Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and that means one thing: Black Friday is at hand! Even with a shaky economy the video game industry continues to thrive. Video game software, accessories and hardware can be the bright spot in your holiday season. Tom LaVoie, President and CEO of Red Lion Interactive is offering retailers and distributors a few simple ideas to help sales.
The Classic Thanksgiving Mix:
Stuffing
An extension of superior customer service is providing your customers with a rotating supply of goods. Keep your inventory up-to-date with current products and keep your customers aware of what you have to offer.
Mashed Potatoes
Don’t get ahead of yourself. Only order what you need for short manageable periods of time (for instance 3-4 week increments). Don’t allow yourself to get stuck with truck loads of dead inventory you can’t move.
Gravy
That little toy inside the Cracker Jack box is one of the great marketing success stories of all times. Develop a gift-with-purchase program that adds value to a customer’s initial purchase. Or offer a discount on further products or services purchased from you. Offering “free stuff” can be a great motivator for your customers to buy (i.e. spend) more.
Don’t Forget the Vegetables
Now more than ever, kindness amongst strangers can go a long way to increasing customer loyalty and satisfaction. Superior Customer Service should be the goal of any operation. A customer always has a choice to go elsewhere for his or her goods and services. Friendly, honest Customer Service should be your top priority this holiday season.
Pumpkin Pie
A happy, satisfied employee usually translates into superior customer service. Provide your employees with the motivation they need to positively represent your company by offering attainable incentive programs.
Stated Tom LaVoie: “This holiday season might prove to be highly profitable for retailers and distributors alike. Developing a few simple plans for your operation might just be the trick you need to help you stay ahead of the competition and improve sales.”
Tom LaVoie
Tom LaVoie, a former retail buyer for national chains, is President and CEO of Red Lion Interactive, one of the fastest growing providers of accessory distribution and product promotional support in the video game industry. Red Lion’s philosophy of integrity, commitment and trust is expressed in every aspect of its business culture as the company continues significant growth in its sector of the industry. Red Lion, which is located in Los Angeles, California, represents every major accessory brand and supports every gaming platform including Nintendo Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PlayStation™
