"Worry-free grocery store" for the elderly
Little books, rolling hoops, throwing pots, tin frogs, memory chess... these things are all placed in a toy store in Tongzhou District, Beijing, which is an elderly toy store.
The owner Song Delong has been planning to open this store for 10 years.
Green and healthy, difficult and easy to moderate
This is a store with a simple decoration style. On the front of the door, it reads "Always play with the elderly toy shop" written in yellow letters on a red background. There are several large red toy tricycles at the door. These elements make it look a little different. Similarly, this store is located on a corner of No. 23 Yangzhuang Road, Tongzhou, Beijing.
Song Delong was born in 1979. The more than 400 toys in the store were selected by him from three to four thousand suppliers.
He has his own set of standards: green and health are the first priority, but at the same time fun, and the difficulty is moderate-too difficult, it is not easy to be anxious to learn; too simple, but feel boring.
The entire store covers an area of about 180 square meters and is divided into two areas, one is a "puzzle leisure area" and the other is a "fitness sports area".
Toys are varied, ranging from Luban locks, hoop rolls, and pots, to memory chess, 4 times the size of poker, and small books. The average price is tens of yuan.
The most expensive one is an "electric folding bed" of thousands of yuan, which looks like an ordinary wardrobe and is placed on the wall.
"This is put down to two beds, so that when the children go home to see the elderly, they can sleep at home for one night." Various toys in the store filled the entire space, "I didn't specifically classify them. It’s just the beginning and I don’t want to set too many frameworks."
"The best seller is this!" Song Delong said and took out an "automatic rebound table tennis trainer". The table tennis ball was erected in the air through an elastic flexible shaft, and people on both sides could freely play in the air. The set of toys includes a set of rackets and a base with a ball, and the overall price is about 40 yuan.
The interior decoration of the store is rather ancient. There are various toys stacked on two wooden semicircular shelves, and a rotating glazed lamp hangs above the head. There are two calligraphy and paintings hanging on the front and back, which are written "Foresight" and "Self-cultivation".
Along the window, Song Delong first put up a few flower stands, on which dozens of potted flowers, large and small, and then several tables, wooden sofas and hanging chairs. On the tables were also checkers, music scores and writing brushes. s material.
"Old people can come and play here for a while."
"Can't wait any longer"
Before opening the store, Song Delong advertised in CCTV's "Red Sunset" column. As early as 2010, he had the idea of opening an "Elderly Toy Shop".
"At that time, I felt that the time was not ripe, so I waited and watched first, and the result was 10 years."
With the deepening of the aging society, Song Delong feels that he "cannot wait any longer."
I already have a certain material foundation, and society's understanding of entertainment for the elderly has also changed.
"Although it is a bit ahead of time to do this, but the first person to eat crabs has to eat." Just do it. In August last year, Song Delong registered the trademark "Laoyouyouwan" and rented the store on September 15. After more than a month of decoration, on the Double Ninth Festival on October 25th, he placed a few flower baskets at the door and opened the business in a low-key manner.
In his plan, opening a store half a year to achieve breakeven, a year to achieve profitability and open to franchise.
The sales volume in a single day is still limited. He compiled a detailed planning book. There are more than a dozen profit methods for the store. Retail is only one of the links. Group buying, comprehensive services, and holding events can all become sources of income. The storefront can become an exhibition hall.
"I don't know which one can make good results."
The opportunity to realize the plan came soon. Just a month after opening the store, three young customers came to the store. After walking around for a few times, they told Song Delong that they were here to seek cooperation. These three came from a toy manufacturer. .
After this, more and more opportunities came to the door.
Among the people who visited, there were suppliers, nursing homes, and property companies. Some wanted to invest, some wanted to buy a trademark, and some wanted to join, but Song Delong refused, "Don’t worry, wait for me to test it. Now, there must be at least dozens of competitive products."
Take more old people to play
Grandma Fang, who lives near the toy store, is 86 years old this year and is a regular customer in the store. "I like to come here." Grandma Fang said that she picked up the horseshoe lock that she hung on her hand and began to unlock it. This is what Song Delong taught her. Kind of toys.
Granny Fang will visit here three or four days a week, staying for half a day.
During the interview, the reporter saw that an uncle fell asleep on the sofa, still holding the little man book that he picked up five minutes ago in his hand. Half an hour later, the uncle who woke up strolled around the store. Quietly opened the door and went out.
There are not a few such customers. Many elderly people come here not to consume, but simply rest and relax.
Some people call this store a "worry-relieving grocery store" for the elderly. Song Delong agrees with this statement.
In his view, the elderly are also stressed and need a way of adjustment.
"Sometimes my children and grandsons are looking for him, so I'm tired, so I run to hide for a while."
Song Delong was deeply impressed by a customer from Shi Jingshan. His daughter brought her 89-year-old mother to pick toys. "My daughter is over 60 years old, and said,'My mother is at home every day and doesn't watch TV. It's so lonely.'" In Song Delong's view, this store makes some elderly people relax and happy, which is meaningful. His goal is to open more chain stores in the future and bring more elderly people to play.