There's nothing like a brand new toy to bring joy to a child's life. Whether shopping for a child's birthday or a holiday gift, toys are gifts adults often select. If you're a kid at heart with the desire to operate your own store, consider opening a toy store. Beyond passion and dedication, running a toy store business requires marketing, operations, buying, management and financial know how, as well as customer service skills.
Step 1
Research the toy industry through resources such as the Toy Industry Association. Find out what types of toys are popular for girls, boys and different age groups, as well as which toys capture parent's attention. Look for trends such as educational toys and eco-friendly selections.
Step 2
Decide whether you want to operate your toy store business online, as a brick-and-mortar or both. An online store can save you the expenses of a monthly lease and utilities.
Step 3
Identify the target market you wish to focus on with your toy business. You could opt to offer personalized toys, toys targeted to little girls between the ages of birth and 3 or "green" toys. Knowing your target consumer will help you as you select the types of toys to carry, pick your price points, decide where to advertise and how to set up your toy store.
Step 4
Craft a name for your toy store business that will attract your target market. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce to find out if you need special permits or licenses to operate your store. Find out how to register your business as a legal entity.
Step 5
Create a startup budget for your toy store business. Include how much money you have to invest in your business, money you plan to borrow and the cost for essentials, such as monthly lease, marketing materials, hiring a staff, purchasing inventory and supplies, and insurance.
Step 6
Connect with toy suppliers and makers who create items that fit the wants and needs of your target market. Find out the order minimum, how long it takes them to arrive, how often they update their inventory, whether you'll get assigned your own account manager and how to place orders.
Step 7
Scout potential locations for your toy store business. Identify areas where your target market lives or frequents, if you elect to run a brick-and-mortar operation. Once you find a location, sign a lease and hire a space planner or decorator to help you identify ways to set up the toy store store for an optimal experience.
Step 8
Hire a graphic designer and a web designer to create marketing materials for your toy store business. You need a logo, business cards, brochures and a website. If you plan to operate an online store, work with your graphic designer to create a shopping cart function on your site, which allows online shopping.
Step 9
Purchase inventory, shelves and racks and begin to set up your store. Paint it in kid-friendly colors and use murals to decorate the walls.
Step 10
Plan an in-store grand opening event to introduce your customers to the products and services your toy store business offers. Work with a direct mailing list broker to come up with a list of potential customers who have children or grandchildren. Create a postcard invitation to mail to each potential customer, purchase advertising space in local online and offline publications, and cross promote with local businesses who target the same market.
0 comments:
Post a Comment