Why would you want to invest in gift shop merchandise as an adventure tour operator? As it turns out, selling gift shop merchandise can open a new stream of revenue for your business. It can cost a lot to attract a new guest to your tour. Upselling them with gift shop merchandise can help you make some of your marketing costs back.
But gift shop merchandise can also be a great thing for your guests. It is an excellent way to prolong your guests’ tour experiences. When they buy a t-shirt or photo or fridge magnet, they’re looking to hold on to the memory of your tour for years to come. That emotional attachment may also encourage them to come back to your adventure tour or recommend your tour to friends and family.
And when a guest buys gift shop merchandise from your store, it may result in free marketing for your adventure tour! If a guest wears a t-shirt with your logo on it back at home, they’re getting your name out there for you. Or a guest might share a photo of them having a great time on your tour to social media, which also lets other potential new guests know about your company. PicThrive also makes the taking, selling and sharing of these photos easy!
If you’re considering opening a gift shop to supplement your tour and business revenue, you need to decide what types of merchandise to sell. What are the products and services that you can offer that your customers would want to buy? To help you out, here’s a list of products and services for your gift shop merchandise.
Gift shop merchandise ideas for tour operators
There is a wide variety of gift shop merchandise available. You can stock physical products or offer digital products online.
The second thing to keep in mind is that you should have a clearly defined brand identity with a logo, tagline, and images or illustrations to customize your gift shop merchandise. Once you have these in place, you stock your shelves (both physical and digitally) with some of the items suggested below. This list is not exhaustive, though. There are loads of things you could stock as gift shop merchandise.
Physical Products
There are lots of different options for physical gift shop merchandise. Apparel is a great place to start. You could try selling t-shirts, sweaters, hats, scarves, and so on. These can also easily be branded with your adventure tour’s name, logo, and tagline.
Apparel
When a guest wears the t-shirt or sweater they purchased from your souvenir shop when they’re home, it’s free advertising for you! Clothing also doesn’t need a lot of retail space since it can be folded or hung up. You can display a small selection of apparel near your check-in and check-out points. Below are some companies to consider for apparel.
- East West Printing: Located in Virginia, East West Printing is a family-run business that prints t-shirts for a variety of needs. They offer custom t-shirts to fit your unique branding requirements.
- The Duck Company: Based out of Colorado, The Duck Company is a branded clothing company that offers a selection of graphic t-shirts that capture the spirit of adventure tours. You can choose from their wide selection of designs that reflect your location and the distinct appeal of your tour.
- Ouray Sportswear: Located in Colorado, Ouray Sportswear is a custom printing business that offers a wide selection of clothing styles. There’s a fit for everyone. Ouray Sportwear also offers a variety of hats. They also offer a design library, where you can change your designs as needed.
Souvenirs
Another great option for physical merchandise to sell in your adventure tour company’s gift shop are souvenirs. These are items like keychains, postcards, magnets, snow globes, mugs, and so on. You can also brand these items specifically for your tour operation. And they’re a great option because these souvenirs can be small and be used to decorate. They’re even useful in the case of mugs and glasses. Below are some suggestions for companies that sell these types of gift shop merchandise.
- The Lipco Group: The Lipco Group, from Missouri, offers an extensive range of products to sell in your gift merchandise shop. These include pens, wallets, magnets, and plush toys. There is no shortage of potential souvenirs through this wholesale retailer.
- League Legacy: A Pennsylvania-based company, League Legacy, offers a selection souvenirs such as of home décor, like key chains and Christmas ornaments. You can also order apparel and headwear through League Legacy’s services.
Jewelry
Another type of souvenir to consider including in your gift shop merchandise is jewelry. It’s a great gift because jewelry is durable, wearable, and sentimental. It can also appeal to all ages and genders. If you’re interesting in stocking jewelry in your gift shop, consider the suggested business below.
- Nature’s Expression: Nature’s Expression, located in British Columbia, Canada, is an excellent option for wholesale jewelry. They specialize in natural gifts, such as stones, crystals, and minerals.
Handcrafted merchandise
Handmade merchandise from local artists is another great souvenir to sell in your gift shop. Connect with local artists to sell their creations in your store. Make sure that you agree on prices and commissions, etc. before displaying their products.
Food
You can also consider running a café or a small refreshment station at your tour location to offer guests beverages and snacks. These can include tea, coffee, water, and homemade baked goods that you can source from local bakers.
You can also serve bigger meals, like lunch and dinner, depending on your location, how close you are to towns and cities, and if you have the right facilities for it. Also consider adding hot or cold beverages and food options depending on the season and the weather at your adventure tour location.
Digital Products
Photos and videos are visual mementos of adventures. Giving your guests the chance to buy photos and videos of them enjoying your tour is another fantastic option for bringing in extra revenue. Plus, selling photos and videos can take little gift shop space because they can be managed and sold through a tablet or computer. Or it can all be done online.
- PicThrive: With customers all over the globe, PicThrive makes it exceptionally easy to sell and share tour photos and videos with your guests. You don’t have to worry about printing supplies as the photos and videos can be digitally delivered anywhere. Photos can also be ordered either in-store or online, depending on how you create your retail space.
In short…
For your tour’s guests, gift shop merchandise is a way to fondly remember their adventure. For you, as an adventure tour operator, it’s an excellent way to have an additional source of revenue. It’s a win-win investment for your guests and you as an adventure tour operator.
