| |
Hardly any small toyshops seem to carry LEGO anymore. I've been told that
toyshop owners don't like to carry it because it's too "mass market" and they
specialize in quality toys. Also, I suppose it is hard for toyshop owners to
compete with the likes of Wal*Mart in pricing and volume purchases from TLC.
But I see an opportunity here. TLC, or some division in TLC, could capitalize
on the small toyshop market. Drop the $5000 minimum order, drop the
requirement to carry the whole range and all other impediments to carrying LEGO
for the small toyshop. Provide a specialized line to these stores...things
like the LEGENDS series, train sets and accessories like train tracks and
roadplates of all varieties. Small boxes of bricks, slopes and plates that
might sell better in a toyshop environment than they would in places like
Wal*Mart.
And if TLC insists that it wants to venture into the unknown, let then try
things like making accessory sets that are compatible with Rokenbok (also sold
in these small toyshops). Imagine a LEGO set equivalent of a Down-A-Vator
using pneumatic parts, plates and technic beams. It would get the Rokenbokers
using LEGO with Rokenbok and buying a lot of LEGO to enhance their Rokenbok
layouts.
And think what re-establishing themselves in small toyshops would do to bolster
the LEGO brand. A lot of people go to toyshops exclusively when it is time to
buy birthday presents, etc. These people would see quality LEGO sets like they
used to know when they were kids. TLC wouldn't have to worry about licensing
deals and flashing packaging in this sort of environment compared to mass
market retail.
Why not let part of LEGO Direct cater to the small toyshops? Perhaps it would
be a (relatively) small investment that would really pay off.
--
Thomas Main
thomasmain@hotmail.com
|
|
Message has 8 Replies:
 | | Re: LEGO disappearing from small toyshops
|
| (...) LEGO (...) bolster (...) they (...) We have a half dozen locally owned toyshops in our metropolitan area. They all stock Rokenbok, Playmobil, Brio, and toys from other major quality manufacturers. Most of these stores used to stock Legos. The (...) (23 years ago, 14-Feb-02, to lugnet.lego.direct)
| | | Re: LEGO disappearing from small toyshops
|
| "Thomas Main" <thomasmain@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:GrJ4uD.KFK@lugnet.com... (...) they (...) to (...) TLC. (...) capitalize (...) LEGO (...) stores...things (...) that (...) [ ... snipped ... ] TLC has changed some of their requirements. (...) (23 years ago, 14-Feb-02, to lugnet.lego.direct)
| | | Re: LEGO disappearing from small toyshops
|
| (...) About two years ago I noticed a drastic drop (probably half -- maybe more) in the selection of Lego at one of my favorite indie toy shops. I didn't talk with the staff; I assumed it was because of competition from chains. I had the exact same (...) (23 years ago, 14-Feb-02, to lugnet.lego.direct)
| | | Re: LEGO disappearing from small toyshops
|
| For some time now I have been seeing all the small toy-shops from my childhood either disappear or cease selling LEGO. I never understood why that happened, but now you have mentioned the minimum order and obligation to use the full product line... (...) (23 years ago, 14-Feb-02, to lugnet.lego.direct)
| | | Re: LEGO disappearing from small toyshops
|
| (...) *These are my personal thoughts on this subject and have absolutely nothing to do with any marketing strategies or theories that TLC holds or is planning.* I think that the market segment that caters to small specialized toy retailing is being (...) (23 years ago, 15-Feb-02, to lugnet.lego.direct)
| | | Re: LEGO disappearing from small toyshops
|
| (...) Personaly, I'd wonder is thats true! Wal*mart & K-Mart both have LOW LEGO stocks up here, but the only small toyshop I know of, appears to have LOTS of LEGO's, but no the whole line... More then the other stores though. Are you sure they are (...) (23 years ago, 16-Feb-02, to lugnet.lego.direct)
|
21 Messages in This Thread:
 
 
- Entire Thread on One Page:
- Nested:
All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:
All | Brief | Compact
|
|
|
|
