Shifting shopping values in 2026

Souvenir and gift shops come in every shape and size. There are high-volume tourist stores, tiny artist-run boutiques and everything in between. The core souvenir categories haven’t changed much over the years, but shopper expectations have changed.

What’s trending in 2026 isn’t a new list of products, it’s the way people want these products to look and feel. More shoppers expect their souvenirs to connect to the places they are visiting.

Demand for hyper local

Local isn’t enough anymore. Shoppers want the specifics: the pier, the trail, the neighborhood nickname, the mural, the landmark that only insiders know about. Products built around these hyper-local cues outperform generic name-drop merchandise.

"What’s trending in 2026 isn’t a new list of products, it’s the way people want these products to look and feel."

Shoppers are also drawn to hyper-local snacks and treats, from artisan snacks and local chocolates to tiny hot sauce samplers. These products create repeat customers in non-tourist areas and impulse buys in tourist zones.

Elevated design and quality

Tourists have become design critics, thanks to Instagram, and they expect even their magnets and tees to look good. There is a demand for cleaner fonts, modern palettes, vintage-inspired park graphics and layouts that feel more boutique than boardwalk.

As an example, shoppers have always loved witty humor, but they are over the busy novelty items. What’s trending is a clean look with humor: think simple layouts, regional jokes and humor that feels more boutique than kitschy.

On top of looking good, more people expect that products do good as well. Sustainability is expected today, and people want upgraded sustainable goods: recycled textiles that feel premium, natural fibers, minimal packaging and earth-toned palettes that read “quality,” not “compromise.”

Experiential and story-driven

The story behind an item is starting to matter as much as the item itself. Shoppers love knowing who made a souvenir and why it matters. This shift favors indie retailers.

Tourists also want personalization that ties directly to their trip, dates, locations, trail mile markers and coordinates. Incorporating these elements into souvenirs help these items to become part of the trip experience, not an afterthought.

The demand for souvenirs is as strong as ever, and shopper expectations are rising right along with it. People are choosing pieces that feel intentional, memorable and connected to place. When you curate with these shifts in mind, you don’t just sell more — you stand out.

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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.