7 minute read
Trade Talk - suppliers reveal their preparations for Christmas trading
TRADE OPINION Trade talk
Calling all suppliers and distributors! We’d love to hear your views. Get in touch with Clare@lemapublishing.co.uk to have your say!
As we move into the atumn, we quiz suppliers on their preparations for Christmas trading and ask them to share some advice for retailers ordering stock for the golden quarter
KERRIE CORRIGAN,
General Manager Coiledspring Games
What are you doing to prepare for the all-important fi nal quarter?
We have new releases from suppliers that are sure to be a hit in the market. Here at Coiledspring we have a great team in place who have done a sterling job at keeping in contact with customers despite the challenges of lockdown. As a result, our retailer partner links are as strong as ever and we’re looking forward to meeting again at shows!
How will you continue to ensure that you meet demand for your products?
We have procedurally updated how we monitor stock this year for effi ciency and placed POs for Q4 much earlier than previous years, given the environment. We will continue to work closely with suppliers and shipping partners to meet the demands for products across the range.
What plans have you got in place to support retailers with their Christmas orders? “We have procedurally updated how we monitor stock this year for effi ciency and placed POs for Q4 much earlier than previous years, given the environment”
We are already accepting orders for late Q3/early Q4 and feeding them into stock plans, so we can ensure we meet high demand around Christmas. Autumn Fair is the perfect time to place orders: we have some great trade show offers that will enable retail partners to achieve better margins after the tough trading period they’ve had.
What do you anticipate will be your best seller this Christmas?
Jigsaw puzzles, Thomas Kinkade Range! This line of jigsaws includes brand new puzzles featuring stunning landscape images. Plus, the popular Disney magic continues with the classic, Winnie the Pooh. These puzzles are great for any tabletop, and even framed on the wall!
JO DRAGE
Sales Director Thames & Kosmos UK
What are you doing to prepare for the allimportant final quarter?
We have already started to receive enquiries from our retail customers for both our higher price point ranges and the new A/W21 arrivals due to be released at Autumn Fair, and we have put measures in place to ensure we can meet the increasing demand for this busy period. More than ever this year, we are focusing on ensuring our delivery dates are realistic, and that the warehouse is full!
How will you continue to ensure that you meet demand for your products?
We’ve built in contingencies to combat recent transport and customs delays experienced across the retail sector. We are still in a position to place orders for stock, if required, as a lot of our products are manufactured in Europe, which has not been as affected by the transportation price rises or delays. However, some of our lines do come from Asia, and I suspect that securing stock without any issues may be a rarity. So, my strong advice is to get in touch with us rather sooner than later, giving details of any ranges that you are looking to stock for the busy Christmas period.
What plans have you got in place to support retailers with their Christmas orders?
As with most of the suppliers in the industry, we are experiencing delays and increased costs, which we are swallowing and not increasing our prices. We had a good year last year and are lucky enough to be able to honour our 2021 price list and offer our standard show discounts.
What do you anticipate will be your best seller this Christmas?
Within the board game range, our EXIT: Advent Calendar has had pre-orders flooding in with our first print run nearly selling out. This exciting new addition to our EXIT: The Game range adds a whole new dimension to the ‘Escape Room from home’ experience and will have board game enthusiasts and novices alike hooked.
PHIL RATCLIFFE
Sales & Marketing Director MV Sports & Leisure
What are you doing to prepare for the allimportant fi nal quarter?
Trying to get hold of as much stock as possible to satisfy heightened levels of demand.
How will you continue to ensure that you meet demand for your products?
We are encouraging customers to order early and further ahead to avoid disappointment. Our domestic line count has increased by 19% yearon-year. However, due to the pressure on “We are encouraging factories and shipping, there is increased pressure on the supply chain. What plans have you got in place to support retailers with
customers to their Christmas orders?
order early We will have plenty of stock of certain lines but it will likely be and further on allocation or on a fi rst come fi rst served basis.
ahead to avoid What do you anticipate will be your best seller this Christmas?
disappointment” The ultimate Nerf Blaster Go Kart. This kart includes a removable wrap with loops and holsters for the on board 10 Nerf darts and two mini blasters. Features include forward and reverse manoeuvrability, a chain driven gearbox, responsive handbrake and robust steel frame ensuring maximum protection. Drive in style with an ergonomic moulded seat and high back rest for extra comfort and optimal sitting position. The sturdy wide pneumatic off road tyres provide a smooth, fast ride ready for action!
CLIVE WOOSTER
Country Manager Geomagworld
“We have just added to our sales agents’ team to ensure all our independent What are you doing to prepare for the retailers get a all-important fi nal quarter? visit in the vital
We have just added to our sales pre-Christmas agents’ team to ensure all our period” independent retailers get a visit in the vital pre-Christmas period.
How will you continue to ensure that you meet demand for your products?
We manufacture in Switzerland and have had regular, uninterrupted deliveries to date - which we expect to continue through the peak.
What plans have you got in place to support retailers with
their Christmas orders? We will be in stock to begin with (!). We also up our marketing activity for this period and, of course, we will continue to supply activity for this period and, of course, we will continue to supply POS and material and promotional activity.
What do you anticipate will be your best seller this Christmas?
We think our new Mechanics range will be a winner and expect We think our new Mechanics range will be a winner and expect the Gravity Loops and Turns set to be outstanding.
SARAH DAYUS
Sales Director, Great Gizmos
What are you doing to prepare for the allimportant fi nal quarter?
Planning forecasts and stock intake very, very early - and organising the all-important shipping juggle!
How will you continue to ensure that you meet demand for your products?
We have spent a lot of time working on “We have spent forecasts and planning stock carefully. a lot of time The industry is expecting further working on shipping issues going into Q4, so this has also been taken into consideration. We have brought stock in early and forecasts and planning stock have a healthy supply. carefully”
What plans have you got in place to support retailers with their Christmas orders?
We have a fantastic sales force ready to take orders and a brilliant office team on hand for processing and any other customer service points. We are always here to support our customers any way we can. Retailers need to place their orders early; once their order is on our system, the stock is secured for them. for them.
What do you anticipate will be your best seller this Christmas? What do you anticipate will be your best seller this Christmas?
Early indications show that our new 3D Mould & Paint kits are Early indications show that our new 3D Mould & Paint kits are going to fl y. These are available in Dinosaur and Unicorn themes. going to fl y. These are available in Dinosaur and Unicorn themes.
