Behind the Counter
But, in my mind, education is the one thing that is MOST important to becoming successful. It is also the most overlooked aspect of opening a game store. Lets face it, new retail game store owners are not usually good business people - they're gamers (just like I was 24 years ago). They do not come to the table, most usually, with a masters degree in business management, or a background in retail. Over the years I have known retired factory workers, ex-military guys and gals, folks who got a severance from a long term job and people who got a settlement from some type of insurance, as well as one guy who, literally, won the lottery - open gaming stores. I know only one fellow in our industry with a majorly useful degree, a PHD in Marketing, who owns a store. I also know lawyers, a dentist and folks with other degree's - and people with only a high-school diploma - who own successful retail game stores.
Wait. So, a guy with a PHD and another guy with a high-school diploma - and the both are successful? What is the need for education, then? Right, getting to that.
Retail Store Ownership 101
I had owned a game store (3 of them actually, one after another) for 13 or 14 years when I first attended GTS - the GAMA Trade Show in Las Vegas, 1998 or 1999 that was, I think. And, that was where my education as a retailer began. Make sure you got that, cause it's the only important thing I am going to say today (other than telling my kids I love them, that is). After 13 or 14 years, I began my retail store owner education at the GAMA TRADE SHOW.
How I had survived that long, before becoming educated, I am not sure. Luck, I suppose. Or, maybe just being stubborn. However, my best year had been a year we sold about $100K in product. By the way, that is one awful puny sales year by any retail store's standard, but I had considered it successful at the time. And, if you close only for holidays, and do $300 in sales per day you are open, you will do more than $100K in sales. Of course, to me, having been in the Army for 12 years, and raising a family of 4 on $20K a year, ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS "sounded" like a monstrous amount of money, to me. Back then.
Anyway: for those interested in opening a game store. and, for those who already have, and want to become MORE successful; for those who are involved in (as an investor, owner, partner, manager) of a game store; and, for those just interested in learning about what it would take TO own a game store; and, especially for those who, like me, 11 or 12 years ago, who find that they are a bit overwhelmed by their business - I invite you to attend the GAMA Trade Show (GTS) this year at Bally's Casino and Convention Center, March 22nd through March 26th, 2010. Where several of this industry's brightest retailers, top publishers, and innovative distributors will be giving seminars on nearly every imaginable aspect of retail store ownership, marketing, management and promotion.
My First Year after attending my first GTS - my stores sales tripled. And, now I have two stores, and still consider myself someone who has a lot to learn. Which is why, along with presenting seminars, I will be attending several, too.
Other Highlights from this year's GTS include:
- Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc, (KDE) is teaching retailers in attendance about their Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. Stop by KDE’s booth #131 at the 2010 GAMA Trade Show and learn more about the world’s number one selling trading card game of all time. (Which, I didn't even know until I read their recent press release - that Yugioh has outsold Magic and Pokemon worldwide).
- FREE show giveaways from Wiz Kids and Bastion Studios. Though, honestly, there are so many companies every year that give away demo or sample copies of items, I can't put it all in my luggage - and I only take items we don't already carry!!
- Bandai Tournament Wednesday! Join Bandai's breakfast and get the latest on the Naruto CCG & the Battle Spirits TCG! Play in the Battle Spirits TCG Sneak Preview Tournament Wednesday Night (Cash Prizes!) Bandai always does a top-flight presentation to retailers and attendees. I am looking forward to learning more about the SPIRITS TCG (we already carry Naruto)
- Wizards of the Coast has taken Bronze Room #4 for the entire show to introduce their industry seminars and release plans. (Meals included!) This is a major step up for WotC from my understanding. They have always had good presentations at GTS - but this year they are doing more than ever to help educate retailers on their products. Since I already carry a LOT of their products, I am looking forward to learning more of what they have to offer.
- Mayfair Games! Join Mayfair for the Demo-2-Demo program in Bronze 3 - Meals and games included! Every GTS Mayfair Games has something cool going on, and this year they have their own room to demo their games to retailers. With games like Settlers of Catan, Pillars of the Earth and Empire Builder - Mayfair is one of my BEST selling publishers, and I am hoping to learn several of their games this year.
- PSI Games Night at GTS Wednesday night, bigger than ever! Food and games. Play and have fun!
- Upper Deck! Join in the Upper Deck industry seminar program – you can’t afford to miss it!!
- Hundreds of other exhibitors showing off their games, services and products in the Exhibitors Hall.
- Dozens of Seminars to educate new, veteran and potential Retail Store Owners on the "business" of retailing in the game industry.
In my mind, as a retailer, I want to make a good living. I enjoy what I do, but that does not mean I do not want to be fairly compensated for my work. Like a Plumber or Electrician - I am a professional. And, even though my mother wondered for 20 years when I would "get a real job" - this is my profession, my career, my vocation. And, as such, I continue to want to learn, and grow.
For the other industry professionals - I'll see you in Vegas.
Now, I will put away my high horse, and my column next month will have some highlights from GTS, and some industry news, and gossip.
