The 4th of July this year will mark the 250th year since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Our shop was offered its first semiquincentennial item six months ago, and of course this winter’s trade shows will have many more.  This brings up two questions – how do you pronounce semiquincentennial, and should you order merchandise to commemorate the event?

There is no denying that bicentennial rolled off the tongue more easily (and yes, our shop was already in business back then). But it’s worth pausing to consider whether the special products made for this year’s celebration will sell for you, based on what you know about your market.  Many places in our country are currently polarized politically, and the sense of pride felt in the 1976 bicentennial may not be the same.

Rosie Rios, the chair of the official America250 commission, hopes this will be a unifying national celebration with widespread grassroots participation. There are many educational and volunteer opportunities planned around the country. The major sponsors of the effort include Amazon and Walmart, but any store can fill in the online form to apply to be an America250 wholesale partner for official licensed merchandise.

A quick search of the general goods being offered to the semiquincentennial results in lots of t-shirts, cowbells and flags, which are ideal for those planning to actively participate in celebrations. Commemorative items include ornaments, mugs, magnets and medallions. One of the issues limiting the variety of offerings in this category is the fact that collectibles in general are no longer good investments – a change from 50 years ago.

Some people will still want to buy items to show their patriotic pride, or in order to have a tangible keepsake to remember this milestone event. If your town or city is planning a major celebration, there are opportunities for sales there. Otherwise you’ll need to gauge whether your customers will be delighted to find special products for America’s 250th in your merchandise mix. You might consider hedging your bets by bringing in a small amount of semiquincentennial goods, and supplementing them with timeless items in red, white and blue.

Happy Retailing,
Carol “Orange” Schroeder