Museums and More

Editor’s Letter: Make Your Presence Known

Call me old fashioned, but I still prefer the feel of a book in my hand, a greeting card or walking the aisles of a store to their electronic counterparts. There's just something to be said for the tactile experience. But I do love technology and the convenience it affords me. On a professional level, Facebook, Twitter, websites and emails are a great way for me to connect with those in the industry. And while I realize that retailers are busy as well, it surprises me that my posts don't get more response. After all, the Internet is the fastest, easiest and most affordable way for retailers to get their store's name and brand out for all to see. This doesn't mean you have to sell items online, but rather that making your online presence known draws people in and helps you to expand your…  » Read more

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Artist Spotlight: Karen Ehart Art Glass Inc.

Branding and blending glass with class Most companies know that in order to distinguish themselves from the crowd, they need to brand their products. In the case of Karen Ehart of Karen Ehart Art Glass Inc., she literally uses a brand to distinguish herself. The symbol that appears engraved on her pieces, on her logo, in her advertising and even as a tattoo on her ankle has special meaning to her, as it evolved from a cattle brand used by her family for most of the last century in New Mexico. "This brand stands for Ehart, pronounced with the emphasis on ‘E,'" Ehart said. "It was a natural way to identify our cattle and differentiate between brands. Because it was western in style, I altered it to give it a more calligraphic look to represent my brand of kiln-fired art glass. "Even though many of…  » Read more

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2012 Trend Outlook

What will 2012 bring for the specialty store market? A little birdie - make that a trendy owl - let me in on a few tips and tricks to help retailers prepare for the year ahead. While the items that sell best in one store might not sell well in another, a few constant themes will hold true. Naturally WiseCustomers are continuing to look to connect with nature, and that's reflected not only in the material of the items they purchase, but also in actual look and theme. While animals in general are always on trend, look for owls to remain a wise choice. Their appeal is gender and age neutral, and young and old, male and female are swooping in on this trend. "Nature has been a timeless trend since our company started in 2004," said Jennifer Tatham of Night Owl Paper Goods. "Critters…  » Read more

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The Science of a Gift Store

Experiment for successful sales What are the scientific odds that, in 1797, the first members of the amateur scientific society known as The Maryland Academy of Sciences could imagine that their informal discussions might one day result in a three-story waterfront building filled with full-sized dinosaur skeletons and giant, mechanical blue crabs? One of the knowledgeable staff members at Baltimore's Maryland Science Center might be able to calculate those odds for you. Helpful nerds are scattered around the Inner Harbor's interactive museum like the very stars once studied by those learned men. Each employee is ready and eager to answer questions or fit a child with a parachute so the pint-sized future scientist can sprint down the hall and experience the effects of wind drag. Some of the early members of the Academy of Sciences, including such notable gents as Rembrandt, might be more shocked…  » Read more

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Wild Things Museum Store

Where products keep a natural heritage alive According to Sarah Wilcox, Wild Things Museum Store manager at the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, Va., the Commonwealth of Virginia is blessed with an "uncommon-wealth" of natural wonders, among the most diverse in the country. And at the Virginia Living Museum (VLM), this natural heritage comes alive. "The VLM is a private, nonprofit museum and education center dedicated to connecting people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation," Wilcox said. "We are one of only 12 institutions in the country accredited by both the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museums." That dedication extends to the Wild Things Museum Store, where the mission is to enhance the museum's revenues while offering visitors tangible mementos of their experience at the VLM. The merchandise mirrors the VLM's broad exhibit range: animals, plants, minerals…  » Read more

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Plush Profits

There's nothing soft about sales in this popular category Unlike other giftable items, plush lends itself to every retailer and just about every customer. It's a great impulse or add-on purchase and can appeal to those looking for everything from a cuddly companion to retail reminder of places they've been. Museums & More talked with several experts to let you know what this category will look like in the coming year. What can retailers expect to see in 2012? Tina WaldmierAurora WorldAurora is using a lot of realistic looking fabrics for our zoo/aquarium collections but also jazzing it up by adding in a lot of sparkle and bling. With our Fancy Pal Pet Carriers in particular, we incorporated LED lights and give a nod to top fashion with on-trend accessories and fun shapes. Elaine KolliasFolkmanisWe're always on the lookout for innovative plush that will reflect…  » Read more

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MASTERing Retail

By Ken Nisch Chairman, JGA Today the most typical formula for a self-help book-be it for personal, business or solving the world's problems-involves "steps." These steps help us organize, prioritize and provide a bit of a personal checklist to measure how we're doing, and help us determine whether we're staying on track or being faithful to the mission. In many ways, successful retail is similar to personal reinvention, but is a bit more complicated; as the "personality" of retail involves the customer, the merchant and elements such as staff, product and marketing of veritable "symbols." Depending on which of the following attributes are most aligned with your mission, the first step is to establish the two or three to focus on to achieve renewal and reinvention of your retail concept. We believe that there are six major attributes: Magnitude, Authority, Stimulation, Temptation, Ease and Revelation.…  » Read more

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Mission: Possible

Making Stellar Employees Out of So-So Associates With the good comes the bad, and in the case of retail employees, this is often the situation. From late arrivers to gossipy co-workers to lazy performances, many associates come with attitudes and habits that aren't ideal for your business. We can't overlook our achievers, however. Amidst the bad are hard workers with flexible schedules who are dedicated to your store profit. Then of course, there are those in between - the gray group. Neither black nor white in their performances - or lack of them - but instead a blend of both good and bad attributes. Sound familiar? So-so associates are common in retail, bringing to the table just enough to stay on the schedule but not enough to really shine. Simply stated, this is a problem. The real problem, however, is that this does nothing to…  » Read more

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