It’s Jason Floyd’s job to know video games. Maybe not the cheat codes for Halo or how to beat Free Bird on expert in Guitar Hero (he’s more of a Madden fan, anyway). But as the director of store development for GameStop, the Grapevine, Texas-based retailer, he needs to know what video games are hot and how to push a shopper’s buttons with style on the sales floor.
The Lone Star State native was introduced to visual through his first after-school job, stocking shelves and building displays at a local grocery store. “They gave me visual merchandising freedom,” Floyd says. “I was fascinated with the challenge of increasing sales through product presentation and placement.”
He segued from groceries to games and movies, joining Blockbuster’s store management program in 1992. After a few years he advanced into the store environments department at the company’s headquarters, where he eventually moved up to director of visual merchandising. During his tenure, he was involved in multiple store environment projects, including GameRush @ Blockbuster and the RadioShack/Blockbuster store-within-a-store endeavor.
After a stint at RadioShack as director of visual planning, Floyd signed on with GameStop. He recently helped execute the retailer’s new window campaign for the launch of Madden ’08 and Halo 3, the popular save-the-world-from-an-interstellar-species video game. Now it’s the holiday season: His efforts are focused on completing the implementation of new fixture displays and the holiday window display at the retailer’s New York flagship.
What lessons did you learn from working in the grocery store sector that are still with you today?
Maintain your store’s presentation throughout the day. Don’t wait until after close to re-merchandise. Take advantage of slow traffic periods to restock and reset product displays. Every customer is an opportunity.
And at RadioShack?
I learned the value of space optimization. I believe to be successful in store planning you must use a balance of visual presentation, functionality and analytics.
You also worked as a customer service rep for Blockbuster. What was the most interesting request you received there?
“Do you carry pornography?”
What’s been your biggest challenge as director of development for GameStop?
Staying educated on the ever-changing product assortment.
How do you create a great store presentation for video games and DVDs?
Gaming = excitement. Our consumers should experience that excitement through product selection, in-store demonstrations, environmental sounds of the games, visuals of the game graphics.
Are in-store digital media truly the future of visual merchandising?
Today’s consumer electronics product lines are becoming so advanced. Digital media offer a simple and intriguing process for educating the consumer or aiding the associate in conversation.
Favorite gadget?
TiVo! This has to be the single best invention, next to toilet paper.
Name three CDs you can’t live without.
Who uses CDs anymore?
Okay, then, favorite music.
Nickelback’s “All the Right Reasons,” and Van Halen’s and Journey’s greatest hits.
What’s the oldest item of clothing in your closet?
An Earl Campbell Houston Oilers jersey from the 1980s.
Who was your first celebrity crush?
Alyssa Milano.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Be happy, stay positive and never give up on what you want.
The worst?
Give up. You tried.
It’s November. What’s your fondest Thanksgiving Day memory?
My Mom or Dad would sneak around to the front door, knock, then leave a pumpkin pie on the steps. I was told that it was from the Great Turkey.