Hey everyone,

I really want to start a puzzle shop in Belgium.

It's just that i don't know if it would be an interesting thing to do.

I don't know if a lot of people would be interested in a cube shop in Belgium.

Please help me out!

Thanks,

Simon

Are you talking about a physical puzzle shop or an online puzzle shop?

Either way, it's going to be hard to beat prices from China. Most of your business would come from people who want quicker shipping times (AKA people in/around Belgium). This is why most online puzzle shops in the USA are popular. If you think there is enough of a customer base near you, go for it.

Jack

thanks!

I was thinking about a physical shop (like cubikon) that also has an online feature.

Here in Belgium, i don't know a lot of people who do actually speedsolves puzzles.

I'll do some research on that.

thanks a lot!!

Simon

If you do open a shop, make sure you have non-twisty puzzles as well. Also puzzles that appeal to the masses. Some clever games and toys would probably help too. It may be too nitchy to just have twisty puzzles.

-d

Depends on your location. Centre of Brussels might work.

The idea is good. I suggest you to start online store at the begining.
Physical store is risky when you are just starting the business.
If you have a lot of cube friends who support you and one or two big cube forums in Belgium, probably you can try.
Good try and best luck !
PS: If need my help, feel free to let me know.

My best advice is not to give up!

I have an online puzzle store in Australia, (Smarter Puzzles) and it is very hard going at times. Australia's population is dispersed over a wide area and it's hard to let people know about us - this may not be so hard for a European shop.

Also, prices are high in Australia simply because it costs a lot more to bring the products here, and sales volumes are lower.

Good luck!

Regards

Warwick.

Some words of advice ... and encouragement:

"Entrepreneurship" = pursuit of opportunity regardless of current resources under control.

First, and most important, do your market research: buy or borrow a diverse collection of puzzles and take them out onto the street. Get the public involved, let them play with the puzzles, and ask for their feedback to judge what type of puzzles they like most and their level of interest, without spending a fortune on stock.

Buy just a few of the most popular puzzles at low cost from China, and take these back out and try to sell them on the street for the highest price. Don't panic if they don't sell quickly: your goal is just to get a feel for the best price point, to maximize profits based on both margin and volume. Also check out the price of puzzles in nearby stores.

Repeat this process in different locations, in different cities/streets, and try to get a feel for the best place to maximize price and volume.

Try to build your business on the street first, and only set up a shop if and when you have been able to save up enough money and demonstrate a sustainable business on the street first. Then use all this information to calculate some financial forecasts to see if this business will cover any additional costs for rent, promotion, etc.

In other words, test your business model first without spending a penny, before you think about investing anything into it.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Kelvin

Puzzlemaster has excellent wholesale prices and a great variety of puzzles for stocking your shop.

Oskar