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From humble beginnings to our flourishing own space, catering to all, especially children. Learn what makes our refuge special and the key factors in choosing merchandise for a successful store that thrives year-round with varied visitors. Discover how to attract customers, source new merchandise, and the legacy of our hero, Art Krival.
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Do people visit your refuge to see a particular bird or other animal?
Does your Friends Group have a logo? Does the refuge have a logo?
Who Determines What to Carry? Store Manager Bookstore Committee Refuge Staff
How to Determine What to Carry • Size of Selling Space • Number of Visitors • Minimum number to purchase • Storage Space Available • Seasonal visitors or Year round • Remoteness of Refuge
Size of Selling Space • Think Beyond Books: Folding Guides, Bookmarks, Post Cards and Note Cards • Is there room for a spinner rack? These can hold lots with a small footprint • Invest in adaptable fixtures • A wall of slatwall can be adapted many ways
Number of Visitors • Visiting Public • School Groups • Birding Groups • People looking for the restroom
Minimum Number to Purchase • Not all items require a large minimun • Order books from distributors • Order pre-designed t-shirts with namedrop • Group purchases with other refuge stores
Storage Space Available • Do you have storage space within the store? • Does the refuge have a secure empty room or closet that you can use? • Can you use a storage shed on the refuge? • The closer the storage to the actual store the better
Seasonal Visitors or Year Round • Does your visitation vary from month to month? • Do you have special events?
Remoteness of the Refuge • Are You in the middle of nowhere or close to other businesses? • Do visitors hike or bike trails? • Will they need water to keep going? • Will they need sunscreen or mosquito repellant?
How to Bring Customers to Your Store • Refuge Events • Friends Group Newsletter • Guest Speakers • Author Events • Website • Email Notice
Ways to Find New Merchandise • Trade Shows • Browse Publisher & Distributor websites • Visit Other Nature Stores & Websites • Build relationships with sales reps
Trade Shows Association of Partners for Public Lands Southeast Independent Booksellers Association
Use exhibitor lists Museum Store Association APPL Trade Show
Publisher & Distributor Websites Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Sunburst Books
Build relationships with Sales Reps They will help in your search for new merchandise • Publisher Reps • Commission Reps • Distributor Reps • Gift Reps • T-Shirt Reps
Art Krival– Receiving his award for 5500 hours The hero of our story April 30 1923 – April 7 2010