Beyond Comics: Essential Non-Comic Items Every Comic Book Shop Should Stock
Last week, I proposed some questions that, if answered honestly and thoughtfully you’d get some actionable items for comicbook shop owners to implement. Actions to help them navigate the turbulent moments in the comicbook industry.
The first of the questions for comicbook shop owners was as follows,
“Imagine that you are building one store where comicbook readers can get everything they want and / or need”.What would that store look like?
There is so much that comes to my mind, some more conventional and others not, but they would all appeal to a wider consumer base .
Toys and Board Games:
Comic book stores are often a hub for pop culture enthusiasts, and many stores offer a selection of popular toys and board games related to comics, movies, TV shows, or anime. This helps to attract a broader customer base and offers a wider range of products to potential buyers. It also presents a great marketing opportunity with a game night every Friday night to show case these games, allowing potential buyers a night to try the game before making their purchase.
T-shirts, Apparel, and Stickers:
Comic book stores frequently sell t-shirts and apparel featuring iconic comic book characters, logos, or artwork. So I’m surprised that not every comicbook shop has a wide selection of prints, shirts, and stickers. I buy so many stickers of my favorite characters online, I buy prints at comic cons, and shirts from big box retail shops. Sales that would go to my comicbook shops if they carried them.
Art Supplies and Stationery:
Some comic book stores sell art supplies, sketchbooks, and various stationery items catering to comic book artists, illustrators, and enthusiasts. These items enable customers to engage in their own artistic pursuits and foster a creative community within the store. I read comics and make comics, a one-stop shop for me for sure. Smart merchandising would also be to pair the art tools next to comicbook artists that use said tool.
Books and Novels:
Comic book stores may also offer a selection of novels, particularly those related to popular comic book characters or from the same publisher. This expands the reading options available to customers and encourages them to explore related literature. Books on comicbook history is another lane for comicbook shop owners to implement.
DVDs and Video Games:
As more larger big retail shops begin to phase out dvds and video games, it is definitely an angle that comicbook shop owners could use. Movies that relate to comics, whether comicbook characters or documentaries on comics. Video games are also a simple choice. Maybe even the vintage ones, like Sega games, etc.
Coffee:
Most readers drink coffee and read. Why wouldn’t most comicbook shops sell private label coffee so that readers can show support. Comicbooks and coffee sounds like my perfect day off!
Merch:
Every comicbook shop should have their own merch. Shirts, hats, and stickers. It’s a simple way to build awareness of the shop and getting them sales up.
There are also other items that may not be traditional but are something a comicbook shop could maintain. I’ve seen comicbook shops that almost doubled as a sex toy shop and others that had a porno mag section. Stop the giggles, guess what? We all probably watch porn get over it. That’s something that comicbook shop owners have to ask themselves whether or not it’s something that they would consider for their shop.
That was the second question. Where would your moral compass lead you? What do you want to bet you dollar on? I’d be more inclined for the art supplies and coffee, but all these options presented are possibilities that could help elevate the sales of any comicbook shop. If you are unsure, ask the folks who have a pulllist to do a quick survey for you.
As always, I hope this helps any comicbook shop owner reading. That’s it for this week, see you next week when we go further down the comicbook shop rabbit hole.
