the fun by offering themed party supplies including ready-made gift sets in adorable tins, festive decorations like bandanas and hats, personalized party favors and adorable cards.
2Travel Buddies. More and more people are bringing their pets along on adventures. Equip pet parents for their journeys by offering stylish and functional
travel accessories. This could include collapsible travel bowls, on-the-go water bottles, and comfy, airline-approved carriers.
3
Tech-Savvy Gadgets. Embrace the latest pet tech to provide peace of mind and convenience. AirTag collars allow pet parents to locate their furry companions. QR code tags offer a digital twist on traditional identification, allowing owners to store medical information and contact details accessible by anyone with a smartphone camera.
4
Gourmet Treats. Spoil pets with premium treats made with local ingredients and unique flavors. Offer festive cookies for the holidays, seasonal snacks, or even gourmet stocking stuffers to ensure even fourlegged family members are included in the holiday cheer.
5
Fun and Funky Finds. Make your pet section a haven for unique toys and accessories. Source items inspired by your existing merchandise — miniature versions of your best-selling T-shirts for dogs or catnip-filled replicas of local landmarks.
By adding pet-themed products into your gift shop, you can tap into a lucrative market. The key to success is offering high-quality, unique, thoughtful items that resonate with pet owners and complement your existing inventory. So, grab your leash, head to the pet aisle, and hunt down some pawsitively wonderful products. SGN
MELODY CABAN is founder of MELODY CABAN CONSULTING, a Latina-owned consulting service that cracks an urgent problem facing museums. Learn more at www.melodycabanconsulting.com.
STORY BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE
A museum fully loaded with the world’s largest collection of iconic PEZ candy dispensers includes a shop with unique collectibles.
What do Franklin D. Roosevelt, The Simpsons, Mary Poppins and Minions have in common?
They’re all under the same roof at the PEZ Visitor Center in Orange, Connecticut, where the nostalgic candy maker houses the world’s largest collection of PEZ dispensers. Characters range from relics like Daniel Boone to epic sellers like Santa Claus, along with sports team mascots, presidents and licensed characters from Smurfs to Pokémon and every notable character in the Disney lineup.
A magnet for sale in the gift shop reads, “You’re not famous until they put your head on a PEZ dispenser.”
However, you don’t need to be famous to be given the honor.
Beyond Saturday morning cartoon favorites and comic avatars, PEZ has also produced lineups of everyday heroes like first responders.
PEZ Museum Director Shawn Peterson, author of “PEZ: From Austrian Invention to American Icon,” and three other sweet titles is dubbed the world’s first and only PEZ historian. The memorabilia and dispensers on display are his own. It’s just part of a collection he actively began to grow starting in 1990.
His home is also a museum of sorts with PEZ displays, and there are plenty packed away in storage, he says.
“I don’t remember my very first PEZ dispenser, but I do recall getting a few as a kid in Easter baskets and Christmas stockings,” recalls Peterson.
This is a memory he shares with most visitors who stop into the museum and gift shop to explore the story of what PEZ says is the world’s most beloved interactive candy. “It’s pretty much relatable to everyone,” says Peterson.
Shopping for PEZ souvenirs is built into the guest experience, which begins with a humble $5 admission and a buck less if you’re 12 and under or 60-plus. There’s no cost for children three and younger. Your ticket is a souvenir lanyard, and guests receive a $2 credit toward any merchandise purchase that day.
Visits to the 4,000-square-foot museum — 25% of which is the gift shop — are self-guided and include viewing windows to the PEZ production floor and interactive videos that detail the process of creating a dispenser and how candy is made.
The entire space is anchored by the world’s largest PEZ dispenser.
Peterson built in an ever-changing game component to encourage exploration of the museum and shop. “We have some version of a scavenger hunt every month,” he says. “We put clues in the displays, and as people enter, they see an introduction to the game of the month, which might be a hunt or a close-up contest where we show a detailed photo of a small part of a dispenser they need to identify.”
Successful bingo players can spin the wheel at the gift shop checkout — another way to nudge visitors into the store before they leave.
The prize: a PEZ dispenser, of course.
Guests also receive a certificate that looks like a diploma they can take home.
“We have a wide variety of gifts and souvenirs and customers can pick from unique items you won’t find anywhere else that represent PEZ and make the experience fun.” — SHAWN PETERSON
“People get competitive and want to be the first in their family to find all the characters,” says Peterson.
One month, Peterson organized a bingo game with cards featuring dispenser characters. Guests were challenged to scour the collections to check a box on the grid and win.
The more fun guests have while exploring the thousands of dispensers, the more likely they are to take home a T-shirt, mug, magnet, sticker and other PEZ merchandise.
“We have a wide variety of gifts and souvenirs and customers can pick from unique items you won’t find anywhere else that represent PEZ and make the experience fun,” says Peterson, noting
The concept originated in Vienna, Austria, as a compressed peppermint candy packaged in small tins, a unique entry into the market by Eduard Haas in 1927 as an alternative to smoking or at least to mask ashtray breath.
The founder coined the term PEZ after the German word for peppermint, Pfefferminz, capitalizing the P, E and Z.
To accommodate the brand’s expansion, PEZ built a factory in Czechoslovakia in 1935, later introducing the first dispenser at the Vienna Trade Fair in 1949. The company entered the U.S. retail universe in 1952 after opening a distribution headquarters in New York City, though still importing the candies. Here are some other milestone moments for PEZ:
First PEZ dispenser character head is introduced
Unusual candy flavors like licorice, flowers and chlorophyll are introduced (no longer available); the PEZ Boy is introduced as a detective who dresses up in disguises to solve mysteries
PEZ breaks ground on the Orange, Connecticut, manufacturing facility and warehouse
First ever PEZ convention is held in Mentor, Ohio, attracting collectors from the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan
Forbes magazine features PEZ on its cover
PEZ introduces Fuzzy Friends plush dispensers
The first limited edition set is introduced: Star Wars
PEZ introduces living people on its dispensers for the first time, featuring the Orange County Choppers family, the Teutuls
80th anniversary of PEZ and launch of special Disney Mickey Mouse collectible tin
PEZ Visitor Center opens
the company partners with a local vendor for the graphic shirts highlighting vintage PEZ art.
While not necessarily intentional, the PEZ goodies and souvenirs visitors bag after their candy-coated adventure result in storytelling to friends and family. Word passes and more curious passersby and travelers stop to see what’s in store.
“They spend their store credits and more in the gift shop, and hopefully they are talking about it for a while,” says Peterson.
Which Flavor was never used in PEZ candy in the United States?
A: Peach
B: Chocolate
C: Raspberry
D: Orange
(Answer below)
There are many repeat customers and about 40% of visitors are new guests. Peterson says, “People are still finding out about it and discovering it, and word of mouth is big for us.”
The PEZ Visitor Center and its shop represent the ultimate in categorizing, grouping and presenting collections.
Since PEZ started making its dispensers, there are about 3,000 different characters circulating, but Peterson explains that the count is complicated.
“The argument is in the variations of different characters that were made, and even color variants, and whether that is considered a ‘different’ character or not,” he says. “We let the collectors debate that.”
Some longtime favorites like Santa have been around since the 1950s. There might be 10 or more styles and a catalog of iterations. Does that count as one character? “There’s no right or wrong answer,” Peterson says.
Even so, with so many hand-held products on display and for sale, there needed to be a custom answer for showcasing the dispensers and organizing the equally loaded gift shop.
Custom archways in PEZ candy colors envelop glass displays, and cases are grouped by theme such as holidays, sports and Disney. A
There’s a PEZ dispenser for all occasions, from Valentine’s Day to Christmas and even just for fun.
similar approach carries into the gift shop, with PEZ souvenirs that are categorized by dispenser theme, and other souvenirs such as apparel and impulse purchases like stickers.
Items are priced to appeal. According to Peterson, just because visitors are at PEZ headquarters doesn’t mean the store is going to charge a premium for the bragging right of saying the purchase happened where the candy is manufactured.
PEZ dispensers with three rolls of candy cost $2.49. “In specialty shops, you’d expect to pay double that or $40 for a shirt, and it’s not like that here,” says Peterson. “It’s affordable so people come in, visit, shop and go home with PEZ souvenirs.”
The sheer volume of PEZ dispensers in one
The bestselling PEZ dispenser of all time is Santa Claus!
shop is also amazing to customers.
“People are delighted with the activities, enjoy their time with us and can’t believe the broad assortment of products we offer,” says Peterson. “Typically, when you see PEZ at a retailer, they might have two or three peg hooks at the front of the store and the selection is fairly limited.”
Overall, Peterson says guests who share their surprise and wow moments with him in the gift shop have what he calls an “under-promise over-deliver reaction.”
As in, these guests thought their visit would be cool — but whoa!
He adds, “From a gift and souvenir perspective, we nail that pretty well with a wide variety of unique things you won’t find anywhere that represent PEZ and make it fun.” SGN
A tribute to the 70-milLion-year-old creature atTracts fans and curious guests to this New Orleans museum and shop.
Tourists who love alligators and crocodiles will find gators in all their glory at the Great American Alligator Museum on New Orleans’ Magazine Street, famous for its eclectic vintage shops, variety of local retailers, artisan outposts and places to buy funky costumes.
This curious destination also includes a retail gift shop and wholesale business for goods related to “the fascinating alligator,” says Liz McDade, who owns the operation with her husband, Robert.
She’s a trained geologist. He’s a metal collector. They initially started a rock and gem enterprise that evolved from a flea market booth to a brick-and-mortar shop. At various markets, they spotted Cajun backscratchers fashioned from alligator feet and collector decor like taxidermy alligator heads. The couple began wholesaling the heads. Then they grew enamored with the animal’s prehistoric roots and near extinction. Now, there are farms raising alligators and an annual sanctioned state hunt to curb the population.
The gift shop is packed with souvenirs, such as gator-themed salt-and-pepper shakers, ashtrays, dolls, watering cans, corn cob holders and motion-activated talking radio gators.
1970s because they were being poached and hunted, Louisiana started a conservation program where they harvested eggs and took care of the alligators until they were 3 to 4 feet long so they would survive in the swamp and not be prey for birds and other predators.
“AlLigators are scary and fierce but also cute. There is an endearing apPeal to them.” — Liz MCDade
In 35 years, the population went from less than 100,000 to multiples of millions just in this state. So, the state said, ‘OK farmers, you may harvest some and put a certain percentage back into the swamp.’ An alligator hunt can happen every year. It’s a combination of commercialism and environmentalism.
We sell the heads, backscratchers and key rings that are all byproducts of the farming process. People get excited about them! Alligators are scary and fierce but also cute. There is an endearing appeal to them.
QThe idea to launch a museum in honor of the prehistoric family Alligatoridae was “fanciful and even optimistic,” and it came to fruition in April 2022. McDade shares the back story and what’s literally in store.
QWhat is the goal for the Great American Alligator Museum?
AThe museum’s guiding principle is to collect and preserve alligator artifacts that would be of interest to the public. So, we have a nearly 14-foot taxidermy alligator and a 50-million-year-old fossil of an alligator — one of two complete specimens in the country. We lent it to the Field Museum in Chicago for research and now it’s back. We have five rooms of alligator collections and an attached retail shop along with a dedicated crocodile room.
What unique souvenirs can guests find in the museum’s gift shop?
AWe have everything from plush to toys, prints, stickers, magnets, Christmas ornaments and T-shirts. We also carry Alligator King (our wholesale business) alligator meat snacks and hot sauces that come with a gator foot lanyap, a Cajun word for a little something extra. Children love the squishy and stretchy alligators, and we sell a crocodile dentist along with salt-and-pepper shakers, purses and everything alligator, really.
AQWhat are some fascinating features at the Great American Alligator Museum?
QWhy are gator heads so plentiful and is there a demand for them?
AWhen we noticed alligator heads at the open-air markets, we learned more about why we could even sell them. While alligators were almost extinct in the
You can’t miss the 14-foot alligator and prehistoric fossil. Our folk art room features pieces like a guitar with an alligator head mounted on it, a 4-foot basket woven into an alligator shape, and other art pieces.
We address the natural history side, as well, such as the difference between a crocodile and alligator and how old alligators really are. (They branched off from crocodiles 70 million years ago.) And we cover the whole gamut with museum pieces and retail products for people of all ages, from children who can barely pronounce the word alligator and say ‘agay’ to grandmothers who remember carrying an alligator purse. There’s something for everyone. SGN
Top-selling souvenirs at zoo gift shops across the country are tied to favorite animals and trending styles.
PSTORY BY MEGAN SMALLEY
eople love zoos for the variety of animals and wildlife that live there, but each zoo has at least one thing that sets it apart and those differentiating factors can be harnessed inside the gift shop.
In St. Paul, Minnesota, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory welcomes roughly 2 million visitors each year. Popular animal exhibits include the polar bears, giraffes, sloths, gorillas and more. The park’s 109-year-old Victorian-style conservatory and Japanese
gardens are also star features. The attractions are also free, which is a big draw for tourists and locals alike.
“Because we’re free, a lot of families come. Sometimes they’ll come multiple times in a summer,” says Sheila Wewers, associate director of retail operations at Como Friends - Garden Safari Gifts.
On the north side of Chicago, Lincoln Park Zoo is like an oasis in the middle of the city.
“The biggest thing that differentiates us is our location,” shares Nicole Raidl, store director for Event Network at
Lincoln Park Zoo. “It truly is the location, being right there on the beach, and in a setup that every time somebody comes from out of town, they are shocked at what this is.”
Raidl says guests are also surprised to find out the zoo is a free attraction.
“‘For Wildlife. For All.’ is our tagline. The zoo is supposed to be here for everyone,” she comments. “It’s a cultural experience where everyone can come and gather in the middle of the city.”
ZooWorld Zoological and Botanical Conservatory in Panama City Beach, Florida, is small, but Assistant Park Director Jadena Terrell says people love coming to the zoo for the up-close animal experiences it offers.
“We pride ourselves on being very immersive,” she says. With something unique at every zoo, these destination retailers strive to highlight these things that set them apart in their retail operations and stock souvenirs that tie to the popular animals and experiences on-site.
Terrell adds, “We always have something that ties in with the experiences at the zoo so you can take home that memory with you.”
Since ZooWorld guests love the park’s up-close animal experiences, Terrell says she always carries plenty of merchandise featuring animals that are part of those experiences. The zoo offers guests up-close experiences with capybara, lemurs, sloths, kangaroos and alligators. Plush is the perfect souvenir for guests who want a cuddly version of the lemur or sloth they got to meet, Terrell adds.
“Our No. 1 seller is plush all day, every day,” she says. “Our most popular plush fall in line with our up-close animal experiences.”
Another way guests can bring animals home with them is through special adoption programs. Raidl shares that Lincoln Park Zoo’s animal adoption program is “a big hit with the locals.” For $65, guests can adopt an animal, receive a photo of that animal, a special plush and a thank-you letter from the zoo.
“We have locals that come in and buy that as a birthday present, anniversary gift, new baby gift,” says Raidl.
Zoo shoppers also appreciate when souvenirs give back to animals and the planet. Raidl notes that Event
Network recently debuted its Wearsponsible organic apparel line, which is popular with local guests as well.
According to Event Network, Wearsponsible apparel is fully traceable from seed to sew, ensuring that every step of the process is reviewed and audited for its environmental and social impact. The company says every garment is Fair Labor Certified, which means that audited systems are in place to ensure safe and fair labor standards are met and that programs are implemented to improve conditions within the supply chain.
Wewers adds that bestselling merchandise must tie into animals at the zoo and conservation themes. She notes that the polar bear is a fan favorite at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, as she features these lovable bears on T-shirts, hoodies, magnets and more.
“Some of our bestselling items feature the animals we have here, and our polar bears are always a hit,” she says. “It all goes back to creating empathy for animals and just bringing that conservation message in. Just because we don’t currently have that animal at our zoo doesn’t necessarily mean that we can’t bring awareness to that animal.”
Tourists coming to town for a short trip might appreciate when zoo gift shops carry local merchandise with the city’s name drop. LINCOLN PARK ZOO IN CHICAGO makes sure to offer GARRETT’S POPCORN for any tourists who can’t make it to the popular Chicago-based popcorn shop.
Zoo retailers also like to keep a pulse on trending animal themes. Some trending animals this year include capybara, axolotl and red pandas.
ZooWorld might not feature any live axolotl, but Terrell says she has a display of all-things axolotl that constantly sell.
She adds, “Yes, my priority is stocking merchandise of animals that we have here, but some people just really love red pandas, they love
axolotls and they want that item.”
Personalized souvenirs also interest guests at ZooWorld’s shop. Terrell says people seem to love personalized zipper pulls that feature the zoo logo and individuals’ names.
“I had not seen those until last year at The Gathering, and it’s sold very well for us,” she says.
Reusable drinkware and stickers are also big categories at Como Park Zoo’s gift shop.
“I think our most popular souvenir right now might be stickers,” says Wewers. “Everyone has a place for a sticker, whether it’s on their drinkware, their computer. Reusable drinkware also remains strong, with our fastest-selling item being a shot-glass version of stainless drinkware. We sold out of those! They look like full-size adult stainless coffee tumblers with straws.”
Raidl shares that other Event Network attractions have had success selling shot-glass sized versions of stainless drinkware as well, so Lincoln Park Zoo should be debuting its own version soon.
“These are ‘the’ hot new item,” she says. “They have 100% sell through, especially in pretty pastel colors.”
In addition to carrying products with lovable animal themes and the latest trends, zoo retailers
T-shirts and other apparel
like to have merchandise unique to them either by including the zoo’s name drop or some localmade merchandise.
Raidl says Lincoln Park Zoo’s gift shop carries locally made Chicago-themed souvenirs to appeal to tourists who want to remember their time in the city as well as the zoo.
“We carry some Chicago-based things like Garrett’s Popcorn,” she explains. “If people are short on time and don’t have time to get to Garrett’s, we have that and can share that experience with them.”
For one-of-a-kind souvenirs, Lincoln Park Zoo also hired an in-house graphic designer who has made zoothemed designs for T-shirts, magnets, hats, keychains and pin sets. Raidl notes that the graphic designer made a playful T-shirt and magnet set where popular zoo ani-
mals are on a “Zoo-m” call, which has been a hit with customers.
Zoo guests appreciate name-dropped merchandise. Wewers notes that “almost everything” in the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory gift shop has a name drop.
“Name-drop items have surged for us,” she says. “It’s huge in popularity over the last few years. There’s a desire to have name drop on nearly everything. Even plush has it, drinkware, stickers. Just about everything if we can get it.”
She adds, “People want that souvenir that says our name. There’s that sentimental connection people are making to our facility. It’s also great for us to get our name out.”
Terrell shares that all of ZooWorld’s merchandise is name dropped with the exception of plush and jewelry.
Including the name also helps to promote the destination, she says. “We want our name on anything that guests can reuse so that eventually everyone can see that.”
Capybara and axolotl might be particularly popular animals this year, but preferences change from year to year. Finding souvenirs that have high sell through requires some research.
Terrell suggests destination retailers talk with their guests to find out what themes and mer-
chandise appeal most to them.
“Spend time talking to your guests — find out their favorite animal while they’re here,” she says. “Those favorites are items that I try to
“People want that souvenir that says our name. There’s that sentimental connection people are making to our facility.”
— Sheila Wewers, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
bring in. That’s how I know capybara sells for us — I knew it would from talking to the guests multiple times.”
Wewers says it’s important to be open to seeking new souvenir trends and preferences. She suggests talking with vendors about trends as well as reading industry magazines, attending trade shows and talking with other retailers.
She advises, “Stay cognizant of what’s out there in the retail world and leading trends — whether that’s certain colors or items — just be aware and open to new ideas.” SGN
Uniquely designed gifts that reflect the spirit and vibe of your location are what customers are after. Finding a wholesale partner who can deliver affordable, artistically crafted, customized products with low minimums may sound as mythical as the lore of mermaids, but with Lifeforce Glass you can have it all.
“We focus on creating items that resonate emotionally with recipients, making them ideal for meaningful gifting occasions,” says Josh Puyear, a longtime sales rep for Lifeforce Glass, a woman-owned Massachusetts-based company.
“Additionally, we offer high margins and low order quantities, making it easier for retailers to manage inventory while maximizing profitability. This combination allows retailers to cater to their customers effectively without the burden of excessive upfront costs,” he adds.
Lifeforce Glass offers a diverse range of products, including glass stones, slate coasters, wooden postcards, acrylic bookmarks and more — all designed
to serve as meaningful gifts. The varied collection features inspirational quotes, custom name-drop designs, and unique decorative pieces.
From positivity messages to fun beach slogans and sea life designs, Lifeforce Glass is ready to put your special design on its frosted glass mermaid stones for customers to carry or display. These stones are also offered as magnets and available in many colors and finishes.
Each order of 100 can feature eight to 12 different designs. They come with a beautiful wicker basket for displaying the stones and a header card describing them.
Puyear focuses on building relationships with retail clients and helping them find or create the perfect inspirational gifts to meet their customers’ needs.
can help! Contact Karen Carr at
“With high profit margins, low minimum order quantities, and orders shipping within three to four business days, partnering with us allows retailers to confidently stock unique, inspirational gifts without the risk of overcommitting.”
— JOSH PUYEAR
“With high profit margins, low minimum order quantities, and orders shipping within 3 to 4 business days, partnering with us allows retailers to confidently stock unique, inspirational gifts without the risk of overcommitting,” he says.
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No matter where a destination retailer operates, a hat is the perfect souvenir for almost any customer. Most come in unisex designs and appeal to guests young and old alike.
“Hats are definitely something people are looking for,” says Cendy Sangermano, director of merchandise at Delaware North, which oversees 42 gift shops at national parks and resort hotels across the country. “They’re useful souvenirs. Overall it runs about 7% of our business across our park locations.”
A store’s location helps to determine what hat styles and themes will sell best. For example,
STORY BY MEGAN SMALLEY
BASEBALL HATS, BEANIES AND OTHER NOVELTY CAPS MAKE VERY USEFUL AND STYLISH SOUVENIRS.
Sangermano says outdoorsy themes perform best at the retailer’s national park locations.
“In national parks, we see a lot of relaxed trucker hats that move forward,” she adds. “But at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Merritt Island, Florida, for example, lighter weight fabrics sell well.”
Beanies sell better at cooler destinations, but shops in warmer destinations should still consider offering a couple of beanie options. People might not wear their new beanie in Florida, but
“In national parks, we see a lot of relaxed trucker hats that move forward. But at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Merritt Island, Florida, for example, lighter weight fabrics sell well.”
they might want to take the new name-dropped beanie home with them to wear in the winter.
With tourists looking for all kinds of hats to take home with them, destination retailers need to make sure their hat selection is always fresh.
Tourists tend to be drawn to hats and beanies that feature the name drop of the destination they are visiting.
Try to update your shop’s baseball cap and beanie designs each season. Angel Santos, art director at Capsmith, suggests updating designs every three to six months, depending on the location and seasons customers visit.
— CENDY SANGERMANO,
DELAWARE NORTH
Village, Wyoming, branded, name-dropped hats are bestsellers in the hats category, with logoed beanies being more popular in the winter months. The resort operates 11 retail shops at the ski resort and in town.
Justin Burkhart, director of rental retail and repair at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, says the shops carry a variety of hats that feature the resort and state name drops on popular hat brands, such as Norrona, Burton or 47 Brand.
“We always have something new to offer to spruce up your lines by taking our bestsellers and offering new color combinations or newer, updated versions of each style,” he says.
Angel Santos is the art director at Capsmith, which manufactures headwear out of Sanford, Florida. Santos says name-drop hats are big sellers for destination retailers. He adds that style preferences vary depending on the region and type of customers that visit a particular store.
“Overall, though, we have seen a slight shift into more conservative headwear with cleaner looks and smaller icons,” says Santos.
For Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton
“Far and away, we sell more logo and branded hats than not,” says Burkhart. “Generally, people want something that says Jackson Hole with either a moose or a tram, or the classic resort logo. We have a balance of those for customers.”
Sangermano adds that it’s important to offer hats that create a sense of place either through destination-specific artwork or a name drop.
“We’ve tried some more generic hats, but those tend to be slow sellers because they don’t have the iconic name drop of the place where it is,” she says. “It’s capturing a sense of place through name drop or outlook of the place you’re operating in or an animal that might be in the location that people are drawn to.”
In addition to creating a sense of place, destination retailers should also consider carrying caps that match trending styles each year.
In 2024, tourists seem to appreciate vintagelooking hats. Texas Hot Stuff, a destination
retailer in Fort Worth, Texas, carries a mix of baseball hats, trucker hats and novelty straw hats to tourists wanting a Texas-themed souvenir. Marketing Manager Robert Boling says vintagelooking baseball and trucker caps have been popular lately.
“The tattered look has been popular, especially with women,” he says.
called a ‘dad cap,’ or at least Generation Z and Alpha refer to it as the dad cap,” she explains.
But “dad caps” appeal to more than just youth, she adds. “You see everyone buy them, from kids to dads.”
Sangermano adds that women seem to buy both men’s and women’s hats lately.
Rum Label has been the bestselling hat for Capsmith lately, which has a bit of a vintage feel to it. The hat comes with both mesh- and solid-back options.
“It evokes a lived-in look,” says Santos.
Sangermano shares that the kids today appreciate a good, old “dad cap.”
“It’s basically just a baseball cap but is being
PRO TIP: To help your hats stand out, partner with wholesale vendors to come up with original hat or beanie designs that work well for your destination.
“Women want things that look feminine, but not girly and not everything overly pink,” she says. “They like more natural colors and things that are more on trend or fashion forward.”
Burkhart says he also notices that hats seem to be more unisex than other souvenir apparel items. “Hats are very universal,” he says. “We do have some women-specific hats or beanies, but 90% of our adult hats are unisex.”
Some customers prefer novelty-style hats as souvenirs than traditional ball caps or beanies, so it’s also important to have some fun options for people.
Capsmith carries a variety of novelty caps designed to appeal to souvenir shops across the country. The wholesale vendor’s “Color My Cap” comes with markers for customers to color the hats with beautiful scenery, which makes for a fun kid’s souvenir. The company also has its Action Big Eye Critters that feature plush animals on top that move, which can be profit boosters for destination retailers with animals on-site such as zoos and aquariums.
Boling says one of the most popular hats at Texas Hot Stuff is a traditional baseball hat with a bottle opener on it. The retailer carries this style of hat in a variety of colors along with the Texas flag or state shape on it. “People like the dual functionality of it,” he says.
Being in the Southwest, Boling says straw cowboy hats are also a hit with tourists visiting Fort Worth. Some feature charms on the front, such as horseshoes or sheriff stars.
“We usually order 15 different styles of straw hat,” says Boling. “They range in color from tan
to brown to almost white and then, of course, black.”
One unique hat that is a bestseller for Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is what Burkhart calls their “waffle” hats.
Burkhart explains that the resort features a small restaurant called “Corbet’s Cabin,” known for its waffles.
“It’s a little pop culture phenomenon,” says Burkhart. “So our ‘waffle’ hats, or anything that calls out waffle culture, are great sells for us.”
He adds, “I think people are apt to grab something that looks fun and unique versus what they need. There are people who ‘need’ a hat but having something that calls out our location that they can’t get anywhere else is where we generally do best. They can take a piece of Jackson Hole home with them.” SGN
Theme parks are stepping up their games with apparel that includes the latest trends while still making a great ride souvenir.
For almost 30 years, Michelle Younger has been buying merchandise for Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. The 1880s-style theme park offers guests about 40 rides as well as 41 shops for guests to browse while they’re there. Younger says people love the landscape that surrounds the theme park. “We are nestled in the heart of the
Ozark Mountains,” she says. “All of our rides and buildings are built into the natural landscape. You meander through to find all our rides and shops, with plenty of shade and landscaping.”
Apparel is a big category for Silver Dollar City’s retail shops, with many of them offering a variety of name-dropped T-shirts, hoodies and more for guests to commemorate their time at the park. And while the apparel category itself is
timeless, Younger notes that style preferences have changed quite a bit over the years in the souvenir apparel category.
Younger says some T-shirt style preferences have come and gone, but one overarching trend she’s noticed is that customers want higher quality souvenir apparel than they did in the past. She notes that attractions retailers could get away with selling very basic, cheap cotton T-shirts a little over a decade ago, but today, people expect more.
“As we set our pricing, we make it family friendly. Our pricing mantra is we want to make it affordable. We want to make it something they can take home.”
— Buddy Knoebel, Knoebels Amusement Resort
“The souvenir industry has grown in the fact that they now follow fashion trends, producing garments that you could sell on Amazon or in a department store,” Younger says. “It’s not just selling basic garments anymore, and that has been a great improvement. You have more to choose from — more fashionable colors and styles.”
Since theme park attendees are choosier when it comes to their apparel and souvenir selections, these destination retailers are stepping up their apparel game and offer the latest trends in this category.
Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania is known for being one of the largest free-admission theme parks in the U.S. as
well as for its rides. Owner Buddy Knoebel shares that the Golden Ticket Awards recognized the park’s Phoenix ride as the best wooden roller coaster in the world six times. Guests also love the carousel, haunted mansion and other classic rides.
The theme park has about a dozen gift shops as well, all of which have different themes: a Mine Museum gift shop, an American Heroes shop, a Christmas shop and more. Knowing that a lot of families frequent the theme park, Knoebel says he makes sure to carry high-quality and affordable souvenirs at the shops. He notes that customers are always surprised at the affordability of the souvenir T-shirts in particular.
“One of the big draws to our shirts is the price,” he says. “Our shirts are all reasonably priced. As we set our pricing, we make it family friendly. Our pricing mantra is we want to make it affordable. We want to make it something they can take home.”
Younger says she takes a similar approach at Silver Dollar City’s gift shops, carrying “good, better and best” merchandise to give customers quality souvenirs at different price points.
Regardless of what someone’s price point is, Younger says customers really want soft and comfortable apparel.
“Over the last maybe eight years, we’ve gone to using nicer garments — ringspun garment and garment-dyed garments,” she says. “The value is better, and they last longer. We really home in on using better quality and resortwear-style garments.”
Younger says Comfort Colors garment-dyed T-shirts are popular for custom theme park shirts. “That garment has been very trendy for a good four to six years now, trending with everyone.”
Tri-blend materials are also a hit. Younger shares, “Tri-blend has a softer, almost luxurious
pajama feel. People want that soft feel on their body. That has been a big trend for men and women alike for quite some time.”
Theme park gift shops also need to carry a wide range of sizes for guests of all ages. Matthew Ogden, revenue manager at Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, says the theme park’s two gift shops carry a variety of kid sizes as well as sizes XS through 3XL for adults.
“The bulk of the sizes are medium through XL as those are the sizes that sell most,” he notes.
With kids being a big part of the demographic at Morgan’s Wonderland, Ogden adds that he makes sure to focus on kid’s apparel and merchandise in the gift shop displays.
“Know your demographic and who you primarily sell to,” he says. “In our case, it’s children, so our displays focus on attracting the children’s attention to pull them into the store and convince the parents to buy. The more colorful and centrally focused the display, the better.”
Theme park retailers also need to keep a pulse on general apparel trends when designing and purchasing T-shirts for their gift shops.
In recent years, tourists love souvenir tie-dye T-shirts, no matter the attraction. Knoebel says tie-dye shirts are some of the most popular designs at the park. The theme park features about a dozen shops, many of which carry popular
When walking around trade show floors this fall, Silver Dollar City Merchandise Buyer Michelle Younger says she picked up on a few trends in the apparel category that are likely to remain popular in 2025. Some of those trends include:
• Use of puff ink
• Varsity letter fonts
• Cropped tops and high-waisted pants
• Chenille patches
• Corduroy material
• Neutral color schemes with pops of bright colors
apparel for guests. Knoebel says the park even has a dedicated Shirt Shop, which has over 150 different T-shirt designs.
“Customers love tie-dye,” says Knoebel. “If you go into the Shirt Shop, there are probably a dozen different tie-dye designs in there.”
Younger adds that cropped T-shirt and hoodie styles have been popular among younger customers for a while.
“Cropped T-shirts and cropped fleece hoodies became strong sellers a few years ago,” she says. “Now the reason they are still trending is because of high-waisted pants! You don’t want to look frumpy. A cropped top sets just right above high-waisted pants.”
Shirts with a heathered look are also trending lately, Younger says. She has also noticed that people seem drawn to T-shirts that use puff ink and varsity lettering.
“Those trends are driven from the fact that the ’80s and ’90s are back in style right now, be it with graphics, movies and even garment styles,” she says.
She notes that she recently attended some trade shows where puff ink and varsity letter fonts were popular. Some other apparel trends she has seen at fall trade shows include the use of corduroy material, chenille patches and neutral color schemes with splashes of some bright colors.
In addition to customized souvenir apparel, Younger says Silver Dollar City’s shops also offer some trendy apparel brands for customers. Some
brands include Lazy One, Life is Good, Simply Southern and Girlie Girl.
She adds, “We really focus on trends, and we offer a variety of garments at our retail shops. We want something for everybody.”
Following trends is important, but theme park retailers can’t forget to always tie their T-shirts, hoodies and other apparel back to favorite attractions, celebrations and festivals at the park. These retailers can have a lot of fun with this, as different rides might have anniversary celebrations each year and various seasonal festivals are great occasions for new apparel designs.
At Morgan’s Wonderland, Ogden says guests love ridethemed shirts or those that feature the park’s butterfly mascot. “Our Stardust line has been a top seller, which is a shirt with a navy color that has colorful open hands reaching out to touch butterflies,” he says.
Ogden adds that 2025 will mark the theme park’s 15th anniversary, and the gift shops will feature new merchandise that commemorates that milestone, including shirts.
“We really focus on trends, and we offer a variety of garments at our retail shops. We want something for everybody.”
— Michelle Younger, Silver Dollar City
A 50th anniversary shirt for the Haunted Mansion ride was a top-selling souvenir at Knoebels in 2023.
“We could not keep those shirts on the shelves,” says Knoebel. “Everybody had to have one.”
New or reopened rides also make for great shirt designs. Silver Dollar City reopened its Fire in the Hole ride for the 2024 season, and Younger says everyone had to have merchandise tied to that attraction.
“Right now our top-selling shirts revolve around Fire in the Hole,” Younger says. “That was our new ride this year. It was more about people wanting that souvenir because of the name on it.”
Even once a ride has been around for a while, it’s not a bad idea to offer unique merchandise around that attraction, especially if it’s a popular one at the theme park. Younger advises always keeping ride-themed merchandise fresh for a new season.
“We have some season passholders, repeat customers. You don’t want customers always seeing the same thing,” she says. “We try to keep it fresh.” SGN
STORY BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE
Cave and cavern gift shops go spelunking for souvenirs that appeal to customers who appreciate exploring the natural world.
Howe Caverns is literally a cool place to visit at a constant 52 degrees, and its lodge gift shop harnesses the chilly air and circulates it in the shop for a reason. The natural air conditioning keeps visitors cool during busy summer months at the Howes Cave, New York, destination.
But ushering cavern air into the store also spikes apparel sales, says Terran Radliff, retail manager of the 1,500-square-foot gift shop, sweet shop and on-site gem mining attraction.
The gift shop at Howe Caverns is housed in a 1929 main lodge that has been renovated over the years, and especially since it was purchased in 2007 and is now privately owned. The property retains its historic feel while accommodating guests with the amenities they expect when visiting, Radliff says.
Because the cavern entrance is within the lodge and its retail experiences, venting air into the shop is no problem. It’s a helpful reminder to guests of
the cool cave temperatures and a nudge to check out the store’s array of hoodies, sweatshirts, long-sleeved T-shirts and other offerings.
No detail was left out of the mood-setting, merchandising, purchasing or customer service experience at Howe Caverns’ gift shop.
“Clothing is carefully chosen and art reviewed for each piece,” says Radliff. “We keep an eye on current trends while also retaining some of the pieces that are popular year after year.”
“We have a rustic feel here, and so we’ve made necklace displays with a tree stump and branches, and I use wood blocks to establish different heights for my displays.” — Katie Meyerdirk, Olentangy Caverns
Mainly, all things namedrop are a crowd pleaser and displays with suggestive presentations like filling Howe Caverns tote bags with ancillary products such as drinkware or beach towels keep sales ringing.
Plus, visitors aren’t missing out on the views while they shop.
“Spacious and airy with large windows and lovely scenery, our gift shop welcomes customers to take time and browse,” Radliff says.
Thoughtful presentation guides customers through the gift shop without them realizing it. For example, children’s items are grouped in a department, “which makes shopping easier for those who are not looking for children’s products,” says Radliff.
And because rocks are the whole point of visiting a cavern, accenting them in the gift shop is important, she says. These are grouped and organized based on common, unusual, children’s and metaphysical rocks and stones.
“We are fluid with our displays, so if we wish to highlight something, we group items on a fixture or wall,” Radliff says. “For example, a Howe Caverns sweatshirt paired with sweatpants and a hat or helmet are displayed together with other
souvenir items, or we’ll use various sizes of rocks and souvenir items to make a display.”
Because customers seek out headlamps and lanterns, positioning them by products Radliff hopes to move draws attention to those items.
Meanwhile, at Olentangy Caverns in Delaware, Ohio, a decidedly kids’ focus dominates the shop because this cave experience is tailored for family-friendly adventures, says Katie Meyerdirk, retail manager and head of marketing and events.
Presentations speak to the natural world beyond the shop’s doors, so Meyerdirk reclaims downed ash trees and sometimes chops logs to create display tiers.
“We have a rustic feel here, and so we’ve made necklace displays with a tree stump and branches, and I use wood blocks to establish different heights for my displays,” she says.
There’s an “organic separation” between souvenirs for children and adults.
“The north side of the store is all of the binoculars, plush and dig kits while the south side is jewelry, rocks and gems, and apparel,” says Meyerdirk.
At Olentangy Caverns’ new rock and gem shop that opened on-site this year, Meyerdirk
“gives it a different vibe” with Zen-inspired music and displays of amethyst cathedrals, geodes, zodiac stones and rock collecting kits.
She adds, “It’s hard to make a rock and gem store not look pretty because it naturally is.”
“With retail, you can get shiny object syndrome,” says Meyerdirk. “I bought a mushroom book for our gift shop because it looked cute, but now I can’t figure out how it fits into the theme. This entire rock and gem shop is a theme, making the buying a bit easier.”
Indeed, Meyerdirk takes a nontraditional approach to purchasing for the cavern’s main gift shop. She wants to offer approachable price points for kids, field trippers and families, so she has started to buy in bulk — supersizing orders to counts of 600 headlamps or 1,000 lanterns. This way, she can attain a lower per unit cost for name-drop items guests love.
“It’s a very different retail buying approach,”
Meyerdirk admits. “But I get a good price, the customer gets a good price, and we have unique products that are customized for Olentangy Caverns.”
For example, rather than charging $19.99 or $24.99 for a lantern, theirs retail at $10.99.
Meyerdirk knows this means that she may have a stock of lanterns that lasts three seasons. “We were able to find a couple of shipping containers, so we have a set of two that we turned into warehouses,” she says.
The caverns are open in late March through Oct. 31, so products are stored in the warehouse containers on-site. Replenishment during the
busiest month of July when about 25% of annual revenue is made is not a problem because there’s no waiting for back orders. It’s all right there and a matter of arriving before the shop opens or staying later after close to pull necessary items from storage.
As for purchasing at Howe Caverns, engaging with customers helps inform buying decisions, Radliff says. “A big part of what we do here is talking to people about their experience and listening to requests for items they’re looking for in the shop,” she says.
Kids go batty for plush.
“We have three sizes of stuffed bats that always move quickly,” says Radliff. Other favorites include water games, plush bedecked with Howe Caverns T-shirts, name-drop slinkies and books teaching basics about rocks.
“A big part of what we do here is talking to people about their experience and listening to requests for items they’re looking for in the shop.” — Terran Radliff, Howe Caverns
“We try to find new namedrop items every year, which is great for repeat visitors because they can always find something different,” says Radliff, noting this year’s addition of a logoed boomerang.
“Helmets are always hot,” she says. Howe Caverns stocks them in a variety of colors.
Jewelry lines appeal to adults including Wheeler Jewelry, Silver Forest, Village Originals, Western Woods and GeoCentral.
Specialty foods such as maple syrup, candies and locally sourced garlic of all things make fantastic souvenirs that double as hostess gifts, Radliff points out.
Shopping is an experience at cavern destinations, and these gift shops capitalize on family fun with a natural addition to cavern tours that extend the time customers spend on site: a gem mining activity.
Like panning for gold, guests of all ages get a
kick out of sifting through a prepackaged pouch of sand-coated treasures, dumping the contents onto a screen in a water trough, and watching the silt wash away to reveal colorful, interesting gemstones.
Both Howe Caverns and Olentangy Caverns offer gem mining outside of their shops’ locations but close by so they can point to the attraction and suggest trying it out.
An expansive petting zoo — the largest in the Columbus, Ohio, area — at Olentangy Caverns gives guests a geological and zoological experience, Meyerdirk says. A mix of deer, goats, pigs, rabbits, chickens and a Zebu (the oldest form of cattle) round out a diverse herd. Meyerdirk says many of the cavern’s goats are the endangered San Clemente Island breed. “We are the only breeder in Ohio working to repopulate the species,” she says, noting that fewer than 1,700 exist worldwide.
Of course, the goats appear as plush in the gift shop alongside other stuffed versions of the species roaming the petting zoo.
Carrying these experiences back into their gift shops with souvenirs and keepsakes is key.
“Pick a few things you love about your cave and build on that,” advises Radliff. “Listen to your customers when they ask you if you have ‘this or that,’ and see if there are common requests. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.” SGN
Maximize the popularity of souvenir magnets and keychains with unique displays that appeal to customers.
STORY BY MEGAN SMALLEY
Few souvenirs have wide-ranging appeal the way that magnets and keychains do. Just about everyone owns or uses a refrigerator or has a set of keys — both perfect places to adorn with tokens from trips to tourist attractions. Not to mention most everybody has a few extra dollars laying around to purchase these products, which come in a plethora of styles for all ages, genders and tastes and are easy to take home.
“Magnets and keychains are universal,” explains Joe Skorheim, wholesale sales manager for Morris Magnets, a manufacturer of wholesale souvenirs based in Monroe,
Washington. “The market demographic for magnets and keychains is broad — anyone from children to adults can enjoy them.”
Given their small size, destination retailers can also stock plenty of magnets and keychains without much hassle.
“We say put as many designs out that are relevant to your area,” shares David Statman of Better Magnets.
Statman notes that it’s a good idea for destination retailers to regularly update their magnet and impulse souvenir designs to attract customers new and old alike.
Skorheim adds that small souvenirs have high sell-through rates, making them great
for destination retailers. Although a sweatshirt is a higher ticket item, Skorheim explains that retailers will likely sell six to seven times more magnets than sweatshirts.
Since these small souvenirs can be such hot sellers, destination retailers should consider being strategic in how they showcase magnets and keychains.
Magnets are always popular souvenirs at the Columbia River Maritime Museum store in Astoria, Oregon. Director of Retail Blue Anderson says the shop sells over 4,500 magnets each year. Keychains are also regular sellers, but at about half the quantity as magnets, she notes.
“A lot of people have been doing magnet walls lately with how popular magnets have become.” — DAVID STATMAN, BETTER MAGNETS
Knowing that these two items are easy sells, Anderson likes to keep them in the back to encourage people to browse other categories scattered throughout the 1,800-square-foot museum store on their way to these small collectibles.
“I consider magnets, postcards and general souvenir items as the bread-and-butter of our store,” she shares. “Mainly they get put a little farther back in the store so people go through other areas before they get to the ‘butter.’”
Statman says retailers with a lot of space
might want to try featuring a magnet wall to showcase these souvenirs.
“A lot of people have been doing magnet walls lately with how popular magnets have become,” he says.
It also doesn’t hurt to move these souvenirs occasionally to see what works best.
“We are always moving merchandise,” says Deanna Kindell, director of retail operations and donor engagement at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio.
The northwestern Ohio museum renovated its gift shop in January by updating fixtures to make it more welcoming. Kindell explains that she’s still testing where merchandise will sell best with the new shop layout. But even once she finds a fit for various products, she notes that she’s open to changes, especially for impulse souvenirs.
“Right now, keychains are on an end cap and postcards are across from our checkout, closer to the door,” she says. “But our impulse items are really forever moving because sometimes we have found that when you move them, they sell better — especially for repeat guests.”
Having plenty of options and styles of magnets and keychains is a good strategy.
The gift shop at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, carries a wide range of magnet designs. Store Director Scott Quine says the store has magnets that feature retro styles, artistic styles and some with classic photographs of the Garden of the Gods. There are different shapes as well, including rectangular sized magnets, panoramic-style magnets, mini magnet sets and even some 3D options.
“We started carrying a line of designer clay magnets from Clay Critters,” Quine says. “They’re more like 3D magnets.”
Anderson says her shop’s most popular magnets feature the museum name along with the Astoria name drop. But she also has options that feature the Oregon state flag and Bigfoot to offer variety.
She also makes sure to have some “useful”
“A magnet is a pretty routine purchase for visitors. I use this as an opportunity to show them other items they might not have thought of but now see in conjunction with the magnet.” — SCOTT QUINE, GARDEN OF THE GODS
magnet and keychain options, such as keychains that have fidget spinners or magnets that double as bottle openers.
“When the economy feels slower, I add more ‘useful’ gifts, such as the bottle opener magnets and keychains,” says Anderson.
Skorheim says offering a wide variety of magnet and keychain designs will also appeal to more people.
For instance, one customer who loves hiking might really be drawn to the Bigfoot-themed magnet while another customer who had a work trip in the city might like the magnet featuring a picture of the city’s skyline, he explains. “Give people a couple of things to pick from — variety helps.”
Statman adds that retailers should also try to offer promotions around magnets to increase sales in this category.
“We have a couple clients selling magnets for $5.99, while everyone else is selling them for $4.99,” he says. “We’ve found the best way to sell a magnet is maybe sell one for $5.99, but then offer two for $10 deals. That way you’re selling in volume. Magnets are great margin since people will pick up two of them all day long.”
Changing the store’s selection of magnets and keychains is also good to boost sales in this category with repeat customers. Kindell
says she’s constantly varying up the Armstrong Air & Space Museum shop’s magnet offerings. Currently, an astronaut Snoopy magnet is very popular for the shop, along with some 3D magnet options.
“Our magnets come in many sizes and vary in price,” says Kindell. “Our least expensive is $2, but they go up to $20.”
The museum shop also carries quite a variety of keychains, featuring astronauts, rocket ships and other space themes. Kindell says a metallic astronaut keychain is the bestseller for that product category.
She adds that customers really appreciate souvenirs that feature unique designs or are made in the USA.
“It seems like it’s no longer the least expensive item but what meets people’s needs that appeals to them, whether that means it’s made in the USA or handmade,” Kindell explains. “They’re willing to spend more for something that’s fair trade, even with the keychains and magnets.”
Presenting magnets and keychains together on the same display can also work very well for destination retailers, enticing customers to buy their favorite design of each souvenir.
Skorheim says retailers should try to put several impulse souvenirs together to help encourage sales. He says Morris Magnets offers some display options that allow retailers to showcase magnets, keychains, stickers, ornaments and coasters all together.
At the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center gift shop, Quine says he likes to surround magnets with other complementary items.
“I think surrounding your magnets with comparable items is helpful,” he says. “I try to put them with other items to create a story.”
For example, Quine explains that he has placed a magnet that says “Garden of the Gods,” with a lanyard around it and bottle opener next to it.
Eye-catching displays are essential to boost sales for just about any product, including keychains and magnets.
“Presentation is always the key,” shares Joe Skorheim, wholesale sales manager at Monroe, Washington-based Morris Magnets. “You want to always keep displays full.”
1 ATTRACT CUSTOMERS. Always keep the store’s displays and merchandising clean and well-organized.
2 BRAND EXPERIENCE. Use appealing displays that convey a brand’s story and identity, which will help customers make a stronger connection with the products and the shopping experience.
3 CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT IS KEY. Have displays that encourage customers to feel the product, and make sure they are easy to access for just about anyone.
“I try to put ‘like’ items nearby,” he says. “A magnet is a pretty routine purchase for visitors. I use this as an opportunity to show them other items they might not have thought of but now see in conjunction with the magnet.”
With magnets, Skorheim says retailers will want to always keep displays full and replace magnets as the displays empty.
At the Columbia River Maritime Museum shop, Anderson places magnets and keychains on large floor spinners. She adds that she tends to group these products by story. “We theme the spinners — all the bottle openers are together, the museum magnets together, the PNW magnets together, stories like that,” she says.
Kindell has her museum shop’s magnets on a strip display with bins underneath with each of the options for customers to purchase to ensure the displays are never empty.
Kindell is also a big fan of making sure the store’s displays invite customers to pick up and feel merchandise before they buy it. She encourages staff members to showcase how the souvenirs work. She wants customers to pick up and play with a fidget-spinner keychain or feel the 3D magnet before buying it.
“It’s about giving customers an experience,” she shares. “Whether they make a purchase, they can have a great experience in the store.” SGN
STORY BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE
A steady, rising demand for pet-related gifts, souvenirs and products of all kinds is fueling a profitable market.
Most shopkeepers avoid kissing their loyal customers, but Faux Paws Owner Lynn Small often finds herself smooching the furry guests who step in her stores’ doors.
The retailer encourages pooch guests to trot into its four locations in South Carolina and Florida and dive into welcoming displays designed for toy test runs.
With its Caribbean color palette and surf vibe, Small says while the store is stocked with all things dog, it’s also a “person store,” and don’t bother looking for cutesy dog decor, she says. Initially when the couple purchased the flagship St. Augustine, Florida, store, most of the products were dog figurines and memorial keepsakes to commemorate the loss of a pet.
Small and her husband Marc quickly pivoted.
“We said, ‘Let’s turn this into something that celebrates your dog instead,’” says Small.
So they did, and the volume of customers seeking out items like pet-themed gifts grew. The retailer carries products like chewies, leashes and collars, and souvenirs for customers and their pets.
“Give
managers ownership over helping select products, and maintain a lively environment.”
— LYNN SMALL, FAUX PAWS, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL
“Treats outdoors encourages guests and regulars to visit and enjoy good company.”
— KAREN KOSIMAR, SEA DOG PET BOUTIQUE, ANNAPOLIS, MD
“Stock products customers won’t find at big-box pet outlets and focus on stocking specialty goods.”
— GALE ABBOTT, BARK HARBOR, BAR HARBOR, ME
At Sea Dog Pet Boutique in Annapolis, Maryland, a claw machine offers $1 chances to grab a pet plushie. Proceeds go toward local animal rescue charities. And like many pet-centered gift and souvenir shops, Sea Dog also attracts tourists along with regulars who make stopping in as much of a routine as the morning walk.
In fact, sometimes that walk includes a visit, which always involves a treat and a picture that is posted on Sea Dog’s Instagram page, says owner Karen Kosimar.
Because of the shop’s proximity to the United States Naval Academy, Kosimar says military returning from overseas often stop in. “We’ve had customers who brought their dogs back home with them from Afghanistan because they came across a dog that needed help and ended up adopting it,” she says.
Meanwhile, vacationers and those who summer in Annapolis during boating season easily find Sea Dog, which is located on the main drag.
“We’ve had customers who brought their dogs back home with them from Afghanistan because they came across a dog that needed help and ended up adopting it.”
— KAREN KOSIMAR, SEA DOG PET BOUTIQUE
Up North, Bark Harbor is a popular destination for tourists and locals, says owner Gale Abbott of the Bar Harbor, Maine, shop. She echoes the mix of visitors and locals, which keeps sales ringing consistently year-round. “We have a lot of foot traffic and with word of mouth, it’s repeat-repeat-repeat business,” she says.
Stocking a variety of staples, souvenirs and gifts provides a diverse selection of items for out-of-town guests and close-to-home customers. The key is to carry products that are not found in big box stores and focus on sourcing specialty goods, Small says. This is why Faux Paws maintains a variety of merchandise that is mostly selected from small suppliers and mom-and-pop shops such as FunDog Bandanas out of Wisconsin.
Leashes and collars by Yellow Dog and Buckle-Down are also popular picks, particularly in tropical designs. Collars bearing dog
names appeal to customers, and Small is careful to offer a wide selection and makes sure none of the names are out of stock. “You can’t predict what dog will come in, and when a name is running low, we order,” Small says.
Kosimar seeks out USA-made items such as collars and leashes by Puddle Jumpers, Up Country, Preston and the Belted Cow. Because of her shop’s location and her appreciation of those who serve the country, she supports military-owned businesses including Rope Hounds based in Arkansas. The adventure line offers harnesses, leashes and life jackets.
$147 BILLION
TOTAL SPENT ON PETS IN THE U.S. IN 2023.
The biggest seller at Sea Dog is the animated crab dog toy by Tall Tails, a nod to Chesapeake Bay.
Another line the shop offers is Spunky Pup, which produces toys made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Again, oceanthemed motifs such as crabs, turtles and seahorses win over tourists, boaters and locals.
Sportswear for dogs? Definitely.
Faux Paws’ NFL-licensed football jerseys by Pets First suit owners who want to dress their dogs for game day. Those preferring a matching look can pick up a Hawaiian shirt for themselves and their dogs produced by Hawaii-based RJC.
“The bar also has to look full,” Small says of a treat section that showcases “humanized” plush
dog toys such as Barkweiser and Grrrona beer bottles, or Dirty Muttini and Dog Nog stuffies by Haute Diggity Dog.
Novelty and cute factor inform purchasing at Bark Harbor. Local Raccoon Cove Creations supplies themed doggy coats and rain jackets. Anything lobster sells fast, Abbott says. The poop bag holders are also practical and an enticing impulse buys.
Jax & Bones toys “fly out of here,” Abbott says of the squeaky plush sports balls, nautical rope dog toys shaped as helms and vibrant red lobsters. Tall Tails products move quickly, as well.
What about the cats?
While nearly 45% of U.S. households own dogs, 29% own cats, Abbott says. For feline families, Bark Harbor offers creative catnip by Winter Wind Designs along with organic catnip beds you can roll out — and let the crazy fun begin.
Kosimar is a stickler for organized displays. An extensive slat wall holds all collars and leashes, organized by pattern and size. “It’s very easy for people to look for the pattern they prefer and find the correct size,” she relates.
Plenty of open floor space allows people to mingle at Sea Dog and for pups to do their thing, Kosimar says. She limits display tables but does maintain a few for themed presentations, such as a picnic motif with a grill that holds chew toys. Another tiered table features only bandanas with plush tucked underneath. A “cat cove” corner holds treats, harnesses, collars and a range of feline goodies.
There’s a human section, too, with artisan cards, drinkware and pet-themed decor by Rustic Marlin.
Mindful layout is key, Abbott agrees, especially since Bark Harbor is about 700 square feet in size “and it’s packed,” she says.
At the Bar Harbor store, grid walls throughout allow displays to rise to the occasion. There, Abbott can showcase animal-themed clocks with wagging tails. Spinning displays allow guests to swiftly seek out a pet name, motif or color. Spinners also work well for showing off holiday ornaments. And troughs brimming with toys encourage the pets to do their own shopping.
At Faux Paws, Small offers a shopping experience that appeals to all the senses. T-shirts, doggy bandanas and other apparel that arrive wrapped are freed from packaging so customers can
touch and feel their softness.
Also, managers select scented oils to slip into diffusers in the stores. “It smells really fresh be-
“Customers are family when they come into the store — that’s what it’s all about.”
— LYNN SMALL, FAUX PAWS
cause usually when you go into a pet store, you smell dog food,” says Small.
And at Faux Paws, there’s no holding back merchandise either.
“Everything is out on the floor and we generally don’t keep back stock,” Small says.
Overall, these pet-themed gift and souvenir shops focus on providing a welcoming environment that earns wags of approval from four-footed guests and lots of laughs and smiles from their owners. Small says, “Customers are family when they come into the store — that’s what it’s all about.” SGN
STORY BY KRISTIN ELY
A GOOD MIX OF FUN, LOCATION-THEMED MERCHANDISE AND EASY ACCESS TO THE TOYS CREATES AN IRRESISTIBLE PLACE FOR CHILDREN TO WANT TO SHOP.
There’s no one more eager than a kid in a candy store, that is unless you are a kid in a store that caters to the other things they love: toys, games, trinkets and souvenirs. Items that are cute, cuddly and regionally specific are timeless attributes that children on road trips are seeking when they stop off to shop with their families while traveling.
Whether they are visiting family in Brooklyn, taking a road trip along I-80 or enjoying a short stop on their way to the California coast, destination retailers can charm these young shoppers with items that appeal to their whimsies and capture area attributes.
For stores that cater to these tiny weary travelers, it is important to stock an abundance of
playful items in easy-to-access displays so even the choosiest of children won’t be able to resist picking something off your shelves.
For the last 17 years, visitors to Brooklyn, New York, and families living in the Park Slope neighborhood stop in Blue Ribbon General Store for gifts and items that cater to the urbanite, according to Owner Anne Cantrell.
“We have everything from bar to cleaning
to pet, but we are in Brooklyn, which is very kid friendly, and we really like to service our community.”
Its location on Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn, which was rated “the coolest street in New York City,” attracts many tourists and people in town visiting friends and family. Foreign tourism has started to pick back up, too, post-pandemic.
The kids’ offerings make up about a quarter of the 1,100 square foot store. While New York name dropped items to Brooklyn Loves Brooklyn items are big sellers, one of the stores bestsellers is a baby teether that looks like a bagel with lox.
“The ‘blue ribbon’ of the name Blue Ribbon General Store means that we’re finding the best product so we have a well-edited assortment of kids’ products in our general store,” says Cantrell. “Even though it is a small portion of our shop, we really try to services a lot of different ages and offer a lot of fun newness. People are very well traveled here so we always try to bring them something new and follow a little bit of retro along the way.”
From an expansive offering of baby and toddler items like teethers, swaddles and funny onesies, the store also carries what Cantrell describes as interesting and educational toys designed to make learning more fun.
“Throughout the whole store, we are really into puzzles. I love the ‘family puzzle.’ I think for a family that has a kid eight or up it is just so fun,” Cantrell notes.
“Throughout the whole store, we are really into puzzles. I love the ‘family puzzle.’ I think for a family that has a kid eight or up it is just so fun.”
— ANNE CANTRELL, BLUE RIBBON GENERAL STORE
Blind boxes are also a popular item Cantrell keeps stocked. These boxes contain figurines where you generally know what you are getting, but you don’t know exactly which one. Customers buy multiples because they are collectible. They also make great stocking stuffers, according to Cantrell.
“We’ve got a lot of funny ones like a cat in a funny shape and you don’t know which one you are going to get,” she explains.
DIY kits are also up for grabs, which Cantrell says are good for solo play. Magic kits are also in demand.
The store also has a “tweener” section with products that are more feminine like bead kits to make friendship bracelets, and bedroom decor. For kids in the 24 months to seven-yearold range, Blue Ribbon General Store carries a variety of wooden toys that allow kids to emulate what their parents are doing like making a smoothie or an espresso drink.
“One of our most popular gifts is a wooden rainbow birthday cake, and it comes in many different parts so there’s a stacking element to it as well as being colorful and fun. I’m always looking for new innovative things along those lines,” says Cantrell.
The store also caters to road tripping and airline traveling kids with sticker books, workbooks and bingo cards.
The store sells a ton of Jellycat toys, which Cantrell says has exploded in the last two years. “We’ve doubled our business of Jellycats,” she says.
The store sells just about every kind of Jellycat imaginable from cats, dogs, bunnies to capybaras. In addition, the store also offers a variety of the brand’s Amuseables, which consist of foods that have eyes on them. “Of course we are in New
York so we have pizza Amuseables,” she says.
“It just depends on what comes out and what sells really quickly. Right now we have a ginger root Jellycat, and for the holidays we have so many fun Jellycats. I think it’s hilarious, we probably sell as many to the adults as we do kids.”
WOODEN TOYS FIDGET TOYS PLUSH
Cantrell says being in Brooklyn, the store tries to be conscious of how much space its merchandise takes up. “We have a smaller footprint and all of our toys respect that,” she says.
Fidget toys are another item that tends to sell, and for Blue Ribbon, NeeDoh by Schylling is a squishy worry toy that is all the rage. They could be in the shape of a chess piece or an ice cube or anything else one could imagine. “There’s different versions, and we always try to have them in stock and get the newest NeeDoh.”
And eco-consciousness does not get ignored at Blue Ribbon. The store also carries toy cars made from recycled plastic bottles. Board
games, including different variations of the popular Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza and family icebreaker games are also sold at Blue Ribbon.
Toys are also a big draw at Fort Cody Trading Post in North Platte, Nebraska, where travelers stop to stretch on their road trip.
“We are right on Interstate 80 so people travel to Denver and Omaha and we are like a halfway point,” says Nick Henline, owner of the third-generation family-owned business. And while tourists can pick up all sorts of Native American jewelry, moccasins, Western books, T-shirts and food products, he says toys are definitely up there in sales.
“We carry a lot of stuffed animals, a lot of plush. That’s a really big thing,” Henline says. He adds that he tries to carry a large variety of stuffed animals. “We have an entire island full of different choices. I like to have a really big variety of stuffed animals for the kids.”
Buffalo and bison do however make up the bulk of plush sales, which Henline says can be attributed to the area’s connection to Buffalo Bill.
“I think everyone who comes in has buffaloes on their mind so everyone wants to go home with a little miniature buffalo plush.”
“I think everyone who comes in has buffaloes on their mind so everyone wants to go home with a little miniature buffalo plush.”
— NICK HENLINE, FORT CODY TRADING POST
Wild Republic and Douglas are two of Fort Cody Trading Post’s top plush suppliers. The store also taps into its Old West history with toy cap guns from Parris Manufacturing.
“But it’s also non-western toys,” notes Henline. “Within the last several years, the biggest thing has been the fidget balls, the stress balls and items like that. They are really, really huge right now.”
Since the store gets so many motorists, travel games are a huge hit, according to Henline. “Travel bingo, always does really well,” he says. Bigger board games don’t tend to sell as well since they aren’t easy to play on the road. Toys aren’t reserved to one section of the
store, but spread out throughout. But attention is paid to the height of the toy displays.
“We generally try to have them at a lower level so kids can get to them,” says Henline. “We’ve tried tower displays before featuring kids’ lines, but if they are too high up, they really don’t sell that well so we have a bunch of islands in our store and they’re the perfect height for kids. They like to pick up everything and try it out.”
He says having all the toys at kid level may increase the risk of breakage, but ultimately, “you’re going to sell more toys if it’s at that level.”
California may be on the opposite coast of New York City, but visitors to Heebe Jeebe General Store in Petaluma, California, have something in common with Blue Ribbon General Store customers — their love of Jellycats.
“Jellycat has been huge the last several years, and that is shopped by adults as well as kids,” says Drew Washer who opened the store 25 years
ago. “I wanted to do a store where anyone could come in, and while the kids are looking at stuff, dad could find a funny pair of socks and ladies can find a nice gift for a bridal shower or a baby.”
While many items are geared for kids in the store, she says a lot of adults go to the kids’ section looking for nostalgia items. “They want to get their kids something they had as a kid or that their grandmother got them as a kid,” she says.
Washer describes the collection of kids’ items at Heebe Jeebe as “completely curated but in the most fantastical way.” She explains that while the store has carried some brands for 25 years, they are constantly moving items around and finding items that are new to keep it fresh.
Washer loves hearing the laughter in the store when kids and adults see the greeting card section. Stickers are also big sellers currently, so the store has ones that appeal to kids as well as adults. The store also has a small candy section with new and nostalgic candy.
Like Blue Ribbon General Store, NeeDoh
is so popular Washer is constantly reordering them. They are by the register and the store carries a variety of styles from ice cubes to donuts to gummy bears, some made popular by TikTok. Some glow in the dark and some crunch like snowballs. Also on the register are finger puppets, including axolotls and opossums, from Archie McPhee. “I’ve sold them since day one,” she says of the finger puppets.
Themes throughout the store range from humor and current events. “Cats are having a moment. We have lots of them all over the store,” she says alluding to political statements that may have spurred sales recently.
Jellycats include mushrooms with fancy hats, snails and food items. Stuffed animal keychains are hip with the teens and tweens. Douglas plush toys appeal to the younger tots, and dress-up, wooden toys and magic sets all have a place.
“I do sell a lot of Petaluma name-drop items,” Washer adds. “We have a lot of tourists who come in from inland to go to the coast. We are
along the way. We also get wine country people and just people that like a small town getaway.”
To appeal to the young nature enthusiast, Heebe Jeebe carries toys from Kikkerland, which include binoculars and outdoor activity books.
Washer has a nature section in the store where these items can be found. “Since we are in Northern California, a lot of people are into mushroom hunting so we have a lot of mushroom-related stuff.”
“Bears
have always been popular, but now it’s a lot of possums and funny little creatures.”
— DREW WASHER, HEEBE JEEBE GENERAL STORE
Unicorns may have had their day in the sun, but popularity appears to be fading at Heebe Jeebe. Instead Washer says, “all of a sudden it’s raccoons and foxes and outdoorsy animals.” Bears have always been popular, she adds, “but now it’s a lot of possums and funny little creatures.”
No matter where your store is located, you can carry merchandise that appeals to kids while also paying homage to the places and features that make your store’s location special. SGN
Looking for something new to offer? Here are some trending products that are sure to turn heads.
1. Cape Shore: Emblem mug with laser-precise icons, www.cape-shore.com; 2. Purr-Fection by MJC: Plush black bear in custom red shirt, www.purr-fection.com; 3. Fox Chapel Publishing: Sookie and Ivy gift book, www.foxchapelpublishing.com; 4. Wind River: Faith Hope & Love wind chimes, www.windriverchimes.com; 5. Uncommon Flame: Pure-soy wax candles with unique label designs, www.uncommonflame.com; 6. Jilzarah: Sedona Sky small bead wrist keychain, www.jilzarah.com; 7. Impulse Souvenirs: Campfire sticker, www.impulsesouvenirs.com; 8. Fiesta Toy: Super soft spandex animals with three stylish scrunchies, www.fiestatoy.com.
Have a product to feature? Send a high-resolution image and description to: katie@breakwallpublishing.com.
A.T. Storrs Ltd. – www.atstorrs.com ..................................... 11
Alaskan Suncatchers –www.alaskansuncatchers.com .........................................109
Alynn Neckwear dba Wild Attire –wholesale.wildattire.com 111
American Gift Corp. – www.agiftcorp.com 79
Animals Forever – www.animalsforever.net 35, 81
Art by Elowyn – faire.com/direct/artbyelowyn ............. 70
Atlanta Market – www.atlantamarket.com/gift ............ 25
Avalon Meat Candy – www.avalonmeatcandy.com ..... 83
B. Berish – faire.com/direct/bberish 26
Bags by Bruno – www.bagsbybruno-nj.com 93
Bamboo Source Tropical Decor –www.bambootropicaldecor.com 54
Beacon Design – www.beacondesign.com ........................ 15
Better Magnets – www.bettermagnetsusa.com ............ 85
Boo Boo Buddies – www.boo-boobuddies.com ............ 51
Bucket Wonders – www.bucketwonders.com 91
Capsmith – www.capsmith.com 67
Cool Jewels – www.cooljewels.com 32-33
Desperate Enterprises – www.desperate.com 89
Donna Elias Studios LLC – www.donnaelias.com.......... 98
Dutch American – www.dutcham.com................................. 5
Eagle Emblem – www.eeincusa.com ................................... 24
Exist – www.existcatalog.com 75
Fiesta Toy – www.fiestatoy.com 101
Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show –www.grandstrandgiftshow.com Tip Cover, 23
Great Lakes Gift Show –www.greatlakesgiftshow.com .............................................31
Impulse Souvenirs – www.impulsesouvenirs.com ........ 115
Jackson Pacific – www.jacksonpacific.com 69
Jilzarah – wholesale.jilzarah.com 39
Kurt S. Adler – www.kurtadler.com 19
Las Vegas Market – www.lasvegasmarket.com 29
LaserGifts – www.lasergifts.com 43, 116
Lifeforce Glass – www.lifeforceglass.com ................. 64-65
Lipco Group – www.lipco.biz .................................................53
Critterz – www.littlecritterz.com 61
Lorab – www.lorab.com 104
STORY BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE
Location: Asheboro, NC
Director of Retail: David Whitaker
As the largest natural habitat zoo in the world, the state owned and operated North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is on a conservation mission — and its four retail locations throughout the park play a vital role as a funding source.
Since David Whitaker came on board as the North Carolina Zoo Society’s director of retail in 2012, his department has raised $1.65 million from a basic animal button campaign and souvenir vending machines such as penny presses. In 12 years, the “old-timey pin-ons” effort alone has contributed $750,000 toward conservation, and the initiative started with a simple ask.
But Whitaker noticed staff didn’t promote them so he began talking up the promotion with staff.
After six months and tracking the ratio of sales-to-button purchase, he decided a more assertive effort was necessary. “At first, every 16 transactions we received a dollar,” he says.
So, he created a contest. Whichever store had the best ratio each month won free lunch. “That gave them some incentive,” Whitaker says, reporting a ratio improvement to a button sold for every 4.94 trans-
Instilling conservation values in full-time and new and returning seasonal employees is a training focus.
actions. This amounted to netting $33,000 for the park in 2012 and $56,000 in 2013.
Again, Whitaker cranked up the campaign.
donations, which could be as much as $100 on busy days. “That really excited everyone,” he says.
In 2014, the ratio moved down to 2.98, and the momentum continues.
During more than two decades of conservation efforts, the North Carolina Zoo has prevented species from going extinct and reversed the fate of endangered wildlife.
“We literally have a global reach,” says Whitaker.
Instilling conservation values in full-time and new and returning seasonal employees is a training focus, he says. Every year at orientation, a presentation highlights how proceeds from the gift shops and donations support the mission.
The zoo-themed buttons have always been a part of the zoo’s retail mix as an impulse counter item.
SPONSORED BY:
This time, he chose (but did not disclose) 10 contest days per month. The staff member with the most pins sold would get 10% of the button
“This connects employees to our mission and helps motivate them,” he says, crediting his “wonderful staff ” and their commitment. “It’s about the donation not the button.” SGN
Sunshine Awards recognize retail stores in our industry that are making a difference through charitable donations and efforts. Is your store worthy of an award? We’d love to hear from you! Complete an entry form at www.sgnmag.com/sunshine-award
