Museums and More

Editor’s Letter: The Proof is in the Print

"The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated." Although the quote is attributed to Mark Twain, I feel it can also be applied to the realm of print, both in personal and professional capacities. With digital and electronic innovations over the past decade, it would be easy to assume that things like a handwritten note, magazine or print ad have gone way of the dinosaur. While it's true that the era of iPads and apps has had a significant impact on the role of printed materials in our society, I would argue that print is anything but "dead." I will offer up my evidence in the form of once simple word: integration. Just because something new comes along doesn't necessarily mean that it has to take the place of something else, as one size does not fit all when it comes to the distribution…  » Read more

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Artist Spotlight: Artgame

Royce McClure sees art as a license for creativity and fun In a world of competition and talk of economic woe, it's often good to remember that life should not be taken too seriously. When Royce McClure started Artgame almost 20 years ago, he so named the company for that very reason - to remind people that art is just a game and, subsequently, art should be fun. With a focus inspired by animals and marine subjects, McClure creates art with the bright colors and patterns of tropical fish and birds used in different ways. They are not just painted in their natural environment, but used as a pattern to explore color and texture. From 3-D bookmarks and posters to the world's largest puzzle, McClure has gone on to prove that art can be both fun and functional, and accessible to all. Water WorldMcClure grew…  » Read more

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Take Note

Greeting cards, stationery can help you write a better bottom line In an age of electronic communication, one might think that greeting cards and stationery products have gone way of the dinosaur. In actuality, greeting cards sales have remained stable and can be used by specialty retailers to not only generate profits, but also to set the tone for the unique nature of a store. "Each specialty retailer needs to offer something different from what is found in the big box and product that fits the needs to its specific customers," said George White of Up With Paper. "Once the niche is identified, then load with products that reach that niche. With that said, unique greeting cards serve to both put the consumer on notice that the store offers unique product and to drive incremental sales." Notes of AppealAs a whole, White has found unique…  » Read more

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Growing Gifts

Where sales and service come naturally More than 250,000 people walk by the door of the 500-square-foot Growing Gifts shop at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wis., every year, and when they step inside, they immediately know they're in a nature-centric garden gift store. Located right inside the front door of the visitor center, hanging bird houses and feeders, garden sculptures and stakes, a carefully selected collection of garden-related books for kids and adults and a collection of plants that varies with the season spill out into the entry hallway. The space may be limited, but the selection is not. "What we offer is an eclectic mix of products, many locally sourced," said Cindy Sullivan, gift shop manager. "We also mix in many plants that Olbrich's Conservatory staff has sourced or grown for us. These change seasonally and are sometimes hardy plants, sometimes tropical.…  » Read more

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Animal Instinct

Trends in zoo products lean toward the wild side Zoos stores are in the unique position of being located in an area where animals are showcased on a daily basis. And whether it's a pattern or a plush, animal-themed parties and products are popping up everywhere from the fashion runways to mainstream store shelves, which is good news for retailers who have been carrying similar products for years. But one of the hardest things about retail is knowing what's on the horizon and what to buy for the future. Plush always sells, but what kind? What do people visiting zoos want to take home? We took a little of the guessing game out of things for you by talking with some retailers about zoo product trends they have on their retail radar - and on their shelves. What items are currently selling in your store?…  » Read more

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Shopping at Sea

Onboard boutiques turn cruise ships into floating retail centers Shipboard retail used to consist of cramped spaces that offered duty-free merchandise and toiletries. Today's mega-ships, however, feature big-name stores, high-end items and thousands of eager shoppers ready to buy. Space allocated to retail has been steadily increasing as cruise lines introduce huge vessels each year. Even before cruise ship passengers get their ‘sea legs', they are handed a plastic card, which serves as both the key to their cabin and to a cash-free world of onboard shopping. Once the luxurious liner sails into the open sea, the duty-free boutiques open and the shop-portunities begin, said William Downey, marketing and revenue manager for Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas. "Guests spend anywhere from $500,000 to more than $1 million a week in the shops on a typical seven-day cruise aboard the Oasis," said Downey, who…  » Read more

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Social Networking

Networking in a ‘fan,' ‘like,' ‘follow' world Any profitable businessperson will tell you that networking was integral in their success. Meeting and interacting with people in your industry provides you with connections you need to move your business forward. Good networking skills can even provide you with connections you didn't think you would need - until you did. Luckily, there's an app for that. Several, actually. Never have there been more opportunities to engage your clients, your colleagues, your consumers. Social media platforms, it seems, have overtaken the Internet. While some may bemoan their presence as taking away from that "personal" connection, social networking has created myriad opportunities for businesses and marketers to reach out to their consumers and engage with them on a whole new level. According to Social Media Examiner, there are more than 800 million active Facebook users, and 53 percent of…  » Read more

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Retail Responsibility

Managing employees through conflict, emotions and more Employee conflicts, scheduling challenges, store communication. The list of why and what managers have to deal with is endless when it comes to managing their store. To make matters worse, most of the troubles are inevitable, therefore creating a constant rotation of disruptions that could affect productivity, employee morale and the overall work environment. Fortunately, there are solutions to help resolve many of these issues for good while keeping others in check that might pop up. Setting the Tone As a manager, it's your job to ensure there are no hard feelings among associates when it comes to delivering bad news, resolving a disagreement or simply stating the facts of how things are going to be. A poor move on your behalf could spiral into resentment among employees, decreased productivity and a weakened morale of your store team.…  » Read more

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