Gift shop

Gift ribbon If you’re someone who adheres to the adage that it’s better to give than to receive, you undoubtedly spend many hours in gift shops searching for the ideal present.

But have you ever thought what it would be like on the other side of the counter? StartupSmart has unwrapped the elements of the gift shop industry for your benefit.

What is it and who is it suited to?

Giving gifts is a tradition that spans all sections of society regardless of age, income or region.

A gift shop is a store primarily selling souvenirs relating to a particular topic or theme. Items sold include kitchenware, toys, T-shirts, postcards and handmade collections.

Gift shops are often found in tourist areas, although this is not always the case. Venues such as zoos, aquariums, national parks and museums often have their own gift shops.

There are three distinct types of gift shops:

Traditional. This type of store stocks a range of local products, often drawing on the local character of the area.
Design-led. This type of store stocks well designed gifts and accessories, often at the higher end of the price bracket.
Card and gift shops. This type of store places a much greater emphasis on cards, with a smaller selection of gifts.

The gift shop business attracts a broad range of people, although someone who can multitask and has an eye for detail is bound to do well.

Anybody working in retail should be sociable and enjoy meeting people. Running a gift shop may involve more interaction because customers will often need ideas or encouragement about what to buy.

A basic understanding of marketing, accounting and management is also important.

Rules and regulations

While there aren’t any specific rules and regulations that apply to gift shops, it’s worth making contact with an industry body such as Gift & Homewares Australia.

“We are a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to looking after the interests of our members and the industry,” it says.

The Australian Greeting Card Association is also on hand to provide industry information. The association also works as a lobby group to influence government decisions that affect the sector.

Research and competition

Although you don’t need any qualifications to start a gift shop, many people find it helpful to complete some basic commercial training.

But ultimately, the most important aspect of a gift shop is its goods. The quality and range of products will be the foundation on which your build your reputation and customer base. It is important to stock products that can’t be found anywhere else.

Your stock composition will depend greatly on the location of your business and the profile of your customers.

If you’re operating in a tourist area, keep in mind that customers will be after local specialities and might not be as adverse to gimmicky items as local customers looking for quality gifts.

Having said that, you need to ensure your stock also appeals to local residents so that you’re not solely reliant on the tourist season. In this regard, it might be an idea to consider an add-on such as a coffee bar, deli or newsagent.

If you do target the tourist market, your location will be crucial as these customers will generally be on foot and are unlikely to know of your shop beforehand – they enter stores as they see them.

A gift shop with a domestic market is less reliant on its position.

It’s also worth setting up a website so that tourists and residents alike can purchase from you regardless of where they are.

Costs and earnings

It is impossible to quote an exact figure for start-up costs since they will depend greatly on your location, the size of your shop, the products you sell and whether you rent or purchase your store.

Once you have the premises, you will need to fit out the shop. This means installing display shelves and cabinets for the gifts and cards, some of which may need to be lockable if you are selling expensive items.

You will also need a counter, a cash register and/or computer, and credit card payment facilities.

And of course, you need something to sell. As a new business, suppliers will rarely give you credit, so initially all stock will have to be paid for upfront.

Finally, you will need some working capital to keep you and your business going until sales start to take off.

According to PayScale Australia, a retail store manager can earn more than $60,000 a year. If you own your store, you can obviously expect to take home more than this.

An average day

Your basic role as a gift shop owner will be that of shopkeeper, so you will be responsible for sourcing and negotiating the buying of stock from suppliers, displaying and promoting the stock, and selling it to customers.

In addition to dealing with suppliers, you will need to make sure that everything you buy is in keeping with the scheme of the shop.

You will have to display items in an attractive way that compliments the style of the shop, with an appealing atmosphere that encourages shoppers to browse.