PIA - Old versus new

We’ve been asked before ~ Does the type of merchandise we provide really matter or do we just need to have “prizes”?  Won’t they play anyway?

We were recently in a gelato shop in West Palm Beach, where aside from a delicious assortment of home made chocolates and unique Italian ice creams, there was a collection of plush toys that could pass for a hall of fame in our business.  We happened upon an old Ace Novelty Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, that while very nostalgic for us personally, as it brought us back to our amusement park days of the late 80’s, gave us pause for a minute. Stuffed animal toys, like everything else in this world of ours changes.  What was previously cutting edge is now dated. Of course if you wait long enough, things come full circle as we’ve witnessed the renaissance of classic brands, and retro products.

We used to say a bear is a bear, is a bear, and sometimes in the case of generic plush, it was.  You could shop the market, of varying price points, and choose a lower cost alternative, provided it worked and didn’t diminish the value your customer or the end user was expecting.

But as we just said times have changed, including the expectations and demands of the end user.  If you have kids like we do, you know technology is embedded within their DNA, and they live in a world that moves much faster, is much smaller, and provides in some cases instant gratification.  They’re on Youtube more than traditional TV, and have access to product information on an almost instantaneous level. They are influenced by brands they recognize, and we see this with our clients, partners, and customers.  These kids are smart. In the age of big data, they’re armed with information. While there will always be a place for low tickets items, upgrading your prize offering is where the gold is. In short, it absolutely does matter what sort of products and items you offer your players.

Gone are the days of passing off poorly packaged designer impostors.  If you want to appeal to this generation, your product offering must be current, and must be recognizable.  Name brand retail merchandise, not off brands will drive an increase in game play. Your winners want value.  They want a product they know and recognize. Have you ever seen this generation’s reaction to a flip phone? If you haven’t updated your product offering, you’re probably sending the wrong message. Don't be stuck in the past.