New Store Opening event ideas

A good idea to have toys in Sears?  Personally, no, I think there are plenty of other stores that can do that.  Kmart is a good place to find toys, but when I go to Sears I expect to find appliances, tools, yard work supplies, etc.  I don't want floor and shelf space being taken away for toys.

I guess it comes down to demographics and what type of customer you are trying to target.  In our local Sears I think you'd get a lot of pushback from the customers if you brought in a toy department at the expense of another department.

Toys for Sears or ideas for opening Kmart or a Sears?

Do you still use the mops numbers in Department 4, 64 and 40?

my idea? i think it's fun to have a toy team.. so that kids will also have fun while their parents is looking around..

Hot Wheels and Matchbox car events tend to get huge business.

Cracker Jack type toys, free with a child's gift card.

 Besides motorized vehicles and video games, what else is there for this generation?

Toys in Sears Stores is what we are looking at ideas for.

Like a group of associates that are hanging out playing with different Demos and such with the kids... is that what you were thinking?

This is a great idea.  If there are some fun activities for kids, the parents will be more likely to come to the event. 

If you look at the selection of toys in a Sears Essentials, and reduce it by half, that would probably be a good assortment for a mall Sears to start with.

I'd tie it in with your Friends & Family Events-you'll draw a large crowd.

ngalletti3 said…

Toys in Sears Stores is what we are looking at ideas for.

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heres an idea DONT!

most malls already have atleast one toystore if not more in them plus theres bound to be toys'r'us or target or walmart in the area.  sears really needs to learn to promote what they HAVE that other stores in the area DONT and not keep trying to add to thier stores what everyone already goes to other stores in the area to get its just a waste of inventory dollars and assocate payroll to unload unpack set up the area for put out the items sign em just to remove it all in 6 months  because noone knows they have it and wouldnt think of looking there because its not something a sears normaly has

goodole312 said…

ngalletti3 said…

Toys in Sears Stores is what we are looking at ideas for.

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heres an idea DONT!

 

most malls already have atleast one toystore if not more in them plus theres bound to be toys'r'us or target or walmart in the area.  sears really needs to learn to promote what they HAVE that other stores in the area DONT and not keep trying to add to thier stores what everyone already goes to other stores in the area to get its just a waste of inventory dollars and assocate payroll to unload unpack set up the area for put out the items sign em just to remove it all in 6 months  because noone knows they have it and wouldnt think of looking there because its not something a sears normaly has

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Thank you Goodole312.  This is very helpful feedback!  What type of toys would make you want to come into a Sears?  What type of experience/feel would the toy shop need to have to make you think of Sears for your toy needs?

Thank you Goodole312.  This is very helpful feedback!  What type of toys would make you want to come into a Sears?  What type of experience/feel would the toy shop need to have to make you think of Sears for your toy needs?

Goody ole boy, they just ain't gettin' it. Management sees that Xmas toy $$$ and think, "Hey we should do this all the time!" "Yessir"

Kaybee filed bankruptcy twice in five years. Toys-r-Us, according to their owner VNO, does over 80% of their business in Q4 with a whopping net from the premiere international toy retailler of less than 100MM.  

Walk thru target or walmart and see their toy aisles, nothing sells, period. Its all about electronics now. Or walk thru your back room and see the piles of MFC.

If you're bent on putting toys in every Sears, look at toy sales for Sears Essentials between January and October. That should give a good indication of the kind of assortment and quantities you would need. However, like the others, I agree that year-round toys for mall Sears is not a wise move. Sears would do better by using the catalog in conjunction with display models of a few of the bigger ticket items that are on the sturdier side, and putting them in stores in September and selling them off in January.

I agree, toys are not a big revenue for most Sears stores, leave that to K-Mart.

Stick with the well known brand names, DieHard, Craftsman, Kenmore, Lands End, etc that is where the real revenue is and your store ROI payback on these brands far exceeds "Toys".  I guess if your a toy merchandise buyer for Sears, you may have a different opinion.

look at toy sales for Sears Essentials between January and October. That should give a good indication of the kind of assortment and quantities you would need.

January saw full shopping carts going out the doors at 50-75% markdown to be shipped overseas, including name brands like Lego and Nerf. And let's not get started on bikes!

If management wants to take a flyer on new merchandise, lets go back to candy and nuts...at least we can eat the loss :)