Exhibits in zoos, museums, rescue centers and aquariums provide an up-close experience to help people to understand the threats marine life face in nature. People also walk away from these amazing venues with a greater appreciation for wildlife and a desire to help preserve their natural habitats. That feeling doesn’t just go away when they leave the attraction — it stays with them throughout their vacation and even when they return home. People want to help preserve marine life and eliminate ocean pollution, but they don’t always know where to start. That’s where your retail store comes into play.
Your store can serve as a place where people can start making more informed choices, swapping products for ones that are more environmentally friendly. Customers may need some help understanding what to purchase, and your employees can help guide them.
They can start a conversation about that T-shirt made from plastic bottles pulled from the ocean. They can mention that purchasing a glass straw can help replace one of the millions of single-use straws disposed of each day. That’s just two examples. There are hundreds, if not thousands of sustainable products and brands in just about every category that you can find and carry in your store: apparel, accessories, bags, jewelry, home decor, toys, drinkware, health and beauty and more. You can find out more about some of these innovative products in the article “Catching the Sustainability Wave” on page 26.
Your store also can highlight the eco-friendly characteristics of a product in the display itself. Signage pointing out an eco-friendly item or even a streaming video or story worked into the display can grab customers’ attention and inspire questions or conversation. People want to feel good about their purchases. If they know their new item isn’t just something that they like but it also reduces their environmental footprint, then you’ve created another reason for the purchase.
No matter where your store is on its journey of sustainability and eco-friendliness, there is always something more that can be done.
Many of the retailers featured in this issue are housed within zoos, museums, aquariums and sea life rescue centers, all of which are surrounded by exhibits that tell a conservation story. These gift stores play an important role of leaving a lasting impression on visitors with the purchase they make that reminds them of their experiences.
But attraction-centered shops aren’t the only ones that can promote ocean conservation. Any seaside store can make selling sustainable products a priority, even it is just a small section of the store or a few products. It also is a great tie in. Visitors already appreciate the ocean, sand and sea life. Eco-friendly purchases can help ensure these natural wonders don’t disappear.
No matter where your store is on its journey of sustainability and eco-friendliness, there is always something more that can be done. One important question every seaside retailer can ask themselves is this: What else can you do? Big or small, every contribution makes a difference.
