What is soft play business? 

Since 2020 , because of the mask problem ,soft play party hire or soft play party rental has been more and more popular these days. Soft play equipment is an soft play and educational product designed for children's play areas, providing a safe and fun environment for children of all ages to explore their abilities. There are a variety of toy options in the modern soft play equipment market, including toddler balance items, toddler fitness soft play, soft cushions, soft crawling toddlers, school-age corner soft play, tunnel climbing, soft blocks, Mountain soft slides, train soft toys, from 2022, we also have merry go around, interactive play , and giant blocks , and even portable maze structure etc. The soft play market has ample room for expansion and high demand, making it a potentially profitable industry. 

Why soft play can be profitable？

1.High demand: Soft play areas are popular among families, especially those with young children since they provide a secure and stimulating environment for children to play, climb, and explore. Soft play party hire is a good and cost effective solution for wedding party , family kids birthday , kindergarten or school events , shopping mall center or hotel pop up events etc. Judging from the search data of Alibaba International Station, the demand for soft play is on the rise.

2.Repeat business: Soft play areas can attract repeat customers who come back regularly for play sessions or to attend parties. 

So how to get more repeat orders from your old customers of soft play party hire ?

For those soft play business owners who pay good attention to the following 4 points, they can get a lot of repeat orders.

1.Keep your equipment up-to-date: Invest in new and varied soft play equipment on a regular basis to keep your offerings fresh and exciting. Kids love novelty, and having new equipment can help create a buzz and retain interest in your party hire business. Bettaplay has a very diverse range of soft play equipment products, and we can also provide you with product design customization services. Customize product color, size, style, etc. for you.
 

2. Offer promotions and loyalty programs: Reward your repeat customers with promotions and loyalty programs to encourage them to keep coming back. This can be in the form of discounts or offers that are exclusive to repeat customers. For instance, you can offer a discount or a freebie on their next booking, provide loyalty points that they can redeem for rewards later. Or you can provide buy-more-get-one-free activities or provide discounts for introducing new customers. Promotions and loyalty programs not only retains loyal customers but also attracts new customers through their recommendations.
 

3. Personalize your services: Take note of your customers' preferences and customize your services accordingly. This can include catering to specific themes or age groups. Personalizing your services will make parents feel appreciated and valued, encouraging them to return. For example, if the party has a superhero theme, decorate the party area with superhero-themed soft play equipment, add superhero music to the playlist, and provide superhero party favors. You also can provide suitable snack as customer’s request. Offering snacks like healthy fruit, sandwiches and juice boxes can keep children hydrated throughout the day. Besides, you can help them capture unforgettable moments. Take photos and videos of children playing together in the soft play area.
 

4. Provide excellent customer service: Ensure prompt and friendly responses to all customer inquiries. During the communication, you need to be flexible and accommodating. Be willing to work with customers on their specific party needs and schedule, even if it means accommodating special requests. Being flexible and accommodating demonstrates that you value their business, and can lead to positive referrals and repeat business. Besides, prompt follow-up after the event can also establish good will and help build a positive reputation for your business. Touch base with customers after the event to ensure that they were satisfied with your service. This follow-up can take the form of a phone call, an email or a survey. Ask for feedback, and address any concerns or issues they may have experienced.
 

By implementing above 4 points, you can get a lot of repeat orders and improve the profitability of your soft play party hire business.

3.Party bookings: Soft play businesses can generate significant revenue through party bookings. Parents are often willing to pay a premium to host a stress-free party in a safe and fun environment. First, Hosting a party can be stressful for parents, especially if they're trying to plan everything from scratch. By offering a one-stop-shop for party planning, you can attract parents who are willing to pay a premium for a stress-free experience. Besides, Parents want to ensure that their children are safe and having fun during the party. Soft play areas provide a safe environment where kids can play and burn off their energy without the risks associated with outdoor playgrounds. This is especially important during extreme weather conditions or when parents don't have access to a safe outdoor playground.

4.Food and beverage sales: Many soft play areas offer food and beverage options that can generate additional revenue.

If you are a soft play party hire business person and want to generate additional revenue from food and beverage sales, here are some strategies:

1.Offer a variety of food and beverage options: Provide a variety of food and beverage options, including healthy and vegetarian options, as well as popular foods and drinks that appeal to children and adults. This can assist appeal to extra clients and growth sales.                    

2.Create packages that include food and beverages: Offer packages that include food and beverage options, such as catering packages or birthday party packages that include pizza and drinks. This can encourage customers to spend more money and generate more revenue for your business.

3.Price competitively: Ensure that your prices are competitive with other soft play areas and venues in your area. This can assist appeal to greater clients and boom sales. It need you research the local market to understand your target customers' needs, identify potential competition, and determine your pricing model. Besides, regularly review your pricing strategy to ensure that it remains competitive with other venues and meets the changing demands of your customers. Adjust prices based on seasonal fluctuations and changes in the market.

4.Work with local vendors: Consider partnering with local vendors or suppliers to source your food and beverage items. This can help you get better prices and also encourage customers to support local businesses.

5.Upsell food and beverage items: Train your staff to upsell food and beverage items, such as offering additional toppings or larger sizes for drinks. This can help increase average sales per customer and generate more revenue.

By implementing these strategies, you can increase revenue from food and beverage sales and improve the profitability of your soft play party hire business.

5.Low overhead: Soft play businesses typically have low overhead costs compared to other types of businesses, such as retail or hospitality. This could make it simpler to show a profit. This is the price of a soft play set from Bettaplay. It’s not expensive.

If you are a soft play party hire business person, the low overhead is a significant advantage that makes running a soft play party hire business attractive. Here are some reasons why:

1.Minimal physical space required: Soft play party hire businesses typically do not require a large physical space. You can operate out of your home or a small warehouse, which significantly reduces the overhead costs associated with lease payments or property taxes.

2.Limited staff: A soft play party hire business generally has a limited number of employees since most of the work is focused around providing the equipment, setup and take down services. This also means lower labor costs as there is a reduced need for staffing.

3.Low inventory costs: Soft play party hire businesses generally have low inventory costs since they rent out equipment rather than selling it. This means that you do not need to invest in a large stock of inventory, and you are not required to carry the cost of unsold stock in the event of a slower season.

4.Lower utility costs: Soft play party equipments generally do not require a lot of electricity and other utilities to operate. This can significantly reduce the overhead costs for utilities. By keeping overhead costs low, it can be easier to show a profit and grow your business. With a well-run operation, a soft play party hire business can be an attractive business opportunity that offers a high-quality service to a growing market.

In conclusion, the soft play industry provides an excellent opportunity for growth and profitability if managed well. Therefore, if you are interested in starting a soft play business, consult with us for further guidance. Bettaplay are professional soft play builders and consultants. The Bettaplay team provides a one-stop solution for children's commercial playgrounds from design, manufacturing and installation. Safe and fun is our priority. Bettaplay is your toddler soft play professional supplier in China. We can provide the high quality soft play products to you. Quality is our culture!