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29 Buena Vista Street | Devens, Massachusetts, 01434 | 978-889-1000 |
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Introduction - The Learning Express Advantage |
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Infrastructure, Knowledge Base, and Market Presence
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Use of the respected "Learning Express" trademark with over 20 years of experience
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A network of independent storeowners, 5 Regional Managers, and 26 corporate staff members providing guidance and support
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Exclusive territories
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A website that provides individual store home pages, e-commerce sales within a protected territory, or an in-store pickup option
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Reduced rates with Fed-X and UPS
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Discounts with Staples & Kinkos
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Annual Convention and Vendor Expo. Attended by 100 +/- vendors offering great show specials in support of 4th quarter marketing initiatives
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Annual Toy Fair meetings and banquet
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Regular regional meetings and scheduled conference calls and webinars
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Learning Express Achievement Program, which encourages and rewarding store communication and the sharing of ideas
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An elected Advisory Committee of storeowners and regional managers
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Internal forum for open communication among storeowners via all-store E-mail
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The Learning Express Intranet
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Grand Opening Support
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Lease and landlord relations advice and assistance
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Site selection and demographic research
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First order guarantee for new stores that have yet to establish credit with vendors
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Training
• Classroom Corporate Training Program - 8 days • In-store, pre-Grand Opening. Grand Opening, and post-opening training |
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Extensive Grand Opening marketing assistance to ensure a great first impression
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Operations
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Detailed operations manuals covering all aspects of the business
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An annual In-Store Plan (ISP) program to review and analyze your business so as to to increase sales and profitability
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Inventory management guidance and support
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Staff hiring, management, and development assistance
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Employee reward and motivational programs
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On-site visits and toll-free operational support
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Proven point-of-sale systems with customized reports
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Cash flow management systems
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Customized reports to help analyze your business
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Buying
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Buying guidance via store visits, phone, and E-mail support
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Regional bulk-buying opportunities
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Special allocations of hot product from vendors
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Vendor and supplier special terms - freight specials, discounts and special vendor promotions, bags, gift wrap, other selling supplies, printing, credit card processing charges, payroll services, etc.
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Tool that advises monthly inventory purchasing based on sales trending
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Marketing and Advertising
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Heavily subsidized catalogs
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A yearly marketing calendar with great ideas to implement at the store level
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Detailed monthly marketing initiatives
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Numerous marketing and advertising programs with related support materials
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Ideas for in-store events, contests, play days, and promotions
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Proven fund-raising programs and support materials that generate community support
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Customer loyalty programs
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Opportunities for regional and national advertising
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E-mail push opportunities
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Marketing analysis tool providing reports on which to base future decisions
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Social Network marketing and support using Google, Facebook, and Twitter
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Ongoing Training
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Monthly ToyTalk publication on buying, marketing, operations and merchandising
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Monthly Retail Planner publication that makes sure you don't miss any opportunity
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On-site visits and toll-free telephone support
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Training workshops at annual conventions
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Training manuals available on the company intranet
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Store Manager and Assistant Manager training seminars
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Regularly scheduled conference calls for high volume, multi-store and new store owners
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Vendor terms, discounts, and contact information
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National and regional best seller functionality by sales volume, by department, by gross margin dollars, and units sold
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Hot product tips and trend reporting from storeowners around the country via internal E-mail
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Sales history reporting by month and benchmark data
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Industry and vendor-specific news
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Marketing programs, instructions, and supporting materials
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Ad, E-mail, and sign gallery, where you can view what other stores are doing
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Online Operations Manual documentation
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Download area for electronic transfer of data, forms, computer fixes, etc.
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Step-by-step instructions on personalization - a key differentiator and gross margin builder
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L.E.A.P. The Learning Express Achievement Program
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Storeowners Share Ideas and Information on the following subjects:
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HOT Products
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Events and promotions
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Merchandising
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Staff training
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Customer service
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Driving Traffic
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Profitability
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