Some Tips, Strategies, And Important Settings When Beginning To Set Up A Toy Store (You Need To Know)

Note: Tulisan ini adalah terjemahan Basa Enggres bebas dari artikel ini

Yesterday I published an article entitled: SOME IMPORTANT STEPS THAT NEED TO BE WELL PREPARED BEFORE STARTING A TOY BUSINESS

The article above is a continuation series from the previous section entitled: REVIEW OF TOYS BUSINESS, PROSPECTS, AND VARIOUS THE BENEFITS

I will write some articles about tips and tricks in the toy business world. And the material that is being written now is a continuing series of the two items above.

In the previous article, I have discussed thoroughly the most basic preparations that must be met so that you can be successful in this toy business. Training that is:

1. Find a strategic toy store location.

2. Never open a toy store which is adjacent to the traditional market.

3. Prepare and train your basic skills (on the ins and outs of the toy business).

4. Preparation of authorized capital.

For those of you who have not read the previous article above, please read first the contents of that article, so that you get the information more complete and comprehensive.

Well, further discussion will begin.

On this occasion, I will discuss the next stage, which is some tips, strategies, and essential settings when beginning to set up a toy store you need to know.

The follow-up stages are:

# 1. Make a rack and display a toy store that is neat, organized and 'not cramped.'

Why do I emphasize the word 'not cramped'?

Because the convenience of the buyer is one of the main factors and very important to note, and a toy shop where the room is too cramped will tend to make the visitors uncomfortable when shopping.

It may be that some of you say: "My storeroom is big, so, no problem!"

Well, if your store is large, so ignore this section. hehe☺

However, not everyone is lucky and able to rent a store with a large room. Because the store with a large room, of course, the rent is also expensive. And beginner traders with little capital, usually can not afford to rent such a large store.

That's why toy traders with little capital 'forced' to rent a store with relatively small room size.

But a small shop will require you work extra to set the layout of the room.

What is the cause?

Because if you do not set the layout correctly, it will tend to make the arrangement and display of toy products look messy. The types, models, and categories of each toy product became irregular and mixed up. And all those conditions can be fatal!

Why?

Because it will make the buyers feel uncomfortable. They have trouble choosing and looking for toy products they will buy. As a result, in the end, all those circumstances will potentially make the buyer will assume your toy store is not managed correctly and professionally!

And if the first impression is not good enough (when they first come to your store), then it could be that the buyer becomes reluctant to go back to your store next time.

The question: can a store with a small size, but the visitors still comfortably to your store?

The answer: CAN! Provided you're creative and smart in setting up your store layout!

Well, what is a good toy store display layout design?

Try to note the layout design of one of my branch toy store (below).

Thank God in 2014 I can open another branch of a toy store. I rented a store located in Kalisari area, East Jakarta. Incidentally, the store has a reasonably small width, which is 2.5 meters in size. But I am quite grateful because this store has a pretty good length. If the calculated distance from the parking lot to the back of the store, then the total about 15 meters.

When observed at a glance, this store is like a train carriage room (because the size is small and long). 

Try to look at the picture below.

For stores with the conditions above, what are the most appropriate rack/display design model? And how layout arrangement?

Here's how:

For the store is not growing narrow, then don't make a shelf that is too widened. Make a rack that size is small, but the length of the tray is maximized. Make the rack design extends from front to back of the store. With such a configuration, so the size of the shelf is not too full but still can accommodate toys products in the maximum amount.

Seen in the photo above, I use a bracket (as a rack buffer) which is about 25 centimeters wide. So if we calculate the size of the rack on both sides of the store, then the width of 50 centimeters. So there is still space in the middle of the store is about 2 meters. I think the size of 2 meters width is a remnant of the room is quite relieved, so the buyers will feel free to move and find toys in my shop that 'small' is.

So the results become as below:

Well,,, how do you think? The design of the shop layout is pretty good, neat and relieved.

If later your store is growing, and the contents of toy products more and more, then you can take advantage of the roof of the store to the fullest. How to? I.e., you can create a hanging display, as I apply to the photo below:

So, what do you think? Impressive is not it? ☺

So the point:

Although over time the stock of products in your toy store more full, but if the layout design is neat and each part of the rack by their respective categories.

Then:

- Your store will not be narrow.

- Visitors will not feel cramped.

- Product display is not messy.

So the result:

The part of the rack column for the remote toy is bright where it stands.

The rack column parts for remote control helicopter toys are also clear where they are.

The rack column for girls' toys is also evident.

And the roof of the store is also utilized as much as possible (for a toy that can be hung).

So all areas within the store have their respective functions. Neat and orderly! So the result makes the buyers feel comfortable when visiting, and more easy looking for toy products they want! ☺

The design of the layout and the arrangement of toy displays is essential to note. If the buyer has been comfortable while shopping in your shop, then they will come back to buy toys for next time.

# 2. Prioritize toys type that matches your business capital capability.

That is the point, if you plan to establish a toy store business but have minimal capital, how to set it?

The trick is to increase the stock of local products (made in your country) first.

What is the reason?

Because of the local-made products that cost cheaper and large-size. Such a product like this will make your store's content look more and full.

The logical explanation is this:

If you have minimal capital, then it is not possible you buy stock of toy products from imports in large quantities simultaneously. What is the cause? Because imported products usually cost relatively more expensive, so if you only buy stock from import to fill your shop, then it could be so many parts of your store that will empty.

What is the cause?

Yes naturally because only a few types and number of toys can be obtained!

Let's make an example: I had an initial capital of about 75 million rupiahs. I am assuming: the cost for a store rental of 20 million rupiahs, the price to make a rack of 5 million rupiahs, the remaining capital costs for store products worth 50 million rupiahs.

If only the initial capital of 50 million rupiahs was used to fill the product, and I was too eager to buy the kind of imported toys that cost a fortune. It could be that my store can only be filled with toys in one corner just! hehe 😅

Well, you already understand right?

Let me give you a simple example. Try to see photos of drones with the camera below:

Drones with the camera

If the remaining initial capital of the 50 million rupiah business I spend to buy the drone camera products, then it will only be able to get the product some 100 pieces!

It is true that imported products tend to be of better quality than local products. Therefore, so that the content of your product can vary, then make a comparison scale of 80 %: 20%.

80% is the percentage of local toy products, and 20% is the percentage of the number of toy products from imports. With tricks and strategies like this then your store can be filled with a variety of local and imported products with a relatively minimal business capital. This marketing strategy, I apply when starting a toy store business.

Until how long will this trick be applied?

I.e., until your business has grown entirely for rapidly and the results have been able to fill the stock of quality toy products, and the price is quite high.

I can only start to intensively fill the toy product that is expensive after entering the 3rd year my toy store business stands. At that time the product comparison that filled my toy store consisted of 50% imported toys, and 50% local production toys.

Maybe some of you will ask: "Why are imported toys more expensive?"

Here's the explanation:

In Indonesia, locally made goods are usually cheaper because they are not subject to import costs, so the price is automatically lower. In contrast to imported products from China, for example, the amount becomes more expensive because of the burden of entry fees (customs) and various fees for other licensing. Well, the difference is that imported products tend to be more expensive, but the quality (in general) is better than locally made products.

Examples of locally made products that are played manually.

Note: this condition may not apply in all countries. Because each state has different systems and situations, in this article, I speak to the context and the system that uses in my country, namely in Indonesia. And if you happen to experience the same conditions in your country (as I experienced), then hopefully all the information in this article can be useful (for your toy store business).

Thus, until here the topic this time I write. Tomorrow or the day after I will write a series of excellent articles that will discuss the promotion strategy in the toy business world. I am coming soon.

If you feel this article is useful, then share it. Hopefully, it can be helpful for your other colleagues.

Good luck always for you all.

Best regards.