[GizmoTron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tierneygreen

Not to belabor the topic, but I remember when Dorkside opened the physical store and thinking to myself, "Really???". Don't get me wrong, I miss toy stores as much as anyone, and I was excited by the prospect since they're local to me. It's just that standalone physical retail toy stores are a relic. It's simply not a wise financial investment anymore, if it ever was.

I've been to their store a couple of times, knowing the area very well. The store is in an extremely popular outdoor mall, alongside many national retail chains (Children's Place, Bath & Body Works, H&M, etc.). I'm sure they get tons of foot traffic. I'm also sure the lease in a location like that ain't cheap, especially for a one-off, locally-owned shop. If they are indeed having money trouble, I wonder if the decision to open a physical store will end up being their undoing. Of course, I'm just speculating.

It's a good speculation. Only physical stores I've seen thrive are those that deal more exclusively in vintage product, and even that is risky. But all too often you see vendors want to deal just in new product and often find themselves losing in direct competition to big box stores or sites like Amazon and even Hasbro itself with Pulse. In a market where the figure you're offering for $30 is easily available elsewhere for less plus even the occasional sale, I just don't see how you think you can win.