-shirts and caps are pragmatic souvenirs, and if the quality it there, they can be worn and enjoyed for years. On the other hand, a toy pirate’s sword or a pouch of “gold” coins, may not be practical but serve the always-worthwhile purpose of sparking a child’s imagination. In this issue we look at both types of gifts. In our Head to Toe section, you can read about how stores at waterparks, minor league baseball venues and hospitals are increasing apparel sales. And in our pirate and vampire section, find out how museums, party stores and retailers in coastal locations are doing well with these themed souvenirs. In a related story, we look at how souvenirs of sailing history are helping to support the nation’s nautical museums.
Our apparel coverage continues in the Zoo & Aquarium section, where you will find a story on T-shirt buying at zoos and aquariums. Also in the section, you can read about themed merchandise at aquariums and priced-right plush at zoos.
College bookstores are a source of both practical and fun merchandise. Licensed jewelry falls into the latter category, and these shops do well catering to students’ sports and school loyalties.
Visual merchandising is both an art and a science, and is a powerful way to draw your customers in to buy. Learn about display strategies at independent college bookstores and at the nation’s cherished public lands in this issue’s special section.
Display is a crucial part of the sales strategy at year-round Christmas stores, where even summertime shoppers can be persuaded to think about the winter holidays. We look at how these stores are drawing in customers in the Christmas Trends section.
The economy has many consumers in a state of worry, and some turn to prayer and reflection to ease their minds. At religious stores, owners are noticing that shoppers are keeping to a budget more so now than in years’ past. But customers are still visiting and buying, and the shops are responding with economical gift choices.
Art museum stores serve the perfect demographic to do well with environmentally aware gift choices. In our Green Merchandise • AAM story, we report on the green gifts that are being sold at museum shops across the country.
March is also our Annual Megabucks Feature issue. In the story, we look back at sales figures and trends from 2009 at all types of attraction retailers.
We hope you enjoy the issue. Please 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
“Efficiency is doing things right;
effectiveness is doing the right things.”
– Peter Drucker
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