his is our 2006 Winter Profiles in Excellence issue, and we hope
you enjoy reading about the companies we feature in this special
section. Whether you are focused on selling jewelry, plush, gifts or
other goods, you will find many firms of interest in our profiles.
A good way to improve your operation is to listen and learn from the
insights of your peers in the industry. In this edition, you can get operational
tips from beach, amusement park, cruise ship, zoo and art museum retailers.
Surveys, forecasts and studies are also instructive tools. We offer a story
about the importance of the Asian American demographic. And predictions
for this year’s holiday retail picture are covered in our Countdown to
Christmas section.
March means St. Patrick’s Day, and in a special report on Celtic merchandise,
we offer a forecast on spending and other stories of interest, including
pieces about Irish merchandise shows and a profile of the Black Hills Celtic
Shop in South Dakota.
Our cover story looks at beach shops, where managers and owners on
both coasts said fewer beach staples and more unique souvenirs can spell
retail success.
Each issue we feature a section devoted to interviewing members of the
Zoo and Aquarium Buyers Association Group (ZAG.) This edition the members
discuss display at zoo shops and how they merchandise for sales results.
Hospital stores boost morale and offer a distraction from the clinical environment
for staff and patients alike. In our story, managers share strategies
to keep these shops engaging and relevant.
Amusement parks cater to a clientele that is looking for a souvenir of a
fun-filled day. Once shopping, these customers often turn practical and buy
a T-shirt, our story on park retail found.
Also searching for a remembrance of a visit are art museum store clients.
Presentation that can attract the eye of the most discerning art buff is essential
to maximizing sales at these inventive shops.
While relaxing on a cruise vacation, guests enjoy shopping the many specialized
vessel stores. In our cruise store story, the strategies of a company that
operates retail outlets for major cruise lines are explored.
Our Publisher Emeritus Janice Weiss bids a fond farewell to her many
friends in the industry in our Executive Digest section this month. Janice has
been with the magazine from the beginning, and her professionalism and caring
attitude will be missed.
We hope you enjoy the issue. Please e-mail us with your comments, suggestions
and questions at the address shown below.
Scott C. Borowsky
President and Executive Editor
SOUVENIRS, GIFTS AND NOVELTIES MAGAZINE
SGNMAG@KANEC.COM
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