This Star Wars robotic talking, moving R2D2 droid has been a hit with last-minute Christmas shoppers with nine being snapped up in a couple of days.
We brought it in once we knew the majors had sold out, leaving us with a blue ocean opportunity. Plenty of shoppers have been relieved to find it in the newsagency this week. Our social media marketing helped attract people who have not shopped with us.
Selling gifts at $200 and more is easy with the right product. Our most expensive item sold this Christmas cost $500. The customers are thrilled.
Biggest single item sale today $750 thanks to the new Team Yankee game release (I sell alot of model hobby and game related stuff). Having someone walk in this arvo and plop down $3900 on lotto…icing on the cake.
Merry Christmas Mark and all and thanks for pushing the diversification agenda as much as you have – definately spurred me along a few years ago (and I’m not NewsExpress ) 🙂
Paul that is a terrific number. I think we can travel much further in diversification. The changes in 2016 will be wonderful and challenging.
I know I shouldn’t be writing this on my day off but…..Isn’t it ironic that the industry is so set in it’s old ways yet it seems the news agency model was created through diversity. We have an au pair that help me juggle 3 young children and running a demanding business. Not one of them has been familiar with the Australian version of a “news agency”. The industry itself is a product of diversification in our business environment and yet so many are unwilling to adapt again.
Our little business that never sold gifts 3 years ago now sells more gifts than cards. It can be done and the resources are there if you don’t know how to start. I’m personally not affiliated with a group however if I needed help starting in this department I’d join one as the benefits of introducing this are enormous. Is your business an investment or a job?
The challenge is perpetual change. For example, gifts are good but then there are gifts and gifts and beyond gifts. It is vital we are riding trends more than responding.