A 30-Year Resource for Hospital Gift Shop Professionals
Cindy’s Newsletter served hospital gift shop professionals for 30 years, delivering real-world guidance from an industry expert and fellow shop managers. Published from 1995 through 2025, the newsletter ran for 660 issues, covering the full range of challenges that come with running a successful shop: inventory management, operations, theft prevention, budgeting, buying, and more.
Practical Content for Shop Managers
Each issue delivered actionable content designed to optimize operations and revenue while saving time and energy: monthly action plans, operating and financial templates, checklists, tips and reminders, trade show cheat sheets, salary surveys, and more.
The Newsletter Archive
Although the newsletter has ended, 69 issues between September 2019 – August 2025 remain accessible in the Newsletter Archive, which continues to be a free searchable resource for shop managers. The Archive is available alongside free guides and tools, a list of retail blogs, and a directory of retail consultants.
Hospital Gift Shops Discussion Group
We also continues to administer the Hospital Gift Shops discussion group on Facebook, which serves as an additional resource and community for shop managers.
Manager Q&A
One of the most valuable parts of the newsletter is the Q&A, where managers submit questions and readers respond.
Questions about best sellers, how one solved a problem, operating resources, what worked and what didn’t, etc. Questions like these from managers like you:
“Is my gift shop’s profit in line with others?”
“What is your ‘You Break It, You Buy It’ policy?”
“What is your policy for returning pierced earrings?”
“Suggestions on a replacement for helium balloons?”
“Is anyone using Counterpoint POS and do you like it?”
“Do you get an annual bonus or monthly/yearly incentive based on sales?”
“How many open hours per week are required to make $500 per square feet?”
Have a question or need advice? Join the discussion group to get help from other HGS managers just like you.
THE ARCHIVE
Cindy, I was just thinking how much I appreciated your newsletters. At this time last year, we like so many others, closed our doors due to COVID. I had an idea of what was happening in the United States, because of your newsletters. It was so good to know that, what was going on here, was the norm and we would make through this. Thank you for being there. – April, 2020
I eagerly await the arrival of each newsletter and save them all. I can’t thank you enough for all the wonderful information you provide. Hearing from other gift shop managers makes me feel a part of something so very special. – August, 2022
I read your newsletter and share information with our volunteer buyers. You share wonderful information and we really appreciate all that you do. – January, 2019
Thank you, Cindy, for keeping us informed, for offering a forum for discussion and providing general updates on timelines that we should be aware of. – February, 2019
Thank you for your wonderful Newsletter, as it is a great resource for hospital gift shops! – January, 2019
I am retiring after 35 years as a manager of a hospital gift shop. I have really enjoyed your newsletter and all the tips to improve sales. – August, 2019
This newsletter is an excellent sounding board for all of us! – February, 2015
Your poll regarding best selling candles. It was most helpful. Thanks, Cindy for this great forum. – March, 2011
Looking back, I truly appreciate your support of this Newsletter. I am thankful for the many friends and professional colleagues I’ve met or know better because of this Newsletter. – May, 2010
Cindy, keep up the good work. Nice to see the newsletter is growing with lots more contributing. Sometimes one feels like one is out on a limb all alone because what we do is so unique and this is a nice lifeline! – June 2004
Thank you for giving us this opportunity and feedback – it is so meaningful and gives each of us new fresh ideas. – June, 2004
Cindy, when I open my email and I have something from you, it just makes my day! There is always something in it that either opens my eyes to a problem, or solves a problem that I have been dealing with. You are providing a wonderful service to gift shop managers everywhere. – August, 2002
HGS DISCUSSION FORUM
