June/July 2021

SGN Merchandise Manager Perspective
Knott’s Berry Farm’s Merchandise Manager Karl Busche Discusses Sales and Souvenir Trends
What’s hot in the souvenir market today? For this article, SGN asked Knott’s Berry Farm’s Merchandise Manager Karl Busche.
Pet Gifts
Leading Trends – The Sales Picture at Pet Stores
Contributor Carime Lane spoke with three pet store retailers to get a read on doing business during these challenging times.
Bonus Sidebar: What Are Your Predictions for Future Trends?
Las Vegas Feature Story
Making Sales a Sure Thing – Selling Jewelry at Boutique Shops
Why jewelry is a popular accessory at clothing boutique shops.
Bonus Sidebar: Pandemic-Added Store Operations that Are Here to Stay
Souvenir Report
Back to the Beach – Beach Shops Talk Top Sellers and the Challenges for the Summer Season
For this article, beach shop owners discussed their top selling items along with the challenges they are facing for the summer selling season.
Apparel Report
Tips to Sell More Apparel at Water Parks and Amusement Parks
Tips to increase clothing and accessory sales.
Bonus Sidebar: Oops! The Most-Often Forgotten Apparel Items
Where Gifts to Wear Shine – Apparel Trends at Museum Stores
For this article, managers and executive directors at five museum stores discussed trends in apparel.
Bonus Sidebar: Which T-Shirt Designs Does Best For You And Why?
IGES Feature
Merchandise Trends for Gift Stores in the Southeast
How business is different this year for five stores in Tennessee, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Mississippi.
Trends at Museum Stores
Nowhere to Go But Up – Museum Retailers Hope for a Picture Perfect Recovery
As museums reopen, albeit maybe in a reduced capacity, their shops are noticing a definite uptick in sales.
Edible Gifts
Mining the Best Candy Store Finds for Customers
The summer season triggers sales of certain classic candies plus some new additions, this story found.
Bonus Sidebar: In-Person Tastings Are Key to Boosting Sales
ASD Section
arty Supplies and Decorations – Getting in the Party Spirit at Party and Discount Stores
Balloons and lawn decorations are the hot party items this year, as the pandemic has prompted more Americans to hold their celebrations outdoors, this story found.
Bonus sidebar: What Is Your Top Customer Service Tip?
ASD Spotlight – Trends at Nature Organizations
Back to Business – How Gift Shops at Aviaries, Arboretums and Gardens Are Welcoming Guests with New Merchandise and Added Safety Precautions
How a unique group of attractions handle the gift picture at their locations.
Bonus Sidebar: Sales Tips – Customer Service in the Age of COVID
Bonus Sidebar: Reopening the Gift Shop – What’s New at the Arboretum Foundation
Jewelry Section
or a Crisis-Weary Public, Jewelry Is Just the Thing
A pretty new bauble is just the thing to perk up an outfit — especially for pandemic-weary Americans on summer vacation, this article found.
Bonus Home Décor Feature
Following the Signs – Decorative Signs Point the Way to Sales at Gift Shops
Gift shops are continuing to follow the signs to strong sales in decorative signs.
Zoo and Aquarium Section
Themed, Local, and Handcrafted – Jewelry at Zoo Shops
For this article, zoo staff members described their jewelry top sellers in both high-end and more inexpensive categories, and the best ways to sell more jewelry items.
Bonus Sidebar: Predictions for Summer Best-Sellers
Name Programs
Trends in Name Program and Name-Dropped Souvenirs at Zoo Gift Shops
At zoos and animal attractions nationwide, name-dropped souvenirs are more popular than ever.
Bonus Sidebar: Knowing What to Name-Drop
Games, Playthings and Plush
Trends in Plush and Toys at Sports Fan Stores
A look at the toys fans have been favoring at the stores that celebrate sports.
Bonus Sidebar: Which Plush Pieces Sell Best?