November/December 2021

Surf Expo Section
Gift Shops that Complement the Location – Home Décor and Decorative Signs at Resort Stores
The story covers home décor and decorative signs sales at resorts in Nantucket, Arcata, Calif., Buffalo, Wyo., and Streamsong, Fla.
Bonus Sidebar: What Are Your Top Staff Training Tips?
Where Sweets Sales Are Certain – Edible Gifts at Boardwalk Candy Stores
Why boardwalks and other beach locations are the perfect setting for candy sales.
Bonus Sidebar: Tips for Hiring Great Staff
Getting Souvenirs Selling – Coastal Gift and Souvenir Sales at Souvenir Stores
For this story, four souvenir stores discussed their souvenir sales strategies.
Staple Souvenirs for Seaside Stores: Apparel and T-Shirts
Retailers discuss the popularity of apparel and T-shirts.
Bonus Sidebar: What Is Your Customer Service Philosophy

Apparel and Fashion Accessories
What Customers Are Wearing – Apparel and Fashion Accessories Trends from Apparel Stores
For this article, apparel stores weighed in on the latest trends.
Bonus Sidebar: What Is Your Top Selling Jewelry Item and Why Is It Selling?

Spotlight on Logo and Licensed Merchandise
Trends in Logo and Licensed Apparel at College Stores
When it comes to logo and licensed apparel at college stores, school spirit is going strong across varied price points
Bonus Sidebar: Top Customer Service Tips

Quality and Garden Gifts
Where the Merchandise Selection Is Coming Up Roses – Outdoor, Garden and Quality Gifts at Garden Centers
Gifts are plentiful at the garden centers interviewed for this article.
Bonus Sidebar: What Is Your Top Customer Service Tip?

Jewelry
Dressing for Cave Tourism Success – Selling Jewelry, Hats, and Apparel at Cave and Cavern Stores
For this story, cave and cavern store officials discussed sales trends for all types of gift store merchandise.
Bonus Sidebar: What Are Your Top Customer Service Tips? How Do You Train Your Staff For The Best Customer Service?
The Jewelry Picture – Trends in Jewelry Sales at Boutiques
What’s the sparkling new trend in jewelry? For this article, boutique managers and owners discussed what is selling.
Gem and Mineral Stores: Trends in Jewelry
For this article, four gem and mineral stores in different states revealed what is trending in their area with a nod to the tried and true.
Bonus Sidebar: What Are Your Top Jewelry Display Tips?

Soap and Candles
Candles and More: Merchandise at Bath and Body Stores
A look at the merchandise that is moving at stores that sell soap and candles.
Bonus Sidebar: Trends in Candle Sales

Waterpark Gifts and Souvenirs
Top Tips to Sell More Gifts at Waterparks
Waterpark retailers for this article discussed ways to sell more gifts.
Bonus Sidebar: When Do Shops Get Busiest?

Special Gifts Section
’Tis the Season for Gift Sales to Surge at Museum Shops
How museum shop owners, managers, and buyers take advantage of the holiday season to increase gift sales.
Bonus Sidebar: How to Help a Good Employee Become Great
Great Ideas for Gifts – Pharmacy and Hardware Store Trends
Many pharmacies and hardware stores stock a wide assortment of gifts for all occasions.
Bonus Sidebar: How Do You Sell More Toys?

Zoo and Aquarium Section
Where Sales Is the Name of the Game – Best Name-Dropped Souvenirs at Zoos and Aquariums
For this article, gift shop officials described their top sellers as well as their tips for display – and just how popular name-dropped souvenirs are today.
Bonus Sidebar: Advice for Store Layout that Encourages Browsing and Buying

Games, Playthings and Plush
Selling Toys at National Parks and Monuments
National parks were such a common vacation choice in 2021 that many saw record attendance, and gift store sales.
Bonus Sidebar: Which Plush Sells Best and Why?
Simple Pleasures: Trends in Toys from Toy Stores
Toy retailers for this story discussed which playthings are selling in today’s market.
Bonus Sidebar: What Is Your Current Best-Selling Game?

Party Stores
Holiday Merchandise Top Sellers at Party Stores
At party stores, holiday merchandise is a strong seller for multiple seasons and multiple reasons, this article found.