Archive for Gems & Minerals

Getting Guests to Go For Gleaming Gifts
Gem and Mineral Merchandise at Science Museums and Caves

April 30, 2018 No Comments

All that glitters can be gold when it comes to sales of gem and mineral gifts at cave shops and science museums. Staff members share their tips for top sales and discuss their best-selling items. At the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix, Ariz., Assistant Store Director Grant Burkhart said the best way to sell more […]

Where Natural Wonders Take a Starring Role
Gem and Mineral Merchandise Trends at Caves and Caverns

March 26, 2018 No Comments

Over 35 states in this country have marked caves open to visitors curious about these subterranean worlds. Whether you’re spelunking in Missouri’s oldest operating show cave – the Mark Twain Cave, New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns – the 28th largest cavern in the world, or Idaho’s underground lava tube Kuna caves, caves whisper ancient secrets, spark […]

Advice to Sell More Gem and Mineral Home Décor and Jewelry Gifts

February 1, 2018 No Comments

By Jen Heller Meservey Gem and mineral gifts are some of the most unique products in caves and rock shops. Each gem or mineral has its own story, and showing that story helps it to sell. “Our top tip for selling more stone and mineral jewelry and gifts is to provide information on the gems […]

Selling More Souvenirs
Retail Advice for Caves and Caverns

October 1, 2017 No Comments

At cave and cavern stores nationwide, visitors are eager to purchase souvenirs of their often thrilling visits below ground. With a wide range of souvenir choices, shops make the most of their wares through strong displays, product placement, and suggestive selling, among other techniques. At Bluespring Caverns in Bedford, Ind., cave staff member and tour […]

Lighting, Customer Service and More
Merchandise Selling Tips from Caves and Caverns

August 1, 2017 No Comments

By Hilary Danailova Brightly colored, well-lit displays are key to selling anything, according to cave and cavern retailers — and that goes double for gems and minerals, gift shop mainstays that attract with their sparkle. But Steven Rush, who owns Mystic Caverns in Marble Falls, Ark., said savvy customer service is actually his top tip […]

Getting Gems Gone
The Sales Picture for Attraction Shops

July 1, 2017 No Comments

By Romona Paden With novelty of experience and uniqueness of visuals as cornerstones of museums, caverns and other tourism sites, gift shop retailers at these locations capitalize on tapping the moment with stones, gems and jewelry available for sale to visitors. Central to selling the offerings is insight around giving customers a tangible form of […]

Where the Sales Shine Bright Selling Loose Gems and Minerals

March 1, 2017 No Comments

Gone are those prosaic buckets of souvenir gems and minerals. At the redesigned flagship store of Exploratorium, a science museum in San Francisco, shoppers can pick up pieces of hematite, jasper, and rose quartz tumbled stones and spin the mirrored, whirling vortex display at the center. “It’s an exhibit as well as a sales display,” […]

Testimonials

- “We always enjoy Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine and are happy to share our stories. I learn something from it every time I read it and share it with our gift shop staff regularly.”
  – Beth Rich, Zoo Superintendent, Tautphaus Park Zoo, Idaho Falls, ID
- “We have been in business since 1988 and a part of our success has been the use of trade magazines such as yours. Being far away from most trade shows, these magazines are a great lifeline for us who can’t just drive to a gifts show. So thank you for being there for us with insightful articles.”
  – Malia Johnson, President, Malimar Inc. dba Sedona, Honolulu, HI
- “…Because of our budget, I am unable to go to market, so your Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties publication serves at a great tool for me to see what is new and trending in the market, and I have tried many new products because I’ve seen them advertised in your magazine. Thanks again.”
  – Nancy Cole, gift shop manager, Booth Society, D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives, Spearfish, S.D.
- I just received my copy of SGN Magazine, and I was delighted to see [Natalie Hope McDonald’s] article about us. Thank you for featuring my shop in such a lovely way. It means a lot to me as a small business owner.”
  – Heather Mohorn, Momo’s Tree House, Philadelphia, Pa.
- “Thanks for your magazine. I really enjoy it and learn from it monthly.”
  –Susan Michener, Admission/Gift Shop Manager, The Montgomery Zoo, Montgomery, Ala.
- “I wanted to take a minute to not only tell you how much I use and enjoy my copy of Souvenirs, Gifts, and Novelties Magazine, but to share with you some good news about my husband’s and my business Her Majesty’s English Tea Room. We recently won the prestigious Icon award from Americasmart Atlanta. …Thank you again for a magazine that is a little bit like a work book. My husband and I both go through it in detail, always picking up a display idea, new product, or tip.”
  – Jacqueline Gillam Fairchild, Her Majesty’s English Tea Room, Dunlap, Ill
- “Thank you for your wonderful magazine. I love getting it and we do a lot of business with your advertisers. I know that their marketing money is limited, so I make sure to mention that I saw them in Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine. Win-Win-Win. Everybody’s happy!”
  – Steve Fegley, Director of Retail Operations, the Science Museum of Minnesota
- “The March/April 2017 issue just arrived and it really made our day! Thank you for featuring the LA Maritime Museum’s Sea Chest Gift Shop. The article was very well-written, and our assistant buyer is thrilled to see her photo included!”
  – Marifrances Trivelli, director and store buyer, Los Angeles Maritime Museum, San Pedro, Calif.