Buying gifts for loved ones is an activity that millions undertake every year, making gift shops one of the most lucrative businesses out there, generating a significant amount of revenue worldwide. This business has witnessed a surge of popularity in the past decade as more people started traveling and looked for fun ways to commemorate their journeys, which local community gift shops provided.
If you’re starting a gift shop in your community, here are some of the items you should consider adding to your store.
Personalized Goods
Personalized gifts are some of the best-selling goods from any gift shop as it allows shoppers to get something special and unique for their loved ones or materialize a special memory they had while visiting your community. The ability to change names or add messages to a product can drastically increase your gift store’s sales.
These products may include but aren’t limited to personalized mugs or drink glasses, phone cases, calendars, coasters, cushions, jewelry, hip flasks, jewelry boxes, t-shirts, calendars, and home decoration. You can have these products engraved via laser cutters for consistent designs, painted for a more personal touch, or printed for fast results.
Brand Merchandise and Novelty Items
You’ll notice that most gift shop products get branded with designs from local attractions and sights within its vicinity, but don’t hesitate to brand yourself with some of the goods in your store. For instance, typical products like t-shirts and other apparel products can include a nearby attraction in your community alongside your store’s logo. If you do this right, your gift stop may turn into as big of a tourist attraction as the famous sites surrounding your store.
Besides traditional t-shirts and apparel items, other common branded and novelty items you can tweak in your community’s and business’s name include coffee mugs, water bottles or tumblers, wristbands, plates, and stubby holders.
Last-Minute Essentials Besides providing unique personalized goods and typical novelty items that gift shops have, make sure to stock your shelves and counters with everyday products. That’s because most tourists are likely traveling far from home, and often for several days or weeks—and most of them usually forget one or two essentials. So, for your gift shop to achieve long-term success, it should be the ‘one-stop-shop’ for those tourists, passersby, and locals in your community. These essentials include toiletries, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sunscreens, chargers, toilet paper, and more.
Snacks and Drinks
Your store should provide a broad range of ready-to-eat snacks and drinks since people who’re vacationing are more than willing to spend money on treats while traveling. Depending on your areas’ laws and regulations, selling wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages is also a great idea to consider. It provides great convenience to tourists in the areas, giving them all they need in one shop.
Gifts for Special Occasions
Make sure to note all the special occasions throughout the year as people are more likely to buy gifts during that time, whether it’s a birthday, graduation, or Christmas. These dates provide ample opportunities to stock on themed gifts for people to buy. For instance, for Valentine’s Day, consider stocking up on chocolates, flowers, and romance-themed cards, or for Father’s Day, stock up and dad-themed products such as bundles of liquor. Gift shops are commonly found in places teeming with tourists, from outside of museums to inside stadiums, but wherever you plan on establishing your store in your community, focus on selling goods that people would actually want. The items mentioned are some of the best-selling products among tourists and casual shoppers alike—and adding them to your shop early on will give you lucrative results in no time.
