Advice to Pharmacies: How to Do Well Selling Toys

For this article, pharmacy staff members offered their advice to other pharmacies on how to do well selling toys in a merchandise mix.

At Old Pasadena Pharmacy and South Park Pharmacy, both located in the greater Los Angeles area, John Stephens, pharmacy manager, offered this tried-andtrue advice. “Stick with simple items and be sure to keep a good mix of them on the shelves.”

In the small town of Cambria, Calif., Cambria Drugs Salesclerk

Lori Dragoun, speaking for Manager Dena Crawford, asserted “It’s best to carry classic toys, small items and stuffed animals. Things that are easy for people to buy even if they’ve come in for another reason.”

In Los Osos, Calif., at Los

Osos Rexall Pharmacy, Pharmacist

Jason Tewell said the best advice he can offer may be to make a difficult choice. “With the pandemic, things are very different. A lot of pharmacies shifted to vaccines and clinical services. I did not want to mix the situation of administering vaccines with gift buying. I think you have to make a tough choice, particularly when it comes to selling toys, whether you want to participate in the vaccination program or continue a thriving gift shop.”

In Port Townsend, Wash.,

Carol Seldal, manager at Don’s Pharmacy, suggested that the most important thing when it comes to stocking toys is to “Have a variety of items that cover all the ages. That’s what works well for us. People know they can come in here and find something they want for a child of any age.” they light up, and the kids are happy.”

In Port Townsend, Wash., Carol Seldal manages Don’s Pharmacy. Like Tewell’s Los Osos store, Don’s Pharmacy is a must-stop for toy buyers. “I have a broad variety of toys here, I cover every age child from infant up to adults,” she related. “For the little ones, I have plush animals and Fisher Price toys of all kinds. For older kids, I have everything from remote control vehicles to science kits, which seem to be something they enjoy a lot. I also carry games of all kinds, including complex games for the older set.” Seldal manages her toy orders from three different vendors. “It’s difficult to keep our toy aisle filled. Everything sells well, I am constantly getting wiped out.” She orders almost exclusively online.

She noted that “We are really a go-to stop for toys, because there is only one other small toy store in town. Other than that, people would need to make a long drive.”

While the store sells toys throughout the year, during the winter holidays, Seldal said, “We stock even more items. Our toys move out of the toy aisle and into the center of the store. I do a whole end cap of just stocking stuffers.” Another change she makes dur- ing the winter holidays is that Seldal will also make special seasonal purchases. “By that I mean that I am offered just one shot at ordering pre-purchased toys, items that are different from my regular selection of toys, although not necessarily holiday themed.” She added, “Ordering those items broadens my range of selection. I always do that, and this year, with demand being very high, I am glad I did.”

In short, selling toys at pharmacies means a lot more than child’s play – it’s good business. ❖