spelletjeswinkel

Spelletjeswinkel is a Dutch term for a retail shop that specializes in games and related products. The category includes both physical stores and online retailers focused on games rather than broad toy assortments.

Core offerings include board games (bordspellen), card games (kaartspellen), party games, puzzles, dice, and hobby supplies for role-playing or miniature wargaming. Some shops stock family games, educational games, language games, and other accessories.

Many spelletjeswinkels provide staff with knowledge of game mechanics and rules, and opportunities to play or demo titles. They often host events such as game nights, demonstrations, tournaments, or club meetings to foster a local gaming community. This social aspect distinguishes them from general toy retailers.

Business model: a mix of brick-and-mortar presence and e-commerce; shops emphasize specialized service, product expertise, and careful inventory curation over mass-market pricing. They balance family-friendly titles with more complex strategy games, often including Dutch-language editions or region-specific releases; some shops handle pre-orders, second-hand games, and imports.

Geographic use: in the Netherlands and Flanders, the term is common for stores focusing on tabletop games; in other Dutch-speaking contexts, the term may be used less formally to describe any store selling games.

See also: bordspellenwinkel, spelhandel.