talkmagic.co.uk

I'm not seriously considering starting a magic business right now, but a pipe dream of mine is to open up a magic store so I decided to cost it up and figure out what is actually involved for the fun of it.

Problems and pitfalls of running such a business aside...

Is anyone able to give an insight into how stock is usually sourced?

Should you approach each brand separately (e.g. individual publishers, inventors, magic brands, card companies) or are there magic suppliers who source it then provide stock?

Do suppliers usually drop ship, provide wholesale or provide small numbers?
Is it usual for them to provide credit or is it always money up front?


I can understand if people don't want to reveal this info. I'm just trying to get my head around it.

Murphy's Magic in the states are one of the largest wholesalers of all things Magic. I believe Alakazam in England also sell wholesale.

Ill happily chat about it, but not in the open x

PM me if you want to know etc x

E x

Harris wrote:Ill happily chat about it, but not in the open x

PM me if you want to know etc x

E x

Same here.

I own a magic shop.

Feel free to PM me.

PM me too

I dont know anything about magic retail but am terribly bored, lonely and trying to supress my violent urges

Cheers all! I'll drop you a PM later today.

When you do send the PMs, be sure to mention whether the store will be B&M combined with online/mail/phone/etc. order or solely online. Two different approaches.

Good luck!

Tut Tomo ... I offered first ... ! Always muscling in aint cha eh !

In fact though I may just pm you ! Hahahahahaaaaaaaaa

Answer your mail anyway you !

E x

I don't know much about retail, but it doesn't seem too hard to set up a market stall. Those chaps with a barrow in covent garden have a good model that I've seen other do: sell cheap self-workers and demonstrate the buggery out of them to tourists: I've seen others do this in tourist. God alone knows how you make any money though and break into the wider market, I guess you need to know what your USP is and what delivers your repeat business do your SWOT analysis and your business plan. Alakazam seem to have diversified very successfully from the mere retailer into a producers, creators and teachers.

I suppose that given most retailing has a mark up of 50% to 200% 'all' you need to do is source products at the right price. Do let us know how you get on. I could do with another job myself!

Of course, God only knows how much it costs to rent a pitch in Covent Garden!

Robbie wrote:Of course, God only knows how much it costs to rent a pitch in Covent Garden!

Told you I didn't much about retailing! I never even thought about that ! Does anyone know how much it DOES cost to rent a pitch in CG?

I just want to thank everyone for their PMs. There has been a lot of helpful info/ideas that you have kindly passed on and I will reply to each individually when work slows down a bit. Cheers!

My first question is, WHY?

My second question is, what would make your 'magic shop' any different from the thousands of magic dealers that you can find on line who retail the same stuff from the magic wholesalers that all the others do?

My third question is, does the magic fraternity need another magic shop?

If you are thinking of a 'bricks and mortar' shop then you'll need to sell something other than magic as no local area could really supply your shop with enough trade to make it viable, as running any retail outlet is a very expensive business.

As a magic MANUFACTURER and dealer I rather despair at the number of 'magic dealers' I see who have come into the market as a 'hobby' and peddle the same generic 'magic' as so many others. It's a bit like going to any city centre these days - all the same stuff in all the same shops - no local variety.

Dealers like Mark Leveridge and Stephen Tucker, both with many years of performing experience produce and sell their own tricks. This is a real contribution to the world of magic.

At Black Artefacts I sell only effects that are produced and developed by me. I never wholesale, though I am often asked, so if you want a Black Artefacts effect then you have to come to Black Artefacts. I am always working on new ideas and presentations and I believe that this is what makes a contribution to the world of magic. Remember that I am self employed and I do this to pay my bills, it is a passion but NOT a hobby.

Running ANY business is difficult, running a successful magic business is even harder.

So, before you start to try and turn your pipe dreams into reality then think long and hard about my three questions.

Keith Hart

Thank you for your post.

Those concerns were very much my first reaction too and I believe I have gone some way to addressing them on paper.

I have good idea which involves a niche. I don't want someone to beat me to my idea so please forgive me if I don't divulge it.

One of my first decisions was that I would have to diversify with non-magic products (juggling, gambling, board games being the most likely avenues) to be less exclusive and also to appeal to my catchment. Even if I were to be sloppy with my choice of magical stock, I would be providing to people who don't normally get the chance to buy so easily and with such support. I do have ideas in terms of what to sell specifically but it needs more research to confirm it. What I do know it that I will need resources for teaching beginners as well as providing supplies for professionals.

As for the 3rd question, I'm not really sure I have to justify myself there. I have as much right as anyone else to run a magic related business. All that matters is that it is viable in the first place. If it turns out to be viable then that answers your question... there is room for another.