By Joanna Ireland Most people visit national parks, monuments, and campgrounds to enjoy the great outdoors and connect with nature. But you can’t take the park with you—except in photographs—so a fair number of those people also head to the stores for a souvenir or memento to remind them of their visit. As a rule, […]
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As a 9,000-square-foot store that carries a wide selection of Lego and Playmobil products, Sir Troy’s Toy Kingdom in North Canton, Ohio, has become a destination for people far and wide. Legos are the store’s most popular imaginative play item and Sir Troy’s Toy Kingdom also carries every set that Playmobil manufactures. The Breyer Collection […]
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By Hilary Danailova Sensory playthings, science-related toys and quirky “surprise” packages are among the hottest trends in toy stores around the country, retailers interviewed for this article said. With parents increasingly concerned about the effect of screen time on young children, Katy McCarthy-Hodock, owner of Unique Toy Shop in Canandaigua, N.Y., is doing a brisk […]
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By Natalie Hope McDonald At February’s annual Toy Fair in New York City, a few trends seemed to stand up a bit taller from among a very crowded category of fun and educational play. One of the most talked about trends this year is inspired by the “maker” category, toys that kids are encouraged to […]
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Toys and plush are often a top-selling category at zoo, aquarium, and museum gift shops. For this article, staff members at these attractions described their best-selling toys and plush, and suggested tips to make sales the best they can be. At the Aquarium of Boise in Boise, Idaho, Gift Shop Manager Lyla Workman explained that […]
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By Karen Appold For Meg Hauser, visitor services manager, The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, Kansas City, Mo., the best-selling playthings are reissued or reproduction versions of vintage and historic toys, particularly those displayed in vintage packaging. “These items resonate with our customers, because they speak to their childhood memories. Oftentimes, shoppers purchase these […]
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By Karen Appold For Steve Presser, founder and owner, Big Fun Toy Store, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, displaying his store’s diverse inventory is a game in itself. “I have video game junkies that work for me, and we approach stocking shelves like playing Tetris,” he said. “We stuff shelves as tightly as possible, displaying as much […]
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In order to compete with the growing number of online retailers and all the bells and whistles they offer, Tiffany Kocurko, store director, Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland, Ohio, said the first step is to create awareness for your museum’s online store. “People won’t shop it if they don’t know it’s there,” she said. The […]
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By Hilary Danailova Toy retailers don’t have to advertise their classic toys, like Slinkys or hula hoops. They don’t need to arrange brightly colored boxes of jigsaw puzzles on eye-level shelves to attract attention. They may break out social media for the latest licensed plush, but to sell Monopoly or Boggle, it’s not necessary. Simple, […]
Read more...By Natalie Hope McDonald Tt’s not unusual to see kids playing at Rhen’s Nest, a toy store in Atlanta. That’s because it’s more than simply a shop. Rhen’s Nest has become a popular destination for parents to bring their kids to not only browse some of the newest must-have merchandise, but also to enjoy a […]
Read more...So, so excited about the article. We got our copy and we are over the moon. I would like….three more copies if possible. The Old City district wants one, …my manager, and we want to frame one!!
Thanks again. It really was awesome!
Never Too Spoiled, Philadelphia, Pa.
“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.
