Items Following Current Trends
The anime and movie merchandise market is an example of the astronomical potential for pop-culture-related products. Japanese claw machines saw a 30% increase in the availability of limited-edition One Piece goods in 2022, with sales growing by 15%.
Luffy One Piece figures and Marvel superhero action figures are examples. At one major mall in the US, when Marvel-themed items were added to claw machines, customer spend increased by 20% on average. Vlogger-recommended toys are also hot, such as toys related to internet influencers, like those recommended by vloggers on Bilibili. The participation rate of influencer-themed products in claw machines increased by 25% among younger demographics.
High-Quality Plush Toys
Grasping plush toys has been a staple prize in claw machines since the beginning. The market for plush toys was worth $10 billion in 2021. High-quality plush toys usually result in a greater repeat play rate. After a premium plush toy concept was introduced at one retail center, the results were enormous: a 10% increase in player success and an average $15 increase per guest spend.
Teddy Scare plushies observed a sales rise of 12% in 2022 due to their softness and captivating appearance. With an annual growth in the plush toys market of 3.8%, this is evidence that choosing quality soft toys will have a significant impact on customer engagement.
Mini Electronic Products
Survey data reveals that adding mini electronic products in claw machines can increase customer engagement by 20%-30%. One shopping center introduced Bluetooth earphones, batteries, and mini speakers into their claw machines, leading to a 28% increase in spending by patrons that year. Electronic items generally have a lower win rate than regular prizes, encouraging customers to try more frequently.
Examples include in-ear earphones, USB-powered fans, or a pocket-sized power bank. These inexpensive and practical products sell well. A survey suggested that setting the win rate for mini electronics at 8%-10% maintains player interest and ensures profitability.
Holiday-Themed Prizes
One of the best ways to enhance the claw machine experience is through holiday and themed events. One major retail chain reported 40% more players during Christmas and a 25% year-over-year sales spike for their Christmas-themed claw machines. Special teddies shaped like Santa Claus, reindeer, or Christmas trees attracted last-minute shoppers and created a more festive atmosphere.
For Chinese New Year, zodiac-specific plush toys and mock envelopes filled with small treats were very popular. One claw machine operator increased their machine revenue by 35% during the Year of the Rabbit by offering rabbit-themed plush toys in 2023.
Rare or Limited-Edition Items
Collectibles and peripherals in limited editions are heavily sought after. Market studies have revealed that limited-edition items can increase user attempts by 25%. For example, in 2022, a major brand introduced limited-edition toys, and participants who accessed them were part of the first batch. At a win rate of 1.5%, daily revenue from these machines was three times higher than that of regular machines.
Rare items can also increase customer loyalty. Regular customers lined up at claw machines offering limited-edition Dragon Ball figurines, with a 50% repeat participation rate over three months.
Practical Small Items
Including practical small items, such as phone stands, keychains, or charging cables, helps reduce prize costs while appealing to customers with different preferences. These items are cheap but high in usage frequency, encouraging more participation. Surveys indicate that setting the win rate for practical items at 15%-20% can boost the profitability of the machines.
One mall saw an 18% boost in player participation after introducing phone stands as claw machine prizes. This demonstrates that practical items can attract a wide range of customer segments.
