SEASONAL STORE STATS

SEASONAL STORE STATS CHANA FRIEDMAN

TZIPPORAH, DOUBLE PLAY Most nights in the Pre Purim season are working nights, as we can still be in the store at 12 or 1 a.m. We don’t hire extra staff, because it’s not worth the effort it takes to train them adequately. Instead, family members and our loyal staff chip in and stay as long as they can to ensure that everything happens before the Big Day. I can’t even give a starting time – we work on Purim six months a year! In order for our catalog to be out a month before Purim, we need to be ten steps ahead. We generally refer to the catalog of the year before. Each year after Purim, we take stock; we mark down which costumes sold well, and which didn’t. The leftover merchandise is kept in storage all year. The fact that costumes are so seasonal, (selling only for about

two-three weeks a year) makes this line challenging and complicated. As soon as the pre-purim season hits, the costumes/accessories sell at an unusually quick rate. You don’t really see that kind of selling rate with other products. I can honestly say that most of our customers are happy with the service they receive. Some even take the time to let us know, which is really nice when you’ve had a long and tiring day. We also sometimes get the tricky phone calls where people ask us to sell them things that don’t exist or are not available. Fun Fact: If we tell you that an item doesn’t come in your size, it doesn’t come in your size. Generally, though, our customers are understanding and grateful, and we are grateful for that understanding.

Many costumes on sale under $15!

FREE PICKUP IN LAKEWOOD WILLIAMSBURG MONSEY BORO PARK

To get the catalog: ONLINE DoublePlayToys.com EMAIL DPpurim@gmail.com STORE 4114/4115 14th Ave. 718-438-0664

FULL LINE OF MISHLOACH MANOS!

CHAYALA, OH NUTS! We start planning our Purim season right after Chanukah, so that we have a smoothly running system when the busy time of year arrives. We conduct department and inter-department meetings all the time, to ensure that everything continues to run smoothly. We try to package as much as possible before so we don’t run into trouble during crunch time. There are some things that obviously can’t happen before the last minute, but whatever can be done earlier, is. Oh Nuts! ships all over the United States and Eretz Yisroel. Our main areas are of course New York and New Jersey, though we also field a lot of orders from Florida and California. Hundreds of orders are shipped in a matter of weeks. It’s imperative for us to be on top of our game and make sure that there are no mix ups or mess ups. We hire and train extra staff to be available to our customers throughout the season. They are equipped to answer ‘Purim’ questions such as, “How many gumballs fit into a 3” by 5” box?” or “How many gumballs come in a pound?” This information is also

posted on our website in our product descriptions. People also call in to hear what items we have in stock to match their theme. In preparation of this unique season, we do special production runs of specialty candy with the exclusive Hashgacha of Rav Usher Eckstein. It’s a once a year opportunity to procure delicacies such as rock candy, fruit slices, sensation jellies, and reception candy sticks with this certification. We even order specialty items only for themes, such as honey straws for all those bumblebees out there. (Most stores stock honey straws only in time for Rosh Hashana; for us it’s a bi-seasonal item.) We understand the ever-changing needs of our growing community and we annually redesign our ready Mishloach Manos line, to keep up with the fast-changing design trends. We also stock an assortment of sweets divided by color, that usually come only mixed, like chocolate lentils (M&M’s), Jordan almonds and Swiss petite candies. We are truly ready for your unique style, color and taste.

CHUMY, BP CANDY STORE Since our store opened, we’re constantly upgrading and reevaluating how to make it work more efficiently for everyone involved. We definitely work with a schedule and start way before people start thinking of their themes. We hire more staff in the production department and in the office to help ensure a seamless season. Preparation is the key – the more we do in advance, the more organized we can be later. One tactic we use is to sit down and strategize. We analyze the mistakes from last year and see what we can do to make that history doesn’t repeat itself.

Celebrate Safely How to stay healthy, safe and happy this Purim!

Keep your children safe.

Keep kids on a sidewalk or path and don’t let them dash across the street.

Always walk together and cross at a street corner or walk signal.

Take your sweet time.

Candy on purim is hard to avoid, but try going easy on them and make sure to brush your teeth before going to sleep.

Drinking + Meds Don’t Mix.

Never drink while taking medications.

(unless otherwise advised by your physician)

Never Drink & Drive.

Avoid bringing alcohol into the car— even for passengers.

If you plan to drink, organize a designated driver among friends or family.