Toy stores aren't just for kids! Of course, it's where parents, generous aunts and uncles, and grandparents go for the latest must-have toy for family children. But hobbying took hold during the stay-home orders of the early 2020s, and the popularity of these comforting, reassuring pursuits shows little signs of diminishing.
Toy and hobby stores are frequented by children and adults alike. This is excellent news for toy and hobby store franchises supplying craft and hobby accessories, toys, collectibles, and gifts for all ages and interest demographics.
Toy and hobby store franchises supply:
- Crafting materials — for thread-based hobbies such as knitting, embroidery, and macrame.
- Art supplies — oils, acrylics, charcoals, and accessories for painters and other visual artists
- Train sets — for children and adult hobbyists alike
- Model making kits
- Books — both novels and hobby-interest collections
- Stationery
- Health and wellbeing supplies — such as yoga mats, josticks, loungewear, and hiking gear
- Kid's toys and games
- Adult board games
- Jigsaws and painting by numbers
- Seasonal decorations
- Scrapbooking and card making
- Baking supplies
- Video games
- Musical instruments
- Sports equipment, such as bats, balls, rackets, and sportswear
- Fishing gear
- Woodworking supplies
The hobby demographic is enormous, including both men and women, young and old. In fact, there are very few store categories that appeal to such a wide range of the American public!
For example, women traditionally enjoy crafting and artistic hobbies, such as stitchwork, painting, and flower-arranging, while men often opt for model train sets, gaming, and carpentry. But hey, this is the 21st century — all activities are open to everyone regardless of their gender these days, which is brilliant news for toy and hobby store franchises.
Many hobby stores offer seasonal lines, including holiday decorations and activity kits, to keep everyone occupied throughout the end-of-year break.
But, of course, toy stores are a haven for children — supplying the latest toys, games, puzzles, and video games that keep them entertained while nurturing dexterity, problem-solving, and creative thinking. And some toy and hobby store franchises provide good-condition second-hand toys, helping prevent the inevitable wastefulness of the toy industry.
So, if you’re passionate about toys, games, puzzles, and hobby supplies of all types, consider investing in a toy and hobby store franchise. For a career that never feels like a job!
Franchising
Franchising is regularly considered the common-sense way to go into business. Consider the benefits - with a franchise, you inherit:
Instantly recognizable branding;
- A reputation for excellent customer service
- An existing supply chain ensuring the best value and higher profit margins
- A tried-and-tested product line
One of the main issues with starting up an independent company is the lack of true client insight. Many indies start by offering what they think the customer wants, but often, that turns out to be a costly mistake.
Take the guesswork out of starting up in business by inheriting an established client profile and a workable understanding of what those customers want from your toy and hobby franchise.
But it's not just customer insight you gain when you invest in a toy and hobby franchise — you also benefit from the parent company's long-established expertise. Most parent companies offer outstanding training opportunities to ensure you make the most of your investment. Gain insider knowledge and all the trade tips from your experienced partners.
In addition to training, lots of parent companies offer some HR functionality, helping ensure your new business runs in compliance with business, financial, and employment regulations. This aspect of running a business keeps many owners awake at night, so HR functions are a very welcome perk of investing in a toy and hobby franchise.
Remember, with a toy & hobby franchise, you benefit from:
- Ongoing support and guidance from your parent company
- Online authority and established SEO
- World-class training that ensures expert knowledge for you and your employees
Facts About Toy & Hobby Franchises
Toy and hobby franchises are part of a multi-billion dollar retail sector. In 2021, the toy industry grew by a staggering 14.2% vs. its 2020 income, bringing in around $38.2 billion to the US economy. And that's just the toy section.
We hope you're sitting down - because the US hobby sector generated a revenue of $118 billion in 2021! And by 2023, the toy and hobby products sector is expected to bring a phenomenal $545 billion to the economy.
Indeed, revenue for the toy and hobby franchise sector has risen exponentially, fuelled principally by the growing trend toward more active lifestyles for US citizens. As health and fitness issues fill the newspapers and online news, there's growing participation in sporting activities, from the typical team sports, such as soccer, basketball, football, and baseball, to competitive one-to-one activities such as tennis, golf, and racketball.
It seems that the US public is at a point of peak inspiration with regards to nurturing health and longevity, making it a perfect time to consider investing in the super-profitable toy and hobby franchise sector.
Franchising Vs. Independent
One of the most significant problems with setting up a brand new independent company is that you're on your own. All you have to guide you is customer demand, but it can take a couple of years to really understand what resonates with your client base.
But for many indies, they establish that valuable client understanding too late; finding the first couple of years of trading slow and financially crippling.
Because all new ventures require startup collateral (and they need to pay it back!).
Indies starting up without the support of an experienced partner often struggle to achieve decent interest rates versus franchises that enter the marketplace with a clear vision of what the customer wants (because they're joining forces with an experienced partner).
Franchises often have a smoother ride when applying for startup funding because the business model has been tried, tested, and proven profitable, sustainable, and capable of growth. Indies don't have a proven track record, making it way more challenging to convince moneylenders to part with their funds.
Franchises hit the ground running, attracting loyal clients as soon as they open their doors because they stock the products customers already love while offering the reassurance of a trusted brand.
Toy and Hobby Franchises
Check out Franchise Direct's excellent selection of toy and hobby franchises. And help inject a little fun and healthy pursuits into American households in your area.
Find your brand new start with Franchise Direct.