Games and Puzzles News and Trends

Keep sales consistent by putting games and puzzles news and trends to good use
By Denise Ryan Whether you sell games and puzzles for toddlers, teens or adults, ensure your merchandise captures their imagination (and boosts your bottom line) by keeping up with the latest industry news. Not only will your research help you build an enticing inventory, but it will also let you find products from reputable wholesale game vendors.

Discover sources that keep you in the know and in touch with game and puzzle vendors, manufacturers and other retailers. The articles and discussions can help you determine what board games, brain teasers or party games will be the hit of the upcoming season. To gather games and puzzles news and trends to influence your buying, merchandising and pricing decisions, you can:

1. Study news stories on everything from company developments and the state of the industry to the hottest strategy games and classic card games.

2. Attend trade and consumer shows to see new games and puzzles in action, discover display ideas and get first-hand opinions from customers and other retailers.

3. Participate in game and puzzle industry organizations to network with other retailers, develop new business strategies and interact with game vendors and company representatives.

Read a variety of articles to help decide what board games and puzzles will become best sellers

In addition to hearing about product releases and reviews in consumer game magazines, you can also get industry news and learn upcoming game and puzzle trends from online sources like blogs, game websites and manufacturer forums. Look for information like company closures, what mind puzzles and games have the most buzz and what classic board games will reemerge as favorites.
Try:  Read the news stories at Puzzles.com from ThinkFun to see what upcoming tournaments and developments will increase the popularity of specific board games and puzzles. The GamesIndustry.biz blog from the Eurogamer Network features industry news and the latest trends for electronic, video, classic and puzzle games in the U.S., Europe and beyond for a global perspective of the industry. Check out the Toy-tma.com blog for industry news, recall information and the latest trends for electronic, classic, educational and puzzle games.

Visit trade shows to see new products, get merchandising ideas and find wholesale game vendors

Conventions allow you to play with new games, discuss pricing with vendors and find out how other retailers are advertising their wares. These events can also help you make buying decisions. If you're trying to decide which themed jigsaw puzzle designs to order, for example, study several exhibits to determine the hottest trends and characters for the upcoming season.
Try:  Discover new video, electronic and computer games and discuss the industry with manufacturers, journalists and retailers at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. The Chicago Toy & Game Fair allows retailers and consumers to get a hands on look at the latest products and visit the Inventors Expo to get a first look at new business puzzles, electronics and board games before they hit the market.

Join groups to keep your games and puzzles business ahead of the competition

Participating in an organization for retailers or game enthusiasts not only gives you a constant source of industry news and connections to manufacturers and wholesalers, but it also gives you a reliable source of feedback. If you're on the fence about ordering a jigsaw puzzle game line from a new distributor, for example, use a group's online forum to obtain information on its reputation, and ordering and return policies.
Try:  Join the Association of Game & Puzzle Collectors to get first hand feedback and information on new games and puzzles from the consumers who buy them. The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association provides independent games and puzzles retailers with educational and networking opportunities to help with merchandising and promotional techniques and industry information through toy and game manufacturer press releases.

• When attending a trade show along with the general public, discuss the latest games and puzzles with parents and children. Their opinions on which puzzles, games and educational toys are worth the price and appeal to both their entertainment and education needs can help you decide what new products to order and what trends to avoid.