AMERICA’S MOST TRUSTED PUBLICATION FOR THE SOUVENIR & RESORT GIFT INDUSTRY | MAY-JUNE 2025
NATIONAL PARK STORES HIT THE MARK
Visitors are scoring big with these treasures from their adventures.
Beach stores are stocking apparel that sets them apart.
BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS
The Ark Encounter’s gift o erings are as impressive as its venue.
THE COMEDY SHOP OFFERS CURATED HUMOR AND LAUGHS, BLENDING COMEDY WITH A UNIQUE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE.
The Comedy Shop promotes contagious laughter as the hub for all things funny while delivering a shopping experience that is every bit as curated as the National Comedy Center’s exhibits.
Park retailers put immense thought into the merchandise at their shops, making sure souvenirs big and small connect well to these awe-inspiring destinations.
EDITOR’S LETTER
Facing challenges together as an industry.
RETAILER ROADMAP
Discover the stores featured in this issue.
SGN wins awards; Heart on Main Street makes donations.
FRESH IDEAS
Fish; Route 66; gems & rocks; golf; Halloween.
ATTRACTION ACTION
Unlock the power of product placement in your store.
SAVVY SHOPKEEPING
Make sure you run your retail reports to grow profits.
TREND TALK
Jewelry continues to shine as a souvenir category.
TRADE SHOW CALENDAR
Make plans to attend these upcoming trade shows.
TRADE SHOW NEWS
Coverage from past and upcoming trade shows.
Get fresh new product ideas for your store.
AD INDEX
Easily locate an advertiser’s ad and website. 8 12 14 20 30 32 34 80 82 86 88 36 48
SPECIAL REPORT: TARIFFS
Find out how industry stakeholders are responding to the tariffs, p. 18
NEXT EXIT: Idaho Potato Museum
The gift shop at this spud-tacular destination is sprouting with fun finds.
PRODUCT TREND: Beach Apparel
Find best-selling beachwear ideas for the coming season.
RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: Hueston Woods
A getaway in nature is easily remembered at this Ohio lodge.
PRODUCT TREND: Toys & Games
Popular, nostalgic, and eco-friendly items are trending at kids’ attractions.
RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: The Ark Encounter
This attraction of biblical proportions does not disappoint shoppers.
SUNSHINE AWARD: Iowa Children’s Museum
A mission of play brings out the imagination of all ages.
The gift and souvenir industry has weathered many ups and downs over the years, but with tariffs and federal funding cuts, 2025 has gotten off to a challenging start.
As America’s most trusted publication for the gift, resort and souvenir industry, we are committed to providing you with the latest news and its impact on our industry. We are also committed to empowering our readers with fresh product ideas, merchandising advice and retail inspiration stories to maximize the potential of your business.
I hope you enjoy the May/June issue of Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties. In these uncertain times, we can all use a few laughs, and you are sure to get some smiles with the cover story on The Comedy Shop on page 36. You can also take in the scenery of the national parks with our souvenir focus on page 48 and escape to the wilderness of Ohio with our retailer spotlight on Hueston Woods, page 62. You can also tap into your playful side with our product focus on toys and games on page 68 and your hunger to learn about all-things potato on page 44. If that is not enough to quench your thirst for souvenir industry knowledge, then experience an attraction of biblical proportions on page 74, plus so much more.
And while you’re flipping the pages, don’t forget to check out the advertisements for cool new items that you’ll need to stock up on for the influx of visitors you’re bound to be receiving soon.
I know the waters may seem a little choppy right now, but we need to keep our focus forward. We are all in this together, and together we navigate these waters. We’ve done it before with recessions, COVID and shipping delays, and we will also get through these current obstacles as well. SGN
—
Kristin Ely
KAREN CARR Publisher & Creative Director karen@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 701 • Direct: 330-591-2575
KRISTIN ELY Executive Editor & Conference Director kristin@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 702 • Direct: 619-241-4828
MEGAN SMALLEY Associate Editor megan@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 704
KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE Contributing Editor khampshire@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 710
LARRY WHITE Marketing Director larry@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 708 • Direct: 610-324-2100
KRISTI MASSEY Sales Manager kristi@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 703 • Direct: 209-230-3698
LEE WHITE Sales Manager lee@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 707 • Direct: 215-798-3878
DEBBY CLARKE Ad Production Manager & Graphic Designer debby@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 705
KATIE TURNER Ad Production Coordinator & Products Editor katie@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 709
Columnists: Tommy Brown, Melody Caban, Kathy Cruz
Circulation: Greg Wolfe, Russell Marth
Business Advisor: Jerry L. Croft
BreakwallPublishing
Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties (ISSN 1521-4249) is published bi-monthly by Breakwall Publishing, 3593 Medina Road #117, Medina, OH 44256. Periodical postage paid at Medina, OH and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties, P.O. Box 3000, Denville, NJ 07834. Entire contents ©2025 Breakwall Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
Souvenirs,
Aramark Destinations
Phoenix, AZ
Teresa Inman
Ark Encounter Gift Shop
Williamstown, KY
Cathy Johnson
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA
Matthew Simmonds
Dig This
Las Vegas, NV
Michelle Wyman
Hueston Woods
College Corner, OH
Cyndi Reuss
Idaho Potato Museum Store
Blackfoot, ID
Tish Dahmen
National Comedy Museum
Jamestown, NY
Kate Rinko
Newport, OR
Alexis Stewart
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Pier Gifts
Pismo Beach, CA
Nicole Custer
Redwood Parks Conservancy
Crescent City, CA
Melinda Thomas
Rehoboth Breeze
Rehoboth, DE
Keith Riley-Spillane
Sunset Beach Gifts
Larry Hume
Cape May, NJ
The Iowa Children’s Museum
Coralville, IA
Kara Ramirez
Western National Parks Association
Tucson, AZ
Julie Thompson
Wings Over the Rockies
Air & Space Museum
Denver, CO
Je Fields
A floor-to-ceiling overhaul in the Oregon Coast Aquarium gift shop involved reimagining the guest experience within the store’s existing footprint and introducing a uniquely Pacific Northwest vibe with curated merchandise designed specifically for this Newport, Oregon, attraction.
Situated at the aquarium entrance, the updated design is capturing longer visits and impressed visitors, says Alexis Stewart, store director.
“Now the shop aligns with the aquarium’s family oriented layout, with a front feature table that caters to adults, youth and young kids,” she says.
With the new store layout and modern, flexible displays, Stewart says the shop can manage and present more products, which is especially important during the busy season, spring break through summer.
“The open, floor-to-ceiling layout allows us to put more products on the floor — and we are selling through our inventory,” Stewart reports. “It has been fun to see customers walk by and do a doubletake.”
Medina, Ohio-based Breakwall Publishing has announced that both Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties and Seaside Retailer have been recognized by the American Society of Business Publication Editors with 2025 Azbee Awards of Excellence. ASBPE is the professional association for editors and designers employed in business, trade and specialty press.
SGN won a regional bronze award in the Group or Company Profile category for its November/ December 2024 cover profile, “Dispensing Good Memories,” written by Contributing Editor Kristen Hampshire. Additionally, SGN received a regional bronze award in the How-To Article category for its September/October 2024 feature article, “Blow Plush Displays Out of the Water,” written by Associate Editor Megan Smalley.
Seaside Retailer received a regional bronze award in the Group or Company Profile category for its July/August 2024 cover profile, “From Bali to Cali,” also written by Hampshire.
Karen Carr, publisher of Breakwall Publishing says, “Being recognized with Azbee awards sets us apart as an industry publication and reflects our strong commitment to the gift and souvenir industry. I am proud of the outstanding contributions of our editorial team.”
Town Pride, a wholesale brand headquartered in Yarmouth, Maine, has opened its first full franchise store in State College, Pennsylvania. The new store features a curated collection of exclusive apparel, gifts and home decor items, designed to celebrate the unique pride of State College and the state of Pennsylvania.
“We are excited to introduce Town Pride’s unique offerings to State College residents, Penn State students and town visitors,” says Lisa Farren, owner of the new Town Pride franchise shop. “State College prides itself for its sense of community, and Town Pride’s dedication to a community-driven business is the perfect marriage.”
The Link Companies, a multi-line sales agency headquartered in Atlanta, has acquired Mix Sales, an agency with over 30 years of experience. The acquisition enhances The Link Companies’ reach and strengthens its sales coverage within The Central Link and The Mid Atlantic Link divisions.
Led by Ben “Bink” Johnson, Mix Sales has a reputation for its sales expertise, creativity and industry knowledge. The Link Companies says the agency’s vendor portfolio and strong consumer relationships make it a natural fit for its expanding footprint.
“Bink and his team bring dynamic energy and an outstanding line package that will enhance our service to both vendor partners and retailers. With an expanded sales force, we’re strengthening our ability to provide top-tier support,” says Fred Rosenkampff, CEO of The Link Companies.
As part of the integration, many Mix Sales representatives will merge into The Link Companies’ existing structure, joining The Central Link and The Mid Atlantic Link teams. The Central Link will also introduce two specialized divisions — the Lifestyle Division and the Landmark Division — allowing sales reps to focus on a more curated selection of brands, providing for deeper engagement and better service to vendors and retailers.
“I’m so excited to join my friends at The Link,” says Johnson. “The Link provides exceptional sales and marketing, and this will be a strong alliance.”
The Link Companies says this acquisition is another step in its long-term growth strategy as a 100% employee-owned company. By integrating established agencies like Mix Sales, The Link Companies says it continues to expand its market influence while maintaining its strong service and support.
ANDMORE names Scott Eckman as president
ANDMORE, a presenter of physical markets and design centers, has appointed Scott Eckman as president, effective April 7.
Eckman is a respected industry leader with cross-functional experience in physical and digital marketplaces across the industries that ANDMORE serves. Since 2023, he has served as president at Loloi, a producer of rugs, pillows and wall art as well as a longtime ANDMORE customer. Prior to his time at Loloi, Eckman spent over a decade at ANDMORE, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief revenue officer, where he oversaw permanent showroom and temporary trade show leasing across all product categories and campuses. Eckman began his career at Boston Consulting Group and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. As president of ANDMORE, Eckman will help lead the company alongside CEO Jon Pertchik, who joined ANDMORE in June 2024. Eckman will oversee a range of activities, including sales, leasing and marketing. He will partner with Pertchik and the rest of the leadership team to enhance how ANDMORE serves its customers and guests.
Heart on Main Street announces $20,000 in donations
Heart on Main Street has announced a new round of donations totaling over $20,000 to independent retailers in need this year.
The organization gifted a $10,000 grant to One Amazing Find in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Heart on Main Street says that donation was made possible through a partnership with Nora Fleming and its Band Together initiative. With funds raised during an Atlanta Winter Market event, the organization awarded two $5,000 donations: one to J. Gabriel Living in Waynesville, North Carolina, and another to The Christmas Cottage in Chimney Rock, North Carolina.
In addition to these donations, Heart on Main Street is introducing its Giving (in) ventory program. The new initiative invites retailers nationwide to donate new, unsold inventory to other store owners facing hardships. The new charitable program was inspired by Beth Lewis, owner of Olde Tyme Market Place in Madison, Indiana.
BY KRISTIN ELY
The gift and souvenir industry is responding to the tariffs impacting their businesses.
The ever-changing global trade landscape that has come about as a result of President Donald Trump’s tariffs has had a major impact on the gift and souvenir industry. Many wholesalers rely heavily on imports to fill the demands of destination retailers, and this winter and spring, the industry was trying to adapt.
Even the threat of tariffs during the winter trade shows prompted action from retailers. Howard Aspinwall, owner of Mellow Monkey, located in the coastal town of Stratford, Connecticut, took the potential for tariffs into consideration while attending Atlanta Market in January to buy for his store for the year ahead and even posted
reels about it on his social media pages, which got him noticed by national media outlets.
“I just wanted to get the word out because small businesses are disproportionately affected by this,” says Aspinwall. “We don’t have the capital and the flexibility of bigger businesses.”
Aspinwall estimates approximately 80% of the merchandise he carries is made overseas. He does the majority of his buying for the year in January and February and placed orders at Atlanta Market with the understanding that the order may be canceled if surcharges were added.
“I think that for the most part, I’ve been able to get my vendors to commit to the pricing for everything I placed at market, including some orders that I could place now
Read an expanded article on the tariffs online at www.sgnmag.com.
While many of the show’s exhibitors manufacture in New England, she noted that raw materials are still often sourced elsewhere.
Tariffs were a major topic of conversation at The Reunion in Las Vegas, April 8-10. While some global tariffs that were announced by Trump were rolled back, the tariff rate on goods imported from China was raised to 145% during the show.
According to Evan Shoda, CEO of RedlineXpo, buyers were taking a proactive and collaborative approach with vendors. “Now is the most important time to meet face-to-face,” Shoda said. “We need to figure out how to navigate this together.”
He added that availability and timing of product were even more critical to buyers.
Some vendors at The Reunion had already taken proactive steps to help reduce the impact of tariffs.
some pretty high prices on holiday merchandise this year,” he says.
Toys are another area of concern. “The Toy Association is aggressively advocating for a tariff exemption for toys,” said Kathrin Belliveau, chief policy officer at The Toy Association, in an April 14 press release.
In response to the tariffs, Steve Oldroyd, owner of the reusable bag company Belvedere, has introduced 100% made in America bags. The company, which exhibited at The Reunion, had been manufacturing its bags in China since 2002.
“We’ve taken our most popular sizes and we offer them from a factory that uses exclusively all American made products and prints it in the Chicago area,” he said.
In addition, the company has a new factory partner in the European Union that is a 10% tariff country.
with advanced ship and preserve that pricing through the end of the year,” he says.
At New England Made, in Portland, Maine, in March, Stefa Normantas, show producer, noted that macroeconomic concerns — especially around tariffs and rising raw material costs — were on attendees’ minds. Jewelers, in particular, have faced challenges with surging metal prices.
“The jewelers were really struggling with the price of metals hitting that all-time high. I think the day of the show, gold hit its highest ever,” she said.
Jay Sada, founder and CEO of Ocean World Imports, said during The Reunion that the factories he works with in China to supply his business with glass, ceramic and polyresin gifts and souvenirs have been willing to work with him.
“I told them we had to work out different prices or I would have to source from somewhere else because it is not going to work with the tariff, and so now I have better negotiating power,” he said.
Aspinwall is particularly concerned on how tariffs will impact holiday merchandise, which he notes is usually exempt from tariffs, but not this time around.
“If retail stores have to somehow absorb that cost, you’re going to see
For Mystic Knotwork, a family business dating back to 1957, tariffs aren’t a threat — they actually give a competitive edge. Matt Beaudoin, who brought back and now runs the Connecticut-based rope goods business, said that most of the company’s raw materials are American-sourced, and the company produces everything in-house.
“Tariffs actually will help my business ever so slightly,” he said, noting that overseas competitors often benefit from lower labor costs and fewer regulatory restrictions.
To Beaudoin, the takeaway for retailers navigating tariffs and uncertainty is clear: American-made alternatives are out there, often with compelling stories and strong regional identities. “There are local, domestic solutions,” he said. “You just have to know where to look.” SGN
These products will attract outdoor enthusiasts fishing for souvenirs.
1. Abakiki: Striking Sailfish long-sleeve T-shirt, www.abakiki.com; 2. Caskata: School of Fish 30-ounce tumbler, www.caskata.com; 3. The Petting Zoo: 26-inch lifelike tuna plush, www.pettingzooplush.com; 4. Blue Wing Woodcraft: Royal Coachman fly circular magnetic bottle opener, www.bluewingwoodcraft.com; 5. Mountain Graphics: Brook Trout die cut sticker, www.mtgraphics.com; 6. New England Bells: Trout-themed designer door chimes, www.newenglandbells.com; 7. A&F Souvenirs: Fish interior repeat mug and shot glass, www.afgift.com; 8. Sea Lark Enterprises: Soap Lift fish, www.soaplift.com; 9. Odd Sox: Trout men’s crew socks, www.oddsox.com; 10. Dynasty Gallery: Clown fish figurine, www.dynastygallery.com.
Route 66 is cruisin‘ in style with retro treasures to fuel your customers’ nostalgia tank.
1. Better Magnets: Route 66 soft-touch magnet, www.bettermagnets.com; 2. Desperate Enterprises: Route 66 thermometer, www.desperate.com; 3. Garment Gear: Custom direct-to-garment print T-shirt with Route 66 theme, www.garmentgear.com; 4. Jilzarah: Route 66 charm and bead bracelet, www.jilzarah.com; 5. Green Tree Jewelry: Route 66 laser-cut birch wood dangle earrings, www.greentreejewelry.com; 6. Bucket Wonders: Expressions Route 66 chrome keychain, www.bucketwonders.com; 7. Smith-Southwestern: Route 66 tote bag, www.smith-southwestern.com; 8. Ramatex: Route 66 50-inch by 60-inch plush throw blanket, www.ramatex.us; 9. Signs 4 Fun: Route 66 Centennial Bullseye license plate, www.signs4fun.com.
rockin‘
1. GeoCentral: Crystal Cave tabletop merchandising display, www.geocentral.com; 2. Rosanna: Hope Springs Eternal Bloom Stone, www.rosannainc.com; 3. Wheeler Manufacturing: Made for Adventure crystal necklace, www.wheelerjewelry.com; 4. Lifeforce Glass: The Mermaid’s Message - Be Present imprinted sea glass stone, www.lifeforceglass.com; 5. Silver Streak: Semi-precious gemstone tree with copper wire base, www.silverstreaks.com; 6. Western Woods: Agate bookends, www.westernwoods.com; 7. Wax Apothecary: Sparkle Geode Buddy - Crystal Cluster Rock Friends, www.waxapothecary.com; 8. Friendly Crystals: Azurite lava bracelet, www.friendlycrystals.com.
“We are big enough to serve all your needs and small enough to exceed all your expectations.”
— Scott Goodrich, president, Wyx Brands
Wyx Brands works closely with retailers to develop the right product line for their destination stores.
Research shows that our sense of smell is the sense most closely connected to memory, which makes fragranced products the ideal gift for destination, souvenir and gift shops.
Custom scents allow customers to take a powerful piece of their favorite experience home with them, or to gift it to others. Finding the right candle line for your destination, souvenir or gift shop doesn’t have to be challeng-
ing or involve settling for brands that everyone else is stocking.
With a broad portfolio that includes branded products, name-drop specialties, and fully custom private label manufacturing, the team at Wyx Brands can help you stock unique, appealing candles and related fragrance products that perfectly fit your store's aesthetic and help you stand out.
“At Wyx Brands, we make home fragrance, personal care and home care products — both under our own brand, Slippery Elm and for others
through white label and private label partnerships,” says Scott Goodrich, President of Wyx Brands. “From candles and reed diffusers to bath and body products and laundry solutions, we make great fragrances and allow our customers to take them across a broad range of product options.”
While the company got its start with the Slippery Elm brand, the last couple of years have seen growth in the custom label side of the business.
Museums, zoos, aquariums, boutiques, country clubs, resort communities, spas, realtors, charitable organizations and lifestyle brands have all worked with Wyx Brands to develop product for their stores.
“In every case, we provide personalized, turnkey service to help our customers land on a final product form and design that they really love, and that is well positioned to be successful on the store shelf,” says Goodrich.
The family-owned business takes a personal approach with its customers.
Goodrich adds, “We’re known for quality, consistency, and making it easy for our customers to succeed — whether that’s through fast, affordable shipping, no order minimums, or our wide range of fragrance options that work across all seasons and settings.”
(800) 878-5840, Mon-Fri 9 am-6 pm; Sat 9 am-3 pm OR anytime at sales@wyxbrands.com Explore online at slipperyelm.com
Customers can visit us at the following markets: Dallas Total Home + Gift, Philadelphia Gift Show and Cape Cod & Islands Gift Show
Golf’s resurgence in popularity can be expressed through a variety of on-par picks.
1. Island Haus: Golf notepad, www.islandhausco.com; 2. Uncommon Flame: Desert Golfing candle, www.uncommonflame.com; 3. Lavley: Time to Par socks, www.lavley-wholesale.com; 4. Saltwater Boys: Golf cart graphic T-shirt, www.saltwaterboysco.com; 5. Kerusso: The Master men’s polyester cap, www.wholesale.kerusso.com; 6. Clutch Towels: Navy golf towel with clubs graphic, www.clutchtowels.com; 7. Well Designed Wood: Variety pack “golf” wooden can coolers, www.welldesignedwood.com; 8. Peachy Pendants: Set of four acrylic golf-themed coasters, www.peachy-pendants.myshopify.com; 9. Joseph K: Golf cart Santa ornament, www.josephk.com; 10. The Queen’s Jewels: Golf clubs jeweled glassware, www.thequeensjewels.net.
These Halloween-themed products add a
1. Leisurely Lakeside: Coastie Ghostie coastal-themed Halloween decor, www.leisurelylakeside.com; 2. Kurt S Adler: Monster Couple Kiss ornament, www.kurtadler.com; 3. TOTYM: Knox the Grim Reaper plush, www.totym.net; 4. Town Pride: Spooky soft knit sweater, www.townpride.com; 5. Nassau Candy: Clever Candy Zombie Brains gummy candy in 4-ounce peg bag, www.nassaucandy.com; 6. Dolphin Hat Games: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza card game Halloween edition, www.dolphinhat.com; 7. Susquehanna: I’m Spooky Year Round black ceramic mug, www.susquehannaglass.com; 8. Fiesta Toy: Noodlez 8.5-inch Day of the Dead-themed plush, www.fiestatoy.com.
BY TOMMY BROWN
Location, location, location are the three famous words for selling goods. Gift shops need to be placed in just the right location within an attraction. Similarly, products need to be placed in just the right location within a shop.
Having a gift shop placed in just the right spot within an attraction is crucial. If placement is off, the attraction could be at financial risk and will want to consider making adjustments to the retail locations.
When an attraction is adding a new experience for its guests, retail should always be part of the planning. New
Make sure retail is a consideration when planning a new experience at an attraction.
attraction experiences can be costly, so introducing new retail can help to offset those costs and ensure the attraction is not leaving any money on the table.
When debuting a new shop, try to find a location that’s front and center, such as an exit or entrance spot.
The new shop needs to be open and welcoming. You want to intrigue guests to come in with zero boundaries between them and the sales floor. Everything should flow naturally from the outside to the inside.
Stock items in the shop that connect to peoples’ emotions and feelings related to the new experience or attraction. Emotions and feelings entice people to take
a bit of the experience home, and this happens with a corresponding salable item.
If the experience has music, keep the music from that experience going in the shop. If the new experience has a certain smell to it, replicate that in the store as well. The more senses you connect with, the better for your sales. Remember, no one really needs a new toy or snow globe, but they are compelled to bring home a product related to a memory or feeling they enjoyed at an attraction.
Make sure to review the placement of your retail stores every year. Close any shops that are no longer performing at your attraction.
If you have to close a retail shop, do not let the storefront sit empty. Consider filling the space with vending machines, arcades or leased specialty retail options.
If you choose to lease the vacant shop to a specialty retail partner, remember that average leased contracts consist of an agreement for building enhancements, 33% to 40% split of gross sales and your attraction’s standards being upheld. Most leased contracts are also written for three to five years, so think seriously before you sign.
Make sure retail is a consideration when planning a new experience at an attraction. And find a prominent place within the attraction for any new retail location.
If you want to think even bigger, make retail the experience. Interactive retail is the wave of the future. SGN
TOMMY BROWN has been in RETAIL MANAGEMENT for over 30 years. He has worked for Dillard’s, Sears, and Six Flags Inc. and is currently with the SAINT LOUIS ZOO. He is a past ZAG vice president and can be reached at tbrown@stlzoo.org.
BY KATHY CRUZ
Inventory management is a crucial aspect of running a successful souvenir shop. It’s not just about filling shelves — retailers need to also efficiently manage stock levels, replenish products at the right time, and avoid both overstocking or stockouts.
It’s easy to overlook the data that’s available in your POS, but these reporting features are some of the best inventory management tools. Reviewing these four reports on a regular schedule will give you valuable insight into sales trends and inventory health.
An aged or dead inventory report can help you to identify products that have been sitting in inventory for a long time without selling. This will help you to pinpoint any slow-moving or obsolete products.
When you get into a habit of running these reports, you will be able to make data-driven decisions.
Run this report monthly to track aging inventory and prevent overstocking on products that aren’t selling. By identifying dead inventory, you can take steps to discount, bundle or remove these items.
A sell-through report will show you the rate at which items are selling and helps you identify products that are either moving too slowly or too quickly.
Run this report monthly to assess your inventory’s turnover and to adjust stock levels accordingly. By identifying slow-moving products, you can take action to reduce excess stock.
A reorder report will alert you when inventory for specific items falls below predefined thresholds, helping you know when to reorder based on historical sales data. Run this report weekly to keep up with demand and avoid stockouts. Timely reordering ensures you always have enough stock of high-demand items, especially during peak seasons, preventing lost sales.
Your sales by category report will break down sales by product categories (e.g., clothing, jewelry, decor). It helps identify customer preferences and product trends. Run this report monthly to monitor your product mix and assess category performance. By analyzing sales data by category, you can adjust your inventory strategy to focus on high-performing categories while phasing out slow-moving ones.
When you get into a habit of running these reports, you will be able to make data-driven decisions. With just a few minutes each week or month, these reports will help you fine-tune your inventory management, reduce inefficiencies and boost your bottom line. SGN
KATHY CRUZ is a RETAIL BUSINESS COACH and host of the SAVVY SHOPKEEPER RETAIL PODCAST. Reach her via email at: kathy@savvyshopkeeper.com. Learn more on her website, www.savvyshopkeeper.com and Instagram @savvyshopkeeper.
BY MELODY CABAN
IToday’s jewelry trends emphasize both meaning and bold expression.
n the ever-evolving retail landscape, jewelry continues to shine as a lucrative product category with remarkable growth potential. As Statista reports, approximately 85% of sales in the U.S. jewelry market in 2025 will come from non-luxury jewelry, placing this category within the reach of souvenir and gift retailers. More than just sparkly accessories, today’s jewelry trends emphasize both meaning and bold expression. Let’s explore the five most promising jewelry trends gift shop owners should consider embracing to delight their customers and update their merchandise mix this year.
1LAYERING NECKLACES. The layered necklace phenomenon has transformed into an essential style. The modern layered look celebrates intentional curation — chains in graduated lengths, pendants in different styles and accent beads in bright colors. Display pre-styled combinations on mannequins as jumping off points.
2BOLD SCULPTURAL JEWELRY. Statement pieces with architectural and sculptural elements are making a splash. These conversation-starting accessories feature exaggerated proportions and unexpected shapes that were made to stand out. These bold pieces call to be picked up, tried on and styled. Create dedicated display areas that show these jewelry options without overcrowding.
3
CELESTIAL JEWELRY. The mystical allure of celestial motifs continues to captivate, particularly with Gen Z and Millennial shoppers. Moon phase pendants, constellation maps and astrology-inspired pieces offer meaningful connections and perfect gift options.
4
MIXED METALS. Jewelry featuring mixed metals can coordinate well with every wardrobe. These beautifully designed combinations (think sterling silver with gold accents or brass with silver highlights) create visual interest through contrasting textures and tones. Display these pieces against neutral backgrounds that allow the metallic contrasts to shine.
5
COLOR IN FULL BLOOM. Vibrant, unapologetically playful jewelry has emerged as a joyful counterpoint to minimalist trends. These pieces celebrate the fun side of life through bold colors, whimsical shapes and a sense of lighthearted nostalgia. Oversized acrylic earrings, necklaces featuring rainbow hues and bracelets stacked with colorful beads are popular options.
These jewelry trends reflect a shift toward self-expression. By incorporating these trends into your merchandise mix, you can position your store as a destination for both trend-conscious shoppers and those seeking meaningful additions to their collections. The key is curating pieces that align with your store’s unique identity while offering fresh interpretations of these popular styles. SGN
MELODY CABAN is founder of MELODY CABAN CONSULTING, a Latina-owned consulting service that cracks an urgent problem facing museums. Learn more at www.melodycabanconsulting.com.
STORY BY BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE
The story of comedy lives at this Jamestown, New York, museum, where laughter unites people from all walks of life. Housed in a restored railroad station in comedy legend Lucille Ball’s hometown, the National Comedy Center is ground zero for comedic culture.
Interactive exhibits celebrate old jokes and new ones alike, from early vaudeville to viral memes. The center has been named a Top 25 Family Weekend Getaway by U.S. News & World Report on a list that includes Walt Disney World, and its gift store is an extension of the experience.
The Comedy Shop is a conduit for connecting visitors who rehash their experiences while discovering a “second act” of products.
“The museum is about creating connections and joyful experiences, and that happens in the shop as well,” says Kate Rinko, retail manager.
In many ways, Rinko is a curator who filters through the vast marketplace of comedy products to find memorable, suitable items for the store.
Because of the shop’s location as the exit point with street access for visitors who only want to shop, it’s also a meeting place for visitors, Rinko points out.
“Groups may break up to see exhibits they’re interested in, meet up back here and they share their experiences,” she says. “We overhear their funny stories, they talk about the products they find, and they might see someone they ran into in the museum and didn’t know before but now they’re talking about exhibits and finding products together.”
Indeed, comedy unites, and the net effect for The Comedy Shop is customers who are tickled by finds they want to take home. The store is stocked with name-drop apparel and souvenirs along with books, games, decor, gag gifts and witty finds like socks with cheeky messages and magnets with laugh-out-loud one liners.
“The museum experience is personalized and shopping here is, too, because comedy is so subjective,” Rinko explains. “We try to cover many different categories so each guest will find a connection to something they like, whether a TV sitcom, movie or favorite comedian.”
Retail Manager
makes sure that
everyone — rubber chicken, anyone?
Sourcing merch for The Comedy Shop comes with an occupational hazard: avoiding the product rabbit hole of vendor sourcing.
“Comedy is so expansive and can go in so many different ways,” Rinko says. “It takes a lot of collaboration and teamwork because we want everyone to purchase something they think is funny.”
Purchases are highly subjective, sometimes tied to the National Comedy Center experience and other times more general “funny stuff.”
“Anything that might get a reaction, a smile, a laugh, a giggle, make you feel good — that’s what we’re looking for when we purchase,” says Rinko, who leads a lean team of four dedicated retail staff members. In addition to her team, she also gathers new product ideas from museum staff.
“Buying can also be challenging because what I think is funny, you might not think is funny,” she relates. “And we try to cover all of the comedy categories, whether it’s nostalgic like Dick Van Dyke, pop culture, ‘Saturday Night Live’ or what’s trending on TikTok.”
The Comedy Shop’s products are organized by department, with signage directing guests to products related to TV, movies, comedy stars highlighted in the museum, branded apparel, games, books and feature displays that relate to current exhibits.
DID YOU KNOW?
Keeping up on relevant comedy can be a fulltime job, though. This is why inviting many voices into the buying process is important, Rinko says.
Comedy lovers make pilgrimages to the National Comedy Center. Every year, the museum and its shop welcome visitors from all 50 states, and guests have traveled from 27 different countries to experience the center.
Rinko leads the charge and has support from the guest services staff that is trained in all sides of the museum, including merchandise. The staff members convene with marketing and are on the museum floor as eyes and ears, too.
“We tailor the categories to align with what guests see in the museum, but because the shop is so big, we make it easy to navigate by arranging gifts by department so people can find what they’re looking for,” Rinko says.
For example, the TV Classics section includes items related to “I Love Lucy,” “Golden Girls” and “The Three Stooges.”
“And we have a home and general funny section with items that aren’t tied to a specific franchise but will just make you laugh and smile,” says Rinko.
For instance, the home section is stocked with witty dish towels, candles bearing funny sayings and serveware containing punchlines. Rinko says many people laugh when they see
socks that read, “Personally victimized by middle school.” Items with words that guests wouldn’t want their kids to repeat at school are covered with placards.
A holiday section is chock full of apparel and souvenirs related to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and the Elf movie.
In the dedicated children’s area, parents get that kid-in-a-candy-store feeling, too, when they find funny ha-ha goodies like whoopee cushions, rubber chickens and the top-selling Show of Hands finger puppets that multiply your digits times five. Tiny hands suited on guests’ fingers triggers giggles.
While the staff cruises the store floor to help guests navigate the merchandise, Rinko also finds
Guests who visit The National Comedy Center can keep the laughs going by visiting the nearby Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum the center operates. The complementary experience offers a deep-dive into all things Lucy. (Vitameatavegamin, anyone?)
Kate Rinko manages retail for both shops, and gifts at the Lucy Desi Museum are curated to align with this entirely different attraction. There is some cross-over, but The Comedy Shop’s I Love Lucy and related offerings — including Andy Griffith — are more of a sampler, with the Lucy Desi shop delivering a main course of souvenirs related to the shows.
Staff at both shops are trained to steer guests to all of the retail opportunities.
“The shops have their own identities,” Rinko says, relating that less than 5% of Lucy Desi merchandise at The Comedy Shop is also at its sister store. Plus, because the museum celebrates Desilu Studios and is the official destination celebrating the “first couple of comedy,” its shop has trademark rights to create licensed I Love Lucy products that are not found anywhere else.
“If we overhear a customer at The Comedy Shop say, ‘I thought you’d have more I Love Lucy stuff,’ we can direct them down the block and share the excitement of learning that there’s a museum for one of their favorite comedians with its very own store,” Rinko says.
Lucille Ball was the first woman to preside over a Hollywood studio when she bought Desi Arnaz’s interest in their company, Desilu Studios.
“I Love Lucy” has never been off the air since its first broadcast on Oct. 15, 1951.
that laughter is contagious and leads visitors to displays when they overhear others chuckle.
“Sometimes, it’s about finding those little things that will go viral and making them available in the shop,” says Rinko.
Everything funny can’t fit in the shop, and for the most part, in-store inventory lives online, too. This gives customers an option to order drop-shipped items if they can’t find a size or merchandise that speaks to an in-the-moment comedy movement, Rinko points out.
There’s a strong cross-selling connection that allows one-time visitors to be gift shop customers for life. When guests begin their highly interactive, multimedia experience in the museum, they provide credentials — including an email address.
“We are not shy about reaching out during holidays and throughout the year to offer opportunities to buy,” Rinko says. “The reason why it’s named The Comedy Shop instead of the National Comedy Center Shop is because we want to be a one-stop shop for all things funny including our branded merch and other gifts, too. We’ve positioned the shop to be a go-to for comedy products.”
But here’s the juggle. The National Comedy Center runs brick-and-mortar and online shops for The Comedy Shop and the nearby Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum Gift Shop it operates. The in-house team is charged with seeking out cool inventory, snapping pics for web merch purchases while also creating engaging store displays. The small but mighty crew fulfills, packs and ships many of the online orders, as well.
The drop-ship option online frees up some labor and gives The Comedy Shop an avenue for offering more without taking up additional storage, Rinko says.
“The way comedy brings people together is incredible to witness and we get to see that every day.” — Kate Rinko
“The biggest takeaway from our online store is that you’re never going to do anything if you just don’t do it,” Rinko says. “Ours is a very grassroots situation, and we’re doing it all here — the store, the online shop. It’s about organization, communication and not being afraid to take a risk.”
There will always be screw-ups, but those are smoothed into buying opportunities.
“You can’t take it to heart,” Rinko says. When a show, movie or comedian is trending, customers are grabbing for the gear. If the season is over, so to speak, an in-store display and online offer encourages buys from those who might have been on the fence.
“It happens sometimes — comedy can go in waves, and a lot of times it also comes back in,”
Rinko says. “We try to move the product and feature it in a different spot in the store or feature it online, too, to get attention.”
Rinko adds, “It’s not scary when items go out of a fad because someone else will come back to that fad. They’ll catch up to the comedy or show they were missing and get excited about it.”
Everything old can be funny again.
And in divisive times, the lightness of finding souvenirs and gifts with a laugh factor is comedic relief. Rinko says, “The way comedy brings people together is incredible to witness and we get to see that every day.” SGN
STORY BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE
this Idaho museum gift shop takes taters to the next level with souvenirsname-drop and products that are uniquely BlackfoOt County.
The world’s largest Pringles chip, a 60-pound bronze potato sculpture, vintage farming potato sorters and interactive tater video games are some of the fun things that can be found within the Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot, Idaho.
This roadside attraction celebrates the Idaho potato and Blackfoot County’s reputation as the potato capital of the world.
On average, the state grows one-third of the nation’s potato output annually, amounting to 13.5 billion pounds. “We have other produce like sugar beets, alfalfa and barley, and it’s interesting that we are one of the state’s largest producers of domestic trout,” adds Idaho Potato Museum Executive Director Tish Dahmen.
But enough about barley and trout. This museum’s focus is on the starchy spuds that grow strong in Idaho because of its hot summer days and cool nights, driven by the altitude. Another helper is sandy, volcanic soil that promotes drainage and allows potatoes to form an oblong shape.
This road stop attracts about 45,000 visitors every year. Within the museum is the Spud Seller gift shop, which today is the museum’s primary source of revenue.
QHow do Spud Seller’s souvenirs help visitors connect to museum experiences?
AWe look for ways to connect exhibits and features in the museum with souvenirs we sell at the shop. For example, in the museum there is a talking potato display where three large plushy potato bean bags serve as screens. An animated show about how potatoes are stored in cellars is projected onto them. In the gift shop, we sell plushies that look like our talking potatoes — Bud, Patty and Tater Tot.
Over time, we have personalized all of our magnets, T-shirts, sweatshirts and keychains to the Idaho Potato Museum and potatoes. We’ve customized everything from earrings and beaded bracelets with fun names like Spud Kid and Tater Tot to stickers. If a design works well on a postcard, we can roll it out on a T-shirt, mug and magnet. Locally, we work with Pin-
nacle and Idea Man on these products, and we deal with larger distributors like Great Mountain West and Smith-Southwestern.
QWhat are some surprising potato souvenirs visitors can find at the Spud Seller?
AWe offer potato soap and lotion made from coconut oil, olive oil and potato starch, which is an additive. When you cook with potato starch to make gravy it acts as a binding agent, and I have women who come in just for this product for their cracked hands and heels.
The Idaho Spud candy bar is oblong like a potato and has been around since 1918. [That candy bar] has a cocoa-marshmallow center
covered with chocolate and sprinkled with coconut. There’s no potato in it but customers were asking for it, so we had it made for us by Weiser Classic Candy.
QHow has the museum shop expanded its offerings since its opening decades ago?
AWe offer all things Idaho, potato and Idaho Potato Museum, from cookie cutters and collector coins to snow globes, ornaments, golf balls, spoons, recipe books, coloring books, playing cards, posters, spices and potato mixes to make pancakes, soup, muffins and bread. Kids love our hand-held Idaho Potato Museum plushie, and postcards are really popular.
We have grown from a ‘trial’ museum in 1988 with 2,000 attendees to a destination for school field trips and travelers.
Locals are proud to bring their guests here to show off their town and state. SGN
STORY BY MEGAN SMALLEY
Park retailers put immense thought into the merchandise at their shops, making sure souvenirs big and small connect well to these awe-inspiring destinations.
People can’t seem to get enough of the park these days — the National Park Service reported in March that the total number of recreation visits to national park sites hit almost 332 million in 2024, breaking a record that was last set in 2016. Total visitation to these sites has been steadily rising since 2021, according to NPS data.
National parks also dominated U.S. News & World Report’s list of top places to visit in 2025. The latest list included Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon National Park and Yosemite National Park. Vacationers appreciate these destinations for their jaw-dropping landscapes and calm environment that helps people to escape the busyness of everyday life.
Behind the beautiful scenery at national and state parks, retail plays a supportive role in celebrating and in many cases financially giving back to these awe-inspiring destinations.
The Western National Parks Association, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, partners with 72 national park sites in several states, managing retail shops at many of these sites.
“As a nonprofit education partner to the National Park Service, we’re making the national park experience more accessible through retail with a purpose,” says Lauren Mooney, chief revenue officer and vice president
of WNPA. “Our stores invite visitors to think not only more deeply about their park experi-
“We want people to feel that when they purchase something from a WNPA park store, they can take part of the park home.”
— Julie Thompson, WNPA
ence, but also to be a part of a network of support that has had an enormous impact in national parks since 1938.”
Julie Thompson, senior content and communications
Park-themed jewelry, stationery and other souvenirs all support the parks.
manager at WNPA, says much thought goes into the merchandise at these storefronts.
“We work hand-in-hand with the National Park Service to develop products that align with the parks’ interpretive themes, their messages, their education. We ensure each product is reflective of the parks’ unique histories, cultures and landscapes. And 100% of our net proceeds directly benefit the park,” she says.
Given that most parks are free attractions or just require a minimal admission fee, having retail that gives back is extremely important for many of these destinations.
Both wearable and collectible souvenirs seem to strongly appeal to guests at national and state park stores.
“Apparel is the No. 1 seller, and I don’t think that’s a new trend. That’s been the case for a while,” says Teresa Inman, senior buyer for
Aramark Destinations, which manages retail for four properties, including Olympic National Park, Badlands National Park, Pikes Peak and Union Creek Resort outside of Crater Lake National Park.
Inman explains that T-shirts and sweatshirts are like multipurpose souvenirs — customers might purchase a sweatshirt if they get cold while visiting the park, but then they will also take that apparel home with them to remember their visit.
“Apparel truly is something visitors will have a connection to, and I think apparel will always be a strong seller,” she says.
Melinda Thomas, director of retail operations for Redwood Parks Conservancy, the official nonprofit of Redwood National and State Parks, says apparel is popular at the seven visitor center stores that she oversees.
“Apparel is huge here,” she says. “The weather is so unpredictable, and it can get cold and foggy,
so we’ll sell outerwear, sweatshirts.”
Collectible souvenirs are also staples for park stores. Inman adds that plenty of people are collecting stickers from park stores these days, showcasing all the spots they have visited on their laptops and drinkware. She explains that stickers are a great consumable souvenir.
“You can put it on a water bottle, then when you need to replace that water bottle, you get a
new sticker,” she explains. “The $3 to $5 price point for stickers is nice. People don’t think too hard about spending that amount.”
Thomas says customers also love collecting handmade mugs from each of the Redwood Parks Conservancy gift shops, too. She says the shops come out with new designs each year.
“They are handmade, beautiful mugs,” she describes. “I have a kitchen cabinet full of them! Those are products that have endured the test of time and just keep selling more every year.”
In addition to apparel and collectible souvenirs, park visitors want their souvenirs to serve as specific reminders of the destination that they visited. Rather than merchandise featuring generic park or camping themes, retailers say customers often prefer products that
have a name drop or feature imagery common to the park they represent.
Thompson says WNPA is always making sure its merchandise is historically, culturally and ecologically accurate.
“For example, at Carlsbad Caverns, we might have bat plush, but we want that bat plush to be just like a bat you’ll see in those caves, not a generic bat,” she explains.
Customers are going bananas for banana slug plush at Redwood Parks Conservancy’s stores these days!
“Banana slug plushies and merchandise are big sellers,” shares Thomas. “I’ve expanded our line of banana slug merchandise since I became retail director. I think it’s something different and interesting to people. You only see banana slugs in these forests, and it’s not a normal thing people will see when they go home.”
Locally made merchandise is also a way for park retailers to stock merchandise unique to the
“The $3-$5 price point for stickers is nice. People don’t think too hard about spending that amount.”
— Teresa Inman, Aramark Destinations
area, especially when that merchandise connects to the park as well. “You have to find the right local merchandise,” says Inman. “It still has to connect to the park, the history, the experience. It’s about finding the right thing that resonates with the park’s story.”
While visitation to parks continues to boom, national park retailers are unsure how things will go in the upcoming summer season as the federal government announced layoffs for National Park Service workers.
Thomas admits that there are some difficulties for the National Park Service this year, but she notes that Redwood Parks Conservancy’s mission and efforts will stay the same.
“We have an amazing partnership with the National Park Service, California State Parks, Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service partners,” she says. “There are challenges, but we’re working through them. There are predictions that more people will come to the parks this year, but who knows! The whole point is that we’re here for our parks. For me as the retail director, I want to be able to keep my stores open, and that financially helps the parks.”
So what’s the key to running successful gift shops at the park these days?
“It’s really just staying in tune with the visitor centers, our visitors and park partners,” says Thomas. “Be available for visitors. And have constantly changing offerings to keep things fresh and innovative.”
Inman adds that a mix of unique souvenirs and a warm store environment are key elements for park retail.
She says, “With retail in the parks, it’s not just about selling souvenirs — it’s sharing the park’s story and helping people find items to commemorate their trip.” SGN
Stand out from the beach store next door with a combination of tried and true styles and newer trending pieces.
Beach apparel is sure to be a big seller for many destination retailers located along the coasts — tourists often love to collect name-dropped shirts, caps and more from their favorite vacation spots.
But beach apparel is a broad category, ranging from collectible souvenir T-shirts to brand name shirts, swimwear, footwear and sun hats to name just some products in the category. Destination retailers can strike a balance between offering a wide assortment of beach apparel, while also having a niche that helps them to stand out from other shops in town.
STORY BY MEGAN SMALLEY
This approach has worked well for Keith Riley-Spillane, co-owner of Rehoboth Breeze in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. He says the store focuses on carrying higher quality souvenir apparel that he hopes customers can wear for a long time to remember their time in town.
“We’ve found that our niche is with the high-quality shirts and sweatshirts,” he says. “We’re not afraid to test the waters — maybe bring in a nice pair of shorts for a season — but we usually stay in our niche.”
And the niche works. He shares that the shop often has families come in looking for matching shirts to wear for a beach picture.
Having a niche has also been helpful at Sunset Beach Gifts in Cape May, New Jersey. For just over 50 years, the retailer has served souvenirs to tourists. While the store used to sell anything and everything related to the beach and gifts, Owner Larry Hume says the shop has narrowed its focus to high-quality souvenir apparel.
“We’re just a five- to 10-minute drive from the heart of Cape May where there’s a lot of shopping. We have a high priority with our merchandise that products have to move quickly,” Hume explains. “With dresses, it takes more time for customers to make a purchase decision on that. So we’ve streamlined our operations to be in T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats.”
rust orange, butter yellow and some neon color tones on T-shirts.
Pier Gifts in Pismo Beach, California, has also found its niche in souvenir name-dropped beach apparel.
“We do mostly souvenir clothing — shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops and some beach-themed pajama bottoms,” says Owner Nicole Custer.
Although Pier Gifts sticks to more basic apparel options, Custer always makes sure there’s a wide variety for customers.
Some styles of name-dropped T-shirts will sell for destination retailers year after year, but it’s important to add some new designs to the mix each season.
Custer says she is always paying attention to changing fashion trends when considering what new designs to try for the upcoming season. Blue and green T-shirts with the Pismo Beach name drop will always do well for her, but Custer is also noticing more interest in
“I’m seeing a revival with neon colors that almost reminds you of the ’80s and things perhaps grandma might have worn years ago!” she says.
In the past, Pier Gifts featured a lot of cute graphics and designs on kids’ T-shirts and sweatshirts. But offering the same T-shirt design for both youth and adults has been working quite well lately.
“We used to try to offer more cutesy kids’ apparel, but now most of our kids’ shirts have the same logo and look as the adult shirt,” she says.
Riley-Spillane says he can’t know for sure what T-shirt design will appeal most to customers for 2025. But he knows for sure that shirts from the Big Hed Designs brand will always draw in tourists. He says people love that brand for its playful, beachy designs.
“The shirt from them that’s always big for us is the ‘Crabby Guy’ and ‘Crabby Girl’ design,” he says. “We sell a slew of them.”
Customers also like that most of the store’s shirts are Comfort Colors cotton T-shirts, which are known for durability. Riley-Spillane says, “Our store is known for having a higher quality product, and that’s what people look for here.”
Presentation is always important when selling apparel. Riley-Spillane says Rehoboth Breeze
receives quite a few compliments on how the store organizes its merchandise.
“Everything is always in order,” he says. “The employees are constantly refolding shirts, and we’ve even told customers, ‘Let me take care of that for you’ when putting shirts back. I want customers to have a good experience when they come in.”
To go the extra mile, Riley-Spillane says he found ways to make sure his store is easily accessible for people with disabilities. He explains, “I purposefully have my racks on wheels so someone with a wheelchair won’t have problems getting around. I have a child who uses a wheelchair, so I’m hypersensitive to that.”
To promote its apparel offerings, Sunset
Beach Gifts will cross merchandise a shirt with a hat or sunglasses on a nice display. Hume says one of his employees has a knack for setting up apparel displays.
“She’s always putting montage outfits together in the shop, and she’ll change them up every week or two,” he shares.
Sunset Beach Gifts has most of its souvenir T-shirts on circular racks around the store. For better organization, Hume adds that each rack only features two T-shirt designs in three or four different color options at most.
He says, “When you look at the racks, they don’t look too busy and have nice eye appeal.”
With summertime being busy season for many destination retailers that sell beach apparel and gear, these retailers may want to consider stocking up well ahead of time. With this year’s concerns about tariffs, it’s was even more important
for destination retailers to secure merchandise before peak season.
Hume says Sunset Beach Gifts orders most of what it needs for the peak season in the winter ahead to be prepared. The retailer likes to shop for new merchandise at regional gift shows, such as The Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show, Surf Expo and others.
Hume adds that his team gets good merchandise ideas from vendor sales reps. “It’s always on the top of our list to keep those relationships with good sales reps lively and cordial,” he says.
Peak season runs from June to August in Rehoboth Beach, so Riley-Spillane likes to order most of the next season’s merchandise the winter beforehand. He says he was even more intentional about that this year knowing that tariffs could impact business.
“After the fall election, we ordered everything we could for the summer of 2025,” he says. “We
did this purposefully, not knowing what was going to happen with tariffs.”
He notes that buying this much can be a risk, but he’s grateful that he took the risk and is unlikely to get hit by any tariff increases for this year’s summer season. “I’ll be able to sell my shirts at the same price. It’s a risk we took for this year, and I think my customers will benefit in the long run.”
“You can’t be afraid to take risks. But also don’t forget what put your bread and butter on the table. For us, that’s our quality shirts and hats.”
— KEITH RILEY-SPILLANE, REHOBOTH BREEZE
He also takes a chance on new beach accessories or apparel options each year, such as a new sunscreen option, a beach towel or flip flops.
“You can’t be afraid to take risks,” he says. “But also don’t forget what puts your bread and butter on the table. For us, that’s our quality shirts and hats.” SGN
STORY BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE
HUESTON WOODS STATE PARK College Corner, Ohio
RETAIL MANAGER: Cyndi Reuss
BESTSELLERS:
Name-drop apparel
RETAIL TIP:
Have souvenirs that appeal to all people.
Hueston Woods State Park is a natural getaway, and the gift shop gives guests a way to remember their time there.
What guests soak in and experience at Hueston Woods State Park in College Corner, Ohio, is what they want to remember and take home with them. On Saturdays, the Nature Center on-site sends an expert to the lodge with an owl, hawk, snake or all three. Wings are clipped on the flying friends so they won’t accidentally soar up like loose balloons.
Visitors engage, ask the naturalists questions and learn something new. “After
they are done watching and meeting with animals, they often come into the gift shop,” says Cyndi Reuss, gift shop manager.
Then come sales of owl and snake plushies, eagle statues and Warmies in relevant themes that you can heat up in the microwave. They defuse a relaxing lavender scent and go over big with adults, too.
Hueston Woods is a hub for family reunions, retreats, couples’ getaways, business conferences and nature escapes. The lodge is a wedding venue and birthday spot. It’s also a convenient stay-over spot when dropping
Guests like purposeful souvenirs, such as rose gold keychains, camp mugs and laser-engraved pocketknives.
“a college kid off at Miami University, just five miles up the road.
Besides the proximity to campus, what sustains Hueston Woods is its setting on Acton Lake with attractions like a championship golf course, cross-country skiing and a 108-foot historic covered bridge.
“It’s just a tranquil place,” says Reuss. “We’re in a big, A-framed building with a lot of glass so guests can look out on the lake, and then they
Sourced from Ganz, Bigfoot goodies include a sign that says, “Gone Squatching,” and another that reads, “Hide-and-Seek Champion.” If a trinket is a better fit, Bigfoot spotters can nab a figurine-charm tied to an explainer about the famed creature.
Some want to wear the mystique with a T-shirt picturing Bigfoot disappearing into a forest much like Hueston’s. The screen print reads, “Get lost in Hueston Woods.”
We’re in a big, A-framed building with a lot of glass so guests can look out on the lake, and then they like to come in and check out the gift shop. So many people are amazed at how big it is and how much is here.” — CYNDI REUSS
like to come in and check out the gift shop. So many people are amazed at how big it is and how much is here.”
A vintage sign in front of the gift shop sets the tone for a wild experience. It lists animal fur prices in 1801, some costs in currency we know like raccoon for 37 to 40 cents. Then there’s price tags like Dodo coins (assigned to bears) from the 1800s.
The lodge’s displays of other artifacts like arrowheads also inspire purchases. “Guests love the history and are amazed at what they find here,” Reuss says.
Guests also appreciate folklore, namely Bigfoot.
The
The Bigfoot gear ties in with camping and hiking products that are displayed together, says Reuss. Those include hiking sticks, some of which break down into a handy pouch. The shop sells name-drop medallions designed for fixing atop hiking sticks as a souvenir.
There’s an on-site camp store open during summer, so the Hueston Lodge gift shop focuses mostly on camping souvenirs with some sundry items for just-in-case situations.
Top Guy Mugs offers stainless steel camp-style mugs with names and sayings that are popular picks. Laser-engraved pocketknives and rose gold keychains by Wayne Carver are also displayed on a spin rack — souvenirs with purpose. Reuss also stocks alphabet letter engraved key-
“
genuine semi-precious stones. The company’s Spirit line is especially popular at Hueston Woods Lodge’s gift shop, says Reuss.
“I always have women coming in for those earrings and I’m constantly restocking,” she says.
Annie Oakley perfumes are also a fast sell, especially the scent called Sunset. And Serious Lotion brand hand creams and bug repellents are easy grabs.
The shop carries Fahlo plush for kids and some quick-grab items that
I love the variety of people who tell you their stories and share their travels. They like the tranquility and peacefulness they find here.”— CYNDI REUSS
chains since some names are hard to find, and words like love or grandma.
Fun souvenirs often come in small packages like jewelry, lotions and perfume for women and impulse buys for kids. When there’s something for everyone, bag size increases. Top-selling Black Hills Gold Jewelry is made in South Dakota and speaks to the lodge’s American Indian roots. Styles include leaves, vines and green, rose and yellow colorways.
Jewelry by Silver Forest made in southern Vermont incorporates
make memorable souvenirs. Reuss says she also sells tiny glass animals that are nostalgic and quick grabs.
“We display them in a basket and you have to dig through them and see what animals you can find. They look like hand-blown glass,” she says.
With the busiest days between shoulder seasons, Reuss says the stream of returning guests and retreat-goers, along with college traffic, keeps the gift shop hopping yearround. “I love the variety of people who tell you their stories and share their travels,” she says. “They like the tranquility and peacefulness they find here.” SGN
Kids’ attraction gift shops offer popular, nostalgic and eco-friendly items themed to the destination.
STORY BY MEGAN SMALLEY
Kids might not remember what they had for lunch today, but give them a toy that connects to a visit they had to a museum or attraction and they will form a lasting bond. While children may not always be the ones spending the big bucks at the gift shop, they certainly wield a lot of influence with their parents or other caregivers who are accompanying them on their trip. Smart attraction gift shops are factoring their youngest visitors into their product selections for this reason.
The gift shop at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh carries a variety of products related to exhibits that kids can take home. For instance, Retail Manager Matthew Simmonds says kids who appreciate the museum’s Art Studio creative space may enjoy some of the popular art supplies in the gift shop from vendors such as Ooly.
He adds, “I try to carry items similar to what we have in the Art Studio so the kids can bring the museum home with them.”
While there are a lot of popular toys out there, destination retailers have to be selective when deciding what toys to carry in their shops. These products must tie back to the attraction.
“It’s always important for merchandise to connect to your experience of the museum or attraction.”
— Matthew Simmonds, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Denver’s Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum attracts many families with kids wanting to view iconic aircraft, so toys are a big seller for the museum store, which is a member of the Museum Store Association. Museum Store Buyer Jeff Fields says he always makes sure the toys he carries reinforce the museum’s mission, which is to educate, inspire and excite people about aviation and space endeavors of the past, present and future.
He shares, “If I go back to the mission of the museum, I personally think the toys we have inspire creativity, imagination and learning play all in one.”
Kids of all ages love the museum shop’s assortment of Hot Wings from Just Think Toys. These collectible toy planes come with connectible runway pieces and hangar accessories, along with collector cards with specifications about the planes.
With its ties to Fred Rogers Productions, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh carries some Daniel Tiger and Mr. Rogers merch as well as toys and crafts related to exhibits.
Visitors also love a pilot-plush pig named Lowry and the companion book called Maybe by Compendium. Fields adds, “The little pig is very cool! He’s been a bestseller forever.”
Simmonds agrees that it’s important to carry toys that have a direct connection to the museum.
“It’s always important for merchandise to connect to your experience of the museum or attraction,” says Simmonds. “Instead of buying just random popular fidget toys, I’ll buy stuff that reminds people of coming to the museum.”
At Dig This in Las Vegas, a heavy equipment playground that invites guests to operate real heavy equipment, construction-themed toys are always popular with the kids. They remind them of the excavator they got to ride on their visit.
CAT-branded puzzles by MasterPieces and toy hard hats are some popular toys at the gift shop, Business Manager Michelle Wyman, shares.
“This has been one of our hottest sellers for years, and that’s across all ages from older kids and younger kids alike, even some adults who like it,” says Fields.
“What works for us won’t work for everyone,” admits Wyman. “We’re heavy-equipment themed and find merchandise tied to that.”
Parents want their kids to take home products from reputable companies, so offering some tried-and-true toy brands is also a good idea. For instance, Wyman says parents love the assortment of Melissa & Doug toys at the Dig This gift shop.
“Everybody knows the name,” she says. “They’re durable and educational. For example, we have a shape-sorting dump truck from them, so it has a construction theme and goes with our business concept.”
Simmonds says Fat Brain Toys’ Dimpl line has been very popular at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, as well as Maple Landmark’s magnetic letter trains.
Nostalgic toys have also been having a moment for many destination retailers lately.
Simmonds says Gigapets have been a big hit in
“What works for us won’t work for everyone. We’re heavy-equipment themed and find merchandise tied to that.”
— Michelle Wyman, Dig This
the past year, reminding people of the Tamagotchi fad in the ’90s.
Durability and sustainability are also important factors to customers today. People want toys that won’t break on the car or plane ride home, and bonus points if the toys are sustainably made.
“Cubika is a new line I brought in this year,” shares Simmonds. “It’s based out of Ukraine, and all their products are fully made out of wood.”
He notes that Cubika has a wooden xylophone as well as some building block toys and wooden cars that have been popular with the kids.
Fields says he is always trying to find eco-friendly options. “It’s important to me and our visitors that we are making an effort to reduce the store’s carbon footprint.”
The museum store offers sustainable wooden rockets and astronauts from Tender Leaf Toys.
“With how well Gigapets are doing by playing on nostalgia, I’m also bringing in Beanie Babies this year,” he shares. “With plush being a big category for us, I feel it will do well.”
He says Green Toys is another popular brand that offers toys made of recycled plastics.
“They’ve got cool plane toys, some can go in the bathtub,” Fields says. “It’s a wonderful collection of different airplanes, space rockets and more.”
In addition to trending toys, destination retailers shouldn’t be afraid to try to carry some unique toys that will stand out.
Crocheted traffic cone plushies may not be trending everywhere, but they have been a hit for the Dig This gift shop lately.
“We found a local vendor that crochets little traffic cones,” says Wyman. “They have sold really well. I found them at a craft fair, and they did surprisingly well when it came to the way they were received by the guests.”
Wyman says she would have never guessed those plush would be such a hit, but their popu-
During the Toy Association’s 119th Toy Fair March 1-4, the show organizer unveiled its list of Top Toy Trends for 2025. The following are some toy trends to watch for this year:
• Expect to see play things that encourage movement and learning, incorporate fidget-friendly and sensory fun.
• Personalization is gaining traction with toys, with more toy companies offering inclusive representation.
• There is a resurgence of “newstalgic” toys, including new spins on old favorites and re-releases of old classics.
• Collectible toy sales are growing, such as figurines, trading card games and plush toys
• Toy licensing is popular with most Millennial parents reporting they enjoy playing with toys with their kids based on shared entertainment interests, including movies and TV franchises.
larity has served as a good lesson for her to take some risks and try something different.
“I never thought going to a craft show I would find something that would sell well in our retail store, but I did,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.” SGN
STORY BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE
THE ARK ENCOUNTER
Williamstown, Kentucky
RETAIL MANAGER: Cathy Johnson
BESTSELLERS:
Books and giraffe plushies
RETAIL TIP: Provide resourceful souvenirs for guests.
The Ark Encounter gift shops give visitors several venues with relevant gifts and resources that are anchored to the museum experience.
How big was Noah’s Ark, and how did all the animals fit inside?
Visitors can discover these answers and find more pressing biblical explanations to today’s tough questions firsthand at the full-size ark replica in Williamstown, Kentucky.
The modern engineering marvel was built according to dimensions listed in the Bible. Standing 51 feet tall and spanning 510 feet long, Ark Encounter includes three decks filled with scores of displays that explore faith.
The attraction opened in 2016 — a project of the nonprofit Answers in Genesis, founded to help Christians better understand and defend their faith. The organization is located about 40 minutes away from Ark Encounter in Petersburg, Kentucky, where it also operates the Creation Museum.
Guests make pilgrimages from across the country and world to experience Ark Encounter, says Cathy Johnson, retail manager.
“We offer impactful gifts and resources for guests to take home and share their faith with family and friends,” Johnson says.
““Visitors are excited to share their experience when they get home with souvenirs and resources that make a positive impact.”
Retail outposts throughout Ark Encounter expose visitors to a range of resources, gifts and mementos. The main gift shop is situated within the ark’s bow on the first level, but multiple touchpoints offer opportunities for guests to explore exhibits while finding relevant souvenirs that connect to the ark Bible story and Christian history.
Visitors arrive at the site’s Answer Center, where a resource shop much like a library sells Answers in Genesis curriculum, DVDs and a range of books, including titles written by many of the speakers who present at the center.
such as bracelets made from recycled flip flops, handmade purses and garments.
Visitors are excited to share their experience when they get home with souvenirs and resources that make a positive impact.” — CATHY JOHNSON
Once inside Ark Encounter, a kiosk offers guidebooks geared toward elementary children and adults. The guidebook isn’t essential to take in the experience, she says.
On level two, visitors find a shop that specializes in fair trade clothing and jewelry. A staff member/buyer specializes in building these vendor relationships and coordinating purchases.
Fair trade offerings include a range of jewelry
“We have relationships with artisans from around the world and we provide fair trade wages and safe working conditions for them,” says Johnson.
Guests exit by elevator or ramp to the lower-level Ark Encounter gift shop, which is organized by category and theme and includes well over 1,000 SKUs, Johnson says. There are more fair trade items at this level, and framed signage explains where customers’ purchases are from and the communities they benefit.
The main gift store is full of name-drop apparel and clothing with faith-centered statements, books and resources, plush and games, and souvenirs ranging from keychains to golf balls, magnets and license plate frames.
A rainbow wall houses most apparel, along with related items such as a rainbow picture frame and plush giraffe.
A flood wall includes books, flood-related puzzles, more books and goodies like a snow globe with an ark inside. And along the ark wall, customers will find more puzzles, mugs, bookmarks, magnets and model Noah’s Arks — everything ark.
A dedicated area for children’s items is brimming with plush animals, “huggers” in Noah’s Ark animal themes that wrap around a child’s wrist like a bracelet, cute animal socks, onesies and more. A go-to kid’s product: The family of Ark Encounter giraffe mascots, George, Gloria, Gracie and Junior.
Of all the merchandise the gift shop sells, Johnson says the three top sellers are books. “Adam’s Chart of History” unfolds into a timeline that chronicles secular and Bible history. The two other favorites are also books: “Ark Signs” and “Creation Museum Signs.” These are compilations of the informative signage guests find at both destinations. There are combo packs available, as well.
Kids enjoy Ark Encounter’s colorful plush snakes and other toys, and customers of all ages enjoy the shirts.
world’s largest Christian music festival from July 29 to Sept. 6, “40 Days and 40 Nights of Christian Music at the Ark.”
It takes a village to order inventory, manage shipments and stock merchandise. The Ark Encounter retail team escalates to about 85 employees during the summer, Johnson says. Dedicated truck and merchandising teams prepare the site’s shops for rushes of visitors.
A team will restock inventory throughout the day. The Ark Encounter also receives new merchandise via truck every evening.
When the evening shipments arrive, a team unloads merchandise and moves it to an inventory holding area. Then in the morning, merchandising staff put products on the sales floor before the museum opens. Meanwhile, designated buyers are responsible for selecting products. Johnson’s role is to oversee all the moving parts.
“ I enjoy the guest engagement, and when people come here, they are overwhelmed. They get emotional and thank us for everything that we have done to provide this experience.” — CATHY JOHNSON
“Guests have the opportunity to purchase resources that equip them to defend their faith and take home special gifts to remember their visit and share with loved ones,” Johnson says.
Thousands of people flock to Ark Encounter every day during the summer, and the shoulder seasons are busy with hosting field trips and church excursions. The destination also hosts the
She can’t imagine a better retail environment to spend her time and share her talent. “I enjoy the guest engagement, and when people come here, they are overwhelmed,” Johnson says. “They get emotional and thank us for everything that we have done to provide this experience.”
Johnson acknowledges, “It’s definitely different than working in a secular shop. I can pray with my staff in the morning and feel comfortable. It’s a blessing.” SGN
June 16-18
CMC LA Market Week
Los Angeles www.californiamarketcenter.com
June 18-24
Dallas Total Home & Gift Market Dallas www.dallasmarketcenter.com
July 15-21
Atlanta Market Atlanta www.atlantamarket.com
July 27-31
Las Vegas Market Las Vegas www.lasvegasmarket.com
MAY 5-6
TMC – The Merchandise Center Chicago / Schiller Park, Illinois www.tmcexpo.com
MAY 5-7
Atlanta Spring Cash & Carry Atlanta www.atlantamarket.com
MAY 5-9
MSA Forward Retail Conference & Expo Los Angeles www.museumstoreassociation.org
MAY 7-9
IFJAG Charlotte, North Carolina www.ifjag.com
MAY 13-15
Sweets & Snacks Expo Indianapolis www.sweetsandsnacks.com
MAY 16-18
GTS Greensboro Expo Greensboro, North Carolina www.gtshows.com
MAY 21-23
Spring Sample Sale Las Vegas www.lasvegasmarket.com
JUNE 1-4
ASTRA Marketplace & Academy San Antonio www.astratoy.org
JUNE 3-6
June Atlanta Apparel Atlanta www.atlanta-apparel.com
JUNE 8-9
Michigan Women’s Show Livonia, Michigan www.silverliningshows.com
JUNE 8-10
Miami International Mart Miami www.martofmiamishow.com
JUNE 8-10
Minneapolis Mart Home & Gift Show Minnetonka, Minnesota www.mplsmart.com
JUNE 10-13
Dallas Apparel & Accessories Dallas www.dallasmarketcenter.com
JUNE 20-22
CARV Expo San Diego www.carvexpo.com
JUNE 23-24
TMC – The Merchandise Center Chicago / Schiller Park, Illinois www.tmcexpo.com
JUNE 23-24
Midwest Market Days Chicago River Grove, Illinois www.midwestmarketdays.com
JULY 15-17
Casual Market Atlanta Atlanta www.casualmarketatlanta.com
JULY 21-25
Seattle Mart Summer Show Seattle www.seattlemart.com
JULY 23-24
Mid-Atlantic Merchandise Mart Philadelphia www.midatlanticmart.com
JULY 22-24
The ASI Show Chicago Chicago www.asishow.com
JULY 25-27
GTS Greensboro Expo Greensboro, North Carolina www.gtshows.com
JULY 27-30
*Noted: The Greeting Card Expo Las Vegas www.greetingcard.org
The New England Made Giftware and Specialty Food Show wrapped its spring edition in Portland, Maine, with a positive vibe according to Stefa Normantas, show producer, New England Made Shows.
“It was really upbeat, which it usually is,” Normantas said of the 41st annual show. “Everybody that’s on the floor has this vibe of New England creativity and quality.”
This year’s March 15-17 show hosted 60 new exhibitors among the aisles of vendors and drew buyers from approximately 20 states. “At its core, the New England Made Show is about helping businesses grow,” said Normantas.
As for standout trends this spring, Normantas pointed to sustainability as a continuing priority. “Whether it’s in their packaging, whether it’s in their product, whether it’s in their content,” she said, “sustainability continues to be really coming to the forefront.”
Other hot categories included stationery, which saw a noticeable expansion in product offerings, along with candles and hot sauce.
The Reunion continued to build momentum in its second year as a trade show for the resort and souvenir industry. Held April 8-11 at the Expo at World Market Center in Las Vegas, the show welcomed a high-quality roster of buyers and vendors.
2025 marked the first year that The Reunion was held at The Expo at World Market Center.
“We’ve gotten great feedback. It’s a great facility to work in,” noted Evan Shoda, CEO of Redline Expo and organizer of The Reunion.
The concept for The Reunion came directly from buyer input, according to Shoda. An advisory board made up of prominent retailers expressed a need for an event in the April timeframe, largely due to changing supply chain timelines and sourcing windows.
This year’s show drew buyers from across the country, including major amusement parks, attractions and zoos. With around 130 exhibitors, The Reunion has also become known for its manageable show size — a feature many buyers appreciated.
“They’ve got time to come here and sit down and write orders,” Shoda said.
While the show continues to expand strategically, organizers are intentional about preserving that intimate experience. “There’s value in being the size that we are right now,” he said. “A lot of the bigger events, buyers are on a schedule. They take cards and follow up later. Here, they can really do business.”
Themes on the show floor included sustainable and domestically produced product. “Sustainabiliy is huge right now,” Shoda said. “Made in America is big too. Our buyers are looking for it, and if you can stand out and show that you have that — they want to see it.”
The Reunion will return to the Expo April 14-16, 2026.
Great Lakes Promotions is launching the Wisconsin Gift Show as a new trade show that will debut for the gift industry on March 22-24, 2026, at the Washington County Expo & Fairgrounds north of Milwaukee.
The three-day show will offer buying opportunities for retailers in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. Exhibitors will offer attendees top brands, new products, and gift lines that will include resort apparel, souvenirs, novelties, home goods, bath & body and more.
Show promoters have been in contact with various rep groups, manufacturers and wholesale vendors. Great Lakes Promotions says this will be the first wholesale gift show in Wisconsin in over seven years, and retailers are signing up to attend. Details on the new show are available at www.wisconsingiftshow.com.
The Toy Association’s 119th Toy Fair, which took place March 1-4, brought the global play community to New York City’s Javits Center to place orders and explore trends in toys. The Toy Association said the show attracted thousands of buyers to preview 2025 holiday toy collections and some spring 2026 products.
“Attending Toy Fair 2025 was an invaluable experience,” explained Anna Greusel, divisional merchandise director at SSA Group. “It not only allowed me to explore the latest trends and innovations in the toy industry but also gave me the opportunity to connect with our existing vendors, build new relationships and discover unique products that align perfectly with the needs of my business.”
The third semi-annual edition of the co-located WWIN (Womenswear in Nevada) Show and Las Vegas Apparel (LVA) wrapped up the latest Las Vegas Fashion Week event Feb. 9-12 at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas. ANDMORE said this year’s event featured an enhanced show floor layout, the debut of The Men’s Edit and signature amenities to offer buyers a seamless and productive buying experience.
The markets, which showcased a combined 1,500-plus lines across the show floor, welcomed buyers from 43 states and 19 international countries, with most visiting from the West and Midwest regions.
The next co-located edition of WWIN and LVA returns Aug. 17-20 at The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas. For more information about these shows, visit www.wwinshow.com and www.lasvegas-apparel.com.
ToyFest concluded its 63rd exhibition and 12th trade show in Las Vegas, held Feb. 19-21 at World Market Center. Toy and gift stores from across the U.S. attended the show.
The show featured a seminar dedicated to AI for retailers as well as an awards ceremony and showcase of new vendors.
“ToyFest 2025 once again provided a great show for customers, reps and vendors in a relaxed, fun environment. The Western Toy & Hobby Representatives Association looks forward to providing everyone with another great show in 2026,” shared John Hansen III, WTHRA incoming chairman of the board.
Great Lakes Gift Show attracts over 400 attendees
Great Lakes Promotions debuted the Great Lakes Gift Show Feb. 25-27 at the Kalamazoo Expo Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, attracting around 400 attendees. The show organizer shared that attendees came from a variety of businesses, including boutiques, book stores, campgrounds, florists, gift shops, museums, resorts, zoo shops and more.
The new regional show introduced an assortment of new gift lines, bath & body, home decor, holiday products, resort apparel, souvenirs and other unique lines.
Exhibitng companies
AndSales!, Sun Your Soul and Buddy by the Sea & Buddy by the Lake all expressed optimism about having a show in the Great Lakes region, according to Great Lakes Promotions. The show organizer said exhibitors have also started to reserve booths for the 2026 Great Lakes Gift Show March 3-5.
The Great Lakes Gift Show will return to the Kalamazoo Expo Center Oct. 14-16 for a fall event.
Looking for something new to offer? Here are some trending products that are sure to turn heads.
1. Capsmith: Color My Cap patterned straw hat with markers, www.capsmith.com; 2. Impulse Souvenirs: Customized leather magnets with debossing, www.impulsesouvenirs.com; 3. Glimmer Wish: Unicorn Shampoo, faire.com/direct/glimmerwish; 4. Xplorer Maps: Sanibel & Captiva Islands Map 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, www.xplorermaps.com; 5. Tangico: UFO Museum custom alien ornament, www.tangicousa.com; 6. TownWear: Custom-designed sweatshirts, www.mytownwear.com; 7. Cape Shore: The Old Port Mug, www.cape-shore.com; 8. SJT Enterprises: Customizable destination-themed journals, www.sjtent.com; 9. The Petting Zoo: Earth Keeperz eco-friendly stingray plush, www.pettingzooplush.com.
Have a product to feature? Send a high-resolution image and description to: katie@breakwallpublishing.com.
Location: Coralville, IA
Gift Shop Manager: Kara Ramirez
STORY BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE
Play is an engine for ingenuity, creativity and exploration that is essential for child development — and it’s the mission at the Iowa Children’s Museum, located within the Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville, Iowa.
The museum’s gift shop is a fun-loving vehicle for continuing hands-on play, and every purchase supports the museum and its related nonprofit’s mission to inspire every child to imagine, create, discover
SPONSORED BY:
and explore through play.
“A visit to our museum is all about play, discovery and imagination, and the right toy or activity can keep that spark alive long after
developmental growth.
“These items help children continue learning through play at home,” she points out, emphasizing that a gift of play is more than a souvenir. “It’s a
“A visit to our museum is all about play, discovery and imagination, and the right toy or activity can keep that spark alive long after families leave.” — KARA RAMIREZ
families leave,” says Kara Ramirez, gift shop manager.
Products in the shop are chosen with the museum’s mission in mind. Ramirez says these toys are “safe, encourage active learning, and inspire kids and parents to play together.”
For example, puppets inspire storytelling. Musical instruments foster self-expression. Sensory toys support
A visit to the gift shop can keep play going as customers go home, from dolls to cars, craft kits and more. Photos: CTW Photography
way to reinforce the experiences and creativity ignited at the museum.”
Proceeds from gift shop purposes help support exhibits, educational programs and outreach initiatives to ensure children in the community can access high-quality, play-based learning opportunities.
Ramirez adds, “Beyond supporting the museum’s exhibits and programs, our gift shop also plays a role in making play more accessible to all families.” SGN
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