Museum Shop Sunday

Museum shops celebrate their communities by showcasing local makers and manufacturers. Jute bags, jam, and bottles of Verdant Spirit gin are staples of the Dundee Heritage Trust shop, and the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen sells its very own award-winning whisky. Dunfermline’s Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum places an emphasis on products made in Fife, while the ‘Shop at the Top’ in Aberdeen Art Gallery gives local artists a space to sell their work. 

Unique products are often inspired by unique collections. Stromness Museum in Orkney sells replicas of Neolithic figurines in their new online shop, while Maryhill Burgh Halls offers a look back at the history of Glasgow prints of 1960s photography. Hundreds of artworks from museum collections across Scotland can also be converted into prints on the ArtUK website, with a portion of the profits going back to the museum themselves. 

Some museums make a statement by stocking products which align with their values. The shop at David Livingstone Birthplace in Blantyre features a range of Fairtrade products, as well as books on decolonisation and social justice. Another museum which has tailored its shopping experience is Glasgow Women’s Library, which sells an extensive collection of Fairtrade t-shirts, feminist zines, and artworks made by women. 

There are lots of ways that museum shops can stand out from the crowd. By selling bespoke gifts, promoting their products over social media, and setting up online stores, museums are reaching new audiences and raising new revenue. Remember to shout about the things that make your shop special for Museum Shop Sunday on November 27th!