What would you like to see in a new game store?

[Jesus_marley]

Believe it or not but one of the features that most of the successful game stores have in my area is a small spot, maybe a few comfy chairs or a couch, where people can come in, sit and actually READ a book before buying it. Not only is the practice allowed, but it's encouraged!

It may be due to a large amount of competition in a small city, but most of the store owners around here realize that the best way to know if you like or need a book is to actually read it. Face it, unless a person has a photographic memory, reading a book in the store won't really do much good at the gaming table.

just my $0.02.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

Nothing I can say that hasn't been said before, but I'll repeat it:

1) Be easy to get to. Try and find a location that has access to common public transit and a decent parking lot. I shouldn't have to navigate a funky turn to get to your store if at all possible.

2) Be well-lit and clean. While a little dust is okay, I don't want to feel like I'm going into a troll cave to find books. Also, wide aisles are good, and not just for complying with disability access regulations.

3) If you have a public bathroom, keep it clean. If you don't, be able to point people towards one. I should NEVER have an employee apologize for a nasty bathroom.

4) Don't shrinkwrap the books. Yes, it keeps the books nice, and I realize that if I ask you, you'll unwrap it for me, but what if you're doing something else? Why should I have to bother you to flip through a book? If I have to do that to read a book, why shouldn't I go to another store that doesn't shrinkwrap my stuff?

5) Comfy chairs. Being able to read a book that I'm thinking about getting is key, and it helps to sit down. I had to schlep over to a Borders to check out Exalted, and it was only through sheer effort of will that I picked it up at my FLGS afterwards.

6) Gaming space shouldn't be intermixed with retail space. I shouldn't have to squeeze past a miniatures gamer to get to a book, and they shouldn't have to have some RPG geek squeeze past them while they're playing.

Brad

 

[mythusmage]

Another idea, cross promote. Get together with the other stores in your vicinity and work out promotion deals with them. People who buy at your store get money off coupons to use at the nearby eatery. Folks who eat there get a discount at your place.

And in the spirit of giving, hold special events at your store for good causes. To play in a card tourney the entry fee is a non-perishable food item or an unwrapped toy. A series of RPG adventures could be used to raise money for literature efforts. More's possible, but my mind's drawing a blank right now.

The goal is to get your name out there, and do good deeds too.

 

[Glyfair]

Have a section of marked down books--overstock, used, previous edition, or whatever. Some people might come regularly just for that, but it gets them in the store..

Also, this helps get stuff that's not moving off the shelves. Every bit of shelf space is costing you money. Don't waste it on things that aren't going to sell, use it for things that don't.

This doesn't mean only carry the hot things. However, be judicious about how much space you allot to things that are slower movers.

Break the minis out of the box, and sell them individually priced accordingly by rare, common, etc.

Of course, this is a lot of work for very little profit. Indeed, you'll probably find you'll be sitting on a lot of this stock unless you price it extremely cheaply (such as the commons and such).

I'd only recommend doing this if you are willing to put in a lot of effort to keep it moving and make sure you price things at the going rate.

I've seen a lot of stores sell non-fantasy board games, and other types of card games, etc. I don't how successful they are with those lines, but it certainly adds variety to see other kinds of board games being sold. Heck, if you sell things like Monopoly and Shutes and Ladders you might get all kinds of people coming in that might not otherwise would.

I don't recommend this. If it's something that's available in places like Toys 'R Us, you won't be able to come close to being competitive. They are often selling it for less than you'll get it for from your distributor. In this area, stick to things that are exclusive to hobby stores or that you know you can sell for their normal selling prices.

 

[exile]

Here are the things I like about my FLGS and some of the other gaming stores I have been to recently.

1.) DISCOUNTS: My FLGS (Mind Gmaes in Toledo, OH) gives me a 20% discount on everything because of my frequent shopping. They send out cards worth 10% to all of their customers several times a year (which I can use on top of my normal discount). Games Workshop product is always discounted 20% (and not just for me). Older product (that is moving poorly) gets even bigger discounts, with still bigger discounts promised for teh enar future.

2.) D20 COMPLETENESS: My FLGS stocks just about every (print) D20 product that passes through the major distributors. You don't have to buy a lot of everything, but you need to get at least one of everything (more if you've got a lunatic like me buying it all up as soon as it becomes available). Note that this does not mean that you have to go out and buy up all of that backstock, as that would be far too much of an investment, for a product that sells best (at least to my way of thinking) when it is brand new.

3.) RPG VARIETY: In addition to carrying all of the D20 product out there, you've got to stock the other lines. Non-D20 White Wolf stuff (WoD, Exalted), GURPS, Palladium, Hero System, Savage Tales, Shadowrun, and Fireborn to name a few. The list really goes on and on. If you have to limit your selection initially, I think the non-D20 White Wolf stuff is a must-stock line.

4.) MINIATURES (and lots of them): You really need to carry the Games Workshop stuff, though I think they demand that you keep a complete backstock (which might be kind of pricy starting out). Warmachine seems to be a big seller currently too (I'd also keep the non-Warmachine/Iron Kingdoms miniatures). Reaper is probably a safe bet too, though their Dark Heaven and Warlord lines will probably move better than their Exalted or L5R lines. Confrontation is popular and difficult for a lot of stores to stock; if you could do so, I bet it would sell well. Some items that I am into currently that probably don't have a lot of amss appeal are the Wargods of Aegyptus miniatures and RAFM's CoC modern miniatures. At this point, finances probably dictate stocking the WOTC D&D and Star Wars minis as well as the clicky games from WizKids. For the collectible minis, I would keep singles in addition to new boxes.

5.) USED PRODUCT/OOP PRODUCT (and at discounted prices): My FLGS doesn't presently stock used and out of print product, but some of my past favorite stores have. This applies most to RPGs and CCGs

6.) CCG'S: I'm not a big fan of CCGs and it'll probably show here. I think you would be well advised to stock Magic: The Gathering and one or two other card games that are hot at any given time. Right now that would probably be Versus and maybe Wars. I wouldn't order anything except Magic (and maybe not even it) in large quantities.

7.) BOARD GAMES: I would stock the abstract/German board games, especially Settlers of Catan and its expansions/derivatives. Risk (and its derivatives) are also probably viable.

8.) DICE: Have a good selection, but don't go overboard.

9.) OTHER GAMING STUFF: Some mats (markable and felt) and dry erase markers are always nice. I'd try to have a few pieces of terrain that goes specifically with the felt mats. The Army Transport miniature cases seem popular now too. I wouldn't go overboard with any of this stuff though.

10.) GAMING SPACE: Large. Comfortable. Separate from shopping space. A store I was in just this weekend had incredible play space. It reminded me something of a mix between a rowdy fantasy inn and a frat house. It really made me want to sit down and play and get to know everyone there.

11.) A STORE CAT: My girlfriend/fiance loves cats.

12.) A BULLETIN BOARD/ORGANIZED GAMING: You have to have a place to announce what is going on at your store, and you have to have stuff going on at your store. You should have RPGA gaming, Magic tournaments, D&D/Star Wars mini tournaments, clicky tournaments. The bulletin board should also provide space for players seeking players whether they take advantage of your gaming space or meet in a private residence. YOU DO NOT WANT AN EMPLOYEE THAT IS PARTICULARLY EXCLUSIVE WHEN IT COMES TO A GAME ORGANIZED GAMING. If it's his private group or whatever, fine, but he should not be able to exclude people from RPGA or other organized events. I have been known to divert my considerable gaming allowance from a store for wronging me in this way; and I spend a lot on gaming. Enough ranting.

I think that's it for now. Good luck to you.

Chad

 

[pogre]

Stuff I go to the hobby store for:

Miniatures - Reaper, GW, etc.

Scenery - Dwarven Forge Mastermaze, miniature building authority stuff

Paint - a Vallejo rack is a must.

Supplies - tubes of kneadatite, spray primer, exacto supplies, static grass

Weird Stuff - denstone casting materials, resins, plastic card

No pets and No smoking! If either is present I will visit your store a grand total of once.

I sometimes sell stuff to stores for store credit. My hirst arts dungeon creation are very popular and usually sell within 48 hours of being placed in a store. See if a local miniatures guy might be willing to do the same for you.

If you can get items outside of the main distribution channels I am more likely to buy from you. For example: I make specific trips to a store in St. Louis because of the unusual stuff the store brings in from Japan and Germany you cannot find anywhere else.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

There was this one gamestore that I nearly had an orgasm over. It was freakin' huge. Bookshelves lined the walls, behing the computer desks. The center of the the store had about 12 tables, where people could play just about any game. Some of the tables were small for CCG/TCGs, a couple a bit larger for RPGers and the rest were large enough for big tabletop games like Warhammer, Axis & Allies, Talisman or whatever. I would love to go there again someday, but it is a bit far away for a man without wheels.

 

[Shallown]

I think these simple things would help.. since I'm spending your n=moeny

Board games - Not main stream ones unless they are perfect fantasy games like heroscape but get the less man stream games like settlers of cattan, runebound etc. Read reviews on line and such let others do your work for you by researching the product. Also think of mayber printing out reveiws and posting them near the game section its cheap and easy way to advertise and let people know what games they may be interested in. Also your employees can read them and gain knowledge on the games.

accessories are a good idea - dice bags, minis, dice, battle maps. You don't have to keep a ton and the margin is good.

A gaming area is nice to have. It doesn't have to be huge but I thibk gamers like to see it available even if they might not use it. I know I do.

Keep older stuff on the shelves but only one capy at most. The best thing to do is keep tight control on your ordering. Yeah if its new and the the next best thing you expect to sell order 6-7 copies but set your reorder at 1-2 at most then reduce to one after 3 months. Inventory control is a big key to small business. Get a feel for what people are buying and what is sitting there not selling. Don't let anything be too automatic. Also Keep a note of what people ask for. If 5 people ask for X prodcut or company then keep taht in mind just have to weed out one person asking 6 times. Have a clip board people can ask for stuff even if its not out and so they can leave a contact number to call them when it comes in. Takes a little extra time but pays off in building that loyal customer base. It is also something another employee can do it doesn't have to be you.

Have one resident expert in most major games. Knowledgable employees are useful and a must have but its nce to have that Warhammer 40K expert on call. Doesn't even have to be an employee. You can have Incentives for your customer base to help others. Run a 2-3 Demos of the sunless citadel and I'll give you the module or whatever it may take.

Just afew ideas

later

 

[dream66_]

Lots of good stuff here.

I'll just add that you already know about ENWorld and are in touch with the internet that puts you a big step ahead of the employees of any game shop I've ever been in.

"Do you have X book?"

"Doesn't come out till next month."

"No, that's what Amazon says, the publisher says this month and people on ENWorld are reporting they have it already"

"People where?"

:sigh:

 

[JoeGKushner]

1. Place to see demos of game in action. This can double as a place to show people how to paint minis, showcase new board games, etc....

2. Card Games: Small items that are usually fair sellers but a good knowledge of the game and the 'hotness' of the property is essential not to get burned.

3. Warhammer/40K: Standard of the miniature industry.

4. Other mini lines: Hero Clix and others are hot/cold depending on the expansions. D&D minis seem hot, but that's only right now.

5. Bargin Bin: Space = Money. If you have an item sitting on your shelf for too long, it's not earning you any profit. Have a place to move items.

6. Selling Square: Have a place to sell painted minis and earn a commission on them.

7. Junk Food: Gamers gotta have their fix man!