Out of Stocks

I wanted to discuss a couple of solutions to the problems retailers have seen in out of stocks  this past holiday season, especially among smaller publishers:  Flooring and reshoring.

Anyhow, back to reshoring and flooring. Reshoring is simply the concept of moving production that a company offshored due to cheaper production costs, back home. The trade off between offshoring and producing products overseas and in the publisher’s home country is that of lower production costs versus the loss of sales due to the extended supply chain. Overseas production runs save costs in terms of lower materials costs, lower labor costs and greater flexibility but add costs in terms of additional shipping costs, wait time and managerial and oversight costs. A survey of manufacturers in 2015 found that 17% had already reshored production to the US while another 37% had plans in the works to do so. A number of US game publishers, including Kobold Press, Troll Lord Games, Looney Labs and Catan Studios, have never off shored production, finding that the speed with which they can print and restock product outweighs the cost savings of offshoring.

Flooring is the concept of a publisher or manufacturer which uses a distributor storing additional product on site at the distributor but retaining ownership of the product. When the distributor gets low on product, it simply moves product from the publisher’s stock to the distributor’s , taking ownership and paying the publisher. This allows the publisher to make more product than it could easily warehouse and drastically reduces out of stocks. Steve Jackson Games had a successful flooring arrangement with Alliance for several years and, when Chessex Manufacturing was located in the same building with Alliance Fort Wayne, a out of stock on dice could be rectified with a walk next door.

Adopting either of these practices, or some others, would certainly help in reducing out of stocks, especially during the crucial 4^th quarter.

Are Salespeople Passe?

I had planned to write about the discussion regarding street dates in the gaming industry, which has raised its head once again (not as easy to set a street date in the gaming industry as in the comic, book or movie industry because of the fragmentation of the channels of distribution) but then this article asking if the sales person is dying as a job category caught my eye, that and the discussion of the growth of the concept of “retailtainment” as the direction in which retailing will move.

If you have read the linked article, there are a couple of points with which I would take issue:

1)      The author grossly overstates the importance of online retailing to the overall retail sector. Although it has grown rapidly, online retailing still accounts for only about 10% of sales in the entire retail sector.

2)      The retail sector typically ramps up hiring for the holiday season in September through November then lays off a lot of those hires after Christmas, so an 89,000 person decline in retail sales people may not be that out of line for the period October to now.

Retailing remains important though with 1 out of every 10 people in the US employed in retailing and it is still where most people get their first job and learn valuable skills, such as interacting and working with other staff members and the public, time management and personal  responsibility , that will serve them, if learned properly, throughout their life. However, unlike when I first entered retailing in the 1980s, people no longer spend their careers as retail salespeople. Movement by stores towards part time work, lower wages and fewer, if any, benefits (and I am talking things like health insurance and retirement plans, not free snacks and a discount off game purchases), have kept employee turnover high across the industry, approximating  67%, meaning the average retailer has to replace two-thirds of their staff every year. This is why many large chains have moved toward self checkouts with only one staff member monitoring 4-6 check out stations while Amazon tests staff less stores, where the customer selects items off the store shelf, scans the items themselves and the purchase gets billed to their Amazon account. Simple once set up and no human interaction needed. Will this happen quickly? Nah, too much infrastructure needs to get implemented for retailers to adopt the model widely anytime soon, but it is coming.

This is why stores will move toward the “retailtainment” model,  in which customers are entertained while they shop. Customers want an experience to go along with their shopping, which is why they flock to a new restaurant when one opens. Dining there is a new experience, one they cannot get elsewhere. In fact this is why new stores have heavy foot traffic for the first few weeks after opening. Customers looking for a new experience stop by to check it out, but once the new wears out, they head off to the next experience.

So what do game stores have to do? Create experiences. Tournament model stores, those with as many or more tables than retail space, already do this, creating weekly or daily experiences for their customers. The rest of us have to use atmospherics (appealing to the senses) to bring the customer back. Stores and salespeople aren’t passé but we will have to work even harder to remain relevant.

Talisman 4th Edition

Looks as if Pegasus Spiele will rerelease the base game and all of the expansions for the 4th edition of Talisman, just no idea as to when. This means that USAopoly has the rights to come out with new versions of Talisman, like the upcoming Batman version, while Pegasus Spiele releases the original game:

Talisman Revised 4th Edition

Deep in the realm of Talisman , players embark on a perilous search for an immense treasure, the legendary crown of domination. As a warrior, priest, wizard, or one of the eleven other heroes, they contest this quest to become the sole ruler of Talisman . But the way to the crown is treacherous and frightening. Legend has it that only a hero with mythical and magical powers, protected by a fabled talisman , can exist in countries beyond the portal of power. But finding such an artifact is not an easy task: monsters, traps, and dark magic await players on their way. Talisman is a family-friendly fantasy game that combines board and role-playing elements. In the 1st Edition Talisman appeared in 1983 and now enjoys cult status.

PSD 56200E                                                         $59.95

Talisman: The Reaper Expansion

An unearthly chill creeps through the air. The Wizard stops reading his ancient tome and gazes cautiously over his shoulder. The Warrior feels an unfamiliar fear as he draws his mighty sword. A shadow has fallen across the countryside. Death, himself, wanders the land! Can the heroes fulfill their epic quests with the spectre of the Grim Reaper hounding their every move? The Reaper expansion offers Talisman Revised 4th Edition players four new character cards (with plastic figures), 90 new Adventure Cards, 26 new Spell Cards, 12 Warlock Quest Cards, and the Grim Reaper, a dark figure that players manipulate against each other.

PSD 56201E                                                         $24.95

Talisman: The Dungeon Expansion

                Brave untold dangers, and discover what lies in the darkness beneath the world of Talisman! Adding an entire new Region to the game for heroes to explore, Talisman: The Dungeon features a custom-fitted map board and over 100 new cards that bring this subterranean realm vividly to life.

PSD 56202E                                                         $39.95

Talisman: The Frostmarch Expansion

A CONTINENT OF ICE DOMINATES THE HORIZON. IT IS THE FROSTMARCH, BROUGHT HERE ACROSS THE NORTHERN WATERS BY THE ICE QUEEN. ARMED WITH THE CROWN OF COMMAND, SHE IS TRANSFORMING THE REALM INTO A DESOLATE, FROZEN WASTELAND! THE FROSTMARCH EXPANSION FOR TALISMAN: REVISED FOURTH EDITION INTRODUCES FOUR NEW CHARACTERS, PLUS NEW ADVENTURES, SPELLS, AND THREE NEW ALTERNATE ENDING CARDS ` INCLUDING A FINAL CLIMACTIC BATTLE WITH THE ICE QUEEN!

PSD 56203E                                                         $24.95

Talisman: The Highland Expansion

TALISMAN: THE HIGHLAND ADDS A NEW REGION TO THE GAME FOR HEROES TO EXPLORE. A CUSTOM-FITTED MAP BOARD AND OVER 100 NEW CARDS BRING THIS MOUNTAINOUS REALM VIVIDLY TO LIFE, WHILE SIX BRAND-NEW CHARACTERS, EACH REPRESENTED WITH A SUPERBLY DETAILED PLASTIC MINIATURE, OFFER FANTASTIC NEW PLAYING EXPERIENCES.

PSD 56204E                                                         $39.95

Talisman: The Sacred Pool Expansion

PROVIDING A FOUNTAIN OF NEW POSSIBILITIES, THE SACRED POOL INTRODUCES NEW WAYS TO EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC AND ADVENTURE OF TALISMAN WITH FOUR ALL-NEW CHARACTERS, OVER 70 NEW ADVENTURE CARDS, NEUTRAL ALIGNMENT CARDS, QUEST REWARDS, AND THE ADDITION OF ALTERNATE ENDINGS.

PSD 56205E                                                         $24.95

Talisman: The Dragon Expansion

The prophecies of the Dragon Cults have come to pass... Three Draconic Lords have returned to their ancestral home in the Firelands, each one claiming dominance over territory and fighting to claim the legendary Crown of Command as his own. For he who claims this mighty artifact shall be crowned Dragon King, and all living things will bow to his tyrannical rule or suffer his rage! A new quest for the Crown of Command has begun, more terrifying and dangerous than ever before! The Dragon expansion for Talisman Revised 4th Edition adds a dangerous new Inner Region for heroes to conquer, while the Draconic Lords and their legion of dragons are represented in over 300 new cards and tokens, and six brand-new characters are each brought to life with a superbly detailed plastic miniature.

PSD 56206E                                                         $39.95

Talisman: The Blood Moon Expansion

Once in a generation, the Blood Moon begins its fell cycle, bathing the realm in a pallid light. Compelled by its sinister presence, the restless dead rise from their their graves, vampires hunt for unwary prey, and witches engage in nocturnal rituals. Worse yet, the horrifying Werewolf prowls the night, seeking heroes with whom to share his curse. The Blood Moon expansion for Talisman Revised 4th Edition comes with 111 new Adventure Cards, 10 new Spell Cards, one Time Card, six Lycanthrope Cards, three Alternative Ending Cards, three new character cards with plastic figures, and the Werewolf, a feral creature that players manipulate against each other.

PSD 56207E                                                         $24.95

Talisman: The City Expansion

For the brave travelers seeking the Crown of Command, the City is a place of both great potential and great peril. Wandering the streets, a visor will find master artisans, affluent merchants, remorseless criminals, and mysterious strangers. Among its grand towers and bustling streets, shops offer armor, weapons, mounts, and more. Enchanted objects, potions, and spells can be found for sale. Mind and body can be strengthened through training, and fortunes can be foretold. For the traveler with some gold to spend, a visit to the City can give him the edge to survive in the most dangerous regions of the land. The opportunities one has within the City`s walls may make the difference between life and death in the Valley of Fire! The City expansion for Talisman Revised 4th Edition adds a new Region to the game for venturesome heroes to discover. A custom-fitted map board and over 100 new cards bring this bustling metropolis vividly to life, while six brand-new characters, each represented by a superbly detailed plastic miniatures, offer fantastic new playing experiences.

PSD 56208E                                                         $39.95

Talisman: The Firelands Expansion

A new peril erupts in the realm with The Firelands expansion for Talisman Revised 4th Edition! The legendary Ifrit have returned to exact fiery vengeance, charring the land, burning away players resources, and setting entire regions ablaze! Players must race to battle this terrible threat, since only the Crown of Command can truly extinguish the Ifrit`s flames. Four new characters join the adventure - the Dervish, the Warlord, the Nomad, and the Jin Blooded - while three new Alternative Ending Cards offer players different ways to engage in the endgame, and new Terrain Cards reshape the land in the wake of the Ifrit`s destruction.

PSD 56209E                                                         $24.95

Talisman: The Woodlands Expansion

For the first time in countless ages, the mystic Woodland has returned to the mortal realm. Among the towering trees and along the twisting trails, wealth and power beyond comprehension can be found. But, there are dangers as well. King Oberon and Queen Titania, ageless beings of fate and magic, will not brook invasion of their realm so lightly. Will you pick sides in the struggle between the monarchs of the fae, or will you strive forward? The Woodland expansion for Talisman Revised 4th Edition adds a new Region to the game for venturesome heroes to discover. A custom-fitted map board and over 100 new cards bring this magical forest vividly to life, while five brand-new characters, each represented by a superbly detailed plastic miniatures, offer fantastic new playing experiences.

PSD 56210E                                                         $39.95

Talisman: The Cataclysm Expansion

Decades ago an apocalypse devastated the realm. Now, at last, new life is evolving amid the chaos and wreckage. This is a time of possibility and heroism. A new age dawns in the wake of The Cataclysm! The post-apocalyptic realm of Talisman is brought to life on a new center board, while a Denizens deck re-populates the land and a Remnants deck scatters traces of former civilization everywhere. Plus, five more characters now seek the Crown of Command and four alternative endings shape your quests in this ever-changing world.

PSD 56212E                                                         $49.95

Yu Gi Oh Gold Sarcophagus

Konami Digital Entertainment Inc, is proud to bring you one of the most exciting, new look tin we have produced in quite a few years!  The 2019 Gold Sarcophagus Tin is fashioned after the iconic Gold Sarcophagus and is designed to reduce the amount of wear and tear sustained by the cards you keep in it, making it a stylish and efficient way to store cards that are important to you!

Each tin will come with 5 Prismatic Secret Rare variant cards:

• 2 cards (from a set of 6 new cards) with art by Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of Yu-Gi-Oh!

• 2 cards (from a set of 5 cards) from the original Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series, which includes the 3 Egyptian God Cards with art by Kazuki Takahashi.

• 1 of 3 new World Premiere cards designed to be usable in any Deck, and help you stage a comeback against some of the fastest strategies that might come from your opponent.  One card prevents Graveyard dumping, another punishes your opponent if they Summoned too many monsters, and the third gives you a reprieve if they set up a monstrously large field on their first turn.

In addition, each tin has 3 Mega-Packs of a specially crafted set featuring popular cards released in 2018, like Danger!? Tsuchinoko!?, Knightmare Mermaid, andCalled by the Grave. Each 16-card Mega-Pack has 12 Commons, 1 Rare, 1 Super Rare, 1 Ultra Rare, and 1 Prismatic Secret Rare.  All of the foil cards in these Mega-Packs appear in different rarities than their original 2018 release, adding a further element of mystery and excitement to the 2019 Gold Sarcophagus Tin!

Let me summarize what might be one of the most compelling tins produced in quite some time:

• Brand New Tin design fashioned off the Gold Sarcophagus!
• Blind Purchase of 5 card Prismatic Secret Rare Variant card which promotes Multiple Purchases!
• Prismatic Secret Rare is not commonly used!
• Includes Kazuki Takahasi art cards (creator of Yu-Gi-Oh!)
• Includes World Premier cards that are useable in any deck!
• New foil rarities for Mega-Pack cards, rather than just a reprint of their original rarity!

Why Shop Local?

Granted, the overwhelming number of purchases are still made in brick and mortar stores  (roughly 90% of retail sales are still made in brick and mortar stores, though this number is projected to increase by 14% by 2021). Given that many customers are motivated by price and stuff really is cheaper generally online and, unfortunately, most of our customers are not autistic enough to willingly spend more at their Friendly Local Game Store, just to keep us in business. We need to give them reasons to spend money at the brick and mortar store, rather than online. So here are 5 good reasons to shop locally:

1. Immediacy—when the customer buys a product at a brick and mortar store, they get to use it immediately. When the exception of digital media and PDFs, everything else purchased online takes time to reach them, anywhere from a day to a month or better.  I was just checking out a Kickstarter produced by a local publisher and backers will not receive the game until next March. Even modeling miniatures with a 3D printer takes several hours to complete

2. Finding New Stuff—Despite the vast amount of products available for sale online, in general customers don’t find new product online. They are 3 times more likely to find a new product that delights them in a physical store than in an online one (and don’t worry a lot about showrooming. According to Harris,  70% of customers webroom while only 45% of them showroom).

3. Reinvestment —More of their money stays in the local community when a customer shops at a local store. If a customer spends $100 at a local store, 68% stays in the local community  while if they shop at a chain store, only 45% stays in the community to generate jobs and, of course, if they buy online, none stays in the local community . In addition,  there is a multiplier effect when that money is spent in the community, meaning that money circulates to other business such as office supply stores, janitorial services etc. . In a smaller community like here in Carbondale or London Kentucky, the multiplier effect is only around 1 or 2 times before the money leaves the community but in a more metropolitan area such as Seattle, St. Louis or Chicago, you are looking at a multiplier of 7 to 10 times. And, of course, the sales taxes go back into such things as sidewalks, police, fire safety, sewers ect.

4.  Stronger Communities—Research shows that the more local businesses a community has, residents have stronger civic ties and are more likely to participate in civic affairs. Economic concentration among businesses leads to a monolithic   local power structure and civic apathy. A larger number of locally owned  businesses is positively correlated with participation in local elections and civic activism, helping to counter the decline in civic engagement in the US over the past several decades.

5. More Jobs—Local businesses create more jobs for local people. Maybe it indicates inefficiency, but local retailers create twice as many jobs as Amazon does for the same amount of revenue. Spending money at the FLGS helps maintain jobs, both there and in the large community

Yu Gi Oh Set

From Konami:

Konami Digital Entertainment Inc, is proud to bring you the latest booster Battles of Legend: Hero’s Revenge.  This 1^st edition set arrives on the scene in July, ready to turn the summer on its head!  This 93-card, all-foil booster set is packed with never-before-released cards from previous Yu-Gi-Oh! anime and manga series coming to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME for the first time, new Link Monsters, high-powered tournament mainstays, and more!  Here’s a taste of what’s in store for Duelists:

• Number 93: Utopia Kaiser, originally available only to those who reached the pinnacle of competition, makes its public debut! Fans of “Number” monsters will have even more to look forward to in Battles of Legend: Hero’s Revenge.

• More “Vision HERO” monsters from the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX manga series appear, along with related “HERO” cards like Vision HERO Vyon.

• Brand-new Link Monsters for a variety of Deck themes like PSY-Frames, Traptrix, Black Luster Soldier, and more.

• In-demand tournament-level cards like Borrelsword Dragon and Sky Striker Mobilize – Engage!

• Popular tournament-level cards available as foils for the first time, like Dinowrestler Pankratops, Artifact Lancea, and Summon Limit.

Each 5-card pack contains 4 Ultra Rares and 1 Secret Rare.

Set contents subject to change.*         `