Games and Puzzles

Enrich your store with games and puzzles

By Romy LeClaire Loran, Freelance writer

If you are like many toy storeowners or specialty game and puzzle vendors, you might be experiencing the pressure of competing against big box stores and online competition. In a world where reaching niche markets is key, consider expanding your games and puzzles inventory in order to cater to both children and adults.

Games and puzzles can make you money. While children still enjoy "Life" and "Monopoly," every new holiday season brings with it the idea of more games and puzzles. Adults play games and puzzles at parties, with friends and in business to achieve company unity. Adult puzzler fans also enjoy new and thought provoking games.

There are many game and puzzle vendors to choose from, each with a vast array of choices. You will find you can easily add to your puzzle and game inventory by focusing on the following:

1. Add jigsaw puzzles to your inventory. They come in a variety of difficulty levels and can quickly become addictive for children and families who enjoy putting them together.
2. Choose interesting and innovative games and puzzles for children.
3. Choose party games and strategy games for adults that can become fun standbys for time spent with friends.
4. Promote innovative and interesting games and puzzles to appeal to adults.

Purchase at least one type of jigsaw puzzle or jigsaw puzzle game from reputable vendors

Children and adults who want to work alone or together may enjoy the challenge of jigsaw puzzles. Jigsaw puzzle themes include famous and exotic places, cartoon, movie and television characters and sports teams.
Try: Buffalo Games, Inc. began in 1998 and now creates and sells an assortment of puzzles from 300 to 2000 pieces, with themes ranging from hit movies and television shows to horses and panoramas. Ceaco, another jigsaw puzzle manufacturer, sells puzzles by piece count, theme and artist.

Choose games and puzzles that appeal to children

There are usually 2 categories of children's toys--those that are the classic standbys and those made popular by hit television shows, movies and trademarked lines. In order to succeed with children, you will need a combination of both.
Try: Out of the many game vendors available for little tykes, Alex is a wonderful option. This company sells some colorful and fun floor game sets. For classic, inexpensive brainteasers, such as the wooden cup and ball, contact The Puzzle & Craft Factory. For classics, such as mancala, backgammon and chess, try Melissa & Doug, LLC. For popular puzzles and games adults and children will recognize, try Hasbro.

Choose games and puzzles that appeal to adults

Puzzles games that appeal to adults include all the classic board games as well as the new ones entering the popular market. Puzzling, however, has quite a following. If puzzlers know you carry a more eclectic assortment of puzzles games, they may come to your store.
Try: For true puzzler aficionados, try Verdes Innovations S.A.'s V-CUBE or a homemade puzzle by William Waite. For a much larger selection of games and puzzles, Kadon Enterprises, Inc. sells a large selection games and puzzles.

Include business puzzles in your store

If your store is in or close to a business district, sell a few games and puzzles that appeal to businesses. Team leaders and HR staff are always looking for ways to build company unity and morale.
Try: Bizzyballs.com will imprint puzzles and games with motivational sayings as well as company logos. Consider selling a few of these business puzzles by your checkout stand. C Squares sells team building games and puzzles.

Consider carrying books of ideas that carry crafts, puzzles and games for children as well. These can be lifesavers for parents on long, rainy days and car trips.
Also, consider carrying a section of educational games and puzzles for teachers and parents who home school.