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Doctor Who saves Sydney retailer

Click here to read a story from the ABC yesterday about a Sydney retailer’s business being saves by specialising in Doctor Who products.

A Sydney retailer has survived the coronavirus pandemic thanks to a unique line of products: small plastic Doctor Who figurines.

The Who Central shop in Sydney’s north-west has seen record sales in recent weeks, selling out of most products and propping up its main picture framing operation in the shop next door.

Regulars here would now that I am a big fan of licences product. Over the years I have written about success with Disney, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Star Wars and other licences.

From a newsagency perspective we can leverage these licences across multiple categories: greeting cards, games, stationery, figurines and more. Those who so well, telling a good story, often do well.

Right now, for example, in one of my shops we have a full display of Harry Potter products. We’ve been in this space for several years and have not left it because it sells.

A mistake I see retailers make is the assumption that they doppelgänger’s not have customers who love a particular licence. I say that’s a mistake as we continue to discover our little we know our customers, Also, we often do not know those our customers could buy for.

Specialisation in retail matters. Regional newsagency businesses are particularly well placed to leverage this.

Read the ABC story. It’s inspiring.

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  1. Steve

    Yes a good news story Mark and I agree licensed products are a good fit for our channel. The spontaneous day tripper shopper is particularly strong for us at the moment. Would love to hear more from the wholesale suppliers in these lines.

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