Dec 3, 2014

Small Toy Shops Play Up the PerksBy Adam JanofskyWSJ.com

On a warm afternoon earlier this week, Dan Weiss, manager and “chief toyologist” at Fantastic Kids Toys, was preparing for the early-December rush of shoppers to the two neighborhood toy stores he manages in New York City and nearby Great Neck, N.Y.

To battle a formidable field of rivals, like Toys “R” Us Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Amazon.com Inc., Mr. Weiss, a son-in-law of the stores’ owner, offers free storage and delivery.

“If customers let us know at least three days in advance” when they want their toy purchases delivered, “we’ll box it up and keep it in our house, in our garage,” he said. The perk, he added, appeals to parents who want to keep toy purchases a secret from their children.

Read complete article »