Are you upset with declining sales? Don’t worry here you will get some awesome tips to increase sales of your gift store. Just read them and carefully apply them in your shop. Gift shops are quite similar to retail shops. Both types of shops should use innovative ideas to promote their business and attract customers with discount offers. Moreover, you can organize events at your business so more people will participate in it. This way, more public exposure to your gift shop and ultimately more sales.
Offer Unique Products
Gift shops are often situated in tourist-heavy areas, such as near museums, inside stadiums, and at various attractions, including amusement parks. Therefore, it's essential to stock products that cater to the preferences of local tourists.
While this may sound straightforward, the real challenge lies in executing it effectively. Rather than overwhelming your store with an abundance of shot glasses or common souvenirs, consider diversifying your offerings with unique items.
Consumers are becoming weary of encountering the same merchandise in every gift shop. Instead, pleasantly surprise them with trinkets that will genuinely delight them and make great gifts for their loved ones.
Brand Merchandise
Many items in gift shops will have designs linked to nearby places. Yet, don't forget to put your own brand on some things. For instance, clothing like t-shirts might show both a nearby place and your shop's logo. If you do it right, your store can become as popular as the nearby attractions.
Look at Wall-Drug for inspiration. It started as a shop for people going to Mount Rushmore. It wasn't doing well until the owners had a good idea. They gave free ice water to travelers during hot Midwest summers. That made their shop a destination itself, attracting over 2 million visitors yearly, and almost as many as the more impressive attraction next door.
Moreover, below you can find some gift shop products that you can personalize according to your brand. In addition, you can also provide customized experience to your customers.
- T-Shirts
- Coffee Mugs
- Water Bottles
- Wristbands
- Koozies
Filled Shelves With Essentials
If you have enough space, try to fill your shelves with everyday items. Many tourists come from far away and stay for days or even weeks. They often forget a few things, and your gift shop can be their go-to place. If there are places to stay nearby, you might become a daily stop for those visitors.
Don't forget to have a variety of snacks and drinks too. Vacationers are usually open to spending on treats. Depending on the rules where you are, consider selling wine and beer, or maybe start a quick restaurant right there. It's all about making things more convenient for the tourists. You might even gain some new regular customers, even if they're only regulars for a week.
- Snacks
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Ponchos
- Alcohol and Soft Drinks
- Chargers
- Books and Notebooks
- Cigarettes
Add Basic Services
Offering extra services alongside your products can elevate your store's appeal. These services demonstrate your care and commitment to customer satisfaction, setting your gift shop apart from competitors. Below are some important points to focus on to increase sales for your gift shop.
- Gift wrapping– Many gift shop customers buy small things to return home. Make it easy for them by having a simple gift-wrapping area or having a staff member help with wrapping. In addition, you can also have custom-printed mailer boxes for the packaging and shipping of your valuable gifts.
- Tour Info or Guides– Consider teaming up with other local tourism businesses. You can help promote various attractions or tour guide services. You might even think about offering tours of your own. It's a fun way to connect with guests on a more personal level.
- Events or Presentations–Host events in your shop related to the area. This way, more customers will visit your shop and eventually buy things from you.
Get Creative with Gift Shop Promotion
Gift shops often have a reputation for high prices on things that are usually not that costly. Don't let your store fall into that category. It's true that locations near tourist spots may have slightly higher prices due to the expensive real estate, but don't scare away potential customers with overly high costs.
A clever strategy to avoid this is by offering bundled deals. People rarely visit a gift shop for just one thing. Encourage them to buy more by grouping similar items together and offering discounts. This way, they'll feel good about saving money on everyday items and be more willing to splurge on your larger gift shop goodies. A little creative marketing like this can make a big difference.
Make sure your displays throughout the store always look fresh and neat. Displays are there to attract customers and highlight specific products you want to sell. Invest time in refreshing these areas with new designs, products, and colors. Your capable staff can assist with this process, and it's an excellent way to involve everyone while uncovering hidden talents and ambitions.
Keep Inventory Cycling
Gift shops can sometimes come across as dull and uninspiring. But it's crucial to remember that many of your customers are on vacation, filled with excitement. To support their positivity, you should match their enthusiasm and genuinely enjoy what you offer.
One effective way to achieve this is by regularly changing your products. At the very least, consider rotating items with the seasons. For example, stock up on hoodies and beanies in winter and offer ice cream and frozen drinks in the scorching summer months.
Also, consider mixing up your product selection in other ways. Experiment by testing a variety of items to see which ones sell better at different times or in different parts of your store. Use your inventory tools to gain a better understanding of how each product performs.
No comments yet