Creating, promoting, and stocking hotel merchandise is a significant undertaking for busy hoteliers. However, the potential payoff can be worth it. Travelers are always looking to take a piece of their destination home with them or for their loved ones.
NB: This is an article from WebRezPro
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and stay up to date
While selling souvenirs in your gift shop isn’t new, hoteliers are taking this concept to the next level. Whether you’re a small boutique hotel or a large franchise, here are some merchandising ideas to boost your brand presence and bottom line.
Branded Product Ideas
Collaborate with brands and businesses to release new and exclusive products or take an everyday object, add your logo, and customize it to reflect your brand’s aesthetic. Whatever it is, make sure it aligns with your property’s experience and identity. For example, a hotel inspired by a certain era, such as the ’60s or ’70s, may provide branded, retro items such as umbrellas, sunglasses, t-shirts, hats, or hoodies. Your guests will think of your property every time they use these items.
Next-level ideas include:
- Work with a winery or distillery to offer your own branded wine or cider.
- Everyday items such as toiletries and towels. Provide them in-room for guests to use during their stay and for purchase.
- Tea accessories and sets (saucers, pots, and cups) and special blends available in-room and for purchase.
- Custom-designed reusable water bottles and to-go coffee mugs.
- Include your logo on stationery (journals, pens, decorative cut paper, washi tape). Collaborate with local artists to design decorative artwork for these items.
- Local honey, chocolate, and other easy-to-pack specialty food items (entice customers to rebook when they need to restock).
- Throw blankets.
- For tropical locations, selling branded swimwear and flip-flops are nice gifts, and useful in case guests forget to pack their own. Guests will think of your property every time they wear them.
Sales Strategies
When brainstorming product ideas and sales strategies, it is important to consider your market. What types of guests stay at your hotel? What services, amenities, and atmosphere does your operation provide? How does branded merchandising fit into the guest experience and journey?
