Requirements checklist
What to ask for when choosing software for toy stores.
A checklist built from how toy stores work, to print or save as a PDF and bring to any supplier meeting.
What the software should cover
Tick each one that matters to your business.
- Toy catalogue by brand, age band and character
- Seasonal buying plan
- Pre-orders and layaway
- Receiving and piece checks
- Display samples and demonstration units
- Returns, open boxes and clearance
- Lot recalls and supplier notices
Roles that need their own access
Who logs in, and what each person may see or change.
- Owner
- Buyer
- Floor staff
- Receiving clerk
Reports to ask for
Ask to see each one with your own sample data.
- Sell-through by brand and age band
- Pre-orders open and allocated
- Layaway balances and collection dates
- Open-box returns by decision
- Display samples out on the floor
- Units sold from a named lot
- Clearance stock and markdown value
Systems it may need to connect to
Note which ones you already run.
- Barcode scanner
- Receipt printer
- Card payments
- SMS or WhatsApp
- Accounting export
Questions for any vendor
Put these to every supplier you are comparing.
- Can I look up toys by age band?
- How are layaway deposits tracked?
- What about launch toys that ship short?
- Can the system help with seasonal buying?
- How does it treat display samples?
- Can it find units from a recalled lot?
- Can parents keep a gift list?
- How do we bring our toy list across?
- Who owns the records?
- What does it cost?
Where the work usually breaks today
Circle the ones you recognise. They set the order of the project.
- Seasonal stock is bought blind
- Pre-orders and deposits go astray
- Open boxes have no clear rule
- Age labels and safety notices are on the box only
- Display samples disappear
Prefer to talk it through? See the toy stores page.