ASD Gift and General Merchandise Special Report
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Making the Customer Count (From page 63) a lot, which of course people are doing right now.” Felton said, “Glassware and barware, anything you can macy in our store. So, to suit them all we have a wide mix a cocktail in, shakers, glasses, things like that, variety of merchandise. We’re known as a kind of ‘evare also doing great. People are buying a lot of cards, erything’ store that includes a little bit of something because they can’t visually be with someone, so they for everyone.” send cards instead. Puzzles On Whidbey Island, and games are also big sellThe Star Stores in Langers.” She includes gloves, ley, Wash., carries a large hats, and scarves as also doing array of goods with some well, as people turn to walks fun best-sellers, accordoutdoors and similar activiing to Owner and Buyer ties. But, she suggested that Tamar Felton. judging from her top sellers, “Right now, candles “I think people are sitting are doing great, especially around by candlelight writfunny and happy candles. ing cards to their friends or There’s the snarky, upworking puzzles, and drinklifting and fun Malicious ing a homemade cocktail in a Women line, and we acnice glass.” tually have a line that is Felton’s customers are a called Happy Candles. mix of locals and travelers, They’re well-priced and both young and old. “We have clean, fresh scents have things to appeal to evthat’s especially appealA Star Store display of Little Feminist gifts. Puzzles and eryone. We have a baby deing to enhance the home games are big sellers for the store. partment, men’s, women’s, when you’re staying home
Pandemic Operational Changes: Which Are Permanent?
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he COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to pharmacies, variety stores and discount shops. But which changes are permanent? At Osara Commisary, Owner Davis Allison said his Seattle, Wash., store will keep their online store going for sure. “But I sure hope I can talk to people in my store without a plastic barrier between us again,” he said. In Los Osos, Calif., at Tewell Los Osos Rexall, Owner Jason Tewell cited curbside services as change he wants to keep. “It’s been a big thing for us this year, and I don’t know why I haven’t been doing it for the last 10 years.” At the Big Box Outlet in Mon-
roe, Wash., Manager Colin Carlson doesn’t know what changes will be permanent, noting that he began working with the company during the pandemic. “I do know we have beefed up our online presence.” In Langley Wash., on Whidbey Island, Tamar Felton, owner of The Star Store Drygoods agreed that it is hard to tell what changes she will keep and what she will not. “I haven’t been attending markets and shows, so I have to do more online buying which is a nuisance, not being able to have that hands-on feeling. In March we started paying hazard pay, an extra $2 for everyone in the store, and that is coimng off the bottom line. And all the sanitation
Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties | February 2021 | www.sgnmag.com
procedures and supplies for the pandemic comes off our bottom line, too. I’m probably not going to keep any of this going after the pandemic ends. An online website isn’t for us either,” she said. “We usually tend to have small amounts of items, and the items change a lot. I did some clusters of photos on social media when the pandemic began, and I honestly found that more work than it’s worth.” There is one thing she may keep, however. “We do curbside pick-up now. We started that early on and continue with that, and that’s been successful. I don’t know if that is something we will continue or not, but I am definitely considering it.” ❖