Let’s take an obvious example. You work at the Lily Museum. The mission of the Lily Museum is to promote the appreciation of lilies. Of course you carry books on lily history and culture, lily cultivation, lily cultivars, lily lore. Your museum is filled with lily prints. Your gifts have, guess what, lilies on them. Can’t you see the tee shirts, the totes, the coffee mugs? Your cookbooks feature lily recipes and using lilies as decorations. You sell lily perfume. Your patrons hear a softly penetrating recording of Hi Lily, Hi Lily, Hi Lo as they enter the shop. People come from miles around to buy your exclusive sugar candy shaped like lilies. Your gardens provide lilies to the shop for a special sale each autumn. Your postcards show the gardens in bloom?

That’s the theory in a nutshell (of course I meant to say lily pod, sorry.) But because the shop is very much about spending and making money, let’s get practical.

1. Know your budget and budget goals.

How much do you have to spend for purchases for the store? What are you expected to make?
An inexperienced buyer looks at a budget of $10,000 and trembles with fear that s/he may lose it through products that don’t sell. The experienced buyer knows that $10,000 can make $10,000.

Planning is essential. You must decide what percentage of your spending budget will go to the five categories of sales: clothing/apparel, gifts, books/prints/music, scented goods, and food. These five categories are basic to shops. You can easily divide gifts into "toys, jewelry, table top, etc." to suit your own record keeping needs, but you probably don’t have that many keys on your cash register. Take a look at the best way to ring in sales so that you can properly track and account for them. Consider purchasing a point of sale system.

Have a discussion with all involved to determine your accounting practices. Is your board expecting you to cover product costs OR product, salary, insurance, lights, ads, etc. Find out before they begin the audit.

Remember: good records of sales are essential to guide next year’s buying budget.

2. Review your mission.

Sit down and read your mission. From your mission extract your "theme/s" for the store. Make a list using the five categories. It will guide you through the slings and arrows of salesmen and buyers’ shows. If you have only lilies on your list, even a great salesman won’t be able to talk you into buying lilacs.

3. Acknowledge your clientele.

Tourists who visit museums and historic sites are pretty savvy people. They are often well traveled, well read, and well educated. Consider why they have chosen to visit you in the first place. Think about what they learn at your site and then consider what you can offer them that will remind them of what they have learned. Offer them quality selections.

4. Getting started.

You know your budget, your themes, your clientele. You have your list. Now what?
There are a couple of avenues for learning about buying. One is to join the Museum Store Association. They have a helpful periodical, a website and a Directory & Buyer’s Guide among their several member benefits. If you know exactly what you want, you can search for a supplier in the directory.

This brings us to the second avenue. Hunt for a mentor. The buyer from the big museum down the road is probably listed in the MSA directory and s/he may be willing to talk to you. Or the buyer for your own favorite gift shop may sit down with you. You can learn a lot over lunch.

There are also a couple of two-edged swords. One is the sales rep. Many reps can show you several lines at once. They generally carry a full spectrum of jewelry, cards, toys, etc. Say yes when they ask to call on you, but keep a tight grip on your list. Their job is to be persuasive.

The other is the show. Shows are held in places like the Javits Center that has literally miles of aisles under cover. Most show attendees go for days at a time in jogging suit attire. The selection is overwhelming. If you are new to the buying business, you should probably go with a mentor. The better place to start is a local gift show. Contact your Chamber to see what they have booked in your area. Or start even smaller at local craft fairs.

5. Use local artists. And, say so.

Nothing in your shop can make up for a surly person at the register. Location, display, selection, unique ornaments, fragrant potpourri, soft music, cuddly toys, perfect souvenirs, refreshments, a sound budget, educational mission, clientele targeting, superior marketing, all count for naught next to nasty sales personnel. Smiling sells. Helpful service sells. When customers buy, remind them that buying from your shop supports your mission, helps you sustain quality programs, tours and exhibits, patronizes local artists, and recognizes the importance of the non-profit sector in our society. (Take that! Wal-Mart).

Take pride in your unique character, your quality selections, your smiling service and watch your profits grow. One of the surest ways to bring more visitors to your museum is to be able to carry the words "excellent shop open."
promotional umbrellas - Promotional Mugs - Wide range of custom printed promotional mugs at the UK's leading suppliers of  promotional gifts, promotional items, promotional products, business pens and advertising bags.
Promotional mints  -Personalised mints and promotional chocolates from the leading UK confectionery supplier to the promotions industry. See the latest branded mints, printed lollipops, branded biscuits, cakes and snacks at the Redbows Promotional Sweets Store.
Promotional items - Promotional items : great value, free artwork, fast UK delivery - personalised printed items from the leading UK suppliers of corporate business gifts and promotional gifts, promotional products, items and giveaways.
Eyeglasses  - Certified prescription eye glasses online, Designer Eyewear, Reading glasses, Eyeglasses frames, spectacle from $8, 100% money back guarantee. Men`s Eyeglasses, Women`s Eyeglasses, Metal Eyeglasses, Rimless Eyeglasses.
Diamond Wedding Ring  - Diamond Wedding Bands, Diamond anniversary band, diamond wedding rings and diamond wedding band for mens & womens in 14k- 18k Gold or Platinum at wholesale prices, each diamond wedding band listed at 75% Off.