Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties - September/October 2025

+

AMERICA’S MOST TRUSTED PUBLICATION FOR THE SOUVENIR & RESORT GIFT INDUSTRY | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

THE KEYS TO GREAT RESORT RETAIL Resorts offer more than your average souvenirs.

NATIVE AMERICAN STORES OFFER WIDE VARIETY

From authentic to inspired gifts, these stores know what sells.

IMPULSE SOUVENIRS MAKE WAVES ON THE COAST Coastal stores are stocking these hot selling impulse buys.

COVER STORY

The National Zoo’s retail environment offers relevant themed gifts that align with guests’ experiences and are positioned to prompt mission-supporting purchases.

B

PANDAS

Th O e N Sh Sm US o o st w ky CO ar sp M V ts ec ou ER on ia n A pa l se tain GE ge cti G !

36 on ift !

RETAIL GOES WILD FOR

CONTENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 | VOLUME 64 | ISSUE 5

36

62 COVER STORY

2025 Smoky Mountain Gift Show Preview Important show information and exhibitor product highlights.

The National Zoo’s retail environment offers relevant themed gifts that align with guests’ experiences and are positioned to prompt purchases that support the zoo’s mission.

SOUVENIR FOCUS: Resorts and Hotels

76

Hotel and resort gift shops find success in providing fun styles and memorable souvenirs along with stellar customer service that matches the hotel’s hospitality experience.

4 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

14

EDITOR’S LETTER

16

RETAILER ROADMAP

20

NEWS BRIEFS

28

ATTRACTION ACTION

30

SAVVY SHOPKEEPING

32

TREND TALK

48

FRESH IDEAS

144

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR

146

TRADE SHOW NEWS

150

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

152

AD INDEX

There’s always something to smile about in this business.

Discover the stores featured in this issue.

Detroit Zoo renames and remodels its main gift shop.

Research and seek out sustainable souvenir options.

Turn customer feedback into fuel for your gift shop.

Stationery products are having a moment for destination retailers.

Cityscape; moose; astrology; bear; hiking; and humor ideas.

Make plans to attend these upcoming trade shows.

Coverage from past and upcoming trade shows.

Get fresh new product ideas for your store.

Easily locate an advertiser’s ad and website.

www.sgnmag.com

CONTENTS

70

84

FEATURES

70 84 94 100 104 110

NEXT EXIT: Sock Monkey Museum

These iconic sock stuffies are front and center at this Illinois attraction.

PRODUCT TREND: Native American

Retailers carry a mix of authentic and inspired Native American finds.

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: Copper World

94

100

104

110

Hints from history are displayed at this spot on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

BUSINESS: Trade Show Tips

Tommy Brown offers 20 ways to make the most of your time at trade shows.

MERCHANDISING: Impulse Souvenirs

Location-specific souvenirs are key at seaside destinations.

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: Lighthouse Museum

The National Lighthouse Museum gift shop shines with its souvenirs.

6 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

CONTENTS

120

124

FEATURES

120 124 132 138 154

BUSINESS: Buying Strategies

Strategic buying tactics can help lead to increased sales.

SNAPSHOTS: Ten Falls Supply Co.

A small, historic building has turned into a modern park gift shop.

MERCHANDISING: Men’s Souvenirs

132

138

Setting up a section of the store just for the guys can boost sales.

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: The Lost Sea

Known for its large underground lake, product variety runs deep at this store.

SUNSHINE AWARD: Pebbles Toys & Gifts

This Connecticut store aims to play it forward in its community.

154 8 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Karen Carr karen@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 701 • Direct: 330-591-2575 EXECUTIVE EDITOR & CONFERENCE DIRECTOR Kristin Ely kristin@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 702 • Direct: 619-241-4828 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Megan Smalley megan@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 704 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Kristen Hampshire khampshire@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 710 MARKETING DIRECTOR Larry White larry@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 708 • Direct: 610-324-2100 SALES MANAGERS Kristi Massey kristi@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 703 • Direct: 209-230-3698 Alan Scott alan@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 706 • Direct: 818-945-9918 AD PRODUCTION MANAGER & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Debby Clarke debby@breakwallpublishing.com 800-705-6833, Ext. 705 AD PRODUCTION COORDINATOR & PRODUCTS EDITOR Katie Turner 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 Advertising & Sales: 3593 Medina Road #117, Medina, OH 44256 Editorial & Circulation: 1455 Frazee Rd., Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92108 Phone: 800-705-6833 • Email: info@breakwallpublishing.com • Website: www.sgnmag.com Subscriptions: www.sgnmag.com/subscribe Entire contents ©2025 Breakwall Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Content contributed by writers, advertisers, and outside sources in Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties is presented for informational purposes only and does not necessarily represent the views of Breakwall Publishing LLC or the editorial staff. Inclusion of advertisements or sponsored content does not indicate endorsement of any company, product, or service. Breakwall Publishing LLC and Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of information submitted by advertisers, agencies, vendors, or contributors and are not liable for any errors, omissions, or claims made therein.

Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties (ISSN 1521-4249) is published bi-monthly by Breakwall Publishing, LLC, 1455 Frazee Rd., Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92108. Periodical postage paid at San Diego, CA, and at additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties, P.O. Box 3000, Denville, NJ 07834.

10 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

EDITOR’S LETTER

SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT As I was flipping through the pages in this edition of Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties, I was struck by how much positive momentum was taking place. It was hard not to have a smile on my face as I read the cover story

about the National Zoo and the panda craze that has taken hold inside its gates. I love how the gift shop is responding in kind with an array of souvenirs featuring these bamboo-loving giants.

I also couldn’t believe the number of stores I read about that had either opened or expanded or had been recently remodeled. And I also got a bit nostalgic about my ’80s childhood while reading about the Sock Monkey Museum. It seems with every story, there is some positive takeaway that It seems with every story, people in the gift and souvenir industry enjoy what they do, and their there is some positive enthusiasm is contagious. It is evident in the products they stock and the takeaway that people in the customers who leave their store satisfied with perfect memento in hand. gift and souvenir industry There aren’t too many other industries out there where extending enjoy what they do, and their someone’s happy experience is just part of the job. And the camaraderie enthusiasm is contagious.” in the industry is just as astounding. Groups like ZAG (Zoo, Aquarium & Garden Buyers Group), MSA (Museum Store Association) and GHTA (Gift & Home Trade Association) create such a warm and welcoming environment for members to mingle and exchange ideas.

If you aren’t already part of one of these groups, I strongly encourage you to join.

There also continues to be so much good going on in our industry. In each issue, on the last page of the magazine, we leave you with an uplifting story about our latest Sunshine Award winner, which is a store that is giving back to their community or charitable causes in some special way. This issue honors Pebbles Toys & Gifts in New Haven, Connecticut, for its generous monetary and goods donations to benefit children’s nonprofits.

So if you are looking for a boost, some inspiration or some fun product ideas to elevate the mood at your store, then you’ve come to the right place. I hope these pages of Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties provide you with the tools you need for a successful fall buying season, a stellar holiday season on the horizon and something to smile about. SGN

@souvenirsgiftsandnovelties

@souvenirsgiftsandnovelties

14 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

@sgnmagazine

@Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties www.sgnmag.com

RETAILER ROADMAP

Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties interviews retailers in popular destinations all over the United States. These are the stores featured in the September-October 2025 issue.

Caprice and Wili Wili at The Four Seasons Ko Olina Kapolei, HI Heidi Kama Cherokee Trading Post Calumet, OK Sheri Wheeler Copper World Calumet, MI Chris Voelker Detroit Zoo Royal Oak, MI Jeff Sell Driftstone Pueblo St. Elmo, IL Mike McCall Jill Wright Field Museum Chicago, IL Jacki Sorvillo Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas Indian Wells, CA David Vargas

Imagine Gift Store Warren, RI Michelle Santiago

North Carolina Arboretum Asheville, NC Kacey Cramer

The Lost Sea Sweetwater, TN Brandon Freeman

Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center Topsail Island, NC Luckaia Strand

Pebbles Toys & Gifts New Haven, CT Lauren Coleman

The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo Hilo, HI Tracie Yoshimoto

Lucy the Elephant Margate, NJ Rich Helfant McGillin’s Shoppe Philadelphia, PA Christopher Mullins Jr. My Guys Mercantile Jenks, OK Bert Peake National Lighthouse Museum Staten Island, NY Linda Dianto

Post Road Supply Old Saybrook, CT Caroline Olson San Diego Natural History Museum San Diego, CA Sonya and Kevin Kemp Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History Santa Cruz, CA Ginger Shulick Porcella Ten Falls Supply Co. Sublimity, OR Mark Johnson

The Sock Monkey Museum Long Grove, IL Arlene Okun Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark - Trader Jack’s Lake Geneva, WI Sheila Campbell Very Ventura Ventura, CA Angela Rosales

National Zoo Gift Shop Washington, DC Julie Corcoran, Tiffany Spriggs

Have a story you would like to share? We would love to hear from you! Email Kristin Ely at kristin@breakwallpublishing.com.

16 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

Where plush meets personal Family-owned and relationship-driven, The RGU Group is reimagining souvenir plush with simple customization and fast turnaround times.

I

n a plush toy market saturated with oversized catalogs and complex processes, The RGU Group is carving its own path — one that prioritizes simplicity, speed, and personalization.

A family-run business based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, RGU has humbly built a reputation as the go-to provider for customized souvenir plush, all while staying true to its roots.

“We’re not trying to be everything to everybody,” says founder Todd Atkins, who co-owns the business with his wife, Karen. “We’ve learned that in this industry, less is more — and simple is powerful.”

AN EASY PROCESS

That simplicity is built into every part of RGU’s model. The company offers just four wholesale price points and

six core product lines — including bestsellers like Color Me Plush™ and regional print-on-demand plushies.

“All of our customizable items fall into two size categories: small and medium,” Atkins explains. “It makes it easier for our reps, for our customers, and for our internal team to communicate and deliver on expectations.”

Thanks to an efficient plug-andplay system and deep inventory of about 150 SKUs, the company can customize and ship products in five days or less.

“We’ve essentially taken the best parts of an import program and made them domestic,” says Atkins.

“It gives our customers the flexibility and speed they need without the long lead times or high MOQs.” A FAMILY APPROACH

At the heart of RGU is a strong sense of family — not just in ownership, but The RGU Group offers highquality custom plush without the hassle.

SPONSORED ADVERTISEMENT

Six core product lines give customers options to build a complete collection without becoming overwhelmed.

in operations.

Todd and Karen’s son, Connor, leads the company’s digital marketing and branding efforts, while their daughter, Mia, handles sales and customer service.

Other employees include multiple generations from other families, contributing to a close-knit culture that values service, responsiveness and relationships.

“Customers want to be heard,” says Connor Atkins. “They want to know who they’re working with. We answer the phone. We respond in under an hour. That’s what sets us apart.”

RGU’s strength also lies in its focus on design and theming.

Whether it’s a moose in Maine or a lobster in Boston, every plush item is built with regionalization in mind — making its assortments perfect for independent gift shops and national chains alike. The company even pioneered the use of miniature raglan T-shirts for plush toys, an innovation now widely adopted across the industry.

RGU’s tagline, “Your Brand, Our Plushies” captures the collaborative

“We’ve always embraced the idea that our job is to make your brand shine.

We’ve spent years perfecting a process that makes name-drop plush simple, quick, and scalable.” — TODD ATKINS, FOUNDER spirit RGU brings to each customer relationship. “We’ve always embraced the idea that our job is to make your brand shine,” says Todd.

“We’ve spent years perfecting a process that makes name-drop plush simple, quick, and scalable.”

MAKING STRIDES

Sustainability is another area where the company is making strides.

RGU has already transitioned several product lines — like their Totally United™ Teddies and Graffiti Teddies — to fully recycled materials and aims to be 100% sustainable by mid-2026.

“As a small company, it’s a big

undertaking,” Todd admits. “But if our products are for kids of all ages, then we have a responsibility to care for the world they’re growing up in.”

While tariffs and market uncertainties loom large for many suppliers, RGU remains steady by design.

Their narrow-and-deep inventory strategy helps stabilize pricing, even in volatile times. “We don’t believe in mid-season price hikes,” says Todd.

“We are trying to divert any distractions away from our customers so they can focus on their business and keeping their shelves stocked.”

With decades of experience, a growing brand identity under the name Plushology®, and a refresh-

SPONSORED ADVERTISEMENT

ingly human approach to business, The RGU Group is proving that you don’t need to be the biggest to make the biggest impact.

Customers can easily build distinct plush collections with Plushology® by RGU.

NEWS BRIEFS

Detroit Zoo debuts renamed and remodeled gift shop

Earlier this year, the Detroit Zoo debuted Detroit Zoo Shop as its renamed and revamped main gift shop. Completed in April, the remodel follows the zoo’s broader rebrand in 2024.

Jeff Sell, director of communications at the Detroit Zoo, shares that the zoo’s rebrand last year was driven by a desire to modernize its look and reflect its identity.

“We’ve always believed the Detroit Zoo is more than a place to see animals; it’s a space where people, animals and the natural world make meaningful connections. Our visual identity hadn’t evolved in decades to tell that story,” he says. “We saw an opportunity to create something vibrant and timeless that matched the depth of our mission — from conservation to education to community connection. The new branding is about more than logos; it’s a tool for storytelling, a way to help guests and supporters see themselves in our work. It’s also been a chance to spark fresh energy and reintroduce the zoo to audiences old and new.”

The zoo’s new look is now reflected in its revamped gift shop. Managed

by SSA Group, the gift shop sells everything from plush souvenirs to toys, zoo-themed apparel and artisan-made gifts. The shop offers a mix of wholesale items and locally made and sourced merchandise, along with sustainable products and unique items that celebrate the Detroit Zoo. Sell says the zoo and SSA Group began work on remodeling the main gift shop in the fall of 2024, with renovations complete by April.

“We’ve had a great public response,” Sell says of the updated store. “Our community is so supportive of the zoo, and they seem to really enjoy having a new and improved place where they can pick out a special keepsake.”

Lucy the Elephant to open new gift shop, interpretive center

Lucy the Elephant, a longtime roadside attraction in Margate, New Jersey, is getting a new gift shop and interpretive center along with it.

“Lucy was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1976,” says Executive Director and CEO Rich Helfant. “The little gift shop that we had on our site was her major source of funding, selling souvenirs and tour tickets.

With funds to build a new shop, Helfant says Lucy the Elephant’s original gift shop was demolished July 1. Administrative and gift shop operations were temporarily relocated into a building across the street from the attraction.

Helfant says he hopes that construction will begin on a new visitor center and gift shop in September, with goals of completion by mid-2027.

20 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

Beacon Design releases special Armed Forces ornaments

Beacon Design, a customized gift supplier, has released a special collection of keepsakes commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Army, Navy and Marine Corps. These handcrafted ornaments are designed to honor the legacy, sacrifices and valor of the men and women who serve America’s armed forces.

The U.S. Army celebrated its 250th birthday on June 14.

The U.S. Navy will reach this milestone on Oct. 13, and the U.S. Marine Corps will celebrate on Nov. 10.

Beacon Design says all three branches of military played a role in the revolution that led to America earning its independence in 1776.

The new exclusive ornament collection pays tribute to these branches of the military by capturing their unique symbols, traditions and spirit.

Each keepsake is created with intricate details, ensuring a lasting and meaningful keepsake for veterans, active-duty personnel, military families and collectors alike.

For these American milestones, two ornaments will be crafted for each branch of military, featuring the official anniversary logo from the three military branches.

www.sgnmag.com

NEWS BRIEFS

Field Museum taps SSA Group as retail partner

SSA Group, a provider of retail, food and admissions services for cultural attractions, has been named the new retail partner of the Field Museum in Chicago. SSA Group will work closely with the Field Museum team to develop a curated assortment of products inspired by the museum’s world-renowned exhibitions and collections.

SSA will introduce a refreshed product mix that highlights local artisans, ethically and sustainably sourced goods and exclusive collections developed in collaboration with the museum The goal is to create a seamless connection between what guests see in the galleries and what they find in the museum store.

Kerusso makes appointments

Kerusso, a wholesale vendor focused on faithbased apparel and gifts, has appointed a new national sales manager and a new head of product and design. Jourdain Foster joins the company as a new national sales manager, and Rachel White joins as a new head of product and design.

Foster has more than 12 years of experience in the apparel and gift industry, with expertise in Jourdain Foster sales leadership, team development and independent retail support. Prior to joining Kerusso, Foster spent over a decade at Simply Southern, where she most recently served as sales and customer service manager.

White comes to Kerusso with over 15 years of experience driving creative vision and product innovation in the accessories and apparel indusRachel White tries. She most recently served as vice president of product development and design at The Clever Factory in Nashville, Tennessee, where she directed the creation of multi-category product lines.

22 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

NEWS BRIEFS

WHSmith expands retail presence at John F. Kennedy International Airport

The Nat teams with local retail presence

www.sgnmag.com

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE 23

WHSmith, a global travel retailer that operates over 1,200 stores across 32 countries, has announced plans to open six new stores in John F. Kennedy International Airport’s New Terminal One, which opens in 2026. The retailer says it already operates two stores in JFK’s Terminal 5.

The expansion will include the first WHSmith branded store in this New York City airport, along with a number of bespoke store concepts.

As part of this new agreement, WHSmith will partner with three Airport Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) partners and will also collaborate with C&E Global Solutions, On-Site Retailers and Love From USA Group JFK to bring some local products to the shelves for customers and ensure local business partners are at the heart of the operations and offerings to passengers across New Terminal One. Altogether, the new retail spaces that offer travel essentials in New Terminal One will total approximately 8,400 square feet, according to JFK International Airport.

The San Diego Natural History Museum, often called The Nat, has entered into a new retail partnership with locally based Gold Leaf.

Gold Leaf opened its first San Diego location in 2016 when proprietors Sonya and Kevin Kemp combined a passion for art and design into a “biggest dream” shop.

The Nat’s north entrance welcomes visitors into a 1,700-square-foot retail space adjacent to the atrium. The Kemps’ vision is to spread their love of nature through retail at The Nat. Gold Leaf stocks a diverse and relevant inventory. Sonya Kemp says the store has a kids’ area filled with plush.

Sustainability is also front and center with the products, including a selection of wooden toys.

NEWS BRIEFS

McGillin’s Olde Ale House opens gift and souvenir store in Philly

For 165 years, McGillin’s Olde Ale House has operated as a popular Irish tavern in Philadelphia. Now, the longtime tavern has opened a gift shop around the corner for locals and tourists alike who want mementos from their time at the Irish ale house.

The new 500-square-foot shop debuted in June and offers a mix of Philadelphia-themed souvenirs, McGillin’s custom items and high-quality Celtic gifts. Co-Owner Christopher Mullins Jr. says green McGillin’s T-shirts seem to be the bestselling souvenir for the new store so far, followed by hats.

“It’s a testament to our faith in the rebirth of Philadelphia that after 165 years as a bar, we’re expanding into a permanent retail shoppe,” he says.

“With so much Philadelphia merch, we’ll strive to be the city’s best souvenir shop, outside of the visitor center.”

24 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

Delaware North installs self-service kiosks at park and attraction gift shops

Delaware North’s Parks and Resorts division has been focusing on improving guest experience by implementing technology solutions to create more efficient and seamless transactions that allow guests to spend more time exploring. The division operates in some of the most iconic locations in the country, including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon national parks.

A total of 85 retail kiosks and 59 food & beverage kiosks have been installed across many Delaware North locations, using systems from technology partners Mashgin, XPR and Tapin2. The company has installed 34 retail kiosks across nine of the Yellowstone general stores and 17 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Donna Genesky, vice president of retail for parks and resorts at Delaware North, says the new self-checkout kiosks are helping to improve throughput at the stores to improve guest experience. Since the new kiosks are small, she adds that the company was even able to expand POS count at some locations.

www.sgnmag.com

NEWS BRIEFS

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History expands gift shop

A small yet vibrant gift shop has opened near the entrance to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History this summer.

While the museum has always offered a single shelf of name-drop souvenirs and books near the entrance, the new gift shop has allowed for an expansion of retail offerings.

“The museum store is now a more fun, artistic and unique space that better reflects the quirkiness of Santa Cruz in general and the museum in particular,” says Executive Director Ginger Shulick Porcella.

Porcella and her team planned for a museum store this spring, hoping to come up with a solution that would be both permanent and flexible.

Visitors have enjoyed the new gift shop’s art-themed souvenirs, such as DIY art-making kits, puzzles as well as stickers, pins and prints by local artists.

Porcella says a new museum experience supervisor helps to oversee the new gift shop and other front-of-house museum experiences.

Porcella says the museum plans to continue to expand its gift shop over the course of the year, building out additional fixtures throughout the downstairs level of the museum.

www.sgnmag.com

Heart on Main Street launches project Heart on Main Street, a nonprofit organization focused on helping independent retailers, has introduced its Independent Rebuild Project as a hands-on initiative to support independent retailers recovering from disaster.

Executive Director Patrick Keiser says the current plan is to offer one Independent Rebuild Project per year, with goals of expanding. He says, “We are hoping their will be so much interest in the program that we are able to look at once a quarter.”

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE 25

MAKING A MARK ON THE MIDWEST Great Lakes Promotions is creating a series of must-attend events for retailers across the Midwest by bringing local, regional and national exhibitor brands all under one roof.

R

etail buyers are constantly on the hunt for fresh finds and regional flare to stay relevant in competitive tourism retail markets. And thanks to Great Lakes Promotions, retailers in the Midwest don’t have to go far to seek out these new lines that will set their stores assail for success.

The Great Lakes Gift Show, which debuted in 2025, is making waves with its carefully curated exhibitor list, affordable access, and strong regional influence.

“The variety of exhibitors was helpful and we connected with three apparel vendors whose products are selling very well in our stores." — Melissa Scoon,

don’t feel that they have to travel to the national shows, and they can still see a lot of the national brands, gift and home decor lines,” says Eric Howard, who co-founded the show alongside his wife, Carmela.

The show attracts gift GREAT LAKES GIFT SHOW shops, resorts, campMarch 3-5, 2026 grounds, farm markets www.greatlakesgiftshow.com and more — all looking for WISCONSIN GIFT SHOW trend-forward products March 22-24, 2026 and regional appeal. And www.wisconsingiftshow.com the best part? It’s free to attend for qualified buyers.

OHIO GIFT SHOW

SAVE THE DATES!

February 2027 www.ohiogiftshow.com

Store Manager, Door County Maritime Museum

HELLO, OHIO AND WISCONSIN. Building on

NATIONAL BRAND ACCESS. The Kalamazoo, Michigan-based show stands apart for its intentionally limited exhibitor categories. That means fewer duplicate product lines — and more opportunities to discover new ones.

From boutique apparel and home decor to jewelry, gourmet foods, and Made-in-USA finds, the show offers a refreshing mix of merchandise from over 100 exhibitors.

“I want to turn this into a large regional show so people

the momentum of the Great Lakes Gift Show, the Howards have set their sights on other prime Midwest locations for their newest launches: the Wisconsin Gift Show, slated for March 24-26 in West Bend, Wisconsin, and the Ohio Gift Show, coming to Cincinnati, Ohio, in February 2027.

With Great Lakes Promotions’ regional shows, buyers can travel shorter distances, spend more time at the shows, save on travel expenses, and put those dollars toward orders instead.

SPONSORED ADVERTISEMENT

ATTRACTION ACTION

BY T O M M Y B R O W N

SEEKING OUT SUSTAINABLE SOUVENIRS

C

an you provide sustainability and a great product at the same time? Yes! Many times, buyers only look at price or ordering convenience, but sustainability is one other factor buyers might want to look at when considering new products.

Destination retailers should think about two bottom lines for business: the economic bottom line and the environmental bottom line. Neglecting the environmental bottom line and only focusing on profit can be a destructive path for retailers. Business and nature should work hand in hand.

Consider boosting your environmental bottom line by investing in more sustainable souvenirs and business practices. There are plenty of eco-friendly options to choose from, such as products made from renewable wood, bio plastics and recycled materials. Researching

You have the power to make things better in the world, and you have choices when you buy for your store. and using alternatives to petroleum plastics, hard woods and virgin products will give the world and your company an edge for future growth.

PRODUCTS FOR THE PEOPLE Selecting sustainable souvenirs involves much more than just environmental concerns — retailers should also look at how products embrace socioeconomic issues.

Think about how the items you sell affect the lives of others, for better or worse. Consider: Do any items you sell support slavery or forced labor, including in how they were made? Or, does the sale of an item help support or give back to your local community?

Retail is certainly a business and needs to make a profit, but that profit must not come at the expense of others by damaging social norms or derogating people. You have the power to make things better in the world, and you have choices when you buy for your store. Be the “good product gatekeeper” for your merchandise.

RESEARCH SUSTAINABLE OPTIONS The key to finding sustainable souvenir options is to ask questions, research the supply chain and visit areas where products are made.

Some upcoming trade shows will offer educational opportunities about sustainable products available on the market. In November, International Gift Exposition in the Smokies’ (IGES’) show organizers plan to offer learning events and tours at their Tennessee shows that help showcase sustainable products.

Additionally, the Zoo, Aquarium & Garden Buyers Group (ZAG) is another great organization that is open to discussing sustainability issues and buying strategies.

And remember to check out tours at the Smoky Mountain Gift Show on USA-made products that support sustainable efforts, too! There’s no shortage of opportunities for destination retailers to investigate sustainable souvenir options available. SGN

TOMMY BROWN has over 30 years’ experience in RETAIL MANAGEMENT. He’s held positions for Dillard’s, Sears, and Six Flags Inc. and is a past ZAG vice president. He currently guides retail at the SAINT LOUIS ZOO. Reach him at tbrown@stlzoo.org.

28 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

SAVVY SHOPKEEPING

BY K AT H Y C R U Z

TURNSTRATEGIES FIVE FEEDBACK INTO FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUEL FOR YOUR SEASON SHOP

I

n the hustle of peak season and nonstop transactions, it’s easy to overlook one of your most valuable business tools: your customers’ opinions. But in the world of tourist retail, where trends shift quickly and first impressions matter most, gathering feedback and acting on it isn’t just smart, it’s survival.

Whether you sell cheeky magnets, locally made candles or destination tees, here’s how you can use feedback to stay fresh, relevant and profitable.

If you’re willing to listen, your customers will help steer your shop exactly where it needs to go.

1

ASK WHILE THE MEMORY’S FRESH. Tourists appreciate

feeling heard — it adds to the memory of their visit.

Remember, timing is everything with feedback!

If a customer just had a great (or not-so-great) experience in your shop, ask them about it before they forget.

Keep it simple: • Place a QR code by the register that is linked to a one-question survey • Send a follow-up email with a quick “How’d we do?” prompt • Have a chalkboard in the store asking, “What did you love? What should we add?”

2

LOOK FOR PATTERNS, NOT PERFECTION. You don’t

need 1,000 reviews to see what’s working. Are multiple people commenting on how fun your store is but

also saying it’s hard to navigate? That’s a nudge to improve your layout. Did someone ask, “Do you have this in kids’ sizes?” three times last weekend? That’s market research, gift-wrapped just for you.

One-off comments? Take note, but don’t overreact.

Repeat requests? That’s a good indication of where change needs to happen!

3

IMPROVE BUT KEEP YOUR SECRET SAUCE. Not all

feedback should lead to change. Tourists might suggest you stock generic travel items or drop your quirky vibe, but that’s what makes your store unique. The goal isn’t to become vanilla, it’s to improve without losing your flavor.

Use customer feedback to enhance, not erase, what sets you apart.

4

SHOW YOU’RE LISTENING. When you bring in a new product or rearrange your store’s layout, let your customers know. Post signs or stories that say, “You asked, we listened!” It builds trust, shows humility, and encourages more feedback. Customers love knowing their voice matters — even if they’re just passing through.

Adapting to customer preferences doesn’t mean chasing every trend; it means being tuned in, nimble and open to evolution.

Tourist traffic may ebb and flow, but feedback gives you a compass. If you’re willing to listen, your customers will help steer your shop exactly where it needs to go. 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.

30 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

TREND TALK

BY M E L O DY C A B A N

STATIONERY IS MAKING A MOVE

N

otebooks, pens, paper, markers. We’re past the back-to-school shopping season, but destination retailers should also hop onto this golden opportunity to tap into one of retail’s hottest trends: stationery.

While we are increasingly glued to our devices, there is a powerful counter-movement brewing that is driving serious sales in the stationery market. The numbers tell the story: Global Market Insights values the U.S. stationery market at over $34 billion. That’s not pocket change,

The stationery revival represents a real opportunity for destination retailers. and it’s not just kids driving these sales. Adult consumers are rediscovering the joy of pen and paper.

Remember your favorite pen in grade school? Or the smell of scented markers that you loved as a kid? Stationery offers focused engagement, a chance to slow down and a physical connection to creativity. It’s also a response to digital fatigue that shows no signs of slowing down.

Let’s explore the key trends that are captivating today’s stationery enthusiasts.

WHIMSY FOR THE WORKDAY Do not make the mistake of thinking that colorful, whimsical stationery is just for kids. Consumers want office supplies that reflect their personality and inject a little joy into their daily routine. Upgrading from a standard ball-

point pen to a sparkly gel pen might seem trivial, but it is these small touches that connect us to childlike wonder.

Small retailers are tailoring their playful selections to match their location and customer base. A beachside shop might want to feature illustrated sea creatures like crab-shaped pencil holders. Urban stores might lean into city-themed items. The key is finding designs that feel fresh and relevant to your specific market.

WELLNESS WAVE BOOSTS JOURNAL SALES Burned out? Many adults are turning to journaling for stress relief, self-reflection and personal growth. From gratitude journals to bullet journals, mindfulness planners and dream diaries, the demand for just the right journal could be a perfect fit for your store.

Create dedicated sections of your store for journaling supplies such as journals, different paper types and a range of writing instruments to enhance the journaling experience. This daily tradition could connect you to long-term customers.

STATIONERY FOR YOUR STORE The stationery revival represents a real opportunity for destination retailers. Whether you are highlighting whimsical writing accessories or supporting wellness trends, the key is finding products that enhance your store.

Stationery creates a compelling value proposition that digital alternatives simply cannot match. For retailers ready to embrace this trend, the opportunities are as endless as a blank page. 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.

32 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

HARBOR THE OPPORTUNITY: SEWARD’S TURNKEY RETAIL GEM

W

Step into a thriving shop, a tight-knit community, and the Alaskan adventure of a lifetime.

hen Cliff and Linda Krug opened their doors in a modest storefront eight years ago, they had a vision: to create something special that celebrated both Seward’s natural beauty and its creative spirit.

That vision became Forests, Tides & Treasures (FTT) — a now thriving retail business with loyal customers, a strong team, and deep community roots. Today, it stands ready for the next owner to carry the story forward.

Background FTT occupies 3,500+ square feet of prime retail space just steps from fishing charters, glacier tours and cruise ships. With sturdy fixtures, multiple registers and versatile event decking overlooking the boat harbor, this shop captures year-round foot traffic and visitor spending that’s climbed 5% annually.

Curated, high-margin inventory FTT blends top national outdoor apparel brands (Patagonia, Cotopaxi,

“This turnkey business offers everything you need to step in and succeed from the start, in a place that’s truly wonderful to call home.”

HIGHLIGHTS:

• • • • •

— Cliff Krug, Owner, Forests, Tides & Treasures

Optimally located in Seward Harbor 2-story, 3,500+ SF storefront with storage and admin offices Blends top national outdoor brands with local artisan goods Strong brand loyalty and staff retention Option for Right of First Refusal to purchase the building

National Outdoor Gear) with a rich selection of Alaskan-made gifts — handcrafted jewelry, pottery, smoked salmon and more.

A data-driven 80/20 analysis keeps 20+ inventory categories turning fast with strong margins and proven brand contracts, optimizing profitability from day one.

Scalable e-commerce Since launching its Shopify site in 2020, FTT has achieved double-digit YOY growth, attracting 100,000+ annual visitors and shipping internationally. Integrated social-media cam-

paigns now drive 40 percent of online sales, with a 12 percent conversion rate — a solid foundation for expanding digital revenue.

Authentic community roots Co-founders Cliff and Linda Krug are pillars of the Seward Business Network and support local causes — from school art programs to the Seward Animal Shelter. Loyal full- and parttime staff benefit from QSEHRA benefits and housing assistance, ensuring low turnover and a true Alaskan identity that resonates with residents and tourists alike.

Contact us today for more information about this once in a lifetime opportunity!

Forests, Tides & Treasures, located in the heart of Seward, Alaska, is awaiting its next owner.

907-312-7660 • www.sewardproperties.com 437 Fourth Avenue • Seward, AK 99664 SPONSORED ADVERTISEMENT

FRESH IDEAS

Metropolitan magic Bring the spirit of the big city to your shelves with skyline-inspired picks.

1

3 2

4 5

6

7

8 9

1. Island Haus Co.: Charleston, South Carolina, skyline ceramic magnet, www.islandhausco.com; 2. Dutch American: Los Angeles square shot glass, www.dutcham.com; 3. Daisy Mae Designs: Skyline throw pillow - Seattle, daisymaedesigns.faire.com; 4. Touring Souvenirs: Enamel Boston customizable keychain, www.touringsouvenirs.com; 5. Lantern Press: Philadelphia lithograph coasters, www.wholesale.lanternpress.com; 6. Zizo: Nashville water globe, www.zizousa.com; 7. Boardwalk Puzzles: Salt Lake City playing cards, www.boardwalkpuzzles.com; 8. Impulse Souvenirs: District Concert tee - Chicago skyline, www.impulsesouvenirs.com; 9. Thirteen Winks: Virginia Beach skyline print, www.thirteenwinks.com.

48 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

Check out the September/October Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties advertisers that will be exhibiting at IGES November 4-8 and at Smoky Mountain Gift Show November 5-8! Don’t miss your chance to discover unique finds and best-sellers in person — stop by their booths and see what’s new!*

IGES

ADVERTISER................................................... PAGE...............BOOTH # 1 Brilliant Gift...........................................................92-93............................ 6401 A.T. Storrs Ltd. .................................................................11............................6225 Amish Craft.................................................................... 113........................... 6565 Brooks Medals & Awards Inc................................. 117............................2025 Cape Shore..................................................................... 95............................ 6041 Creature Comforts......................................................55........................... 6024 Exist Inc............................................................................99............................6305 Exotic Sea Images........................................................80............................8302 Jackson Pacific............................................................... 85............................ 6233 Jilzarah................................................................................77........................... 6829 Kerusso.............................................................................133............................ 6149 Liberty Graphics.................................................... 74-75............................6852 Little Critterz/Animals Forever.....................89, 125........................... 6429 McCutcheon’s Apple Products..............................79.............................2219 Mitchell Proffitt.......................................................... 135...........................6808 Pennybandz.................................................................. 123........................... 8304 Phillips International..........................................130-131.............................6102 Pichincha......................................................................... 82................. 6137, 6037 Rabbit Studios..............................................................88............................ 2016 Rhode Island Novelty................................................ 59.............................6153 SS Handcrafted Arts..................................................68.............................6541 The Petting Zoo............................................................73....... 6315, 2305, c53 Touchstone Distributing..........................................90............................ 8120 Urban Charm.................................................................114.............. 2028, 8008 Whistle Creek................................................................78............................2423 www.sgnmag.com

SMOKY MOUNTAIN GIFT SHOW

ADVERTISER................................................... PAGE...............BOOTH # American Gift Corp. ................................................. 65.............................. 202 AmuseMints Sweets & Snacks.............................107.............................1405 Artistic Impressions.............................................118-119.............................3414 Better Magnets...........................................................105.............................1823 Bucket Wonders..........................................................101............................... 717 Capsmith Inc. ......................................................... 60-61..............................402 Cruz Accessories......................................................... 115..............................1218 Desperate Enterprises................................................57...............................816 Dutch American Import Co. ....................................5..............................607 Eagle Emblems...............................................................72..............................1017 Fiesta Toy........................................................................ 69.............................1402 Friendly Crystals...........................................................116............................2055 Global World................................................................ 137.............................1202 Holden International Inc. ......................................109..............................3011 Impulse Souvenirs...................................................... 155...............................210 Island Pearl Traders...................................................... 111.............................4012 LaserGifts.......................................................................156.............................. 702 Lipco Group.....................................................................51................................ 511 Mountain Graphics.................................................... 127............................3202 Parris Manufacturing................................................... 91............................... 213 R.S. Covenant Inc......................................................... 81..............................1301 Seagull International Inc..........................................114............................... 913 Signs 4 Fun...................................................................... 83............................ 1206 Silver Streak................................................................12-13............................. 1601 Souvenir Source..............................................................7...............................601 Spoontiques.................................................................. 87..............................1617 Tangico............................................................................. 97..............................3411 Village Originals Inc...................................................139...............................1118 Wayne Carver.........................................................2-3, 9.............................. 502 Wheeler Manufacturing............................................53.............................1002 Wildthings....................................................................... 67............................. 3215 Wind River.....................................................................129............................ 3108 Xplorer Maps................................................................. 121...........................3006 Booth information is current as of press date.

*

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE 49

FRESH IDEAS

Moose mementos

Bring a touch of the great outdoors with moose-themed treasures full of rustic charm.

1 3

4

2

5

6

7

9 8 1. Liberty Graphics: The Great State of Maine adult natural T-shirt, www.lgtees.com/wholesaleinfo; 2. Lipco: Moose cutout wooden slat wall plaque, www.lipco.biz; 3. LaserGifts: Personalized wooden yo-yo with namedrop, www.lasergifts.com; 4. A.T. Storrs: Northwoods moose keychain, www.atstorrs.com; 5. Wood You Tell Me: Moose glow light, www.wytm.com; 6. Conscious Step: Socks That Protect Moose - Moose Mayhem, www.consciousstep.com; 7. GP Originals: Moon Over Mountains moose square magnet, faire.com/direct/gporiginals; 8. Amanda Klein: Moose notecard set, www.amandakleinco.com; 9. The Petting Zoo: Wild Onez - 12-inch moose sitting plush, www.pettingzooplush.com.

50 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

FRESH IDEAS

Celestial selections

Let the stars align with keepsakes that resonate with astrology lovers.

3 1

2

5 4

9 7 8 6

1. Catstudio: Zip pouch bag with woven Capricorn astrology design, www.catstudio.com; 2. Brief Insanity: Leo horoscope lounge pants, www.briefinsanity.com; 3. Anju: Aquarius necklace, www.anjujewelry.com; 4. Holden International: Enchanted friendship bracelet - Virgo, www.holdenintl.us; 5. Wheeler Manufacturing: Made for Adventure necklace - Aries, www.wheelerjewelry.com; 6. Refinery Number One: Zodiac Comfort Colors Pisces T-shirt, refinerynumberone.com/zodiac; 7. New Moon Beginnings: Zodiac crystal candles, www.newmoonbeginnings.com; 8. Blank Tag: Scorpio sticker, www.blanktag.co; 9. These are Things: Gemini zodiac pin, www.thesearethings.com.

52 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

FRESH IDEAS

Bear necessities

From cuddly cubs to growling grizzlies, bear-themed goods are un-bear-lievably fun!

3

1

2

6

4 5 9

8

7

10

1. Little Critterz: Black bear porcelain pendant, www.littlecritterz.com; 2. JackRussell: Neon bear roasting marshmallows T-shirt, www.flo-glotransfers.com; 3. The Cottonseed Marketplace: Bear & Dogwood suncatcher, cottonseedmarketplace.faire.com; 4. Souvenir Source: Waterglobe with lying black bear, www.souvenirsource.com; 5. Capsmith: Badge-style Great Smoky Mountains cap, www.capsmith.com; 6. Cape Shore: Mug featuring bear family, www.cape-shore.com; 7. Wild Republic: Artist Collection black bear plush, www.wildrepublic.com; 8. Messy Moose Socks: Baby socks, www.messymoosesocks.com; 9. Better Magnets: Officially licensed Smokey Bear magnet, www.bettermagnets.com; 10. Barry Owen: Black bear figurine, www.barryowen.com.

54 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

FRESH IDEAS

Hail to the trail

Backpacking and hiking souvenirs and gear speak to outdoor enthusiasts everywhere.

1

3 2

4 6

5

7

9 8

1. Wildthings: Hiker’s Dream puzzle by MasterPieces, www.wildthings.com; 2. Mountain Graphics: Hiker crossed arrows tall mug, www.mtgraphics.com; 3. Stickers Northwest: Hit the Trail sticker, www.stickersnorthwest.com; 4. Ak Daisy Chain: Take a Hike wooden earrings, www.akdaisychain.square.site; 5. Kurt S. Adler: Hiking sign ornament for personalization, www.kurtadler.com; 6. Two Makers Crew: I’d Rather Be Hiking keychain, www.twomakerscrew.com; 7. The Traveled Lane: Hike More Worry Less enamel camp mug, www.thetraveledlane.com; 8. Tangico: Brown leatherette coaster, www.tangicousa.com; 9. Desperate Enterprises: Hiking - therapy magnet, www.desperate.com.

56 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

FRESH IDEAS

Funny finds From puns to playful sarcasm, these picks bring the funny — no filter required.

1

2

3

5 6

4

7

8

9

10

1. Signs 4 Fun: Bigfoot Doesn’t Believe in You Either wall decor, www.signs4fun.com; 2. Tipsy Coasters: I Had A Thought coaster, www.tipsycoasters.com; 3. CWI Gifts: My Owner Is Single dog bandana, www.colhousedesigns.com; 4. Susquehanna Glass: Drink at the Beach tumbler, www.susquehannaglass.com; 5. Punchkins: Iced coffee plush, www.punchkins.com; 6. Jana’s Flannels: Please Be Patient with Me hat, www.janasflannels.com; 7. C&F Home: Tequila May Not Be the Answer towel, www.cnfei.com; 8. Shyla Moon: Quote Me! hand stamped cuff bracelets, www.shylamoon.com; 9. Artistic Impressions: Magnetic bottle opener coaster, www.maiwholesale.com; 10. Sincere Surroundings: Adulting Difficult candle, www.sinceresurroundings.com.

58 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

COVER STORY: THE NATIONAL ZOO

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

Julie Corcoran, vice president of merchandise at National Zoo, makes sure merchandise selections, like this panda tee, not only reflect the personalities of the animals themselves, but also tie in with the zoo’s conservation mission.

Photos: Paco Alacid

62 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

COVER STORY: THE NATIONAL ZOO

STORY BY BY KR I ST EN H A MPS H IR E

RETAIL GOES WILD FOR

PANDAS The National Zoo’s retail environment offers relevant themed gifts that align with guests’ experiences and are positioned to prompt mission-supporting purchases.

A

frican lions, Sumatran tigers, sloth bears — and oh my, the pandas at Washington D.C.’s National Zoo. Its animal attractions draw guests from all over to a landmark destination that spans 163 acres and includes a portfolio of stores and kiosks where visitors can take home a wide variety of gifts.

Every product directly ties to the zoo’s exhibits, benefits The Smithsonian Institution’s conservation and research mission, and is selected to suit a kid’s allowance or splurge purchases from passionate animal lovers.

At the same time, themed retail experiences like the Asia Trail Store in Panda Plaza and Great Cats Gift Shop connect guests to relevant merchandise while they’re in the moment.

Seasonal pop-up kiosks and carts accomplish a similar goal when positioned in popular areas like the Elephant Outpost, while souvenir kiosks offering top sellers and impulse buys like bubble wands offer a quick-shop stop as visitors walk www.sgnmag.com

the expansive grounds.

“Always top of mind is how we connect the retail guest experience with what’s happening during their day at the zoo,” says Julie Corcoran, vice president of merchandise at the National Zoo. “Multiple touchpoints capture excitement.

Guests just saw a certain animal exhibit and loved it, and having a shop right there allows them to shop on impulse.”

There’s no shortage of wows at the National Zoo, with its legacy panda diplomacy program and the debut of pandas Bao Li and Qing Boa in January. The retail and marketing team teased this introduction with a Pandas Are Coming pop-up shop and Pandas Are Here merch.

Creative product programs tie in with zoo milestones and characteristics of its animals, such as a This Is How We Roll tumbling panda graphic on drinkware, tees, hats and bags. The zoo’s pandas are notorious tumblers.

Corcoran says, “We work with the curators to really understand the personalities of the animals to be sure we’re conveying the right image in the products we offer at the gift stores.”

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE 63

COVER STORY: THE NATIONAL ZOO

Customers can show off their panda pride by buying a playful panda jersey, or by purchasing a classic souvenir mug, stationery, T-shirt or soft plush.

WHAT’S IN STORE Visitors travel from across the country and world — and from just beyond the D.C. Beltway — to tour the zoo’s attractions, and providing a variety of relevant retail opportunities throughout the park is an important part of their day.

“We are very conscious at the zoo and across all the Smithsonian museum stores we operate to be sure we offer price points that are visitor friendly,” says Tiffany Spriggs, director of retail operations at Smithsonian Enterprises. “The zoo stores are placed strategically throughout the

“We work with the curators to really understand the personalities of the animals to be sure we’re conveying the right image in the products we offer at the gift stores.”

— JULIE CORCORAN property, and our product assortment is diverse to make sure we can offer price points that are visitor friendly.”

Schoolchildren are frequent shoppers. Buses of students touring the zoo as a stand-alone experience or along with other Smithsonian museums can find items for a few dollars, such 64 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

as stickers, pins, magnets, pencils and candy. “We stock plenty of impulse buys,” says Corcoran, noting the product themes vary depending on the zoo store, with some common merchandise like branded items.

Corcoran shares, “We offer a value T-shirt program that bundles a hat and tee at an easy price point, and there are also hundred-dollar sweatshirts that are embroidered or include an applique.”

On the high end, leather goods stamped with pandas offer a luxury for zoo members or enthusiasts — guests looking to treat themselves or buy a gift.

To celebrate pandas, the zoo merchandise and marketing teams collaborated to create a limited-edition T-shirt, stocking just 300 of them. “We called it the concert T-shirt because the back listed all the names of pandas throughout the years and dates of their time here,” she describes. www.sgnmag.com

COVER STORY: THE NATIONAL ZOO

“The zoo stores are placed strategically throughout the property, and our product assortment is diverse to make sure we can offer price points that are visitor friendly.”

— TIFFANY SPRIGGS

Stacked mugs feature a simple panda graphic, and souvenir water bottles include the name drop.

© THE NATIONAL ZOO

The zoo shops also stock an assortment of plush in sizes that fit in the palm of a child’s hand to supersized animals.

Corcoran and her merchandising team seek out © THE NATIONAL ZOO high-pile, quality stuffies Displays at the National Zoo stores tend to cluster products into collections, highlighting and offer some eco-plush one theme or motif such as all-things panda. from vendors that align ing red pandas, the zoo’s Great Cats — tigers, with the zoo’s elimination of single-use plastics. lions, clouded leopards — and Claws & Paws Plush represents the zoo’s animal kingdom — residents, which range from bobcats to porcuno cartoonish offerings. “We work with vendors pines. Anything elephant moves fast, as well. that offer plush with the true likeness of the aniBut pandas reign supreme across the zoo’s mal — certain spots, a certain look is maintained stores, winning extra real estate with retail carts through the plush and graphics our vendors during busy summer months. use,” says Corcoran. “We are a conservation zoo, For displays, products are clustered into so we want to make sure that the plush actually collections, giving guests many different items of looks like the real animal.” the same motif to purchase. “Whatever the proCustomers looking for giraffes might be gram is, we create groupings for the presentation surprised to learn there are none at the National so if you like the hat, you can find a tote, tee and Zoo. The same goes finding giraffe gifts in its drinkware, too,” Corcoran says. stores. However, popular animal motifs guests Another display strategy: showcase a mix of gravitate toward include all things panda, includsame-category products in different styles, such as apparel for men, women and children, including stylish cuts.

Meanwhile, offering a variety of stores with concentrated animal themes in each unique gift shop “encourages multiple purchases from multiple locations,” Corcoran explains.

66 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

COVER STORY: THE NATIONAL ZOO

STOCKED FOR SUPPORT Crowds pack into the zoo’s shops during the busy season, which spans from spring through fall, peaking in summer. This calls for a careful eye on inventory to keep displays full. The staff swells from its full-time crew of about 25 to double this team to handle retail carts and busy brick-and-mortar stores.

The zoo has a warehouse on-site and another off property. “We’re constantly replenishing,” Corcoran says. A new real-time inventory/pointof-sale system is a game changer for producing just-in-time pick lists.

Warehouse staff picks and delivers products to the stores daily. Quick-selling items are kept in storage spaces within the shops.

Every purchase benefits the Smithsonian Institution’s mission for the National Zoo, which is to save species by using cutting-edge science, sharing knowledge and providing inspirational guest experiences. It is part of the Smithsonian

68 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

Some of National Zoo’s products highlight its conservation efforts, including these souvenir T-shirts.

Conservation Biology Institute that trains wildlife professionals and conducts research.

“There are so many animals that are protected through our work, and there is a tangible connection when visitors take home a plush that represents their zoo experience,” says Spriggs.

“The Smithsonian plays a global role in serving as an advocate and really digging into conservation issues.” SGN

www.sgnmag.com

NEXT EXIT: SOCK MONKEY MUSEUM

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

f o e v o l For the s y e k n o M Sock ST O RY BY K

R IS TE N H A M

70 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTMEBER-OCTOBER SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

PS H IR E

A work sock turne d stuffie made iconic and memorable is everything at this Illinois museum an d gift shop.

www.sgnmag.com

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

NEXT EXIT: SOCK MONKEY MUSEUM

A

Guinness Book verifiable world’s largest collection of iconic Sock Monkeys started humbly during an RV road trip when Arlene and Michael Okun stopped at a Cracker Barrel for a mealtime refuel. In the restaurant general store, Arlene spotted a cute little stuffie made from a sock with bright red lips, lanky rope-like legs and a floppy tail.

“It became a mascot on the road, and we took thousands of pictures of him during our travels across the country and world,” says Arlene, logically naming the toy: Sock Monkey.

Now there’s the Sock Monkey Museum and gift shop in Long Grove, Illinois. Guests enter the two-story space in the main floor gift shop and are greeted by Sock Monkeys galore. “When you are shopping, you are amongst the collection,” Arlene says.

Visitors can sign the old-fashioned guestbook at the counter, pay a humble admission ($4 kids, $6 adults, under 4 are free) for a tour of upstairs that includes a personal walk-through and option to watch a 10-minute “sockumentary” in a little theater room. This museum and gift shop’s tagline: “Not your grandparent’s museum, but maybe your grandparent’s socks!”

Q

How did Sock Monkeys enter the plush toy scene, and why a museum in Long Grove?

A

The original sock has ties to Illinois and American history. It’s an Illinois folk art. The socks came about because John Nelson, who started Nelson Knitting Company in 1880, introduced a seamless work sock that was so comfortable it was revolutionary.

Other companies in Rockford started copying them, so he trademarked a red heel in 1932 to set them apart. During the Great Depression, parents didn’t have money to buy toys for their kids, so they used what they had in the house — these worn-out work socks with a red heel that became the monkey’s smile and bottom.

In 1955, Nelson Knitting realized people were using their socks for more than just footwear and they included instructions in every pack of socks for how to make a monkey. That’s when they got more popular.

The original factory closed its doors in 1992, selling Founder Arlene Okun (left) makes sure the Sock Monkey Museum gift shop has plenty of souvenirs, from ornaments to keychains and, of course, socks. Photos: Indre Cantero www.sgnmag.com

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER MAy-JUNE 2025 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE 71

NEXT EXIT: SOCK MONKEY MUSEUM

the business and Red Heel sock patent to Fox River Mills, which carries on the legacy in Iowa.

Our museum and gift shop lives on to tell the story of the Sock Monkey and create new memories.

Sock Monkey badges are popular picks at the museum gift shop, especially among scout groups that come in for a visit.

Q A

How did you expand your collection to Guinness-sized proportions?

Our collection is more than 2,200 and growing. The oldest Sock Monkey you can find with a red-heeled mouth is from 1932 and we have one named Luno. We know his date because he was donated by a woman whose grandmother made him.

There are at least five different brands of Sock Monkeys here, including Pennington, Schylling, Plushland and our own custom stuff-able Sock Monkeys that visitors can create.

72 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

Q

How do you turn old-fashioned memories into new experiences in the museum and shop?

A

When people come here, it’s fun to watch them set their phones down, talk and laugh.

We have workshops so you can build your own Sock Monkey, and we offer other animals, too.

We have a vendor who knits homemade sweaters for them. Plus, you can take home a Sock Monkey sewing kit with pre-marked, pre-sewn socks with everything you need except scissors.

We organize birthday parties, and visitors who stop in can take home a new Sock Monkey memory with our apparel, hats, stickers, magnets, greeting cards, children’s books, drinkware, bracelets, pins and badges. We host scout groups that like to take those home. We keep the price points affordable, which makes me feel good. We give back a donation of proceeds to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. SGN

www.sgnmag.com

SOUVENIR FOCUS: RESORTS & HOTELS

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

STORY BY M EG AN SM ALLEY

Hotel and resort guests enjoy gift shops that provide them with fun styles and memorable souvenirs along with stellar customer service that matches the hotel’s hospitality experience.

OFFERING FIVE-STAR

SOUVENIRS

S

trong customer service is important for any destination retailer, but it is of utmost importance at hotel and resort gift shops. These retailers serve a captive audience of guests who will be staying on-site not far from the gift shop for several days to several weeks at a time. Even if an outside concessionaire or vendor manages a hotel’s gift shop, guests expect the service in the gift shop to match the service that is offered in and around the hotel.

Heidi Kama, area director of Hawaii Hospitality for Event Network, oversees eight retail gift shops at six Hawaii resorts. Some of those resorts are more high-end spots with luxury boutiques. Others are family-oriented resorts with more traditional hotel gift shops. Regardless of the resort or the shop, Kama says each store needs to reflect the vibe of the resort and resonate well with guests.

76 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

Sea-themed plush are popular with kids at Four Seasons Resort in Oahu, while local finds and tees do well at Fairmont Orchid in Kona.

SOUVENIR FOCUS: RESORTS & HOTELS

With the popularity of the Bruce the Moose mascot, Timber Ridge Lodge features moose on many of its souvenirs: T-shirts, hoodies, drinkware and plush.

“We partner with the resort directors and executive teams to make sure that we are meeting their expectations in regard to not only the product that we have for guests on hand but also the experience that we deliver to the guest,” she says.

“We want to make sure the guests cannot tell if it’s an Event Network store, rather it’s one fluid experience for the guest, from their hotel room to the restaurant to the gift shop.”

In a well-run resort, themes flow seamlessly, ensuring customers feel connected no matter what part of the resort they’re visiting. In Geneva, Wisconsin, for example, the Grand Geneva Resort and its Timber Ridge Lodge both feature a northern woodland theme across the complexes that ties the resort experience together for customers. Director of Retail Sheila Campbell makes sure moose-themed merchandise is plentiful at the two resort gift shops, as well.

“There’s a lot of moose themes here!” she says. “We have a couple of restaurants here on the property, one is Moose & Maple, and in the waterpark there’s a grille called Hungry Moose. Timber Ridge has Bruce

the Moose as its mascot, and he’s predominant at both locations and is featured on the merchandise.”

Earlier this year, Event Network opened a gift shop at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas in Palm Springs, California, with a mix of resortwear, gifts, souvenirs and travel essentials. To ensure the gift shop connects well to the rest of the resort, Store Director David Vargas says he took some inspiration from the resort’s culinary team to develop his vision for the gift shop.

“The Grand Hyatt’s culinary team has a philosophy to thoughtfully source and carefully serve, reflecting their commitment to partnering with local and regional purveyors to bring the freshest, highest quality ingredients to every table at the resort restaurants. I thought that philosophy is also great to reflect in retail, but through our products instead of ingredients,” he says. “At the resort, we want to thoughtfully source with high-quality products, but also carefully display the merchandise to give people the best guest experience.”

With a focus on service and high-quality resort experiences,

78 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

these destination retailers often put a lot of thought into what keepsakes will stand out most to guests.

FAN FAVORITES AND FADS Stocking staple souvenirs with the resort logo is a winning strategy for some resorts and hotels.

At Grand Geneva Resort and Timber Ridge Lodge, the mascot Bruce the Moose dominates sales on souvenirs, including T-shirts, cups, mugs and magnets. Campbell says moose plush is also a hit with the kids, particularly at the Timber Ridge Lodge shop.

SOUVENIR FOCUS: RESORTS & HOTELS

“That’s our No. 1 item right now,” says Campbell. “You can purchase a bag, then you can pick rocks to fill in it. The collectible rocks are a big attraction in the shop — the kids are always there by the rocks!”

To build on the rock craze, Campbell adds that she just started carrying geodes as well, which have been popular so far.

When selecting apparel for the new Grand Hyatt Indian Wells gift shop, Vargas says he considered trendy

Kids love to dig for souvenir rocks at Trader Jack’s gift shop at Timber Ridge Lodge.

“The collectible rocks are a big attraction in the shop — the kids are always there by the rocks!” — Sheila Campbell, The Grand Geneva Resort and Timber Ridge Lodge Lately, collectible rocks have been raking in a lot of sales for the Grand Geneva Resort and Timber Ridge Lodge gift shops, too.

www.sgnmag.com

options. The gift shop carries the Bad Birdie golf apparel brand, which is popular in

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE 79

SOUVENIR FOCUS: RESORTS & HOTELS

Desert motifs do well on souvenirs at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells store.

part because of its appearance on the Shark Tank TV show.

“Guests come in and a lot of the men recognize the brand, which has fun shirts and fun patterns,” says Vargas.

Mini tumbler souvenirs are also trending this year, and Kama says she’s noticed their popularity at her resort stores. She says she began carrying mini tumblers at some of her stores that feature either sea turtle icons or the word “aloha” on them for guests to collect and take home.

80 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

“I’ve seen customers use these tumbler cups to hook onto their purse or use as espresso shots, so those are fun,” she says.

Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina might be a bit of a luxurious destination, but Kama says customers at that resort love the namedrop caps.

“Four Seasons logo-wear is a strong selling department, especially in that location,” she says, adding that she has seen customers come in wearing Four Seasons’ caps from other resorts around the world. “They buy a cap to add to their collection!”

REPPING THE REGION Resort guests also appreciate when souvenirs in the gift shop are sustainable, locally made or give back to the surrounding community. Kama says she has noticed a lot of guests go into the Hawaiian resort gift shops in hopes of finding merchandise that supports Maui-owned businesses after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires.

www.sgnmag.com

SOUVENIR FOCUS: RESORTS & HOTELS

Camp mugs, tumblers and stemless wine glasses can be great functional souvenirs.

“If we have vendors from Maui, they gravitate to purchasing those to help and support that community, even now two years after the fires,” she says.

Kama says she tries to have a feature in each resort store that showcases some gifts from local vendors, such as Hawaiian-made swimwear, jewelry or lotions. She shares that she often attends Made in Hawaii vendor shows to find new vendors.

Homemade fudge has been popular at the Grand Geneva Resort gift shop lately, and Campbell notes that fudge is a newer addition.

“A store that offered fudge in downtown Lake Geneva closed a few years ago, so we bought all

82 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

their fudge equipment and the fudge maker decided to work for the resort,” explains Campbell.

“She has quite the reputation! We’re lucky. We now make the fudge in the resort kitchen, so not right in the shop, but it’s on the property. That sells very well.”

Highlighting locally made Palm Springs gifts has also been a good strategy at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells gift shop.

“Guests want to know the story behind the items, where they’re made or even if they’re made from recycled materials,” says Vargas. “That gives them a better connection to the products and they’re more likely to make a purchase.”

ADD TO THE EXPERIENCE Experiential retail at resort gift shops encourages customers to linger and browse for longer, which helps to boost sales for these retailers.

Campbell says a nearly seven-foot statue of Bruce the Moose made entirely of LEGOs has

www.sgnmag.com

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

served as a selfie station at the Timber Ridge Lodge gift shop.

“Kids love to come and have their pictures taken with it. We even have some logoed items that resemble the LEGO moose,” says Campbell.

To give customers one-of-a-kind experiences, Event Network’s Hawaiian Hospitality stores will occasionally host trunk shows at the gift shops that invite guests to meet the makers or designers of brands featured in the stores.

“We’ll have a meet-the-maker spot at the trunk show, whether that’s a local vendor that comes and puts up a jewelry bar or invites them to create custom pieces of jewelry,” she says.

“Customizable experiences are important. When guests come to these properties in Hawaii, we think about their experiences when they’re here.

How can we up the experience and do something more personable that they can interact with? We host our trunk shows to provide that.”

Offering very curated merchandise selec-

www.sgnmag.com

SOUVENIR FOCUS: RESORTS & HOTELS

tions and retail experiences are both important factors in resort retail. Some customers visit the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort for the popular Coachella Valley music festivals in the springtime, and others come for popular tennis or golf events nearby. Vargas says he likes to engage with all the customers to make sure the gift shop features displays that are tailored to whatever event is happening at the time, be it a golf event or a big music festival.

“Customizable experiences are important. When guests come to these properties in Hawaii, we think about their experiences when they’re here.”

— Heidi Kama, Hawaii Hospitality “At hotel shops, you need to be more curated with your merchandise,” he says. “With a more curated selection, it creates a more intimate and comfortable shopping environment for the guests.” SGN

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE 83

PRODUCT TREND: NATIVE AMERICAN SOUVENIRS AND GIFTS

STORY BY KRIST E N H A M PS H IR E

Cherokee Trading Post shows off handwoven baskets, pottery and other tribal treasures.

TRIBE AND TRUE A MIX OF AUTHENTIC AND INSPIRED NATIVE AMERICAN SOUVENIRS AND GIFTS EXPAND RETAILERS’ STOCK OF OPTIONS.

T

here’s an art, an eye and a deep connection Native American souvenir and gift shops exercise when selecting products, and it begins with deep roots and involves knowledge grown over time.

“I hand-pick every piece of jewelry, I check the stones to see that they’re set properly — and I watched my mother do this all my life,” says Sheri Wheeler, whose grandparents started the family business that today is Cherokee Trading Post in Calumet, Oklahoma.

Wheeler is part of the Cherokee nation, and her

son-in-law is Creek with family nearby. Through blood connections and family ties, the trading post has built a sought-after selection of authentic Native American gifts, souvenirs inspired by the culture, and items with Southwest flair.

“We have vendors my parents have done business with since I was a child,” says Wheeler. New product discoveries come by word of mouth.

The same is true at Driftstone Pueblo in St. Elmo, Illinois. Jewelry Manager Jill Wright has traveled the Four Corners region to buy cloth dolls, pipes, jewelry, drums, Kachina figures, pottery and more from various tribes

84 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

PRODUCT TREND: NATIVE AMERICAN SOUVENIRS AND GIFTS

— Navajo, Pima, Zuni, Hopi, Mesa, Laguna, Santa Clara, Taos, Coquille, Cherokee. “We could go on and on,” she says of procuring a variety.

“I’ve sat and watched the Navajo weave their rugs, which are a higher-end item we carry at the store,” says Wright. Such authentic, handmade goods are made by enrolled members of federally or Driftstone Pueblo carries tribal pottery and authentic and inspired jewelry. state-recognized Native American tribes or tribe-recognized certified artisans. (See products that span these categories allows shops the sidebar, “Native by nature” below.) like Cherokee Trading Post and Driftstone PuebThere’s also a market for souvenirs that borlo to accommodate a cross-section of tourists. row native motifs in a decorative way. Carrying “We get a lot of people who are passing through from all directions and for different reasons and they appreciate the collection we’ve NATIVE BY NATURE acquired,” says Wright.

Ask her for proof of authenticity — please. Traci Rabbit, a prominent Cherokee artist and entrepreneur at Rabbit Studios, welcomes the inquiry from retailers seeking true, certified Native American-made artwork and craft pieces.

Claiming a product is Native American when its motif or design is inspired is misrepresentation. Not to mention, false claims come with fines under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990.

Q: How do Native American craftspeople verify their work?

A: I’m a federally recognized, second-generation Cherokee nation artist and I had to prove my lineage to receive a certificate with an assigned number. I include this authentication on all of my products to document this so store owners have verification that they are selling a Native American, made in the USA product. I always educate buyers by showing them my card as proof so they can ask this question when sourcing products.

Q: Do Native American artists who are certified also sell inspired products?

A: I produce authentic products in my studio, and I also license and offer contract items that vendors produce overseas. I consider myself an artist and a businessperson. Many retailers are looking for a variety of price points. Most customers who want authentic items are collectors. But people looking for souvenirs might want an inspired product that suits their budget.

Q: What are other tips you would give retailers?

A: Educate yourself on the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990.

It’s about truth in advertising. And if you’re looking for authentic Native American-made products, ask for verification.

86 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

A NATIVE ASSORTMENT Driftstone Pueblo separates Native American and inspired/Southwest souvenirs in dedicated departments. Upstairs is completely authentic Native American with about 20 cases of jewelry and other wares, all labeled with signage that identifies the tribe and ensures products’ authenticity.

Downstairs displays include imported beads, souvenirs like dream catchers and drums, Southwest decor, apparel, jewelry, moccasins, purses and bags, figurines and name-drop souvenirs like magnets, keychains and stickers with native motifs.

“It’s important to carry authentic and inspired products,” says Wright, estimating a 50/50 split of authentic and inspired gifts.

Wheeler echoes the need to provide more budget-friendly souvenirs for tourists and authentic artisan pieces for collectors.

“Not everyone can afford the Native American, handmade traditional pieces,” Wheeler says, relaying that a true bench bead Navajo pearl necklace might cost 10 times more than a piece made from manufactured pearls that are strung together by the Navajo.

Wheeler strives to carry American-made native-inspired products when possible. “This is www.sgnmag.com

PRODUCT TREND

Silver and turquoise jewelry goes over well at Driftstone Pueblo.

definitely important to our consumers today,” she notices.

However, Wheeler does carry imported souvenirs from vendors she trusts and appreciates the decorative items and accessibility pricing it provides for visitors.

VERIFIED AS AUTHENTIC Sourcing handmade original Native American art pieces and gifts is Wheeler’s passion, and finding just the right gifts to stock is “native” for her. “It’s not something you can teach, you have an eye for it,” she relates of her family’s tradition.

“Most of our pieces are signed and the reproductions have certificates with the tribe number and name of the person who made it.” — Jill Wright, Driftstone Pueblo While she mostly relies on longtime Native American vendors, who often offer their suggestions, she attends Native American craft shows throughout the Southwest to find new gifts.

At Driftstone Pueblo, seeking out thoughtfully crafted authentic Native American gifts is also a vocation, and many tribal families stop into the store to share their works, says Mike McCall, owner. “We’ve gotten to know our Native American vendors — and they thank us,” he says, relating the appreciation is mutual.

McCall and Wright also attend shows such as the Eiteljorg Indian Market and Festival, along with visiting reservations while on the road.

Wright adds, “Most of our pieces are signed and the reproductions have certificates with the tribe number and name of the person who made it.”

88 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

PRODUCT TREND: NATIVE AMERICAN SOUVENIRS AND GIFTS

For instance, Driftstone Pueblo sells a variety of Cherokee tiles and artwork from Bill and Traci Rabbit of Rabbit Studios in Pryor, Oklahoma.

“We’ve had visitors say, ‘My grandparents brought me here when I was younger, and now we are bringing our children.’ It’s a tradition they pass on through generations.” — Sheri Wheeler, Cherokee Trading Post Wright says, “We look high and low to make sure our Native American pieces are authentic.”

INSPIRED SOUVENIRS With over 8,000 square feet of retail space at Driftstone Pueblo and half the store designated for Southwest and native-inspired souvenirs, there’s an expansive selection of gifts available at many price points.

Jewelry is a top-selling category, Wright says. The shop carries bracelets, earrings and

90 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

necklaces in motifs ranging from Aztec engravings to wild horses, feathers, wildflowers and horseshoes. Silver, turquoise and colorful beaded designs go over big.

Wright sources pieces from vendors like Montana Silversmith and Old Pawn Jewelry, which offers vintage Native American jewelry from the 1960s and 1970s that Driftstone Pueblo sometimes acquires from auctions.

Cowboy Collectibles bolo ties, bracelets and necklaces made from horsehair appeal to customers looking for Southwest accessories.

Reflecting on the places he’s been, the people he’s met and the artisans he has developed longtime relationships with over the years, McCall says, “This has been my whole life.”

Wheeler shares a similar thread her customers express, “We’ve had visitors say, ‘My grandparents brought me here when I was younger, and now we are bringing our children.’ It’s a tradition they pass on through generations.” SGN

www.sgnmag.com

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: COPPER WORLD

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

COPPER WORLD Calumet, MI OWNER: Cheryl Voelker BESTSELLERS: T-shirts and ornaments RETAIL TIP: Always connect with the customers.

s treasure eninsula P r e p p cks U elker sto Chris Vo

am otos: Ad tore. Ph at her s

Johnson

STORY BY K RIST E N HA M PSHIRE

A copper legacy

C

Hints from history are on display at this Calumet gift shop on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. opper World in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula might as well be the Cheers of Calumet on the Keweenaw, a point that juts into Copper Harbor and draws loyal visitors and first-timers who embrace the region’s great outdoors.

The village of Calumet, 30 miles south of Copper Harbor, is a National Landmark District and part of the Keweenaw National Historical Park. Then there’s Copper World, a family-owned gift shop that stretches along a half block of storefront on the main street.

Here, Cheryl Voelker greets familiar faces and catches up with seasonal travelers. She remembers many of their names and asks about their stay. Importantly, she helps keep Calumet history alive with copper gifts, books and puzzles that share its stories in words and pictures, apparel

galore and a menagerie of Northwoods-inspired souvenirs.

When her father, Tony Bausano, started the business 51 years ago, his idea for a single-room shop was to sell simple copper treasures and history books. “He wanted to build a store to tell the story of the copper mining days, and over the years he kept adding more,” says Voelker, who runs the shop with her brother, Tim Bausano.

Today, Copper World is triple its original size and includes the adjoining Calumet Mercantile her uncle once ran, which sells homemade fudge and local foods.

Greeting multi-generational guests and meeting new visitors are what Voelker loves most about the family business — along with seeking out memorable merchandise to keep the shop fresh every year.

“It’s all about the people and truly loving the gifts you sell to them and watching their reactions to what you’ve

94 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: COPPER WORLD

Popular adult tees include U.P. name drops and woodsy themes. Heavier apparel, books, and plush are also well stocked.

“

chosen,” says Voelker. “There is a sense of satisfaction when you were the one to pick an item out, unpack and display it, and then see people buy it.”

She adds, “We’ve built deep relationships with our customers. It’s not just a gift store —it’s an experience.”

CAPTURED BY COPPER Before the Gold Rush, there was copper mining in Calumet — and lots of it.

“Copper from here is what electrified America and it was the first mining boom,” says Voelker, proud of her roots.

A portion of the shop’s inventory is devoted to sharing the region’s history in some form.

Copper World carries over 200 books, many of them recounting the region’s mining days.

We’ve built deep relationships with our customers. It’s not just a gift store — it’s an experience.” — CHRIS VOELKER, OWNER “History is a big part of our community,” Voelker acknowledges.

One local author, Joseph Heywood, wrote a number of historical fiction books related to Calumet and copper mining, and the late Clarence Monette penned more than 50 books about small towns around the country that are displayed in a turnstile.

96 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

“Copper is kind of trendy now,” points out Voelker, noting its healing properties and popularity in decor. “Copper is believed to help with arthritis and circulation, so we have customers who buy a copper bracelet or ring for this reason.”

The average price point is $20 to $75. Copper jewelry by Wheeler includes necklaces and earrings, not marketed as an antidote but as a souvenir accessory.

Copper wall decor includes designs such as the Upper Peninsula, dragonflies, leaves and butterflies. Many are produced by Anderson Metal Art. And of course, Sasquatch is big on the scene as copper art and in kids products.

Copper wind chimes by Wind River Chimes along with spinners by Spinfinity Designs and Red Carpet Studios are positioned under the shop’s awning as an enticing invitation inside, where visitors can find more designs.

A couple of Christmas trees in the store show off copper holiday ornaments — a souvenir guests gravitate toward, some collecting a new one during each visit. Copper World offers a selection of tree-decorating take-homes, including local landmarks and Lake Superior. Local Judy Scharr makes birch bark characters playing hockey (a Calumet favorite pastime), golfing or picking berries. Voelker also collaborates with Pilgrim Imports and Tangico for ornaments.

The trees are on display year-round and fit www.sgnmag.com

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: COPPER WORLD

Holiday ornaments available year-round, ornate jewelry and copper wind chimes are among the curated finds.

right into the area’s north woods vibe.

“We’re in a woodsy area, people are here to experience the outdoors and Lake Superior, and they take a piece of that home with them,” says Voelker.

SWEET TO WEAR With three rooms in Copper World and a continuous flow from one to the next, the store is arranged in departments. Copper gifts, books, puzzles and games are grouped in one section, which seamlessly moves into a space decked out with apparel and kids’ goods. Then guests enter the sweets shop with local delicacies such as thimbleberry jam.

“It’s a local berry, and while it also grows in Maine, we’re one of the only places that manufacture it into anything,” says Voelker, sourcing jam from U.P. Foods. “That is a highlight for people to bring home for family and friends.”

So are Sayklly’s Yooper Bars (short for U.P. and what those born in the Upper Peninsula call themselves). The milk chocolate candy in a U.P. shape sells by the case.

In an on-site kitchen, Voelker’s mother makes fudge from scratch. The No. 1 seller is Lake Superior Mud, a blend of white, dark and milk chocolate with caramel ribbons.

Customers have a wide selection of Upper Peninsula candies and other local foods to chose from.

98 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

Meanwhile, displays of sweets from Taffy Town and Jelly Belly entice customers with a colorful sugar fix that doubles as a rainbow backdrop.

Along with satisfying a sweet tooth, an expansive section of apparel is a high-traffic area for visitors to the gift shop, who often purchase more than one. Sizes range from onesies to adult 3XL and styles span from graphic tees to a variety of name drop shirts.

Styles by Stormy Chromers move fast and feature the U.P. icon, a Sasquatch mining copper and other local designs.

Other T-shirt designs are north woodsy with forest motifs or lake themed, along with Calumet-specific themes. Because many visitors tour the UP rather than staying in one part of the region, Copper World’s apparel covers all-things-Michigan. Copper World also carries apparel by LazyOnes.

Overall, Voelker likes to maintain similar motifs every year while adding new graphics to the mix so repeat customers have something new to buy.

And during peak season from July Fourth through Labor Day, Voelker hustles to refold and restock tees. Fall foliage also brings tourists to town, and locals stop in for special gifts or to simply catch up throughout winter. During this slower time is when Voelker does most of her merch scouting and buying.

“People come in and want to tell you what’s going on in their lives,” Voelker relates. “It’s retail therapy. Winter is slower and people linger longer.

I always say, ‘If we had tables, we would have people who would come, sit and visit for hours.’” SGN www.sgnmag.com

BUSINESS: TRADE SHOW TIPS

20

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

WAYS TO WIN AT TRADE SHOWS

Traveling to trade shows is an important aspect of any retail buyer’s job. To ensure you make the most of your trade show travels this fall, veteran trade show attendee Tommy Brown, a retail manager with the Saint Louis Zoo with more than 30 years’ experience, has put together his top 20 tips for success at trade shows.

1

First register for the show and find out if there are any travel discounts through the show, as these can save you time and money. Also, find out if any shuttle service is provided, as this is offered at some larger shows.

2

Go buy a notebook or an electronic device you can use at the show. Remember Wi-Fi is not always the best at the shows, so have a backup. Carry your sales data with you to the show and use the notebook/electronic device for business cards and product notes.

3

It is recommended to have a tote, and comfortable shoes for the shows, so go purchase these items as well before your trip.

100 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

4

Do research on the show’s website about what exhibitors will be at the show you are attending.

5

Make a list of what exhibitors you are interested in visiting, then create a list of vendors you want to visit on the same aisle. This strategy can save you a lot of time.

6

Find out what free educational lectures or demonstrations are at the show. Take advantage of these free offers, as they can provide a lot of good insights within the retail industry.

7

Set appointments with exhibitors which you may want a more in-depth vendor visit. www.sgnmag.com

BUSINESS: TRADE SHOW TIPS

8

Give yourself time! Most large shows take days to work. Do not think you can do a large show in one day. Budget your time and money to do the shows in multiple days.

9

Be aware of giveaways at the shows. These usually happen early in the mornings on the first day of the show.

10

Sometimes shows offer treats, food, coffee, and other amenities. These offers can help your travel budget. Always take advantage of these offers as they can really add up.

11

If you are a member of any retail organization, reach out to them and see if they will be hosting any activities at the show.

12

Once you arrive at the show, it is recommended to do an overview in the first half of the day. Quickly walk the aisles and make note of exhibitors that you may want to talk to sometime during the show.

Mix and mingle The Zoo, Aquarium & Garden Buyers Group (ZAG) has several educational sessions and networking opportunities planned for Tennessee trade shows later this fall, including the International Gift Exposition in the Smokies (IGES) in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, Tennessee, and the Smoky Mountain Gift Show in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

ZAG will host its Annual Member Meeting and lunch at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5 during the IGES show in Pigeon Forge. The ZAG members-only lunch will provide insights on the current year and future focuses for the group as well as announce any new board members. The meeting will allow ZAG members to connect with one another and receive feedback.

Members are also welcome to attend the ZAG Rainforest Mixer from 5:30-8 p.m. Nov. 5 at Rainforest Adventures in Sevierville. The fun mixer will allow ZAG buyers and sponsors to meet and mingle in a fun, indoor zoo-like setting.

Additionally, ZAG has planned several educational sessions for IGES, including: • Fireside Chat & Tour on Sustainability at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4 in Sevierville, led by April Terranella, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium.

• IGES Pigeon Forge Tour at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5 in Pigeon Forge, led by April Terranella, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium.

102 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

13

Have courtesy of your fellow buyers in an exhibitor’s booth. Do not interrupt meetings. If a vendor is busy, just leave your card at the booth with a note, or quickly say, “I will be back later.” Manners are very important in the industry, so please use them.

14

Know where “Cash and Carry” is located at the show. This is an area you can purchase from directly at a show. The main floor is to source products for your company, and not a direct buying area. If you have an interest in purchasing products from an exhibitor’s booth, please ask them on the last day of the show, as they need booth samples to sell their goods.

15

Ask for show specials and negotiate discounts from the exhibitors. Just about everything can be negotiated, if it is fair on both sides of the table.

16

Ensure an exhibitor’s product is in line with your company’s mission/vision; ask questions about the origins of products, ethical treatment of people or anything else your company may value.

17

Ask every exhibitor what their top-selling product is for the season, as this can give you great insight into retail trends.

18

Some buyers place orders at the show, some do not. This is really your preference, but try not to lose out on any show specials.

19

At the end of each show day, organize your orders, go through your notes, ensure you have all new company contacts. Doing these things at the end of each day will help you stay organized.

20

Don’t forget to have fun at the shows!

This includes networking with colleagues and new peers you meet. Partake in after-show events or have dinner with new friends you make at the show. The retail industry is built on relationships, so take advantage of after show opportunities to network. SGN www.sgnmag.com

MERCHANDISING: IMPULSE BUYS

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

Hawaii-specific and easy-to-grab souvenirs, including postcards, shot glasses and stickers, make for impulsive purchases at The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo.

LURING IN THE SALES

LOCATION-SPECIFIC SOUVENIRS ARE MUST-HAVES FOR LOCALS AND VISITORS ALIKE AT SEASIDE DESTINATIONS.

L

STO RY BY K R ISTEN HAM PSHIR E

ocation is a driving factor in not just where a seaside retailer sets up shop but also how souvenirs are positioned in the store to capture attention, inspire more sales and trigger a giddy got-to-have-it feeling.

Impulse souvenirs abound at Imagine Gift Store in Warren, Rhode Island. “We are an experience store,” says Michelle Santiago.

Whimsical with an iconic building featuring two life-sized cows at the doors, entering is a souvenir on its

own with photo ops galore. Immediately, guests experience a throwback ice cream parlor where “adults become a kid in a candy shop” because of hundreds of varieties of penny candies and nostalgic treats arranged in tiered shelves and baskets. They are front and center, including by the register. Display buckets and cubbies also brim with sweets.

Who can resist dipping in a hand to grab a fistful of confections to deposit in a handy basket the shop provides? Any guest who does not have one is hospitably

104 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

MERCHANDISING: IMPULSE BUYS

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

handed one for convenience — also a way to increase spontaneous sales, says Santiago.

“If customers don’t have a basket, we offer them one,” she says. “We offer to hold a basket for them, give them a new one and our associates know, if you see anyone empty handed, offer.

Even if guests are carrying one item, suggest a basket and they will start filling it up.”

WEAR IT HOME Souvenirs are a staple at seaside shops. Not to mention, there are At Imagine Gift Store in Warren, Rhode Island, bright candies lined along a wall locals who like to send namemake for great impulse purchases. drop gifts to out-of-town friends and relatives. with women’s options — scoop- and V-necks Name drop is key, agrees Tracie Yoshimoto, — and children’s sizes. Clothing is easy to pack owner of The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo, and take home, which is a consideration for all Hawaii. It’s not all that easy to find Hilo-specific souvenirs at the shop, Yoshimoto says. goodies. But Yoshimoto has developed relationYoshimoto often relies on local suppliers for ships with local vendors and suppliers who will graphic tees and hats, including embroidered ultra-customize so tourists can get specifically namedrop ballcap styles that sell the most. HowHilo gear. ever, beanies and safari hats are also in stock.

“Hilo is not easy to find,” she says, though Logoed apparel with conservation messages Hawaii and Big Island are much easier namelike “Don’t let us fade away… extinction is fordrops to source for apparel, stickers, car decals, ever,” add an awareness element to apparel at the hats and more. sea turtle rescue gift shop. Every year, the center And while the sea turtle is a common motif chooses a theme and designs a shirt to honor it, in North Carolina, Luckaia Strand says personwhich goes over big with the customers. alizing gift shop goods with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center INTERESTING AND ICONIC From the display of Jelly Bellies to the 500 types Even if guests are carrying one item, suggest a of candies at Imagine Gift Store, the shop is designed to tempt guests of all ages to take home basket and they will start filling it up.” all kinds of goodies.

— MICHELLE SANTIAGO, IMAGINE GIFT STORE Santiago says impulse souvenirs are generally name spreads the word about their work and is a priced $10 or less and include stocking-stuffer memory visitors want to take home. worthy items visitors enjoy year-round, includ“Our biggest goal in the last year has been ing bouncy balls, keychains, lip glosses, stickers, finding products we can customize and the magnets and little mint tins fashioned after the majority of our products have our name on it,” Rhode Island license plate with its iconic wave. says Strand, gift shop manager at the center in Local items are hot sellers. Imagine Gift Store Topsail Island, North Carolina. assembles an array of variety baskets with local The top category at Most Irresistible is products and souvenirs for weddings, corporate T-shirts, mostly short-sleeved and unisex but events and gifts.

106 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

MERCHANDISING: IMPULSE BUYS

Tiny sea turtle figurines and ornaments are easy add-ons, as are playful LollyPlush at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation gift shop.

“People appreciate finding souvenirs that are Rhode Island-made,” says Santiago.

Prank gifts are also lure in customers who appreciate a gag or want to give someone else a good laugh. “We are a whimsical store,” says Santiago of decidedly “quirky items.” A variety of squirrel-themed fun includes a squirrel air freshener by the novelty supplier, Archie McPhee.

GRAB AND GO An item Santiago underestimated that fires up sales is the adjustable wish bracelet by Two’s Company that sells for $4.99. The shop showcases a wall display of bracelets you wear, make a wish, and when it falls off the wish comes true.

At Most Irresistible, jewelry is a popular souvenir, primarily pieces created by local arti-

We make sure souvenirs are at eye-level and kids’ items like plush and turtle figurines are positioned lower so our young guests can convince their parents to make the purchase.”

— LUCKAIA STRAND, KAREN BEASLEY SEA TURTLE RESCUE AND REHABILITATION CENTER sans that range in price from $10 to $30. Taylor Swift-inspired beaded bracelets with message such as “be kind” or “Aloha, Hilo” rank high with the younger set, Yoshimoto says. Necklaces with a cutout of the Big Island are also easy add-ons.

108 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

Again, Yoshimoto says easy-to-pack is a priority when sourcing souvenirs and impulse items for tourists with baggage limitations.

Easily folded and tucked into a suitcase, dish towels with local themes are practical, everyday souvenirs that sell fast, she says.

At the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation gift shop checkout, Strand says a cube-shaped slat-and-hook display encourages visitors to score more — and give back more, too, since proceeds play a paramount role in supporting the center’s mission. Signage explains which items were made by volunteer artisans.

It holds homemade Christmas ornaments (very popular!), keychains created by volunteers and even magnetic car decals.

“We make sure souvenirs are at eye-level and kids’ items like plush and turtle figurines are positioned lower so our young guests can convince their parents to make the purchase,” says Strand.

It’s all about making souvenirs simply irresistible. Variety is huge. Yoshimoto says, “We try to offer a little bit of everything so there is something for everyone.” SGN www.sgnmag.com

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM

NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM Staten Island, NY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR : Linda Dianto BESTSELLERS: Keychains and ornaments RETAIL TIP: Stock some small souvenirs. h omenec a Lee D d n a m A hotos: totes. P y some b s e s o ianto p Linda D irector D e iv t u Exec

STORY BY K RIST E N HA M PSHIRE

Beacon of charm

T

The National Lighthouse Museum gift shop shines with maritime-inspired treasures.

ourists visiting the Big Apple fill a bucket list of attractions to check out — hot spots like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and the Empire State Building.

But decades before the heyday of Ellis Island as an immigration checkpoint, the United States Lighthouse Service General Depot was established as a logistics hub to make trade possible.

Now the original site known as Building 11, circa 1864, serves as the National Lighthouse Museum. It is dedicated to shining a light on the legacy of maritime sentinels. Its gift shop both supports lighthouse heritage and spreads the word about the earliest navigation tool.

Every T-shirt, hat and tote guests purchase is wearable advertising, points out Linda Dianto, executive director.

Dianto is at the helm of the growing museum and gift

shop, which opened to the public in 2015 and has become a destination for locals, travelers, school groups — and delightfully surprising visitors like Queen Anne, who toured the museum in 2022 and praised its global advocacy initiatives. She is honorary chair of the museum’s Illuminating Future Generations campaign.

As awareness for the museum grows, so does traffic in its gift shop, the entry point where visitors purchase tour tickets and departure point after their time there.

110 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

STOWABLE SOUVENIRS From palm-sized souvenirs like pins and keychains to mini foghorns, Christmas ornaments and lighthouse models, the gift shop’s offerings cater to guests of all ages.

Dianto says, “Tourists want small items to take back with them because they don’t have space in their luggage.”

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM

Small souvenirs, such as books, postcards, ornaments, tote bags and even miniature lighthouses, are plentiful at the gift shop.

Scarves, men’s ties and socks are easy to fit in a carry-on or a daypack to ferry back to Manhattan.

(The boat trip is about 25 minutes.)

Visitors reach for postcards depicting the lighthouse and Staten Island, along with notecards. Most are looking for the museum’s tower and beacon logo, which they can find on everything from stickers and magnets to canvas bags.

Dianto also looks for lighthouse-inspired and maritime art for printing on bags or notecards, offering visitors more of a watercolor look. The same is true for keychains, pins and ornaments

by Urban Charm. Some picture the museum, others honor the other historic lighthouses on Staten Island (there are 10 on-shore and off-

shore), such as West Bank Light, Sandy Hook Light and Robin’s Reef Light.

The museum ushers in a lot of holiday guests, making ornaments an ideal seasonal souvenir.

Dianto displays them on rotating racks.

Overall, presentation and positioning boost sales. Dianto leverages vendor-provided displays and opts to showcase items like books on shelves and apparel on hangers. Magnets cling to a board that spins.

“We notice that products that come with a display sell the best because we have a rack built for them that catch people’s eyes,” Dianto explains.

When arranging products in the store, Dianto acts like a tourist.

“We look at presentation from the perspective of a visitor and we move things around because that’s important,” she relates. “If something isn’t selling in one corner, maybe it should be moved to the top of a display or put on the counter. Counter items tend to sell first as impulse buys while visitors are buying their museum passes.”

Guests pick up something small as they order tickets, scan the shop and return for other items, such as color-changing drinkware. The mug looks blue, but once hot coffee is poured inside, it reveals a National Lighthouse Museum logo. Camp mugs and thermoses also move fast, Dianto says.

And those seeking home goods can bring home candles in scents such as Salted Sea. Earrings, bracelets and charm necklaces in

Souvenir tees hang on a rack that’s sure to draw attention, while ball caps with the museum name drop are staples.

112 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM

nautical motifs range from lighthouses to anchors, oyster shells, sailboats and Staten Island namedrop. A wearable bookmark doubles as a bauble.

Beaded jewelry extends to pocketbooks and coin purses. These souvenirs and gifts are also ferry-ready and easy to transport back to the mainland, Dianto says.

Classic canvas tote bags with picturesque scenery make for colorful souvenirs.

SEAWORTHY FINDS Beyond museum tickets, the gift shop also offers passes for seasonal boat tours guided by a maritime historian for visiting remote lighthouses and ship graveyards. Sometimes guests aren’t fully prepared for windy conditions, cool New York harbor breezes or the ocean’s misty spray.

Apparel from the gift store comes in handy for unprepared guests — T-shirts, hoodies, zipup sweatshirts and crewnecks in all sizes, along with logoed hats and umbrellas.

114 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

The gift shop anticipates guests impulse purchases for events, as well. For example, the museum participates in a local scavenger hunt where visitors stop at the island’s various lighthouses to collect stickers and snap selfies.

These events usher more guests into the store, Dianto says. A variety of maritime gifts that commemorate different lighthouses appeal to those who found a particular site interesting or want to collect them all.

The souvenirs sometimes play on exhibit experiences. For example, one exhibit is a Wall of Lights with miniature, donor-sponsored lighthouse models representing 29 states surround a giant model. “We sell lighthouse models, so you can see the Wall of Lights and our shop has a display so guests can take a lighthouse replica home with them,” says Dianto.

Another exhibit-shop adjacency: the museum houses historic artifacts such as foghorns and Fresnel lenses. In fact, one exhibit showcases a

www.sgnmag.com

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM

“

first-order Fresnel lens that was used in a lighthouse from the Colonial period.

Visitors can find pint-sized souvenir versions

the early scientific innovation for projecting light.

Visitors who get hooked on the history and make visiting lighthouses a new hobby can

Visitors can take home items as a gift or memento, and their purchases help us raise funds to keep the lights on.” — LINDA DIANTO in the store — foghorn whistles for kids and Fresnel lens keychains for visitors fascinated with

Maritime themes are plentiful at the shop, including this artistic wine stopper.

116 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

purchase a lighthouse passport from the United States Lighthouse Society and fill it with stamps from across the country.

The shop’s dual mission is actually a quadruple win: supporting a legacy and spreading awareness — while sparking historical passion and celebrating a renowned space. Staff are proud advocates, welcoming visitors with tickets to explore and souvenirs that give back.

“Visitors can take home items as a gift or memento, and their purchases help us raise funds to keep the lights on,” she says of what’s literally a monumental effort. She adds, “This is why museum gift stores are so valuable.” SGN

www.sgnmag.com

BUSINESS: BUYING STRATEGIES

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

Strategic retail buying such as the tactics used at The North Carolina Arboretum involves several factors that can help lead to increased sales and strong customer engagement.

STORY BY K AC EY C R AM ER

CULTIVATING BETTER BUYING

R

etail buying is more than selecting the right product at the right time, in the right quantity, for the right customer. It is a seamless blending of data analysis with collaboration and creative vision. From understanding your customers to collaborating with vendors and applying analytics, strategic retail buying can prove to be a success and fun!

for your ideal customer. The mission statement for my institution, The North Carolina Arboretum is, “Cultivating connections between people, plants, and places.”

We attract both locals and tourists who enjoy visiting our floral and bonsai gardens. Our retail store features functional items to use on the property, such as hats and walking sticks, as well as unique, botanically themed gift items primarily sourced both locally and nationally.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CUSTOMERS Your customer is your treasure who needs to be clearly defined. What is your customer demographic? What is your company’s mission? Blend the two answers to buy

WORKING WITHIN A BUDGET Buyers will manage their budget either through an open-to-buy model or an annual cost-of-goods budget.

Exemplifying the practice of my institution, I will focus

120 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

BUSINESS: BUYING STRATEGIES

on an annual cost-of-goods budget.

Traditionally this budget allocates an average purchasing amount per month. Because we are a seasonal destination, it is necessary to adjust this model so that the early spring and early fall months are budgeted larger amounts. Slower months like January have a very low budget.

Capturing data from a full buying cycle will offer the most accurate data patterns for the following year.

North Carolina Arboretum adds unique finds to its gift shop in part from customer and vendor suggestions.

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

The scoop on the rule of thirds How does it feel to use the “Rule of Thirds” technique in your store buying? Envision this scenario: you are responsible for ordering a three-tiered ice cream cake for your best friend’s milestone birthday party.

You are meeting with the pastry chef to choose the three flavors of ice cream for the cake. Write down your favorite flavor of ice cream. Write down your least favorite flavor of ice cream. Write down the pastry chef’s recommendation of the current best-selling flavor of Bubble Gum. These are the three flavors of your best friend’s birthday cake. On a scale of one to five, with one equaling awful and five equaling amazing, write down the number that best describes how these flavor choices make you feel.

This may describe how you feel using the “Rule of Thirds” for the first time!

PROFITABLE MERCHANDISE The first step toward selecting appropriate product is to determine your markup. The industry standard begins at “keystoning,” or doubling the wholesale cost.

The markup for my store is higher to cover freight, tariff charges and store discounts. Keep the markup as your baseline because the retail price is determined by perceived market value and by your customer demographic.

Use the “Rule of Thirds” as a starting point: buy 33% of what you like + 33% of what you don’t like + 33% of what vendors recommend.

COLLABORATING WITH VENDORS Invest your time into developing strong relationships with vendors, sales reps and independent artisans. Building trust provides the opportunity

to grow creativity through collaboration on branding and institutional events. Earlier this spring, we launched our “Spring Into the Arb” campaign, which highlighted a different event for each weekend of the spring season with a variety of custom products. My vendor rep personally delivered the order to save on freight costs, and he recommended who we use for custom stickers for the campaign.

There is negotiation power in collaboration.

It improves the vendor’s understanding of your customer and your institution to make better product recommendations.

UTILIZING ANALYTICS Reviewing and analyzing data will determine profitability, appropriate inventory levels and effective buying strategies. It is helpful practice to consult a sales analysis report before reordering any product from existing vendors.

To summarize, the successful retail buyer melds creativity with collaboration and analytics to curate a captivating visitor experience that supports the company’s mission. SGN Kacey Cramer is the retail manager and buyer at The North Carolina Arboretum. She has worked as a successful retail buyer in a variety of settings for over 12 years. During that time Cramer has successfully increased annual sales by an average of 10%.

122 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

SNAPSHOTS: TEN FALLS SUPPLY CO.

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

AN INVITING LITTLE HIKING STORE Guest Services Inc. has transformed a small park building in Oregon into a gift shop that offers souvenirs and hiking essentials.

STORY BY MEGAN SMALLEY

The new Ten Falls Supply Co. gift shop at Oregon’s Silver Falls State Park, managed by Guest Services Inc., carries hiking apparel and accessories that double as souvenirs.

O

regon’s Silver Falls State Park has a new shop in its Smith Creek Village for park visitors coming to check out the iconic waterfalls and 7.2-mile hike. Ten Falls Supply Co. is housed in a quaint hut adjacent to the South Falls Lodge & Café, offering customers a mix of hiking gear and souvenirs to commemorate their time in the park.

The store made its debut in May after Guest Services Inc. won the contract to operate concessions at Silver Falls State Park.

“We are excited to have Silver Falls as our first location in Oregon,” says Mark Johnson, director of retail for Guest Services Inc. “Ten Falls Supply Co. is a brandnew concept, located in a historic 450-square-foot stone building that was originally a garage.”

Despite its small footprint, the gift shop packs in everything guests might need on their hikes.

“We have packed an amazing array of active gear and apparel into only 450 square feet, earning the moniker, ‘The world’s best little hiking store,’” Johnson touts.

Follow through the pictures for key takeaways on how to create a top-notch park store no matter the footprint.

124 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

SNAPSHOTS: TEN FALLS SUPPLY CO.

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

Ready for business

Ten Falls Supply Co. might be new, but the building itself has been around Silver Falls State Park since the 1930s. Made of native stone and timber, the building originally served as a garage for park vehicles.

Johnson says the doors normally stay open during business hours to make this park store seem a bit larger, with the store name and logo front and center on the door. Some souvenir T-shirts and tote bags on racks near the entrance encourage passersby to check it out.

TIP: By keeping the doors wide open, potential guests can see the store’s nice display table without having to come in.

Add a name drop

Merchandise is all clearly visible throughout the store, with no shortage of T-shirts. Johnson says many of the T-shirts feature the Silver Falls State Park name drop or even a large “7.2” that might garner some attention.

“When hikers are in the store purchasing supplies for their hike, they will notice a collection of items that celebrate the completion of the loop, including T-shirts with a large ‘7.2’ and hats embroidered with ‘I Hiked the Trail of Ten Falls,’” he says. “This inspires them to complete the loop so they can return to the store to purchase these trophies.”

TIP: Stock souvenirs that call out unique features of the park or the name drop to help customers celebrate and remember their hike.

Keep pets in mind

The main display table at the front of the store features a thoughtful mix of souvenir T-shirts and caps as well as some hiking essentials such as sunglasses, drawstring bags and even dog treats for hungry pets at the park. The destination retailer didn’t forget to have some pet waste bag dispensers for guests who might have forgotten those back home, either!

TIP: Pets like hikes, too! Have some essentials for furry friends visiting the park.

126 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

SNAPSHOTS: TEN FALLS SUPPLY CO.

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

Sustainable and local finds

Luxury Turkish travel towels and blankets might not be common at park stores, but Ten Falls Supply Co. has a table piled with these sustainably made towels from wholesale vendor Shaka Love. Johnson says the store tries to find products that are either made from recycled materials or give back to the environment.

Local gifts made by artists from Oregon are also on display at the store, such as handcrafted jewelry and custom designs on mugs.

“Roughly 40% of our vendors are made or based in Oregon, and 60% of our products are made in the USA,” says Johnson. “Items that are imported are made from recycled materials or give back to the environment through 1% for the Planet programs. We have given each and every product in the store thoughtful consideration.”

TIP: Sustainably made and sourced souvenirs align well with many parks’ missions of protecting the environment.

Ready for the elements

The gift shop conveys independent hiking store vibes, with some guests describing it as a “mini REI.” Johnson says that description isn’t too far off the mark.

“We have essentials that will get you through the hike safely — hydration supplies, healthy snacks, Darn Tough socks, first aid kits, waterproof bags, rain jackets, maps, etc.

And we have items that will help you celebrate and remember your hike,” he says.

Some souvenirs — such as caps, hoodies and jackets — can also be essential hiking gear, particularly if a customer forgot to bring an extra layer on cold days.

TIP: Always offer apparel for all seasons so people can wear their new souvenir apparel on the hike.

Think about add-on sales

When setting up store displays, Ten Falls Supply Co. mixes and matches offerings within its display tables to encourage add-on sales. Instead of having all the mugs on one table, the store shows off an assortment of mugs, tumblers and some locally roasted coffee to try in the new drinkware.

Trail snacks are also great add-on sale options. Customers can find granola bars and nuts along a back wall of the store.

TIP: Don’t forget to stock food and drink for hikers who want a snack on the hike.

128 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

MERCHANDISING: MEN’S SOUVENIRS

OFFERING A MIX OF SIMPLE SOUVENIRS AND SURPRISING FINDS IN A DEFINED MEN’S SECTION OF YOUR STORE CAN LEAD TO MORE SALES.

GEARED

FOR THE GUYS STORY BY M E G A N S MA LLEY

W

hen Bert Peake opened Peake Photography & Design Art & Gifts in Jenks, Oklahoma, a little over a decade ago, she quickly recognized a trend among customers.

“As I was watching people shop, many women brought their husbands in. The husbands would quickly find a chair because they had nothing to shop for — they were bored,” says Peake. “They would wait for their significant other to finish shopping. And I thought: Wow. We’re missing something here!”

Seeing an opportunity, Peake says she opened a

section of the gift shop just for men that she dubbed “My Guys Mercantile.” She filled the section with men’s gifts and apparel, and it was a hit.

“My Guys Mercantile took off, and the men really liked it,” she says.

The mini shop within a gift shop and photography studio has grown, focused on offering a wide selection of men’s gifts and mementos tied to Oklahoma. Peake says men of all ages appreciate the store for its interesting displays and quirky gifts, such as coffee table books filled with dad jokes or grilling spices with laugh-out-loud names.

Several destination retailers just like My Guys Mercantile have found that dedicating a section of their

132 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

MERCHANDISING: MEN’S SOUVENIRS

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

A goofy Bigfoot plush garners some laughs on the display table at My Guys Mercantile, and staple name-drop caps are kept neat along slat wall.

stores just for men can be profitable for them and encourage a demographic that isn’t always interested in shopping to do just that — to shop.

The keys are in merchandising well, offering bold displays along with some staple souvenirs and gifts that appeal to men of all ages.

OFFER SURPRISES To encourage men to shop, Peake says she found that creating surprising displays has helped.

“I think you have to mix things up. Men sometimes shop differently than women — they want to be surprised!” she says.

As an example, she once showcased some trendy hot sauces that were shaped like grenades with toy soldiers stationed around it. The setup helped to turn heads. Customers also enjoy a fight bell that hangs on the wall, which can also be purchased if customers want one.

“Men go right up to that fight bell and ring it,” she adds. “It generates a lot of excitement.”

Bold displays also go a long way for Caroline Olson at Post Road Supply Co. in Old Saybrook,

Pro Tip At Post Road Supply Co. in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, Owner Caroline Olson packs her main display table with a wide variety of men’s gifts and souvenirs to show the store’s breadth. The fun displays certainly capture attention. But on top of eye-catching displays, Olson says she always makes sure that her display table feels “shoppable.”

The display table always has some extra items that are easily accessible to grab on top or on the side.

“Sometimes a store’s display is so beautiful that you feel you can’t shop them,” she says. “You don’t want customers to feel like if they pick something up then the display will fall apart!”

134 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

Connecticut. Olson likes to create large statement pieces to draw attention to trending gifts for men — a dirt bike surrounded by name-drop hats, games and beer tumblers. A jet ski surrounded by mugs, tumblers, games and deodorants.

“We’re trying to really set the tone, make it a vibe,” she says.

The vibe that Olson is trying to create is a boutique shopping experience for men looking for New England apparel and gifts during their time in Old Saybrook. She says she opened the store in 2021 focused on men’s name-drop apparel and gifts, filling a much-needed niche in the community as a one-stop destination for the guys in town.

On top of having big statement pieces, Olson says she also decorates the walls with vintage signs, deer head, fish and other outdoor gear that might resonate with men coming in.

“I want customers to have an experience when shopping, not just like walking down the aisle at a big-box store to pick up deodorant,” says Olson. “So we enjoy giving men a curated shopping experience. We also make sure that the store appeals to women who come in to buy gifts for men, too.”

STOCK THE STAPLES Beyond the eye-catching displays, stocking souvenirs and gifts that specifically appeal to men can help reach that demographic more. Angela Rosales, owner of Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery in Ventura, California, says she notices that men tend to gravitate toward T-shirts, mugs, shot glasses and stickers. www.sgnmag.com

MERCHANDISING: MEN’S SOUVENIRS

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

At Very Ventura, guys tend to gravitate toward apparel, like classic name-drop T-shirts and collectible souvenir stickers.

“They love stickers — men come in and buy a lot of stickers,” she says.

Very Ventura offers destination apparel and a carefully curated selection of souvenirs and coastal gifts in its 1,600-squarefoot shop in downtown Ventura.

Rosales says a lot of men have expressed appreciation in the store’s merchandise selection.

“Some of the best compliments about our store and product line come from our male customers,” she says. “We know we’re doing something right when a man says, ‘I better bring my wife here, she would love it.’”

Rosales says she focuses on offering souvenir apparel with classic looks and simple graphics.

But, she adds, she is still mindful of the fabric options for men’s apparel, focusing on offering T-shirts made of higher quality materials.

“One of the first things I learned when curating for men is that men are just as picky to fabric and style as women are,” she says. “Men may try to claim otherwise, but don’t let them fool you!”

Olson has found that men like simple designs and color schemes with their apparel.

“I’ll use just a few colors of T-shirts that mesh well with each other in the store,” she says, explaining that it also makes setting up mannequin displays easier. “I’ll have a red T-shirt on display along with blue swim trunks that look great together, almost effortless.”

Versatility is also important, with men liking apparel and gifts that serve multiple purposes.

Olson shares, “We carry these Fair Harbor 136 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

shorts that are like all-in-one shorts — they can be worn as swim trunks but also as boat shorts or bar shorts.” She adds that men will often purchase a pair of Fair Harbor shorts along with a simplistic T-shirt to complete their look for a beach day.

STIMULATING YET SIMPLE Peake says she’s always trying to come up with surprising displays for My Guys Mercantile, just to make sure the store stays stimulating for both visitors and locals in town.

“A lot of times customers will say this is the most interesting store they have been in and that products in the displays don’t always go together, but that’s fun,” she says. “We do that on purpose.”

Mixing and matching products is great, but Rosales says it’s also important to keep the merchandise accessible. “We manage to pack a lot of items in without things looking too crowded,” she says. “I think men stick around longer in a place that isn’t cluttered.”

Post Road Supply Co. often shows off a wide variety of merchandise on its main display table, but Olson says she keeps a clean, simple look for the merchandise itself. She says it’s also very important to have at least a few T-shirts in every size available on the sales floor.

Since opening in 2021, the quirky displays along with well-curated merchandise has been key for business at Post Road Supply Co. “There’s so much power in your merchandising strategy,” Olson adds. “Are you merchandising in a way that people want to buy the products? A lot of stores will sell the same thing or use the same vendors, but merchandising is the heart of your retail business.” SGN www.sgnmag.com

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: THE LOST SEA

FALL TRADE SHOW SECTION

THE LOST SEA Sweetwater, TN RETAIL MANAGER: Brandon Freeman BESTSELLERS: Apparel and gems RETAIL TIP: Attend shows for ideas.

STORY BY K RIST E N HA M PSHIRE Shane Photos: 2 years.

2 r fo a ost Se at the L d retail le s a h n Freema Brandon

s Hawkin

Spelunking for souvenirs

E

The variety of gifts runs deep at the Lost Sea, which is known for its large underground lake. arly settlers used Craighead Caverns at the Lost Sea as a natural fridge for storing veggies. Relics from the Cherokee like arrowheads and jewelry have been unearthed from the cave’s depths. Some 20,000 years ago, a giant Pleistocene jaguar lost its way in the underground wonder. His bones were recovered from a crevice and are on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

“The cavern was used by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, who mined for saltpeter, a key ingredient in gunpowder,” shares Brandon Freeman, retail manager at Lost Sea Village, which includes a main gift shop at the cavern’s entrance. Beyond the visitor center is a cluster of rustic log-cabin outposts — a sweet shop, general store, glass blowing gallery and gem mine attraction.

A treasure trove of history awaits at Lost Sea in Sweetwater, Tennessee — most remarkably, a 4.5-acre lake at the bottom of the vast cavern system, a designated National Natural Landmark. It’s the country’s largest underground lake, and visitors can take guided tours by glass-bottom boat.

Freeman, in many ways, operates at ground zero for offering fascinating facts about Lost Sea while overseeing a souvenir shop that extends guests’ exploration of the landmark and nearby the Great Smoky Mountains.

He has headed up Lost Sea’s retail for 22 years, spelunking for apparel, keepsakes, children’s goodies, practical gear (the cave is only 58 degrees), name-drop products and gemstones.

“The gift shop offers a variety because we draw guests from all over,” says Freeman, noting that a mix of first-

138 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

“

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: THE LOST SEA

A lot of people visit Lost Sea in the summertime when it’s really hot outside, so they come in shorts and T-shirts and once they enter, they feel that cool, humid air and grab a sweatshirt to stay warm.” — BRANDON FREEMAN, RETAIL MANAGER

time and returning visitors calls for stocking fresh designs and top-selling favorites.

A VARIETY ON DISPLAY Just as Lost Sea’s cavern expands for miles, from a modest natural opening to a series of huge rooms, its main gift shop offers a similar shopping environment with product categories orgaName-drop stickers sell by the handful at the Lost Sea gift shop, as do a wide variety of collectible gems and stones.

140 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

nized into departments.

The newly renovated shop is adjacent to the ticket desk and first stop for visitors entering and exiting a cave tour. Freeman stocks inventory for “before” and “after.”

“A lot of people visit Lost Sea in the summertime when it’s really hot outside, so they come in shorts and T-shirts and once they enter, they feel that cool, humid air and grab a sweatshirt to stay warm,” he says.

“We sell more sweatshirts and long-sleeve tees in the summer than winter,” Freeman notes.

Apparel is a top category, and the gift shop enlists in GoTeez for its graphic styles, providing concept ideas to its team to create new

www.sgnmag.com

designs every year. Repeat visitors appreciate seeing variety, and most guests look for a namedrop, location and the year Lost Sea was established.

Lost Sea also works with Ohiopyle Prints for screen-printed designs using stock images to fulfill a volume of apparel staples.

“We have a summer group that comes twice a year and we always try to keep that one standard design for them because that’s what they like to buy,” says Freeman, who tunes into customers’ asks and buying patterns so he can purchase what sells.

Souvenirs like magnets, shot glasses and keychains sell big. Stickers with Smoky Mountain and Lost Sea images made with a matte finish sell by the handfuls — and visitors collect patches and pins for backpacks.

Mini Stan Lee cups from Siesta Drinkware are having a moment. “They’re the size of a shot glass, available in all colors and feature our

www.sgnmag.com

namedrop,” says Freeman, who often overhears, “Those are so cute!”

JUST FOR FUN There is some overlap in the souvenir category at the General Store, which offers more rustic, country fare like candles, wind chimes and wooden pop guns. But for the most part, Freeman likes to offer a fresh take on retail at each outpost.

Graphic tees and hoodies with the Lost Sea name drop are top sellers at the gift shop.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE 141

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: THE LOST SEA

These Mini Stan Lee tumblers from Siesta Drinkware get customers’ attention.

The main Lost Sea store is visitors’ destination for all things Lost Sea, while nearby themed shops offer different experiences. For example, the General Store carries Ty and Aurora plush, including Smokey the Bear and licensed Peanuts characters. Sasquatch is a given.

At the main store, a display from Toys South chock full of a variety of souvenirs suited for kids’ allowances and field trip shoppers includes baby dolls, cars, toy snakes and small plush, ranging from $2.99 to $9.99.

“The display has lots of bins, is neat and clean, doesn’t take up a lot of room and kids gravitate toward it,” says Freeman.

He found Toys

142 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

South by watching his own children beeline to a gift shop display while on vacation at Dollywood. “When I go somewhere with my kids, I see what they look at and that is what I look for when I’m buying,” Freeman relates. “They walked to the display and that sold me on it.”

Freeman also attends the Smoky Mountain Gift Show every year to gather ideas and meet with existing and potential vendors. He often buys ahead for the busy summer season.

A warehouse on-site houses inventory and some storage is available in the main store so staff can keep displays full. This summer, Freeman says, “If we didn’t nail it to the wall, we probably sold it.”

SOLD ON SHINY OBJECTS Cavern explorers of all ages are drawn to the gift shop’s gem, geode and rock collectibles. Freeman watches them linger over the helpful info cards provided by Squire Boone Village for its R series

www.sgnmag.com

“

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: THE LOST SEA

When I go somewhere with my kids, I see what they look at and that is what I look for when I’m buying.”

— BRANDON FREEMAN, RETAIL MANAGER

that explains specimens ranging from geodes to amethyst and fool’s gold.

“The cards explain general information about the mineral, how it was made and why it is a certain color,” explains Freeman. “There is a bar code we can scan at the counter, making these easy to purchase, and cards are for customers to keep.”

A One Stop Rock Shop display from Village Originals with compartmentalized bins holds smaller specimens like arrowheads, while center shelves showcase agate slabs and larger geodes.

These displays are kept close to the cash wrap.

Just as minerals rock at the Lost Sea, visitors also look for other cave-related souvenirs such as kids’ mining hats and they can try their hand at

www.sgnmag.com

sifting for treasures at Lost Sea Village’s gem mine attraction.

With glimmering minerals and underwater cave-lake lights, there’s never a dull moment overseeing retail at Lost Sea Village.

Freeman says, “We’re open year-round except Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we’re always keeping an eye out for new products to see what might be a fit.” SGN Kids enjoy these bright souvenir mining hats at this cave attraction.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE 143

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR

SEPT. 4-6 Surf Expo Orlando, Florida www.surfexpo.com

Oct. 22-24 Panama City Beach Resort Show Panama City, Florida www.pinnacle-shows.com

SEPT. 8-9 Metro Michigan Show Livonia, Michigan www.silverliningshows.com/ michigan-ww-market/ SEPT. 9-10 New England Made Giftware & Specialty Food Shows Boxborough, Massachusetts www.nemadeshows.com SEPT. 10-11 Mid-Atlantic Merchandise Mart Philadelphia www.midatlanticmart.com

Nov. 4-6 International Gift Exposition in the Smokies Sevierville, Tennessee www.iges.us

SEPT. 16-19 Las Vegas Gift & Resort Souvenir Show Las Vegas www.lvsouvenirshow.com SEPT. 16-18 Atlanta Fall Market Atlanta www.atlantamarket.com SEPT. 16-18 Dallas Total Home & Gift Market Dallas www.dallasmarketcenter.com

Nov. 5-8 Smoky Mountain Gift Show Gatlinburg, Tennessee www.smokymtngiftshow.com

SEPT. 17-19 Shoptalk Fall Chicago www.shoptalk.com SEPT. 29-30 The Indy Show Tipton, Indiana www.silverliningshows.com/ the-indy-show

OCTOBER Nov. 16-18 Ocean City Resort Gift Expo Ocean City, Maryland www.oceancitygiftshow.com

OCT. 3-5 GTS Greensboro Expo Greensboro, North Carolina www.gtshows.com

144 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

OCT. 4-6 Trendz West Palm Beach, Florida www.trendzshow.com OCT. 6-7 Seattle Mart Fall Show Seattle www.seattlemart.com OCT. 14-17 Atlanta Apparel Atlanta www.atlanta-apparel.com OCT. 14-17 The Gathering Orlando, Florida www.thegatheringevent.com/east OCT. 19-21 Northstar Fashion Exhibitors St. Paul, Minnesota www.northstarfashion.com OCT. 21-24 Dallas Apparel & Accessories Dallas www.dallasmarketcenter.com OCT. 28-30 Northern New England Gift & Souvenir Show Bartlett, New Hampshire www.northern-new-england-gift-andsouvenir-show.ueniweb.com

NOVEMBER NOV. 5-8 International Gift Exposition in the Smokies Pigeon Forge, Tennessee www.iges.us NOV. 10-12 Atlanta Market Fall Cash & Carry Atlanta www.americasmart.com/markets/ fall-cash-and-carry

DECEMBER DEC. 7-10 Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show Myrtle Beach, South Carolina www.grandstrandgiftshow.com

www.sgnmag.com

© ENVATO; © ADOBE STOCK

SEPTEMBER

TRADE SHOW NEWS

Atlanta Market showcases industry momentum

The summer 2025 edition of Atlanta Market brought renewed momentum and a sense of solidarity to the gift, home and outdoor industries July 15-21, welcoming buyers and sellers from across the globe to AmericasMart Atlanta.

The co-location with Casual Market Atlanta further expanded cross-category sourcing opportunities, reinforcing Atlanta Market’s value as a destination for connection, discovery and resilience.

“Atlanta Market continues to deliver on its promise of supporting and elevating both emerging and established brands, offering a powerful combination of community and commerce,” said Jon Pertchik, ANDMORE CEO. “In a climate shaped by shifting economic conditions, our focus remains clear: investing in the buyer experience and creating meaningful opportunities for growth among buyers and sellers.”

The summer 2025 Atlanta Market drew a diverse audience of domestic and international buyers, including a solid attendance from the Southeast, Midwest and Western United States, as well as a sustained Canadian and Latin American presence. In addition to mass merchants, independent retailers and interior designers, 10 buying groups also convened in Atlanta for the major wholesale event.

Three buildings presented more than 1,000 permanent showrooms across categories featuring new product lines, expanded assortments and immersive displays. In the gift category, major agencies and brand partners energized the event with new seasonal collections, underscoring the importance of a physical marketplace.

“Markets like Atlanta are invaluable. It’s where you get the most comprehensive assortment of vendors, and this year, buyers are showing up, writing more orders than the previous year, and they’re really engaging. We couldn’t be happier,” said Garry Schermann, Creative Co-Op senior vice president of sales.

Atlanta Market’s nearly 1,000 temporary exhibitors delivered a high-impact resource for new product discovery. Spread across seven categories on the lower eight floors of Buildings 2 and 3, the temporary exhibits offered buyers curated access to international makers, handmade goods, gourmet foods, lifestyle products and more.

“Atlanta Market has been such a great experience. It’s our first time exhibiting in the South, so we’ve been able to connect with a whole new base of customers who hadn’t seen our products before,” shared Emilie Wong, marketplace and trade marketing manager at Original Duckhead. “This show has truly opened the door to new accounts and exciting growth beyond our core audience.”

Atlanta Market will return Jan. 13-19, 2026. Due to the FIFA World Cup, the summer 2026 Atlanta Market runs June 9-14, 2026, combining with Atlanta Apparel which will deliver added cross-category discovery throughout the AmericasMart campus.

146 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

Heart on Main Street raises over $25,000 at summer event Heart on Main Street’s One Day. One Heart. fundraiser brought the gift and home industry together for a day of giving during the summer Atlanta Market event at AmericasMart Atlanta. The July 18 all-day event raised more than $25,000 to benefit independent retailers impacted by natural disasters.

Heart on Main Street described the fundraiser as “a statement of solidarity.” Participating showrooms included The Butler Group, Two’s Company, OneCoast, The Link Companies, Raz Imports, Nora Fleming, Road Runners, Tag, Transpac Brands, Gib Carson and Associates.

Proceeds from the event will support Heart on Main Street’s disaster relief fund, which has already helped retailers such as Willow Creek Gifts in Chimney Rock, North Carolina, and J. Gabriel in Waynesville, North Carolina.

The One Day. One Heart. event follows the success of Heart on Main Street’s January fundraiser hosted by The Link Companies, which raised over $20,000 in one evening.

www.sgnmag.com

TRADE TRADESHOW SHOWNEWS NEWS

Summer 2025 Las Vegas Market spurs trend discovery among buyers Las Vegas Market’s summer 2025 edition delivered a dynamic sourcing experience fueled by fresh products and strategic connection. With more than 3,500 product lines spanning permanent showrooms and curated temporary exhibits, the event affirmed its role as a vital platform for commerce and community.

“Las Vegas Market plays a critical role in shaping how our industry connects, grows and adapts,” said Jon Pertchik, CEO of ANDMORE. “It’s not just about sourcing; it’s about creating the conditions for innovation, partnership and longterm success. At ANDMORE, we’re investing in brands, experiences and relationships that help our customers thrive and ensure this market-

www.sgnmag.com

place remains essential to the future of retail and design.”

Las Vegas Market’s positioning as a destination for West Coast sourcing continues to attract a broad audience. Throughout the campus, permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits brought together a mix of established and emerging brands.

In temporary presentations, The Gift & Home Temporaries in the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas boasted about 450 brands this July to provide exciting discovery of budding names in the industry.

New exhibitors identified a strong community within the temporaries and enthusiasm from buyers as a key highlight of the week.

This summer, *Noted: The

Greeting Card Expo also made its Las Vegas Market debut, expanding its reach beyond San Francisco and opening new opportunities for greeting card makers and stationery brands. The dedicated section featured 50 member brands.

The winter Las Vegas Market is Jan. 25-29, 2026, at World Market Center Las Vegas.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE 147

TRADE SHOW NEWS

Dallas Total Home & Gift Market opens summer show season with retailer optimism Dallas Market Center kicked off the summer show season with retailer optimism and steady order writing during its Total Home & Gift Market, June 18-24. The show welcomed thousands of independent retail decision makers from coast to coast and internationally, as well as a large number of major retailers and buying groups.

“We were extremely pleased with the new show given the shifting economic and global trade conditions,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center.

“Not only did retailers arrive in force but they were optimistic and eager to place orders especially with exhibitors who had in-stock items or new

products. The consistent message we heard from exhibitors was that the show ‘exceeded their expectations.’

We have worked hard to stand with retail, oppose tariffs and promote the in-person market experience as the best opportunity to have conversations, make informed decisions and discover products that will make a difference for their business.”

Attendance included a large number of buyers who have never attended market in Dallas, according to Dallas Market Center. This trend of attendance by more new buyers, which began during the pandemic, has remained consistent as retailers and interior designers visit the Dallas events.

148 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

“There’s something special about this market. We discovered at least three to five new vendors we didn’t expect,” said Karen Wooten of Hallmark in Mesa, Arizona.

New showrooms debuted for the June event with an immediate strong return on their investment. Ida Mae Home opened a new showroom in the World Trade Center and commented on the immediate results.

The next Total Home & Gift Market will take place Sept. 16-18 at Dallas Market Center.

www.sgnmag.com

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

CATCHING OUR EYE Looking for something new to offer? Here are some trending products that are sure to turn heads.

3 2

1

4 5

6

7

9

8

1. Messy Moose Socks: Baby socks - mermaid, www.messymoosesocks.com; 2. Mountain Graphics: Natural Tunnel State Park camp mug, www.mtgraphics.com; 3. The Cottonseed Marketplace: Bear-dogwood name-drop ornament, www.faire.com/direct/cottonseedmarketplace; 4. First & Main: Soft stuffed iguana, www.firstandmain.com; 5. Ohiopyle Prints: Namedrop rain jacket, www.ohiopyleprints.com; 6. Jilzarah: Vacation Memories bracelet, www.wholesale.jilzarah.com; 7. Animals Forever: Flamingo name-drop snowglobe, www.littlecritterz.com; 8. The Petting Zoo: Horse backpack plush, www.pettingzooplush.com; 9. Impulse Souvenirs: Haunted Hollywood beanie, www.impulsesouvenirs.com.

Have a product to feature? Send a high-resolution image and description to: katie@breakwallpublishing.com.

150 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

AD INDEX

1 Brilliant Gift – www.1brilliantgift.com..............................92-93 A.T. Storrs Ltd. – www.atstorrs.com............................................ 11 Alaskan Suncatchers – www.alaskansuncatchers.com................................................142 American Gift Corp. – www.agiftcorp.com...........................65 Amish Craft – www.amishcraft.com..........................................113 Amusemints – www.amusemints.com....................................107 Animals Forever – www.animalsforever.net..........................125 Artistic Impressions – www.maiwholesale.com......... 118-119 Atlanta Market – www.atlantamarket.com/gift.................145 Beacon Design – www.beacondesign.com.............................. 15 Better Magnets – www.bettermagnets.com.......................105 BMA Souvenirs – www.bmasouvenirs.com............................117 Bucket Wonders – www.bucketwonders.com.....................101 Cape Shore – www.cape-shore.com..........................................95 Capsmith Inc. – www.capsmith.com...................................60-61 Cool Jewels – www.cooljewels.com...................................130-131 Creature Comforts – www.parkdalenovelty.com............... 55 Cruz Accessories – www.cruzaccessories.com.....................115 Desperate Enterprises – www.desperate.com..................... 57 Deva Designs – www.devadesignsjoy.com............................... 31 Dutch American Import Co. – www.dutcham.com.............5 Eagle Emblems – www.eeincusa.com....................................... 72 Exist – www.existcatalog.com.......................................................99 Exotic Sea Images – www.exoticseaimages.com.................80 Fiesta Toy – www.fiestatoy.com..................................................69 Forest, Tides and Treasures – www.sewardproperties.com.................................................... 34 Friendly Crystals – www.friendlycrystals.com......................116 Garment Gear – www.garmentgear.com.................................33 Gift for Life – www.giftforlife.org..............................................147 Global World – www.globalworldllc.com..............................137 Great Lakes Promotions – www.greatlakespromotionsllc.com......................................26 Holden International – www.holdenintl.us......................... 109 IGES – www.iges.us............................................................................149 Impulse Souvenirs – www.impulsesouvenirs.com............155 Island Pearl Traders – www.islandpearltraders.com...........111 Jack Russell – www.flo-glotransfers.com................................ 25 Jackson Pacific – www.jacksonpacific.com.............................85 Jilzarah – wholesale.jilzarah.com.................................................. 77 Kerusso – wholesale.kerusso.com.............................................. 133 Kurt S. Adler – www.kurtadler.com............................................ 17 Las Vegas Market – www.lasvegasmarket.com....................151 LaserGifts – www.lasergifts.com................................................156 Liberty Graphics – www.lgtees.com...................................74-75 Lipco Group – www.lipco.biz......................................................... 51 Little Critterz – www.littlecritterz.com...................................89 McCutcheon’s Apple Products – www.mccutcheons.com............................................................ 79 Mei Wah – www.meiwah.com...................................................... 22

Mitchell Proffitt – www.mitchellproffitt.com.....................135 Mountain Graphics – www.mtgraphics.com........................127 Natural Selections International, Inc. – www.naturalselectionsinc.com............................................... 23 Ohiopyle Prints Inc. – www.ohiopyle81.com..................................................................141 Panama City Beach Gift Show – www.pinnacle-shows.com/ panama-city-beach-gift-show.............................................. 148 Parris Manufacturing – www.parristoys.com........................91 Pennybandz – www.pennybandzwholesale.com...............123 Pichincha – www.pichinchagifts.com........................................82 R.S. Covenant Inc. – www.rscovenant.com.............................81 Rabbit Studios – www.billandtracirabbit.com......................88 Rhode Island Novelty – www.rinovelty.com........................59 Seagull International Inc. – www.seagullintl.com..............114 Signs 4 Fun – www.signs4fun.com..............................................83 Silver Streak – www.silverstreaks.com.................................12-13 Smoky Mountain Gift Show – www.smokymtngiftshow.com..........................................36-47 Souvenir Avanti Inc. – www.souveniravanti.com................29 Souvenir Source – www.souvenirsource.com..........................7 Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties – www.sgnmag.com.................................................................35, 103 Spoontiques – www.spoontiques.com....................................87 SS Handcrafted Art – www.sshandart.com...........................68 Stickers Northwest – www.stickersnorthwest.com....................................................10 Stuffed States USA – www.stuffedstatesusa.com.............24 Surf Expo – www.surfexpo.com.................................................153 Tangico – www.tangicousa.com...................................................97 The Charleston Mint – www.thecharlestonmint.com................................................ 140 The Cottonseed Marketplace – www.cottonseedmarketplace.faire.com...........................143 The Petting Zoo – www.pettingzooplush.com.....................73 The RGU Group – www.thergugroup.com/branding..................................... 18-19 Touchstone Distributing – www.touchstonedistributing.com........................................90 Town Pride – www.townpride.com............................................. 21 Urban Charm – www.urbancharminspires.com...................114 Village Originals – www.villageoriginals.com.......................139 Wayne Carver – www.waynecarver.com............................2-3, 9 Wheeler Manufacturing – www.wheelerjewelry.com......................................................... 53 Whistle Creek – www.whistlecreek.com................................. 78 Wildthings – www.wildthingstshirts.com................................ 67 Wind River – www.windriverchimes.com...............................129 Xplorer Maps – www.xplorermaps.com..................................121

152 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com

SUNSHINE AWARD

Winner: Pebbles Toys & Gifts Location: New Haven, CT

SUNSHINE

Store Manager: Lauren Coleman

AWARD

Play it forward

F

STORY BY KR I ST E N H A MPS H IR E

rom donating more than 200 books to a literacy nonprofit to gifting 10 boxes full of new toys to pediatric patients, Pebbles Toys & Gifts is a community hub and immersive play wonderland in New Haven, Connecticut.

The year-old shop’s founding mission is centered on creating an environment that’s warm, whimsical, comfortable and community driven.

Owner Alex Kleiner enlisted Lauren Coleman, store manager, to

bring their shared vision to life.

“We truly believe in what we are doing,” says Coleman, who engages nonprofit partners, entrepreneurs and giving individuals to join

“We are in the business of spreading joy, and we are grateful when people come here to spend their time.” — LAUREN COLEMAN Pebbles Toys & Gifts and make a difference.

In its first year, Pebbles donated more than $5,000 directly to nonprofits and contributed a combined $6,500 in sponsorships for school and youth causes.

SPREADING JOY

“We reach out to all of the pre-K, childcare and elementary schools to support them in their fundraising by donating gift baskets, gift cards Guests may gravitate to Pebbles’ selection of colorful picture books or its racks full of playful plush. Photos: Lo Escu

SPONSORED BY:

and promoting their events on social media,” says Coleman. “We are in the business of spreading joy, and we are grateful when people come here to spend their time.”

Pebbles spreads joy through its “crafternoon” story sessions on weekends that are tailored to visitors and locals, offering hands-on fun with no strings attached. During the annual kids Halloween costume parade in town, Pebbles serves cider and hosts pumpkin painting.

“The purpose is to invite everyone to join the fun while giving back,” says Coleman, noting the store won the Connecticut’s Best Toy Store vote.

Kleiner says, “We have achieved what we hoped for: to be an active member of the community — more than a place to buy toys.” SGN

Sunshine Awards recognize retail stores in our industry that are making a difference through charitable donations and efforts. Is your store worthy of an award? We’d love to hear from you!

Complete an entry form at www.sgnmag.com/sunshine-award.

154 SOUVENIRS, GIFTS & NOVELTIES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025

www.sgnmag.com