The new Premium store status in the revamped WPN has caused a lot of discussion among retailers, so I wanted to take a more in-depth look at it.
In general, stores discussing Premium store status break down into two camps: 1) "There is no way my store can meet those requirements and not doing so could hurt my store;" and 2) "That’s quite a list but either we already meet it or will with more work." (Of course, there is the third group of stores who won’t worry about achieving that status, unless the benefits increase significantly. A lighted sign, premium placement in the WPN locater and access to more events are not a huge inducement.)
If you want to take a look at what Wizards of the Coast wants in a store, here is a link to a video shot at Mox Boarding House giving an overview. Meanwhile, here is the checklist of criteria Wizards of the Coast wants stores to meet in order to qualify for premium status I referenced in last week’s column. I know several stores are planning to use the items on the checklist as a guide to improving their own stores, even if they do not qualify for Premium status. The checklist breaks down into two categories: store aesthetics, shown by a walkthrough video; and customer service, established through a secret shopper. (Hopefully, WOTC vets their secret shoppers a bit better than Diamond Comic Distributors, which has a secret shopper program enforcing its day early receipt program. Diamond’s secret shoppers often miss things on the company’s checklist, such as saying no TV is present showing appropriate material when one or more are.)
Store aesthetics break down into five areas:
Store design. Well-designed and inviting exterior with visible signage; well-laid out and lit interior with clearly defined merchandise and gaming areas with uniform fixtures and professional tables and chairs (Hope Lifetime qualifies); good stock of current Magic product; store kept clean and in good repair.
Store housekeeping. Cardboard boxes kept out of sales area; "professional" trashcans emptied regularly; organized register area; bathrooms cleaned regularly and restocked.
Store accessibility and comfort. ADA compliant; public transport links or parking nearby, appropriate marketing materials on display (I imagine this means torn or faded posters and art featuring scantily clad women and men removed).
Store amenities. Pads and pens available; snacks available onsite, computer for account registration or Arena demos; TV or screens for promotional purposes; "professional" events, including table numbers, pairings and prizing.
Customer interaction. Store rules and sales policies clearly displayed; online and in-store event calendar.
Customer service breaks down into three areas:
Staff. Customers greeted upon entering the store in a positive and professional manner; identifying shirts, lanyards or badges; ongoing training with knowledge of current Magic products and rules (after all, this is a WOTC program) along with other games, able to recommend Magic products commensurate with customer experience level, and the ability to demo games upon request.
Customer Interaction. Presence on at least two online platforms; inclusive environment; professional interaction with customers, prioritizing new ones; events regularly promoted.
Play experience. Run all WPN events, allowing pre-registration either online or instore, events for multiple levels of player experience, events start on-time with rules and prizing explained clearly at the start of the event.
I think that pretty much covers everything. As I have noted in past columns, the focus on events differentiates the retail game store from almost all other forms of retail out there as few, with the exception of restaurants, sell you the product and provide you a place to use it as well. Through Premium status, WOTC encourages current stores to improve the quality of the customer experience we offer, which is, as Martha Stewart used to put it, "a good thing."
The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.
