Fixing to Cure Toy Needs Selling Playthings at

Hardware Stores and Pharmacies

By June Allan Corrigan

It’s a mistake to think that customers who are seemingly intent on shopping one category of merchandise aren’t open to shopping another. Rand’s Hardware in Plymouth, N.H., proves it all the time with a 16-foot display of toys and a 12-foot array of custom handcrafted sodas, both of which sit right inside the store’s entrance. “Some people actually stop and look around to make sure they’re in the right place,” said Owner Glenn Dion. If there is any confusion, it is soon set aside and in the case of toys, who knows? The holidays might be approaching or there could be a child in their life with an upcoming birthday. Suddenly, that attractive display of toys doesn’t look out of place at all. In fact, it often turns out to be pretty handy.

Rand's Hardware sticks primarily with Melissa & Doug toys. The approximately 16,000-squarefoot retail space carries the brand’s puzzles, games, dress-up kits and more, although Dion said they don’t feature of lot of their plush. “It’s a quality product line with a good reputation. We started off with a four-foot display just to give it a try and it caught on with grandparents and people who don’t want to deal with the big box stores.” It wasn’t long before Dion devoted more space to toys and word of mouth has resulted in steady sales. “It’s hard to find a decent quality toy that will engage a child and Melissa & Doug specializes in that category. For younger kids, we really fill a niche.”

Upchurch Drugs and Gift Shoppe in Durham, N.C., also features the Melissa & Doug toy line including plush items, although supply of the latter tends to vary. Small teddy bears by DEMDADO featuring birthstone hearts are popular. “They retail for $15 and we’re constantly reordering them. Customers really seem to be into birthstone related items these days,” said Owner Janet Upchurch . She also carries a line of super soft plush for babies that people will often purchase as part of a larger gift. “However, I personally think when a piece of plush goes over $15 or $20, people start hesitating.” That being said, she does stock Melissa & Doug jumbo plush oc-