THE RIGHT STUF INT.
All That Cool Stuf!
Where
they get it, how they find it, and what made them think we'd buy it.
DVJ: When and why did Right Stuf decide to do
sell anime related merchandise?
Shawne
Kleckner:
Back
in the early 90s, we were told that people were having trouble finding our
products; so, we began our mail order sales division. As more and
more people came to us, feedback told us that they were also having
trouble finding anime and anime merchandise, so we added it to our product
catalog.
DVJ:
What was the first product offered? How
well did it do?
SK:
We
started with merchandise related to Astro Boy, since it is was the first
title that we had available; the product and the merchandise that supports
it sold very well, and continues to sell well, years later!
DVJ:
How many products does the Right Stuf sell?
SK:
About 10,000.
New SKUs are added every day.
DVJ:
How many companies produce anime related
products?
SK:
There are several
companies that produce anime and anime merchandise. All in all,
there are about 12 or so major companies, and several smaller ones.
DVJ:
Which products are the best sellers?
SK:
Currently, DVD.
DJV:
Does the Right Stuf make any of it's own
products?
SK:
TRSI has its own line
of VHS, DVD, audio CD, and other products. TRSI even manufactures a
board game, “Divine Right,” which is a 25th anniversary
edition of a classic TSR game.
DVJ:
How come The Right Stuf does not sell at cons?
SK:
When
we attend conventions, we prefer not to compete with our own customers who
are selling there. Plus, it allows our staff members to work with
the con staff and mingle with the attendees.
DVJ:
What looks to be the biggest seller of this year?
This year, we have
seen a dramatic spike in the sale of manga, as it has become more and more
accepted here. Of course, DVD continues its rapid growth, and VHS
continues its decline.
