How To Set Up a Successful Redemption Center

Location is Key

Merchandise must be seen before it can be used as prize incentives. Here are some points to remember when locating your center in the facility:

  1. Locate the Redemption Center where it is highly visible.
  2. Good Lighting is a must.
  3. Redemption Center Signage needs to be easily visible from all areas of the room and well lit.

Build It and They Will Come

Dependent upon the size of the facility, number of redemption play stations, and space allotted for the Redemption Center, keep these things in mind:

  1. Showcases with lights, clear shelves and sliding mirrored door backs with locks and glass fronts are ideal. The number will vary according to facility size and space allotment.
  2. Acrylic Bins for visible product display are recommended.
  3. Ticket Value Cards - all one color, professionally printed to project your image. Ticket Value Cards should be in the front and the back of the bin. Front for customer and back for employees. Place cards in bins from left to right (based upon front view of showcases), low to high tickets. Start with the lowest ticket in the top left hand corner of the case.
  4. Acrylic bins should always be full of product (Re-fill as necessary). Minimally, check merchandise levels at each shift change.
  5. Variety of product is necessary and should be rotated on a consistent basis.
  6. Always make sure that you have low end items (one to three tickets) such as candy for the small customer's desire for instant gratification.
  7. Back Wall/Shelving - usually slatwall, shelving or a combination.
    • Carded Merchandise on hooks in this area.
    • Higher End items such as electronics (Always have electronics turned on; this attracts attention to the redemption counter and shows the customer how the product works.)
    • Security and Convenience for larger items
    • "Flash" the Redemption Center: Appeal to customer visually with large colorful merchandise such as inflates
    • Make sure that all items display Ticket Value Cards.(Not just acrylic bins)

Repeat Business

To ensure repeat business, the goal of every good Redemption Operator, here are some tips:

  1. Clean, Clean and Clean again.
  2. Make sure that your ticket values are adjusted so that everyone is a winner.
  3. Remember to make your money on the games, not the merchandise.
  4. Give your customers good value for their entertainment.
  5. Control your inventory. You must make sure that any item you have on display you have in stock.
  6. Remember that your tickets are money. Lock them up and have an accountability system in place.
  7. Place your redemption orders on a weekly basis.
  8. Make sure that you always have the newest catalogs, as well as the seasonal books, from your redemption merchandise provider.
  9. Speak to your redemption representative frequently for suggestions on improving your merchandise mix.
  10. Redemption can be simple and financially rewarding for the operator; and a happy experience for your customers. Fun Express will be glad to help make you successful.