The section includes a look at plush and toy selling strategies at Disney stores featuring exclusive interviews with Dara Trujillo, manager of Merchandise, Synergy and Special events for Walt Disney World Resort, and Molly Adams, vice president and general manager of Disney Stores North America. We also offer stories on games and playthings at inspirational and New Age stores, independent college bookstores and children’s museums, the latest news from The Toy Industry Association and new product news releases.

Apparel has broad appeal for all types of destination stores, and you can learn how to improve your sales outcomes with the articles in our apparel section. The feature includes stories on wearables sales at museums and amusement park stores and T-shirt selling tips from public lands partner shops.

Discount and dollar stores are enjoying good sales in the current economy and we interviewed stores around the country for a glimpse into this special retail environment. Additionally we feature a special section from ASD offering the latest information on the show.

Mall carts and kiosks are also an economical way for shop owners to make their mark in retail. Employees at these high visibility outlets often work alone, making their contributions critical to boosting sales. In our Carts and Kiosks section, leasing managers and cart owners share their strategies for hiring and training the best staff members.

College bookstores will need to go beyond book and apparel sales in 2015, according to a new study from the National Association of College Stores (NACS). In the college bookstores section, we interviewed shop managers on how they will grow and change in the next few years to meet profitability and customer service goals. The article is an additional resource for anyone attending the CAMEX Market Expo 2011 in Houston, Texas, in late February.

We also offer stories on gourmet, specialty and snack foods at hospital shops, jewelry at resorts and gift stores, Halloween merchandise sales at party stores and plush and toys, designing custom products and selling apparel to teens at zoo and aquarium shops. Additionally, see the back of the magazine for Industry News and exclusive photo coverage from recent trade shows, and the front of the book for a photo gallery from last November's International Gift Exposition in the Smokies (IGES) show.

I hope you enjoy the issue. Please contact me 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

“It should be noted that children at play are not playing about; their games should be seen as their most serious-minded activity.”
– Michel de Montaigne