Games, Playthings and Plush

“There are lots of items which we can recommend and emphasize as a learning experience just from our general toy mix. For example, a Hot Wheels toy isn’t just a toy car, when we build tracks at home, my sons and I talk about physics, energy, and inertia. Whether building LEGOS or playing with cars, or something as simple as playing a Backgammon game, there are plenty of fun toys that are also learning experiences, experiences that can be STEM related. …Monopoly is another example, and we have so many versions of it and other historic board games, as well as Chinese Checkers. They are all learning opportunities, and that is what we try to impart.”

- John Forgie, Toys N More, Reno, Nev.

Finds for Families (From page 155) patterned and colored cubes from Shashibo that can be formed in a variety of different shapes. “The toy is extremely popular. It’s rated for ages 5 and up, but I’ve sold it to even younger children, and it is a toy that sells consistently,” he said. “The pricing is good too, in the $24 range.” The award-winning shape shifting box puzzle offers four different artistic, magnetic patterns and is safe for all ages.

He described long-term, steady sellers at the store as LEGOS and Pokemon toys. “There are a lot of different things you can do with both those toys, and that keeps them popular. Another item that’s consistently a strong seller are the games from Two Bros Bows. Those are bow and arrow sets that have been created so that they are not dangerous for play. People will call us about them and reserve them as soon as we have them in. That’s also true of the Spooner Boards we sell, which are basically a skateboard without wheels. People just snatch them up.”

Stephanie Luckeratch , assistant manager at Snapdoodle Toys and Games in Seattle, Wash., said one broad trend that she has observed in sales is an interest in “more family-related items, things like cooperative games and puzzles. They’ve been selling well since

Continued on page 158

What Do You Do with Slow-Selling Merchandise?

Slow moving merchandise can be a challenge. But at toy stores, even slower moving items are often sellers over time, or with a bit of judicious new placement.

At Toys N More in Reno, Nev., Co-Owner John Forgie said, “We will move slower moving merchandise around in the store; some things that perhaps we’ve decided to thin out, when we only have a few of an item left, then we will put them on a clearance table. But honestly, most everything if it is priced right will move.” He added, “For example, we have one of the bigger selections of larger LEGO sets in the area. They may take a while to move, [in part due to price point], but they do eventu- ally.”

In Bend, Ore., at Leapin’ Lizards Toys, Sales Coordinator Nate Pereira explained that “We rarely need to put things on sale. If we have an excess of something or a very seasonal item, such as a holiday themed item, then we will do so. But mostly, we will just leave anything that moves more slowly where it is and be aware that these are usually niche items, and they will be purchased eventually. Once the item does sell, it is usually a fairly expensive item, and it will be a significant sale one day to the right person.”

Stephanie Luckeratch, assistant manager at Snapdoodle Toys and Games in Seattle, Wash., said, “We tend to move around any slow items and try different displays for them. If none of that works, then an item will go in our sale section.”

In Encino, Calif., at As You Wish Toys and Books, Owner Christine Johnson said, “We don’t really put things on sale. But we will move items around, especially down to eye level for more attention.”❖