Rhino Video Games

Infobox Company
company_name = Rhino Video Games
company_
company_type = Subsidiary Company of Blockbuster Inc.
foundation = 1989
location = Gainesville, FL (USA)
key_people = Mike Vorce (Founder), Karen Danner (General Manager), Jeff Brockmeier (Director of Operations)
industry = Electronics Stores
products = Current and Classic Video Games, Accesories and Systems
homepage = Formerly http://www.rhinovideogames.com (Now redirects to GameStop)

Rhino Video Games was a video game retailer headquartered in Gainesville, Florida before being sold to GameStop. Rhino operated more than 90 games stores that carried classic games as well as newer products in fifteen states throughout the U.S. From 1989-2007, Rhino Video Games allowed customers to trade in their unwanted video games and systems toward other video game merchandise.

The Rhino Culture

Rhino Video Games had a very upbeat and friendly atmosphere about its stores. The company's success was largely attributed to the relaxed shopping style that the stores would provide to their customers. Customers were happy to shop there because they were given attention to their needs rather than being harassed about store programs. Employees were more tuned to helping the customer find what they wanted as opposed to being forced to suggest the same things to every customer. This resulted in a positive work environment, with many employees saying that being there felt like they weren't even at work.

History

Acquisition by Blockbuster

On May 19th, 2004, Blockbuster Inc. announced the purchase of American Satellite and Video Inc. in an effort to expand Blockbuster's presence in the video game trading market. This acquistion included Rhino as part of the deal. Soon after the purchase, Blockbuster began to increase funding to Rhino's development in an effort to rapidly expand. By late 2005, over 100 Rhino Stores in 14 states were in business.

However, this attempt at rapid expansion was short-lived. Several factors, including Blockbuster's financial issues at the time soon influenced a major downsizing. Poor planning, rumored to be on the part of Blockbuster's location scouts, resulted in a large number of the recently opened stores being located in areas that were either unfavorable to Rhino's target customer group, or that were located in areas where the Southeast-based chain was relatively unheard of. In an effort to "cut it's losses", Rhino was forced to close approximately 25 stores in the early half of 2006.

Employee Incentives

In terms of employee incentives, Rhino provided several methods of rewards it's employees for their hard work. Employees were allowed to borrow out games, providing the game was used and had been released for more than 30 days. This was beneficial to both the employee and the store, as it allowed employees to gain knowledge about a wide selection of titles.

Rhino Points were distributed when an employee would go above and beyond normal expectations. From the first voucher they received, an employee could redeem their points for store merchandise. Other redemption items included game systems, movie tickets, food, or even having their District Leader work a paid shift for them. Rhino also held many internal contests each year with prizes ranging from game-related items to brand new gaming system packages.

Product Night was another employee favorite. Once a quarter, each store would host an employee only event where the company would provide food and drinks. The employees would be able to challenge each other to games, as well as try out games that were not yet able to be "borrowed out."

ale to GameStop

On January 4, 2007, Rhino Video Games was bought out by GameStop.

External links

* [http://www.rhinovideogames.com Rhino Video Games Home Page] (now a link to gamestop.com)