September 2, 2020 •Elder Ocampo
Humans are naturally curious creatures, and in our spare time, we like to travel to fun destinations in search of friends, adventure, and something new. We don’t just head to big cities, either. Plenty of people enjoy visiting small towns and coastal villages to escape the stress and hectic pace of life in urban environments.
Tourism is a multi-billion-dollar industry. In 2019, U.S. travel and tourism contributed $580.7 billion to global GDP. Local communities can take advantage of this money, and gift shops are particularly well-suited to the task because of the tourist-friendly wares they frequently stock.
Of course, you need to run a tight ship so that tourists and other customers can find what they need. This means getting organized with appropriate product displays, apparel racks, and more.
Product Displays
The problem for many gift shops is that they have a wide range of items to display, which makes a uniform approach to product displays practically impossible. The solution, of course, is to use various display types, including gondola shelving units, glass displays, countertop displays, rotating racks, gridwalls, and more.
To keep your store from looking like a hodgepodge of furniture, though, you’ll want to stick to a unifying theme, such as similar colors or materials. For example, a coastal boutique could use a combination of glass and weathered wood displays to imbue the space with a light, airy, beachy feel.
Apparel Racks
One popular item at many gift shops is apparel, whether it features the place name or is intended for travelers who didn’t pack appropriately for the climate. It’s easy to get overloaded, which is why you should use appropriate apparel displays, like retail clothing racks and perhaps t-shirt displays, to showcase these in-demand items.
Steer clear of bins, which will quickly become disorganized as customers dig through them, impacting the appearance of your store and the ease with which people can find what they want. Don’t forget to add hat racks, accessory displays, and mannequins to show off your most popular apparel items.
Postcard Displays
Even though email has largely obliterated the letter-writing culture, many people still observe the practice of sending postcards to loved ones when they’re on vacation. Gift shops are the ideal place to sell postcards, whether you run a shop in the bustling center of a tourist destination or you’re located inside a high-end hotel. Consider selling stamps, as well, so travelers can get everything they need in one place.
A gift shop is a great space for personalization
In our guide, "Retail Gets Personal," we discuss some strategies for personalizing your store. Gifts are personal, so use these tips to elevate the in-store experience and better connect with customers.
Gift Shops Around the Holidays
Gift shops around the holiday season make present shopping easy for your loved ones. They offer an eclectic mix of items catering to every taste and preference. The charm of gift shops lies in their diverse selections and the stories behind each product. Many items are made by local artisans and small businesses, infusing each gift with a sense of community and personal touch. By choosing gifts from these shops, you're making your loved ones' holidays special and supporting the creativity and hard work of independent makers. As you wander through the aisles filled with potential surprises, you'll be inspired by the artistry and originality of the carefully curated items on display.
Summary
S-CUBE’s end-to-end solution lets us deliver high quality store fixtures and retail solutions for gift shops of all sizes and brands nationwide for over 35 years. We’re just only a phone call away, contact us to get started today!