The FLGS spiral of death.
Phase 1: Store overbuys on fad product (usually D20)
Phase 2: Store owner finds that they have product they can't move.
Phase 3: Store owner cuts out "high risk" product only re-ording backstock occasionally (at our local store its D&D and nWOD almost exclusively).
Phase 4: Store owner does not realize that his stock is offered for 10% off at Barnes & Nobles.
Phase 5: Gamers turn to Amazon.com for selection, find that they can get a better price online.
Phase 6: Local gaming community crashes without vibrant local retailer.
Phase 7: FLGS goes out of business.
Not that the local game store is entirely at fault. These new hardback books may sell well comparitively but I think publishers may be forgetting that demand is a curve. You get less business selling one book a double the price than two books at half the price. (How many times have you bought an extra book on amazon to get free shipping even though it put the total order up higher than buying the non-discounted book).
SD
|