Overall, we were up 10% for the month of December, which means we've been over last year's sales in Sept., Oct., Nov. and December. I'd call that a trend.
Still, I'm leery of this year, and I'm only going to try to match last year's totals for the first half of 2010.
COMICS: Up 17%. Love them or hate them, the big 'Event' stories do bump up the sales, and it was nice to have DC Comics joining Marvel in the best-sellers. Black Lantern has been a phenomenon. I think I lost most of my significant customers in the first 6 months of the Great Recession.
DVD's: Since I'm more of less clearing these out -- not permanently, but just so I can reposition them-- sales are up and down. They were down about half this Christmas.
SPORTS CARDS: Up 20%. Cards are pretty fluky, these days. Depends on how many box buyers I have on any given month.
CARD GAMES: Down about 32%. This has been happening for awhile, indeed it happens every time I have a competitor who actually provides game space. In the past, I've discounted in response, but this time I'm not going to do that. It's still a significant sideline, and I'd rather earn proper profits on lower sales, than insufficient profits on higher sales and concentrate on those sidelines that are working.
GAMES: Boardgames did very well this Christmas, and it was nice to have a Christmas-like product for once. Summers and Christmas seem to be the time for boardgames.
BOOKS: Up 16%. Not record territory, but within striking distance.
TOYS: Almost exactly the same. Always the best month of the year. Duh.
GRAPHIC NOVELS: Down significantly. Watchmen was still selling last year, and manga is still sliding. Plus, I suspect a few more titles are being included in the book section that used to be included in the GN section.
Overall, I'm pleased. With Christmas, a few days can make all the difference.
Still, I'm leery of this year, and I'm only going to try to match last year's totals for the first half of 2010.
COMICS: Up 17%. Love them or hate them, the big 'Event' stories do bump up the sales, and it was nice to have DC Comics joining Marvel in the best-sellers. Black Lantern has been a phenomenon. I think I lost most of my significant customers in the first 6 months of the Great Recession.
DVD's: Since I'm more of less clearing these out -- not permanently, but just so I can reposition them-- sales are up and down. They were down about half this Christmas.
SPORTS CARDS: Up 20%. Cards are pretty fluky, these days. Depends on how many box buyers I have on any given month.
CARD GAMES: Down about 32%. This has been happening for awhile, indeed it happens every time I have a competitor who actually provides game space. In the past, I've discounted in response, but this time I'm not going to do that. It's still a significant sideline, and I'd rather earn proper profits on lower sales, than insufficient profits on higher sales and concentrate on those sidelines that are working.
GAMES: Boardgames did very well this Christmas, and it was nice to have a Christmas-like product for once. Summers and Christmas seem to be the time for boardgames.
BOOKS: Up 16%. Not record territory, but within striking distance.
TOYS: Almost exactly the same. Always the best month of the year. Duh.
GRAPHIC NOVELS: Down significantly. Watchmen was still selling last year, and manga is still sliding. Plus, I suspect a few more titles are being included in the book section that used to be included in the GN section.
Overall, I'm pleased. With Christmas, a few days can make all the difference.