“Ultimately, the gift shops in a health care environment tend to generate much higher dollars per square foot,” says health care retail consultant Mindy Thompson-Banko, who adds that sales can exceed $1 million a year. Gift shops don’t just boost morale, though - they also boost the bottom line of their host institution, sometimes significantly. It’s a cheery atmosphere, it’s bright, it’s colorful, it’s friendly, it’s warm - it’s just a great place to disappear to.” “When people have that opportunity to step out of visiting a family member or loved one who’s sick, they can come into an area and sort of leave that at the door, so to speak. “It’s a haven for people to escape,” says Terry Brooke of Vivo Health Marketplace at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY, where she’s the interim gift shop manager. “Hospital gift shops play a large role in the healing culture in a hospital, and many are the best-kept secrets in the retail world,” says Tim Herlich, manager of the Gift Shop at Evergreen, part of Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland, WA. But there’s always one area that’s guaranteed to be a respite: the gift shop. The beep-beep of machines, the long and sterile hallways, the anticipation that hangs heavy in the air of the waiting rooms - hospitals can be scary places. Find out how these gift shops are keeping profits-and spirits-up. The heartbeat of any health care facility, hospital gift shops benefit from a captive clientele, but they also have the tough task of merchandising to repeat customers, replenishing quick-turnover stock, and operating on a largely volunteer staff.
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