Museum Store Sunday is returning on 26 November, with the annual shopping event encouraging and prioritising sustainable products this year.
Buyers will get the chance to shop sustainably at more than 2,100 museum stores across the globe in support of local artists, museums, small businesses and the planet.
Participating stores in all 50 states, 25 countries and five continents will provide various discounts, special events, gifts with purchase and eco-friendly items. Merchandise will include books, clothing, jewellery, children’s products, home accessories and F&B.
Supporting cultural institutions
Founded by the Museum Store Association in 2017, Museum Store Sunday provides support to cultural institutions, as well as artists and local businesses, during the holiday season. This year’s event is promoting sustainable products created by local artists.
“By purchasing one-of-a-kind gifts made by local artists and providers in their communities instead of mass-produced products commonly found in big-box stores, consumers and museum stores alike can reduce their carbon footprints while boosting their local economies,” said Patricia Sampson, board president of the Museum Store Association.
She added: “Partnering with local artists reduces shipping-related costs and emissions for both museum stores and their patrons, ultimately minimizing air pollution while conserving valuable energy during the busy holiday season.”
Shoppers are strongly encouraged to bring their own reusable shopping bags or purchase the special edition Museum Store Sunday eco-tote made from 100 percent recycled post-consumer materials.
“Many museum stores are conscientious about the impact of single-use plastics in the packaging of products,” Sampson said. “Whenever possible, museum stores strive to achieve zero-waste packaging, often forgoing packaging altogether and recycling single-use waste.”
The annual event has boosted museum stores’ sales efforts, with participating shops seeing a 39 percent average increase in in-store net sales in 2022 compared to 2021, and a 43 percent average increase in in-store transactions in 2022 compared to 2021.
Images courtesy of the Museum Store Association
