Toys are the objects that add color to this mechanical robotic world that modern people tend to lead. As a toy store owner, what can be done for the sales to be increased profoundly? In this article, we do our best to address this issue by considering it from different angles. To begin with, there are two approaches for every store these days, an online approach and an offline approach to start advertising, and promoting the brand and services.
Online Strategies; Attracting More Customers to Toy Stores
Only that strategy for the toy store will be successful which has a perfect mix of online and offline channels. In both cases, there are certain opportunities to reach out to customers that must be availed.
Toys: The Palette in Our Digital Age
Against the backdrop of an increasingly screen-dominated and algorithm-driven world, toys stand out as bright counterpoints—very real experiences that fire the imagination. The question for store owners is how to keep these colorful beacons very much in front of consumers. This article points to ways to seriously pump up sales in toy stores, covering both online and offline strategies.
The Playtime of Today
But before diving into the pitches, it’s critical to grasp the shifting play landscape. Children today are native digitals; although they also have a yearning for physical interaction. The challenge lies in bridging the divide by developing toys that support digital experiences rather than competing with them.
Hybrid Play: Develop toys that engender children to interact with digital devices, like playsets for augmented reality or toys that plug into educational apps.
STEM interest: Outperform the trend in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with toys that take these skills further.
Sustainability: Ride the wave of consumer preference for ‘green’ products by offering toys made from sustainable materials or having low packaging.
What Makes Your Toys or Shop Different from the Others?
For instance, a video is a perfect idea that introduces the shop and the type of toys available that parents can order. I believe firstly, it should be clarified whether your video is a general ad for your shop or you are aiming for a specific age range. In either case, you can go more into detail highlighting the differences between your shop and the other rivals such as a better price offer, rewards or accessories, and also free tutorials provided by your shop. For instance, some airdrops as gifts for their parents are seen as modern and avant-garde approaches. If you want to know more about airdrops please click on the word.
Sometimes families are looking for toys that are goal-oriented. Some toys are related to music and activate the power of imagination and also the alignment between nerves, brain, and decision-making. Imagine a little guitar toy on which there are some keys and there is a monitor on it. Some colored dots would appear on the screen and the kid has to press the same color on the toy instrument to sound in tune and play the intended melody. As mentioned below, this could have miraculous impacts such as creativity, focus, and concentration since most children tend to have a very low attention span.
Talent Discovery
The other perk would be talent discovery. If there is any chance that children are gifted in any form of art. It would be a shame not being able to spot it. This is one significant matter the owner of the shop can emphasize which is selling toys that trigger the gifts in children if there is any. Such as painting toys and boards, musical ones, etc.
Mommy Influencers
The other strategy in video ad production is collaborating with mommy influencers, or influencers that have a lot of moms or children among their followers. It could not only increase the brand reputation but also even help gain more customers since thousands or in some cases if lucky, millions of viewers might see your video.
The last step is publishing the advertisements and commercials edited for kids on the website of the shop in the first place along with YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to cover more and more numbers of audiences.
Content Creation
In my perspective, the owner of the toy shop must increase his/ her tech-related knowledge and skills in how to create proper content to attract more potential clients. Software and editing skills, a proper camera, and also good visual taste all can be perfect catalysts for attractive content in a way that the audience would end up loving the images and forward them to their friends and family.
Unboxing Special or New Toys
Toy store owners must take advantage of any chance they get to perform an unboxing ritual in front of the camera. It is not that abnormal to receive a new design of a toy in a different genre or an old toy with an exclusive and creative design. It could also be a norm or a trend inside the page of the toy store on different platforms such as Instagram or YouTube. I would have become the first fan of such a trend, never miss a single day.
Educational Products
Many toys that famous and popular companies produce are with the goal of teaching children about the values of life, good manners, language, math or art skills, biology, etc. We can say somehow they complete children’s lessons at school or kindergarten. Another interesting trend or norm of the toy store could be introducing one of these products. Such as flashcards that teach children the names of animals, alphabet, colors, etc. on online platforms that can include quizzes and rewards.
User-Generated Content
A strategy that often we see managers doing is delegation. It means the manager assigns a part of the project to somebody else to do. In our case, the toy store owner can have customers, parents or children produce content with the products of the shop. Imagine we are in October, and in many countries, we have the October Festival or the Halloween Night. So by providing the community with modern, up-to-date costumes, accessories, and masks, customers will pay your shop a visit. Now that you have their attention you can create posters and videos announcing a competition. Customers have to post their images with your products or inside the store and at least tag one more person apart from the shop ID on social media platforms. The day after Halloween, the best three photos are the winners and they receive perfect gifts!
Discounts and Referrals – Creating Your Network of Customers
Forming a bond with customers in a way that they feel they are members of an active community can be a milestone in every business, particularly a toy store since it involves the happiness of people’s children. One way to promote such a network would be first of all forming a membership club online or with physical cards and after that offering discounts and some privileges to good members of the community. Loyal customers can make miracles happen in the darkest of times. So, for example 12% seasonal discount for club members can be a delightful offer. Of course, there is an annual membership fee. On the other hand, for competitions and events held at the store, members for instance do not have to pay any entrance fee.
Referral programs also deserve attention since they can also play a colorful role in customer marketing. Imagine when a child knows if two more friends of hers, buy toys from her favorite store, she receives a free Barbie doll along with her additional clothes and accessories, wouldn’t she try? This could expand excessively fast if applied in online platforms because just by clicking on the link the whole program becomes activated and God knows where the last member or line would end. This could be the leverage of the internet and social media that offers an infinite abundant number of potential customers. Reading the Passive Income article could give you many ideas about how you can use such opportunities.
Offline Strategies; Attracting More Customers to Toy Stores
Proper Location for the Toy Store
Different points of view might be out there about the best place or location for a toy store, however, I believe a place where there is a lot of foot traffic would be in favor of the store. Easy access can be the priority, a place that happens to be neutral in terms of reputation, or even better it is located among other stores with the same business type or at least related. Nonetheless, being located somewhere off the beaten track would do no good to the shop owner or the customer. Although loyal and former customers are crucial for the survival of a business, the first-timers are as important and in some cases more than the loyal ones due to several reasons.
A family-friendly neighborhood that is located near parks, schools, malls, and kindergartens could bring about more foot traffic to your store raising the likelihood of more spontaneous visits to the store. Many school’s norm is to give gifts or presents at the end of each semester to children or young learners. Naturally, when you are close by and offer good quality and price, they would have no choice but to purchase their presents from you.
Being able to turn a first-timer into a regular customer is the special ingredient or the sauce of the business since that single person can be the head of a very large family. Consequently, you might end up gaining 50 new but loyal customers who are all willing to join your customer club as well.
Proper Branding and Design Suitable for the Toy Store
Now what can we do to make a new face keep coming back to our store? The first impression always matters. I believe the right colors as the decoration of the store, lighting, and even the smell felt by the customer all play essential roles in the final judgment of the potential customers who happen to be just visitors in the first place.
Consistent branding always makes the customer or the visitor feel more at ease because subconsciously they find that place more reliable due to the corporate branding
Layout refers to the planning of the shop layout in such a way that all goods are displayed clearly and are easily accessible. The trends indicate that putting high-demand products at children’s eye level maximizes the sales opportunity.
Zoning refers to the in-store separation into different areas according to age groups and types of toys, educational, outdoor toys, etc. This makes it easier for the customer to look for whatever he needs, hence making his shopping fruitful.
Competition and Market Positioning
Location: The competitive area may be an advantage if the store stands out by its offer or great customer service. Otherwise, less saturation would give one the ability to create a solid customer base with less competition.
Design: Having a unique and welcoming store design could set a toy store apart from the competition and make it more than just another retail location.
Safety and Comfort
• Location: Most families desire a safe location with sufficient parking and easy access. A friendly environment will further make the parents comfortable allowing their children to move around the shop on their own.
• Design: The shop should be children-friendly, ensure that fixtures are safe and signposting appropriate as well as comfortable areas for the parents to sit while their children are either playing or going around the shop.
Community: A community hub membership would further cement relationships with local families. One could create brand loyalty by attending community events or aligning with schools.
Design: Community elements, like local artwork or themed events, would drive buy-in from the locals and foster patronage.
Sales Opportunities
Impulse purchase: A customer-friendly layout that makes them wander around the shop may result in impulse purchases. Display at checkout counters, if appealing, can exploit this behavior.
Play Demonstration Areas: Interactive display features such as play areas or demo areas will make customers linger around and spend more time, hence money, inside the shop.
