We’re just a week into November and I’m deeply thinking about the holidays. I look around my store and try to guess what the “must have” books are going to be. While I usually look at books, yesterday I also spent a fair amount time trying figure out what the best stocking stuffers will be this year.
I am not the sidelines buyer, thank goodness, but I do try to notice trends, so I can tell Elizabeth what’s working and what’s not. Fancy 3-D bookmarks are literally flying off their spinning display at a rate that has me wondering if we’ll have enough come December. Do we have the right animal mix? Are wolves going to outsell kittens? Are dinosaurs dead? This is what I think about when I’m quiet at work.
These cute little ceramic dolls from Japan are doing surprisingly well for a $12.95 item. I’ve seen enough kids and parents eyeing them that I know I won’t have enough to see me through the holidays. Do I have enough of the letter magnets that I was sure wouldn’t sell, and have been? And what letters should we really have in abundance? Is there an algorithm for knowing that for every “S” you have, you need four “E”s? All I know is there are never enough “J”s.
The problem with sidelines is often they take a long time to arrive at the store. Shipping is by no means overnight, or free, so it’s a guessing game of time and money. Sidelines can’t be returned as books can. So will I be stuck with 12 gorgeous ceramic, hand-painted flying piggy banks, or will they sell out, or fly, as the case may be, before Christmas? I just don’t know and this makes me crazy this time of year.
Guess right and you’re a genius who has all the doo-dads and cool add-ons that customers didn’t even know they needed. Guess wrong and you’ve lost a sale and are looking a January sale full of buying mistakes.
So, I’m curious what folks think will be the hot not-book sellers this holiday season.
Buckyballs! The greatest $29.95 impulse item ever.
I’ve just started carrying something called Chat Pack–boxes of cards with intriguing questions that are great conversation starters or writing prompts. I’m only carrying the “for Kids” and Xmas packs, but there are other choices, as well. So far I’ve been really pleased with how fast they’re moving, and I have already heard the phrase “stocking stuffer” uttered as customers pick them up.
Our surprise hit by the register have been the children’s book inspired Ouchies Jr. band-aids. Who knew?
I bought the #3D bookmarks standing alongside Elizabeth and I’m shocked that you’re wondering if dinosaurs are dead. That was the first one we sold out of. We’ve already reordered. On other fronts I’m expecting big things from dino-soars, Frog Feast, and most particularly California creation wind ups.
Don’t forget the Japanese erasers. They are great stocking stuffers. We sell at least 20—30 a day. Gotta love ’em.