This month, Rick Derr reflects on 2023, referencing a letter he shared with Learning Express members in December, and sets goals for 2024.

“I personally have not seen a toy and gift run, like the one we experienced last year, since January 2021. But as business normalizes, it is important to analyze and set your strategy locally.

I would like to look the top items sold nationally across the year, how I performed against this and whether we delivered on our goals. Hopefully, this will get you thinking and ready for a stronger performance in 2024.”

Rick goes on to break down the top 10 national Learning Express toys, and shares his experiences with the different products in terms of sales at his Lake Zurich, Illinois store, such as Bitzee, Fast Push and Miniverse.

Rick concludes this month’s Letter from America by sharing his goals for 2024, based on the themes ‘Team, Product, Wow’. “As you set your 2024 goals, think locally, use information from others judiciously, and remember that you know your own market best,” he concludes. “Trust your instincts and commit to a strategy that works for you.”

To read Rick’s full article, click here.