October 2019

IGES-Supplied Editorial

IGES Exhibitor List

Selling Giftware Near Water – Jewelry and Accessories at Resort, Mountain and Lake Stores
Handcrafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry makes an easy souvenir for vacation shoppers.

Bonus Sidebar: Will the Hot 2019 Jewelry Trends Endure or Fade?

Home Décor and Gifts – Profitable Additions to the General Store Mix
In this story, general store staff members and owners discuss the gift and home décor merchandise picture at their stores.

Selling Name-Dropped Gifts and Souvenirs at Botanical Gardens and Historic House Museums
A look at souvenir sellers at botanical garden and historic home museums.

Bonus Sidebar: Name-Dropped Pencils, Pens and Magnets Remain Steady Earners

Selling Gifts and Signs – The Cave, Resort, and Gift Store Picture
Why gifts and signs are selling well at caves, resorts, and gift stores.

Pet Gifts

Tips for Purrfect Sales – Selling More Pet Gifts at Pet Boutiques
Retailers at four pet stores discuss selling more gifts.

Bonus Sidebar: Flavored or Plain? Which Dog Chew Toys Sell Best?

Bonus Sidebar: Catnip Toys – Still Popular? Why or Why Not?

Las Vegas Market Section

Acing Gift Sales – Gift Merchandise Trends at Ace Hardware Stores
In many communities, Ace hardware stores are a destination for gifts, housewares, and seasonal novelties.

Trade Show News – Strong Order Writing and Exclusive Programming Highlighted the Summer 2019 Las Vegas Market

True Retail – Trends in Gifts at True Value Hardware Stores
For this article, an SGN contributor interviewed four True Value Hardware store officials to geta feel for current industry trends.

Bonus Sidebar: A Perspective from True Value Company Senior Product Merchant Tory Tesdal – Why Are Gifts an Important Part of the True Value Success Strategy?

Executive Digest – IMC Announces Changes to Las Vegas Market Tradeshow Leasing Team – Industry Veteran Elizabeth Moss Joins IMC

The Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market® Section

An International Market Centers (IMC) Retailer Question and Answer Feature
For this article, seven retailers discussed industry trends.

Trade Show News – Steady Sales and Big News at the July 2019 Atlanta Market

Keeping the Souvenirs and Gifts Selling – A Resort and a Campground Meet the Challenge
For this article, an SGN contributor interviewed a resort and a campground to discuss their gift shop operations.

Museum Report

Museum Quality – Unique Best-Sellers at Fine Art and History Museum Gift Shops
For this article and sidebar Contributor Natalie Hope McDonald interviewed museums officials at five institutions to take get a feel for gift shop trends.

Bonus Sidebar: An Esteemed Art Foundation Gets Creative with Gifts – A Q&A with the Retail Director at the Barnes Foundation

The Smoky Mountain Gift Show Section

The Smoky Mountain Gift Show Exhibitor List

Remembering Christina Brogard – A Celebration of Life Is Planned for Christina Brogard

Where Wearables Ride a Wave to Profits – Resort and Beach Store T-shirt and Jewelry Trends
Novelty prints and fun graphics are all the rage among vacationers shopping for souvenir T-shirts. That’s the word from retailers in beach and resort areas, where eye-catching logos sell briskly.

Bonus Sidebar: Who Is Buying Jewelry?

Gifts for All Time– Ornaments at Christmas and Vacation Locale Stores
A look at holiday ornament sales at Christmas stores, and shops located in vacation destinations.

Thwarting Thieves and Courting Customers – Theft Prevention and Customer Service Tips from Gift Stores
For this article, four gift store officials discussed theft and also customer service.

Bonus Sidebar: What Is Your Best Item for An Add-On Purchase? Why?

Inside Look – Trends in Resort and Beach Fashions
Which wearables are popular at a selection of resort and beach stores.

Bonus Sidebar: Wooing the Wayfarer – Four Smart Sales Tips for Selling Apparel to Tourists

Catering to Kids – Tips for School-Group Selling at Museums
For this article, four experienced museum retailers shared what they’ve learned catering to schoolchildren.

Selling the Stuffing Out of Soft Toys – Trends at Children’s Museums and Baby Stores
Retailers at children’s museums and baby stores for this article discussed their most popular plush toys.

Winning Wearable Trends for Wee Ones – The Apparel Picture at Baby Stores
Baby store staff members and owners offered their take on baby apparel trends for this article.

Bonus Sidebar: Top Tips to Sell More Baby Sleepwear

Nine Ways to Escalate Jewelry Sales at Museum Shops
For this article Contributor Karen Appold interviewed officials at four museums for their perspectives on selling jewelry.

Bonus Sidebar: Exhibit-Inspired Jewelry – Most Unique Pieces

Home Accent, Home Décor and Quality Gifts Section

Hotel and Presidential Library Gift Shops – Selling More Home Décor, Gifts and Apparel
The sales picture from a section of presidential libraries and hotels.

Bonus Sidebar: Drink Coaster Sales Continue to Coast Along

Why Display Is Key – Selling Quality Gifts, Glass Gifts and Home Décor
Why display is a key aspect of successful sales at gift, Hallmark, and museum stores.

The Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show Section

Grand Strand Exhibitor List

Grand Strand Feature – Selling Apparel and Gifts at Coastal Boutiques
How coastal boutique retailers meet the challenge of carrying inventory for both tourists and locals.

Bonus Sidebar: Which Hues Make Sales Happen

Licensed Merchandise

College Store Report – Best-Selling Licensed and Logo Gifts
The sales picture for all types of licensed and logo merchandise at college bookstores.

Bonus Sidebar: What Traditional Logo Gifts Sell Best to Alums?

Personal Care and Candles
Brewing up Sales with Soaps and Lotions – Selling Soaps and Lotions at Soap Shops
A look at small-batch soap manufacturers with retail operations.

Bonus Sidebar: Catering to Customers with Sensitive Skin

Sights and Scents for the Home – Selling Candles and Essential Oils at Pharmacies and Candle Stores
How several stores are selling more candles and essential oils.

Bonus Sidebar: Food or Floral? Which Scents Sell Best

Gourmet Foods

Finding Fun and Funds with Food – Trends in Edible Goods at Candy, Gift and Country Stores
While top food treats are varied, one delicious fact stands out: everyone loves a tasty gift or self-indulgence.

Bonus Sidebar: Is Salsa Dancing Off of Store Shelves?

Zoo and Aquarium Section

Trends in Gifts and Souvenirs at Zoos and Aquariums
Zoo and aquarium officials discuss current merchandise trends.

Bonus Sidebar: Choosing a Best-Seller – Instinct or Research?

Jewelry

Advice for Admirable Adornment Sales – Finding and Selling Jewelry
This story contains advice on how to enhance jewelry sales.

Bonus Sidebar: Do Rings Ring Up Sales?

Jewelry and Accessory Souvenirs at Public Lands and Campground Stores
How jewelry can be a winning category for public lands and campground retail.

Bonus Sidebar: What Is Your Best-Selling Souvenir Overall?

Apparel

Apparel Trends at Children’s Boutiques
This article explores the world of children’s and baby apparel.

Bonus Sidebar: Popular Colors in Children’s Apparel

Selling More T-shirts at Waterpark and Amusement Park Gift Shops
A look at the T-shirt picture at attractions around the country.

Bonus Sidebar: Pastel Tees – A Home Run or a Strike Out?

Merchandise that Won’t Block Sales – Sunglass and Accessories Trends at Boutiques
This article looks at trends in sunglasses and other accessories at boutique shops.

Bonus Sidebar: Generating Interest in Handbags at Boutiques

Games, Playthings and Plush

Toy Store Best Sellers
Four toy store officials weighed in on what’s been selling in their toy stores for this article.

Bonus Sidebar: How Are Puzzles Selling for You?

What’s Now Playing – Top Trends in Plush Toys
Independent toy shops in three big cities across the country discuss plush toy sales.

Bonus Sidebar: Five Ways to Merchandise Plush

Discount, Variety and Party Store Report

Trends in Toys and Craft Kits at Discount and Party Stores
How playthings fit in with the inventory mix at discount and party stores.

Bonus Sidebar: Which Age Group Most Enjoys Craft Kits? Why?

Party Supplies and Decorations – Trends at Party Stores
A look at trends in party goods from party stores.

Bonus Sidebar: What Trends Are You Seeing in Balloons?

Special Travel Shop Section

Calling All Travelers – Souvenir and Gift Trends in Ports of Call
Retail trends in port areas.

Airport Retail Trends

Approaching Customers with Unique Merchandise
Specialty retailers at airports.

Workplace Perspectives

A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way – Four Ways to Put it to Work in Your Workplace
Why simply thanking your employees can help create a more productive environment.