Apparently, more gaming stores than ever are shutting their doors, in north america at least. The question is: is there any special strategy, or any major changes, that an FLGS can do to avoid this fate? Or are all gaming stores ultimately doomed to extinction?
OR, is it really that in the new realities of today gaming stores only need to actually do what they already do, but better: provide better service, actually BE friendly, etc?

RPGPundit

Maybe we should organize a telethon, or a benefit concert? Bruce Springsteen and Sting couldn't possibly pass this up! The Small Press on OBS could put out another relief package, too!

I can hear it now: "Save the Game Store! Let them know it's GM's Day!"

-clash

First we should see some actual data on that matter. Frankly, I think we're trying to guess, at best, where the market is headed, and the doom and goom about FLGSs is old story.

Second question: should they be saved?

It is a pretty sad situation in most of the US. I live just outside Detroit and we are down to two actual games stores. There are a few comic shops left and a couple of them have a very limited selection of actual gaming stuff.

They have failed for a ton of different reasons. A lot of the problem has been economic but a many just had poor management or customer service.

I think brick and mortar stores need six things to succeed.

1-Great customer service.
2-An online presence w/online orders.
3-Discount pricing on large purchases (10-15%).
4-Location, Location, Location.
5-Space for gaming tables, preferably set away from the retail part of the operation.
6-Regularly sheduled events for the gaming community & promotion of the events.

Quote from: PaladinCA;359897I think brick and mortar stores need six things to succeed.

1-Great customer service.
2-An online presence w/online orders.
3-Discount pricing on large purchases (10-15%).
4-Location, Location, Location.
5-Space for gaming tables, preferably set away from the retail part of the operation.
6-Regularly sheduled events for the gaming community & promotion of the events.

7 - Showers.

I kid, I kid.

In the main, no, and nor should they because most aren't very good.

Those that add value, that do something more than one can get from an online supplier for less money, may survive.  The rest won't and shouldn't.

Quote from: Balbinus;359901In the main, no, and nor should they because most aren't very good.

Those that add value, that do something more than one can get from an online supplier for less money, may survive.  The rest won't and shouldn't.

But... What about Bruce and Sting?

-clash

In the long run? No.  Our time is done, and that's because of the shift of what makes TRPGs viable as a business.  There's little tangible stuff to sell, and most of that can be shared amongst users.  The shops in the Twin Cities that aim to stick around diversified a long time ago and refocused their event schedules to accommodate CCGs (Magic, L5R, etc.) and popular wargames (40K, WFB, Flames of War), with some accommodating the RPGA or Pathfinder Society due to both D&D variants being heavy on the use of tangible playing aids (minis and maps).

We have a nice one near my house, but I don't go in any more. For me the LGS is for impulse purchases, and the time when game stores stocked stuff that I want seems to have passed (sometime in the mid aughts). If I really want something, they can order it for me, of course, but I can do that for myself- and get it cheaper.  I don't wish them any ill, but they can't have any of my money either.

Quote from: Imperator;359892Second question: should they be saved?

What he said.

My closest FLGS is an hour away.  I can drive an hour, in hopes of buying something at full cover price...or I can order it from Amazon at 25% off, please free shipping, and maybe less on eBay.

I don't play at a FLGS, I don't recruit at a FLGS...I can guarantee I wouldn't notice the immediate effects of FLGS closure, though I'm sure I would feel some of the wider ramifications.

Quote from: PaladinCA;3598971-Great customer service.
2-An online presence w/online orders.
3-Discount pricing on large purchases (10-15%).
4-Location, Location, Location.
5-Space for gaming tables, preferably set away from the retail part of the operation.
6-Regularly sheduled events for the gaming community & promotion of the events.

I like this answer and Balbinus' (which was value added).

Seanchai

Some of the FLGS nearby are stores which have their hands in several things such as:  comic books, manga, card games, board games, warhammer minis, toys, etc ... in addition to rpgs.  Though I've noticed the rpg sections have been getting smaller and smaller over the years.  I wouldn't be surprised if one day they stop stocking rpg books altogether in the near future.

For a larger selection of rpg stuff, I would have to drive an hour to the next larger town over.

Quote from: Seanchai;359915I like this answer and Balbinus' (which was value added).

Seanchai

If I had a quarter million to lose I might try to open one, but certainly not during this recession.

Hobby dollars are the first thing to disappear during recessions and I think many of the closures are due to the current recession (with no end in sight).

I recognize that game stores with in-store play space and regular/sponsored "league" events are important for some types of games (board games, card games, and especially minis games that require lots of components and table-space) but I don't see them as being important for RPGs any more -- it seems to me that everything game stores provide for RPG players is provided as well or better online: stuff to buy (both new and used), recommendations for what's good and bad, opportunities to meet and get-together with other players.

The only benefit I see game stores providing to RPGers is "neutral ground" so you don't have to worry about allowing some potentially-creepy stranger you met online into your house (or going to some potentially-creepy stranger's house), but there are enough other common-sense ways around that that I don't see that alone as sufficient to make RPGers feel dependent on game-stores in the same way as, say, WH40K players.