Having owned Titan Games now for 10 years (and other businesses and game stores prior to that), we have gone through some changes. As many regular readers will recall, we nixed our game-area (tables and chairs) a few years back in favor of kicking out troublesome and demanding Magic players, and bringing in our new product mix including Video Games, DVD Movies, and Music.

This week, I am busy planning the next revamp of my store.

Essentially, I consider my business a work in progress - and if I ever get it to what I feel is perfect, I should likely sell it. Until then, however, I like to keep things fresh, change the look and feel of the store, to constantly look like something new is going on, that there is something new to look at. I believe this has a positive effect on my customers for two reasons. First, because I read it in various business books. Secondly, because I talk to the customers who say they enjoy the new, fresh look every year or so. And, also: Because when I move something like the Used Novels Section to a new location in the store, a more prominent position, the sales increase dramatically. Essentially, if I bring my worst selling product line to a more prominent position in the store, it’s sales increase while the sales of the line moved does not decrease.

But, this change I am planning is different. For the first time, I am planning to bring something back to my store I had previously eliminated. No, not rock tumblers. No, not metal detectors. I am bringing back a GAME-ROOM to Titan Games. And, it’s a big task.

I have to buy fixtures, move the Music CDs, the RPGs, the Board Games and the Records to new positions, and then add the gaming tables and chairs.

So, this month, I am asking for readers input! Tell me what you like in gaming-areas in your stores, or what you would LIKE to see in gaming areas in the stores you visit. Or, even how the ideal gaming area would be ran. I need ideas.

Sorry to be brief this month. Much to do, and much has happened since my last column. We attended Origins and had terrible sales results even though we had our best location, and best selection ever. Maybe it IS the economy.

The following Monday my wifes Mom died, and we had to go back to Columbus, where she lived, for the services and such - which has put us behind, and put us in a funk. Peggy Botkin was much loved by all - even me, her son in law. With 17 tattoo’s, I have only ONE name inked onto my skin: Peggy. In a big red heart on my right arm. Peggy was my joy, and my north-star, and I miss her terribly.

Anyway, I will write more soon, and hope I can get lots of cool ideas about our game room. Send suggestions to titangamesinc at a-o-l

Thanks

Marcus King
Owner
Titan Games