{{short description|American specialty toy, game and book retailer}} {{Infobox company | name = Learning Express, Inc. | logo = Learning Express Toys Logo.svg | logo_caption = Logo used since 2005 | trade_name = {{unbulleted list|Learning Express Toys & Gifts (2005-Present)|Learning Express (1987-2005)}} | type = Private | industry = Retail | founded = {{Start date and age|1987}} in Acton, MA, U.S. | founder = Sharon DiMinico | hq_location_city = Devens, Massachusetts | hq_location_country = U.S. | area_served = United States | products = {{unbulleted list|Toys|Games|Books}} | website = {{URL|learningexpress.com}} | key_people = {{unbulleted list|Lauren Derse (CEO)|Kathy Troknya (President)}} | logo_size = 200 }} '''Learning Express Toys & Gifts''', incorporated in 1987 as '''Learning Express, Inc.''', is a specialty toy, game and book retailer and franchisor headquartered in Devens, Massachusetts, United States.<ref>Hoover's - "[http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/company-profile.Learning_Express_Inc.ec059b5dbfa4dfec.html Learning Express, Inc. | Company Information]"</ref> The company franchises specialty toy stores in the United States, each locally owned and operated.<ref>[http://www.learningexpress.com/about-us/our-story/ "Our Story"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819165811/http://www.learningexpress.com/about-us/our-story/ |date=2013-08-19 }} - Learning Express Toys website</ref><ref>Control Scan Case Study - "[https://www.controlscan.com/docs/Learning_Express_Case_Study.pdf Learning Express Helps Franchisees Brace for Increasingly Aggressive Hackers]" - 2011</ref><ref>"[http://www.franchise.org/Learning_Express_Toys_franchise.aspx Learning Express Toys Franchise Information]" - International Franchise Organization (IFA)</ref>
==History== Sharon DiMinico, chair of the Board of Directors and parent of two children at Groton Community School, proposed a business plan in 1987 for the school to open a specialty toy store in order to prevent tuition increases.<ref>Chain Store Age - "[http://chainstoreage.com/article/product-mix-gives-edge-learning-express Product Mix Gives Edge to Learning Express]" - April 13, 2011</ref><ref>Norman, Jan. "28: Communication is king." What no one ever tells you about franchising: real-life franchising advice from 101 successful franchisors and franchisees. Chicago, IL: Kaplan Pub., 2006. 49-50. Print.</ref> Later that spring, the school opened the first Learning Express in Acton, Massachusetts,<ref>[http://www.grotoncommunityschool.org/about-us/past-present-and-future Groton Community School Website]</ref> and, six months later, Sharon opened the first store owned by Learning Express, Inc. in Needham, Massachusetts.<ref>Worcester Business Journal Online - "[http://www.wbjournal.com/article/20121114/METROWEST01/121119972/learning-express-thrives-alongside-big-box-stores Learning Express Thrives Alongside Big Box Stores]" - November 14, 2012</ref> Inspired by an article about franchising in Inc. Magazine,<ref>Retail Merchandiser - "[http://digital.retail-merchandiser.com/nxtbooks/redcoat/rm_20110102/index.php?startid=96 Learning Express]" - 2011 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727130902/http://digital.retail-merchandiser.com/nxtbooks/redcoat/rm_20110102/index.php?startid=96 |date=2013-07-27 }}</ref> Sharon licensed the company's first franchise location in Andover, Massachusetts in 1990.<ref>"[http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/learningexpress/282524-0.html# Learning Express Franchise]" - Entrepreneur</ref>
==Stores== thumb|right|Typical Learning Express Toys storefront Most Learning Express Toys locations are in strip centers, regional malls, lifestyle centers, and town centers. They range in size from around 1,200 square feet to 4,000 square feet, though 2,500 square feet is a typical size.<ref>"[http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/08/26/new_545766.shtml Learning Express moves to bigger, brighter store]" [https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203659/http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/08/26/new_545766.shtml Archived copy] - The Columbia County News-Times</ref><ref>"[http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2006/10/02/newscolumn2.html Retailers making learning fun for more San Antonio kids]" - San Antonio Business Journal</ref><ref>"[http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2010/06/07/story11.html Learning Express reopens in Northern Kentucky]" - Cincinnati Business Courier</ref>
==Convention== Since 1999, Learning Express Toys has produced an annual convention for its store owners, vendors, and other members of the toy industry. The event is held in various locations in the United States. The final evening is generally reserved for an Awards Banquet, where members of the community give and receive honors for their contributions to the Learning Express Toys community. Notable vendor awards include "Vendor of the Year" and "Toy of the Year."<ref>"[http://www.charlottepulse.com/archive_papers/cw/cw2010_07_16.pdf Rea Road toy store owner recognized at company’s national convention] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071052/http://www.charlottepulse.com/archive_papers/cw/cw2010_07_16.pdf |date=2016-03-04 }}" - South Charlotte Weekly - Page 8 - July 16–22, 2010</ref><ref>"[http://www.berkshirepartners.com/learning-express-recognizes-toy-vendors-at-annual-convention Learning Express Recognizes Toy Vendors at Annual Convention]" - Berkshire Partners - Melissa & Doug - In the News</ref><ref>"[http://www.toysmith.com/news/news-learnexpressaward2010 Toysmith Named Vendor of the Year and Receives Five other Prestigious Awards] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302032555/http://www.toysmith.com/news/news-learnexpressaward2010 |date=2013-03-02 }}" - Toysmith</ref><ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20111105233036/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/8/prweb8736236.htm The Orb Factory Receives "The Industry Leader Award" from Learning Express]" - PRWeb</ref><ref>"[http://www.curiositykits.com/About-Us/Awards Awards / About Us]" - Curiosity Kits</ref>
==Catalog== Learning Express Toys produces several print catalogs each year and two during the critical toy industry holiday season during November and December. The holiday catalog is distributed to customers nationwide. Individual store owners use the catalog as a guide for toy purchases throughout the year.<ref>Toy Directory Monthly - "[http://www.toydirectory.com/monthly/article.asp?id=1792 Learning Express CEO Knows Specialty Retail]" - February 2006</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.learningexpress.com/}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Learning Express Inc}} Category:Companies based in Middlesex County, Massachusetts Category:Franchises Category:1987 establishments in Massachusetts Category:Retail companies established in 1987 Category:Toy retailers of the United States