Making a New Start This Spring March 2016

Scott C. Borowsky Scott C. Borowsky

On the heels of the winter trade shows we help you leap into spring with this special spring buying issue. And as warmer weather will have the busy tourist season on everyone’s mind, we offer a big Special Beach and Resort Store Section. The section contains a terrific variety of interesting and informative stories, including store profiles on Key Largo’s Shell World and Myrtle Beach’s Gay Dolphin, and articles on display tips and merchandise trends. Also in the section are stories on buying tips for souvenirs, pirate merchandise and apparel
Each March we also take a look at trends in our informative MegaBucks feature. In this year’s edition we review coverage of major industry trends at gift, destination and souvenir stores and other outlets including themed merchandise, signs, licensed goods, personal care, edible gifts and more.
And as apparel, hats, T-shirts and fashion accessories are all solid merchandise choices for a variety of stores, in the apparel section we offer special coverage of wearables and licensed apparel at college stores, how apparel boutiques are keeping in touch with trends, and selling more apparel at hospital shops.  The section also offers a bonus sidebar on the best-selling gifts, apparel and supplies for pets.
Jewelry is the perfect souvenir and gift, and for every type of customer, there is a jewelry piece that is a great fit. In the jewelry section, we offer a story with display tips from the Topeka, Kansas Capitol Store, an article on how anyone can sell jewelry with advice from jewelry stores and recommendations on how to sell more jewelry from zoo and aquarium stores.
Zoos and aquariums are entering their busy season,  and name-dropped merchandise is always an inventory staple for these outlets. In the zoo and aquarium section, we offer stories on selling more name-dropped souvenirs and the best-selling toys and gifts.
We also offer articles on trends in souvenirs and gifts from Public Lands Partner stores, popular home décor merchandise at nautical museums, caverns and caves, tips to sell more signs, collectibles and letterpress stationery, trends in candles and personal care merchandise, the industry success story that is Tweak and more.
I wish you a successful spring season, and hope that you enjoy the issue. Please email me at editorsgnmag@kanec.com with your comments, questions or suggestions and I will respond to your note personally.
Scott C. Borowsky
President and Executive Editor
Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine