Archive for ZAG

Helping Guests Find that Perfect Gift
Perspectives from Zoos and Aquariums

April 30, 2018 No Comments

By Jon Marks Go into a chain department store anywhere from Portland, Maine to Portland, Ore., and the merchandise can be very similar. That’s not the case when it comes to zoo and aquarium gift shops. What’s popular at the Santa Barbara (Calif.) Museum of Natural History won’t necessarily appeal to those at a Texas […]

Name-Dropped Merchandise Strategies

March 23, 2018 No Comments

By Anthony DeMarco There are so many advantages to stocking name-dropped merchandise that it would be remarkable if there were zoos or aquariums that didn’t provide this type of product. For one thing it’s what people want and expect from their wildlife experience. For another, it’s branding that the customers actually pay for and have […]

Name-Dropped Merchandise at Zoos and Aquariums

February 1, 2018 No Comments

By Sara Hodon Zoo and aquarium guests make a point of stopping in the gift shop during their visit so they can browse the merchandise and pick up a few souvenirs for themselves or someone else. One of the most popular categories for these retail operations is name-dropped merchandise, which offers guests a wide range […]

Making the Merchandise Fit the Fun
Designing Great Custom and Name-Dropped Merchandise at Zoos and Aquariums

January 1, 2018 No Comments

By Karen Appold At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Rescue in Eureka Springs, Ark., anything bearing the attraction’s name sells well, said Laurie Vanderwal, assistant curator and gift shop manager. “I attempt to have as much merchandise as possible with our name on it,” she said. The top-selling category is apparel, which is all name-dropped, followed by […]

Tiny Treasures
The Best Small and Inexpensive Souvenirs

October 1, 2017 No Comments

By Karen Appold While visiting zoos and aquariums, customers often seek out small and inexpensive merchandise at the gift shop. In addition to serving as a memento of a visit, these items won’t break the bank and are easy to take home. Colleen Dunlap, gift shop buyer, Austin Zoo, Austin, Texas, said her best-selling small, […]

Best-selling Edibles
What Patrons Go Wild for at the Zoo Shop

August 1, 2017 No Comments

By Natalie Hope McDonald Hershey Park is synonymous with chocolate. And at Hershey’s ZooAmerica gift shop, it’s chocolate that always outsells every other edible treat. Nestled on 11 acres, ZooAmerica is adjacent to the famous Hersheypark. But unlike the amusement and waterpark, the zoo is open year-round. Along tree-lined pathways, guests can learn about more […]

Getting Sales of Name-Dropped Items Soaring at Zoos and Aquariums

June 26, 2017 No Comments

By Karen Appold When looking to increase sales of name-dropped merchandise, providing good customer service is a key component. Oly Watt, gift shop manager, Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, West Yellowstone, Mont., said staff are knowledgable about items offered at the 6,000-square-foot gift shop. In addition, employees wear apparel such as name-dropped hats and T-shirts. […]

Nature’s Playground
Best-Selling Plush and Toys at Zoos and Aquariums

May 1, 2017 No Comments

By Karen Appold For children, picking out a toy or plush at the gift shop is all part of the fun when visiting a zoo or aquarium. By knowing what items are currently hot, gift shops are sure to increase their sales in these categories. Rose Ullrich, merchandise buyer, Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, Ill., said the […]

Tips to Sell More Souvenirs at Zoos and Aquariums

March 1, 2017 No Comments

By Karen Appold When looking to boost souvenir sales, Samantha Halligan, assistant director of guest services, Lake Superior Zoo, Duluth, Minn., has found that one of the simplest things you can do is to keep displays fresh. “Whether you change them as a result of a new season or holiday, or because of new products […]

Fashion Accessories at Zoos
Selling Sunglasses, Socks and Hats

February 1, 2017 No Comments

By Hilary Danailova When zoo and aquarium visitors head to the gift shop, fashion isn’t foremost in their minds. But many of them still end up buying accessories like hats and sunglasses — instant sun protection that doubles as a souvenir. Hats of all kinds, from baseball caps and visors to safari and bucket styles, […]

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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.