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News - the latest toy industry headlines
Toy industry on the starting blocks for Spielwarenmesse
Planning for the 72nd edition of the Spielwarenmesse fair has moved into top gear for the organiser Spielwarenmesse eG.
Retailers, buyers and exhibitors are looking forward to meeting again in person at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre from 2 to 6 February, when the leading international trade show for toys, hobbies and leisure will give them the opportunity to discover innovations and new trends and glean fresh ideas for their businesses.
Retailers can expect to encounter 1,700 leading producers and innovative start-ups from 62 countries, including all the market leaders. Already, total bookings account for about 80% of the floor space occupied at the last fair.
As far as retailers are concerned, willingness to make the journey is similarly massive: a representative survey of visitors by Spielwarenmesse eG found a clear vote in favour, with 77% planning to visit.
To ensure the Spielwarenmesse runs smoothly, a sound and workable hygiene plan has been developed in consultation with the health authorities and the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre.
The list of exhibitors is now available online.
Time to apply for 2021 Toy Retailer of the Year Awards
The British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA), organiser of the Toy Retailer of the Year Awards, has announced that the 2021 retailer application process is now open.
Retailers can compete nationally in like-for-like categories and can apply in more than one category, if applicable. Self-nominations are permitted, together with nominations from a panel of nationwide industry experts.
The BTHA will continue this year with the option for independent and smaller multiple retailers to include short testimonials from their suppliers. Entry has been designed to be a straightforward online process where retailers have the opportunity to support their applications with photos.
The evening ceremony will take place during London Toy Fair in Olympia’s Pillar Hall. For enquiries about the event or the awards process, email BTHA head of digital & services Matt Jones at Matt@btha.co.uk.
Voting open
for TOTY Awards
The 114 finalists for the 2022 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards have been revealed. Now it’s up to the global play community to help determine who will earn top honours at the February 18 TOTY gala, which serves as a critical fundraiser for The Toy Foundation.
Consumers, retailers, media, and U.S. Toy Association members have between now and 4 January to cast their votes across 16 categories of toys, games, and entertainment properties. One product will also take home the ‘People’s Choice’ award (based solely on consumer votes), and one will win the coveted ‘Toy of the Year’ title chosen by a select panel of industry experts.
Registration for the 18 February ceremony will open on 6 December at totyawards.org. To view the finalists, cast your vote, and learn more about the TOTY voting and selection process, visit ToyAwards.org.
Spring Fair: 90% of stands sold out
Following the success of Autumn Fair and the highest ever re-book, Spring Fair has announced that 90% of its stand space has been sold, and organiser Hyve Group is looking to increase the floorplan to accommodate the flurry of new brands keen to join the show.
Spring Fair takes place at NEC Birmingham from 6 February to 9 February and comprises four buying destinations: Home, Gift, Fashion and Design & Source.
Sustainability continues to be top of the agenda with 82% of visitors stating their interest in sustainable and ethical brands. Existing initiatives such as the Sustainability Trail will continue to highlight and champion sustainable brands and the work they are doing. Further sustainability initiatives, including the reintroduction of the Power of One campaign, will be announced soon.
The Kids, Toys & Play sector will feature the latest products from Aurora World, Keel Toys, Ty UK, Noble Collection, The Puppet Company, Orange Tree Toys, House of Marbles, The Playwrite Group, Gibsons, Usborne Publishing, Berg Toys, Bigjigs Toys, and Moulin Roty, among others.
For further information, visit www.springfair.com
Spin Master donates toys to charities
Buckinghamshire-based supplier Spin Master UK recently completed its Step Up September Challenge, which challenged staff to travel the furthest distance they could in 30 days.
Employees smashed their previous goal of 3,650 miles set back in March, by collectively clocking up 9,008 miles throughout the month. Each 10 miles travelled equalled one toy donation to charity. So in total, staff donated 900 toys to children most in need.
The four charities that will be receiving toys from Spin Master UK are Home Start Slough, Wycombe Women’s Aid, The Dash and Little Village. Each does important work supporting those experiencing the effects of domestic violence and those who need help providing clothes and toys for their families.
Simba Smoby Toys UK to launch eco-conscious doll line
Simba Smoby Toys UK has announced plans to launch the B-Kind eco-friendly doll range early next year, following a strong initial response to the collection in the US.
The B-Kind collection made its A/W21 debut online and on shelves exclusively at Walmart. With the range attracting a great deal of interest, both in the US and overseas, Simba Smoby Toys UK is anticipating a promising start for B-Kind in the UK in S/S22.
Designed to be eco-conscious, the B-Kind brand also promotes kindness, creativity, and compassion. The range comprises five core characters - Brianna, Koral, Ivy, Nora, and Daisy (B.K.I.N.D.) - which will be available in the UK as solids for online retailers and as an assortment of the five dolls for in-store.
The dolls are made from recycled materials and come dressed in eco-fashions. They are boxed in reusable packaging made from recycled materials and created from ink made from soybeans. A ribbon serves as the box handle, which can also be used as a bracelet, and creative families can use the packaging to construct their own Kindness Board - a space to display and share kindness goals, which can also be used as a background play scene for the dolls. The Rainbow Toy Awards for Excellence results for 2021 are in! The Awards recognise the best new toys, helping consumers to make smart choices in the run-up to Christmas and beyond. Each toy is tested by children and their carers and assessed by bloggers.
This winners are: Disney Advent Calendar by Cartamundi (preschool toys category), Cityblocks by Mideer Toys (imaginative toys), Magic Sand Set by Mideer Toys (art & craft toys), My First Puzzles Set by Toi World (games & puzzles younger toys - birth to 10 years), Twisted History by Cartamundi (games & puzzles older toys - 11+ years), Mindful Story Pillow – Cloud by World Alive (soft toys), My First Mighty Blasters Dual Blaster by Little Tikes (outdoor toys), T-Rex Truck by Little Tikes (wheeled toys), Tiny Gardening by The Quarto Group (educational toys), Vex Robotics Construction Zone by Hexbug (STEM toys), Shuffle Junior Paw Patrol Dominoes by Cartamundi (pocket money toys), and Vex Robotics Construction Zone by Hexbug (overall champion 2021).
Jazwares extends its Pokémon master toy manufacturing rights
Jazwares, the master toy manufacturing partner for Pokémon, has extended its agreement with The Pokémon Company international to add further direct distribution rights to its existing list of territories, which include the US, Canada and Mexico. From January, distribution of the Jazwares line will transition from Character Options in the UK and Ireland to the local Jazwares’ team. From Q2, distribution will transition from BOTI in Germany, Switzerland and Austria to Jazwares’ local German team. BOTI will continue to distribute the line in Benelux.
Brit wins Hot Wheels Legends Tour Global Grand Finale
The winner of the 2021 Hot Wheels Legends Tour was announced last month during a global livestream event at US TV host Jay Leno’s garage.
The 1969 Volvo P1800 built by Somerset-based Lee Johnstone will be inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends and immortalised as a 1:64 Hot Wheels die-cast toy sold around the world.
This Volvo P1800 ‘Ain’t No Saint’ Gasser was originally registered as new in 1969. Its owner, 71-year-old mechanic Lee, acquired the vehicle as a rusty rolling shell before thoroughly restoring it.
