Start with the customers you already have

Who comes into your shop or visits your website? Parents looking for a gift, hobby gamers who follow new releases, teachers, tourists? Each group asks different questions. A gift buyer wants to see the age range, number of players and playing time at a glance. An experienced player asks about mechanics and complexity. Let your selection cover the groups you already meet first, and only then the ones you would like to attract.

Group games by occasion

Instead of sorting by publisher, think about the occasions people play: a quick game for a family evening, a game for two, a cooperative game, a game for a larger group, or a game with an educational theme. That makes it easier to advise customers, and the shelf or online category becomes easier to browse. A few titles per group are enough, as long as there is a clear difference between them, for example in length or complexity.

Check language and clarity

For games with a lot of text, the language of the cards and of the rules is essential. Check which language the components use, whether the rules are available in your customers’ language and whether the game can be explained in a few sentences. Games with little text often suit tourist or multilingual shops better, while text-heavy games suit customers who can play them in their own language.

Trust your own experience

Staff who have played a game recommend it far more convincingly. Where possible, arrange a sample or demonstration copy and try the game with your team. For each title, write a short description in your own words: who it is for, how long it takes and what makes it special. The same description helps with online sales too. If space allows, an open copy that customers can look through before deciding also helps.

Build the range gradually

A new title needs some time before customers notice it. Keep track of which games customers ask about, which ones your staff enjoy recommending and where customers need more explanation. Use that to extend your selection step by step instead of replacing it all at once. Consider the time of year as well: before holidays customers tend to look for gifts, while during the rest of the year they may want games for travel, school or evenings with friends.

Two games, two different needs

Compare concrete details, not just box artwork. Gleipnir (Slovenian store page) is a card game for 2–4 players, ages 10+, lasting around 10 minutes. No Planet B! is cooperative, for 1–6 players, ages 12+, with a play time of 20–60 minutes. A short round and a longer cooperative game suit different occasions. This is not a sales or availability guarantee, but an example of explaining a useful difference to customers. Check the store for current details.

Questions for your supplier

  • Which languages are the components and rules in?
  • Are samples available for evaluation?
  • Is there material that helps present the game to customers?
  • How does reordering work?
  • What are the terms for your sales channel?

Answers vary between suppliers and between titles, so it makes sense to get them in writing for each case.