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Gift Shop Questions

  • Friday, August 18, 2023 9:57 AM
    Message # 13242636
    Cindy Short (Administrator)

    We are looking at rebranding our Gift Shop in January 2024. The current manager (which I inherited) has not made a profit in the past 4 years and the auxiliary suffered a tremendous loss this year.  We will phase her position/hours out as the year comes to a close and offer her a 'lower' position in the shop at that time.

    My questions for you are the following:

    • Do you sell scrubs in your Gift Shop? If so, what is the popular brand?
    • What hospital logo items are popular with employees?
    • Do you sell fresh flowers? If so, what is your mark-up? If not, do you utilize a kiosk?
    • Is your POS System internet based? If so, do you utilize Shopify? We currently have a hard-wired system which doesn't allow us to have pop-up sales around campus.
    • What are your top 10 selling items and top 5 vendors?
    • What are your hot items for Christmas this year?
    • Do you have fall items out at this time? When will you have your Christmas Open House?
    • Who purchases for your Gift Shop? It looks as though I will be the one purchasing for our shop in the future and I have never been to market! Do you attend market in Atlanta?

    I'm sure there will be more questions to follow as I feel my way through, but I appreciate anything you can share!

    Sincerely, 

    Cindy

  • Saturday, August 19, 2023 8:30 AM
    Reply # 13243015 on 13242636

    Cindy, 

    These are awesome questions. I have answered them, if you have any questions you can call me or email me. I would also like if you will, share any information you get that is not posting on here. 

    1. I don't sell scrubs. My shop is 325 square feet. The hospital is building on and a new gift shop will be included. Should be twice the size it currently is. However, the employees can purchase uniforms from First Uniforms online and use payroll deduction. We get a rebate from First Uniform. 

    2. I am in the process of purchasing LOGO shirts. I was asked to sell them in the new shop. I have gotten a few from Queensboro. 

    3. I do sell fresh flowers. The mark up is 30%. 

    4. I am with MM Hayes. They were able to handle out tier payroll deduction for the shop. The employee's payments are based on their balance. I can purchase a mobile unit but the cost is $3,000. a year. Means there has to be a lot of sales to comp that. 

    5. Best sellers: (not in order, just off the top of my head)

    Clothing Flowers

    Handbags Baby Bows

    Jewelry Flags

    Candy Over the counter Medicines

    Balloons Cell phone items

    6. Christmas: Water Lanterns have been a huge hit for the last 2 years. We also sell Grinh items really well. 

    7. Fall items will be going out in the next 2 weeks.

    8. Christmas is always done the last week in October. We close on friday and empty the shop except baby items and reset with Christmas. 

    9. I have always gone to Atlanta in January. However, I have been to Dallas and Last Vegas Market and Las Vegas ASD show. Christmas is my primary purchases is Atlanta. But the ASD show is mainly closeouts. So, you have to be open minded on when it will sell and having room to store it until you can sell it. You have to take most purchases asap. But you can do a huge markup on the majority of the items from there. If you want to talk about it, call me I'll explain it more. 

    I hope this helps. Please share any info you get. 

    Thanks,

    Nancy Rogers

    Scotland Health Care System

    910-291-7314

    100 Bed hospital

    1000 employees

    Laurinburg, NC




  • Monday, August 21, 2023 11:52 AM
    Reply # 13243595 on 13242636
    • Do you sell scrubs in your Gift Shop? If so, what is the popular brand? No scrubs as we have a separate Medical Supply Company owned by hospital. 
    • What hospital logo items are popular with employees?  We sell ball caps, sweatshirts and T-shirts. These items are approved to be worn as uniform pieces by staff. 
    • Do you sell fresh flowers? If so, what is your mark-up? If not, do you utilize a kiosk? We only offer live plants, no fresh flowers. We work with a local nursery with 30% to 35% margins. 
    • Is your POS System internet based? If so, do you utilize Shopify? We currently have a hard-wired system which doesn't allow us to have pop-up sales around campus. We use NCR Counterpoint- not web based but do have option to add on for additional system for sales. For our project sales, we utilize MM Hayes Quickcharge. 
    • What are your top 10 selling items and top 5 vendors? Items: LogoT-shirts, flags, Door decor, Interchangeable Badge reels/ buttons, candles, snack and food items, baby items, Essential oils, fragrance and purses.  Vendors: Evergreen, Gerson, local bakery for fresh baked goods, local food wholesaler for candy/snacks, local Lions Industries for T-shirts, Direct Fragrance for purses and fragrance and Badge A Peel for buttons and reels. 
    • What are your hot items for Christmas this year?  Ours are primarily home decor items. I do outdoor and indoor decor pieces. We always have several turns on purses and fragrances as gifts because we offer payroll deduction. 
    • Do you have fall items out at this time? I put out fall during the 1st week of August this year. I have 2 windows full and will continue to add new pieces weekly. I will have Halloween out by Sept 10.  When will you have your Christmas Open House? Planning for the 1st or 2nd week of November. Haven't pinpointed a date yet but will put out decor in the last week of October. Tree usually goes up by November 1.
    • Who purchases for your Gift Shop? I do as gift shop coordinator. I don't attend markets. I order primarily online and have a few reps that I deal with in person. 

    Angela

    UNC Health Lenoir

    Kinston, NC 




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