ccording the National Candle Association, United States retail sales of candles are estimated at approximately $2 billion annually, excluding sales of candle accessories, and candles are used in seven out of 10 U.S. households. These numbers can translate into significant sales for your shop if you stock a generous assortment of candles. Other types of scented merchandise, such as personal care products and incense, also appeal to your customers’ desire for affordable luxuries, and it is the wise retailer that caters to shoppers in these areas.
To keep you better informed regarding candles and scented merchandise, we offer a special section covering the sales of these products at New Age stores, tips for creating a welcoming home décor you can share with your customers, a listing of the most popular candle fragrances and more. Additionally, our Resort and Spa Report covers natural personal care products.
In our Zoo and Aquarium Section, we cover selling staple souvenir items such as keychains, magnets and mugs at zoos, and also how to prosper with sea-themed jewelry at aquariums.
We offer the most comprehensive coverage of how to sell souvenir apparel in the industry, and this issue we feature a story on how natural history museums are working to increase apparel sales. Children are always a consideration for buyers, whether at museums or national and state parks. In our Public Lands Partner Stores section, you can get tips on how to stock the best in plush and toys for kids.
Minor holidays such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Nurse’s Day and graduations are opportunities for strong sales. We look at how Minor League Baseball stores, college bookstores and hospital shops stock the best merchandise for these special occasions.
When families shop party stores, it is often to outfit the home for a child’s birthday. In our Party Stores section, you can read about how shops are buying and displaying for maximum sales in this important category.
The Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show is slated for Jan. 20-22 in Las Vegas, Nev. In our Sports Merchandise and Tailgate Report, you can read how retailers offering licensed sports-themed products are handling competition with excellent stock and customer service.
Gifts with a primitive feel once dominated the product selection at country stores. But today, these unique shops are finding customers are looking for merchandise with a more modern feel that still captures the country sensibility, our story found.
January marks the start of the winter trade show season, and we will cover all of the key shows. Please stop by and say hello to my staff and I. We hope you enjoy the issue. Contact us at the e-mail address below with your comments, questions and suggestions.
Scott C. Borowsky
President and Executive Editor
SOUVENIRS, GIFTS AND NOVELTIES MAGAZINE
EDITORSGNMAG@KANEC.COM
“If you have knowledge,
let others light their candles at it.”
– Margaret Fuller
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SGN Newsletter
