Sales Tales for February and All Year February 2017 |
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 Scott C. BorowskyAccording to the National Retail Federation (NRF), holiday retail sales in 2016 increased 4 percent over 2015 to $658.3 billion. The number exceeded the NRF’s forecast of $655.8 billion, and includes non-store sales of $122.9 billion that were up 12.6 percent. For the retail industry, this positive end to 2016 could be a great foundation for success this year. SGN is committed to bringing you the best coverage of resort, destination and attraction gift stores as well as independent stores and boutiques. In this edition, we offer a special Gift Store Report with stories covering teens’ top souvenir picks at zoos, higher-end and edible gifts and candles and personal care items at gift shops and signs at country stores. Saving money is always in style, and we also offer an ASD section devoted to value and variety stores. You can read about gifts, general merchandise, discounted goods and jewelry in the section. Regarding the 2016 holiday sales increase, no doubt a portion of that spending was devoted to toys, and this edition is a timely follow-up to the holiday toy-buying frenzy with a focus on playthings to commemorate February’s Toy Fair in New York City. In our Toy Fair Special Section, we offer a profile of the store at Rochester, N.Y.’s Strong National Museum of Play, and toy retail operational tips stories covering zoos, aquariums and gift shops. SGN also watches closely the jewelry segment of our coverage universe, and in this edition we offer a profile of a Phoenix, Ariz., shop and also stories on jewelry at museums, inspirational stores and resort and beach shops. Additionally, we offer stories on selling more apparel, gifts and collectibles in a bonus Resort and Seaside Store section. Also in the issue are interesting articles on apparel, fashion accessories, name-dropped and custom souvenirs, gifts for nurses, holiday and Christmas gifts, outdoor and garden merchandise and more. I hope you enjoy the issue, and value your opinions. Please contact me with your comments, suggestions and story ideas by calling 610-645-6940 ext. 0, emailing editorsgnmag@kanec.com, or connecting with us on Facebook or Twitter. Scott C. Borowsky |
