From bikinis to cat bowls: how museum gift stores became the place to shop
Museum gift shops are evolving from simple souvenir stands into curated retail destinations, offering everything from slogan T-shirts and coffee mugs to cat feeding bowls and limited-edition lipsticks. The article highlights examples such as London's National Portrait Gallery selling Marilyn Monroe-inspired cat-eye sunglasses and baseball caps, the Tate Modern offering cat-themed items for Tracey Emin's exhibition, and the V&A selling tote bags and hairspray tied to its Schiaparelli and catwalk shows. This shift reflects a broader strategy by museums to boost revenue through merchandising that interprets exhibitions in creative, non-literal ways.