How are museum stores different from regular retail stores?
Stores in cultural institutions are different from typical retail operations in several ways: • These retail operations play a vital role in supporting the institution’s educational mission. They offer products that provide visitors with mementos and educational materials directly related to their cultural experience. • Purchases made at these stores provide important financial support for the institution. The “profits” made by these stores go back to the cultural institution, not a company or individual’s pocket. • Unlike a typical “mall” experience, shopping at cultural institutions is an extension of the unique museum experience. Most stores operate within the museum building or on the institution’s grounds rather than in a shopping district or mall. Most customers shop there because of their interest in the cultural institution.
