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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SubMensa" data-source="post: 1633758" data-attributes="member: 12858">Speaking as someone who never has nor ever will probably own a game store here are a few rambling tidbits that I can offer from a similar standpoint of managing a quick printing shop a couple of years back.Recognize that in your situation your biggest competitors will be the local bookstore and online retailers. Use this against them. Time and the hidden cost of shipping for online orders, the local bookstore has limited selection.Diversify. Just as you said, comics, RPGs, war-games, oddball board games, possibly anime and video games, collectibles if you have a good knowledge of the field. Don't however diversify too far. Stay a RPG store that also sells the aforementioned things, otherwise the on hand stock may drowned you in debt trying to keep up.When you don’t have any customers, get some. Sounds common sense, but the main reason businesses fail is because they don’t have enough customers. Advertise on your local radio, in the newspaper, with the local cable TV during sci-fi and cartoon shows. Network with your gaming friends and local hobby clubs in your area. No customers means no game store next year.If you have a customer, keep him. Whether it is their first visit, or their thirtieth, make an attempt to know their names. Be friendly and helpful, and above all make sure they come back. Listen to their ten minute ramble about their Lv1000 Super Saiyan if it sells a book for you. Repeat customers are where the real profits are.Host games. Keep your customers coming back into your store as often as you can. When people are playing the games, they will buy the games, as well as supplies. The more they come to your store the more they will buy. Same goes for CCG tournaments, everyone needs to beef up their decks at those.Shamelessly try to sell something to anybody who comes in the door, no matter who it is. "Hey we just received X in this week that you might be interested in" or "can I help you find some Pokemon cards today"Get to know your clientele. I'd rather see my friend the FLGS owner stay in business than order from some faceless entity. Also when you know your customers you will know what they buy, helping you order just enough to stay a fraction ahead of your sales.Order what you know you will sell, +5-10%. Keep popular items in stock, as well as the Item Of The Week, remember if it sits on your shelf, it isn’t making you money!Don’t trust anybody, even your Mom. Someone will try to rip you off, make it hard for them to really hurt your business. Arrange your stock racks so from your cashier station you can keep an eye on everything. Shoplifters won’t be tempted if they can be seen all the time. Also don’t allow anybody other than yourself access to your safe/bank accounts. One of my favorite FLGS's was killed that way, don’t let it happen to you.And most of all, enjoy yourself. No job is worth it if you are unsatisfied with it.</blockquote>

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