When you think about retail at a visitor attraction, you likely picture a bustling gift shop at the end of a carefully curated visitor route. But what if the most valuable space for selling souvenirs isn’t inside the shop at all?
Many attractions are overlooking prime retail real estate like café counters, cloakrooms, foyers, and even corridor walls. These high-footfall, low-pressure zones offer golden opportunities to increase spend-per-visitor and cater to a wider range of shopping behaviours.
In this blog, we explore how attractions can use non-traditional spaces to layer in low-cost, high-margin merchandise without feeling pushy or overcrowded.
☕ 1. Café Counters: Brew Up Impulse Buys
Your café isn’t just for tea and traybakes it’s also a high-dwell zone perfect for subtle, well-placed retail.
Use a small POS tray or standing display to keep things tidy and thematic, no one wants to reach over a pile of products to grab a slice of cake.
🧥 2. Cloakrooms: Turning Waiting into Spending
Cloakrooms and buggy parks often involve a short wait, the perfect window for a small impulse purchase, especially for family visitors.
Use a rotating stand or clip strip near eye level. Highlight practicality “Great for the journey home” or “Little things to keep little hands busy.”
🚪 3. Foyers & Entrances: Set the Tone, Start the Sale
Your entrance area is a mood-setter and a smart spot for visual merchandising. A well-curated foyer pop-up can entice those who won’t reach the main shop.
What works well:
- Hero products from your shop bestsellers or design-led lines
- Limited edition collections tied to exhibitions or events
- Storytelling ranges with accompanying signage (e.g. “Designed using our original garden blueprint”)
- Gifting table (“Perfect thank-yous and take-homes”)
Keep the display tightly themed, with no more than 4–6 SKUs. Offer mobile POS options if space allows.
🖼️ 4. Corridors, Stairwells & Quiet Corners
Not every space needs to sell but some of them can, with the right light touch. Think of merchandise as part of your storytelling in transitional spaces.
Best for:
- Mini gallery walls featuring framed prints
- Mounted displays of artisan wares or themed enamel pins
- Educational signage next to product tie-ins great for museum corridors
- Rotating seasonal zones for holidays or local events
Pair every product with a brief narrative visitors are more likely to buy when they know why it’s there.
🛍️ Conclusion: Layering Retail for Greater Impact
Retail doesn’t have to stop at the shop. By layering your retail strategy across underused spaces, you can:
- Capture impulse sales from visitors who skip the main shop
- Increase visibility of new or seasonal product lines
- Reinforce your brand story through design and merchandising
- Create seamless retail moments that feel natural not pushy
Want to make your merchandise work harder across your site? Get in touch and unlock the retail potential of your untapped spaces
