Entirely changing the store layout wasn't something I decided to do lightly, but the time had come. With the hobby market now making up 50% of our business, it had long since gone past the stage of being a nice little bolt on and turned into something significant.
And so now we have a dedicated gaming area and we've cramped up the toys a little. What difference will it make? Of course the gaming fans are delighted that they now get to play in more comfort. Will that lead to more revenue? Not sure, but we'll find out over time - I hope so and I think it will. How will the toy customers react? That's a bit more difficult to judge.
On the one hand, when we're running in store gaming, we'll now be able to keep the players out the way of other customers (previously on big Sunday tournaments, there was no way for anyone else to get inside the place). On the other, will they see it as geeky? Will they think there's less toy choice because it takes up a slightly smaller space? Hmm. We'll find out. Initial reaction seems OK, but time will tell.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
It's Good To Give Something Back
As avid readers will know - you are out there aren't you ;) - we're as much a hobby store as a toy store, and it's fair to say that in tough times, our hobby community has been keeping the wolf from the door. Next weekend, we're taking the opportunity to give something back to them, when we embark on Free Roleplaying Game day.
It's a great concept - all the major publishers in the industry create something for free, the retailers then give all the free stuff away to players, and at the same time run lots of good stuff in store. Result - lots of goodwill hopefully generated towards the stores and publishers, that brings customers back all year round.
Of course, I'm a little nervous - we started out as a purely toy shop, and the hobby side has kind of bolted itself on by accident - in that strange journey, this is the grandest event we've attempted and the butterflies will be the same as during our first forays into YuGiOh! organised play. Of course many of the faces that'll be around support us week in, week out, but there'll be a significant number of new faces about too that we need to create a good impression for. We'll also be making some changes to the store layout ahead of the weekend, to provide a permanent gaming area - how will it all work out? Not sure. Wish us luck :)
It's a great concept - all the major publishers in the industry create something for free, the retailers then give all the free stuff away to players, and at the same time run lots of good stuff in store. Result - lots of goodwill hopefully generated towards the stores and publishers, that brings customers back all year round.
Of course, I'm a little nervous - we started out as a purely toy shop, and the hobby side has kind of bolted itself on by accident - in that strange journey, this is the grandest event we've attempted and the butterflies will be the same as during our first forays into YuGiOh! organised play. Of course many of the faces that'll be around support us week in, week out, but there'll be a significant number of new faces about too that we need to create a good impression for. We'll also be making some changes to the store layout ahead of the weekend, to provide a permanent gaming area - how will it all work out? Not sure. Wish us luck :)
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