Working Together Even if Working Apart – Aug/Sept 2021

The pandemic has made the possibilities of what can be accomplished away from a traditional workplace apparent for many employees and employers. For workers still on the job as usual, and the leaders responsible for these types of businesses, it has made the challenges of staying safe from airborne germs and distancing from others part of the fabric of the operations. As the situation evolves, retailers will continue to work together to create strategies to keep businesses running and merchandise in front of shoppers. We at SGN have been reporting on these emergent issues in every edition for over a year, bringing you articles that include insights not available anywhere else from your colleagues around the United States.

In this bigger and better last issue of the summer, we invite you to work toward creating new partnerships with vendors by reading the 2021-2022 Annual Buyer’s Guide Directory, a listing of many of the industry’s top vendors. We also additionally offer three special sections that highlight the Smoky Mountain, Las Vegas and Surf Expo trade shows.

The magazine also includes a Special Resort Section covering monogrammed merchandise and jewelry, a Gift Report featuring interviews with retailers at state park gift stores, and an Apparel section that offers interviews with officials from apparel boutiques and water parks and amusement parks.

As one of the many bonus features in the issue, we offer a special interview with industry veteran Tom Park. Also in the edition is an update on retail at hospital stores, a General Merchandise Special Report, a piece about candy and snacks at pharmacies and florists, and a story covering soap and lotion sales. And don’t miss the Games, Playthings and Plush Section for the latest news on toy sales.

I hope you enjoy this edition, which also includes product news about several of the latest souvenir and gift items in the industry. If you are a vendor interested in an SGN advertising program, please contact our sales staff by emailing sgnmag@kanec.com. If you are a reader with comments, questions or suggestions, please email our editorial department at editorsgnmag@kanec.com.

Scott C. Borowsky

President and Executive Editor

Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine

610-645-6940