When stocking your store with quality merchandise, sometimes it is easy to overlook the sweet local treats and goodies that are handmade right in your state! Taking a moment to find those unique items to your area will make all the difference to those family members vising from out of state, or traveling long distances to see loved ones.
Below is a list of the top 3 items to carry in your shop that you can find locally!
- Candies or Perishables
When looking for something fun for not only guests but employees and patients, look no further than your candy section! As one of the top selling items in any store, getting a few sweet treats that are locally made is a surefire way to provide easy souvenirs for all visiting grandma’s, if they make it home that is!
In my years at the gift shop Angela’s Finest Caramels have been a staple in every shop I have worked. These scrumptious caramels are handmade in Salt Lake City and come fresh out of the fridge, cold and hand wrapped in parchment paper. These tasty treats come in singles for that perfect after lunch dessert, and once your employees get a taste I can promise they will be back in for every lunch break!
2. Non Perishables – Canned Goods, etc.
The next item on this is also food – and while you might think that jams and soup mixes don’t sell, well I can tell you for a fact you should try it yourself!
Here in Utah we are known as the ‘Beehive State,’ and as such we have quite a few adorable honey and other bee by product shops and local companies. Creating a classy little bee section that includes handmade items, such as embroidered hats or dish towels, as well as honey from bees right here in Utah, gives visitors a fun little taste.
Not only does honey do well, but jams have also taken off! Recently we started selling a delicious jalapeno and berry jam, and the intrigue has been enough to make it fly off the shelves. These items in particular do well in the spring and summer, when people are wanting to try new things for their picnics and potlucks!
One of the most favorite local item I have ever carried was the Utah Food Bank 8 bean soup mix. These are such a hot item and are fairly cheap! It is best to put these out early October, and keep them in stock until the beginning of January. Not only does a portion of the proceeds go directly to the Utah Food Bank to support their programs in the winter months, but it makes for the best neighbor gift for the holidays, or an easy meal for a busy working mom!
3. Other State Specific Goodies
If you have covered the bases with your candies and non perishables, you probably have just a bit more room left for those odds and ends that will fill in the gaps. My best advice is to work with companies that provide low minimums for specialty items, or see if they are already carrying something that highlights your state. Having these kind of goodies in your shop makes it easier for those short term visitors to pick something up for their trip home, or for the locals to sport a little bit of state pride!
It is very easy to carry your gift shop’s local collegiate baby gear – there are multiple companies that offer pink and/or blue versions of all team logos that every sport loving parent will adore! At my gift shop we are located near the BYU college, as well as the University of Utah, so we carry both teams gear in onesies, hats, and baby socks.
In addition to adorable baby clothes, at Market we found a jewelry company that made earrings in the shape of your state with a heart on them! We have brought these in to see how it goes, and are looking forward to bringing on more collegiate gear for men and women this season – if things get back to normal!
Marketing in a Hospital Gift Shop 