3 minute read
The month in numbers – a new feature offering a snapshot of the industry
the percentage increase in searches for Black Panther toys after the opening of Marvel sequel Black Panther Wakanda Forever. The figure, from bargainmax.co.uk, came across its range of T’Challa-related toys. Eli Haffner, digital marketing manager, at 30 the number that Barbie toys will be at Christmas, eclipsing other brands, according to the folk at OnBuy.com. The online operator was the latest to reveal its predictions for big Christmas toys towards the end of November, stating that Barbie was ahead of the pack as part of the Mattel brand’s recent renaissance. One BargainMax.co.uk said: Liam Tickner, category manager at OnBuy said: “The original Black Panther film was one of “Barbie is an iconic toy, which has kept multiple the biggest superhero movies of all time, generations entertained. Although the doll fell out of making over $1billion worldwide back in 2018. favour with children in the 2010s, recently Barbie has Superhero films are always a huge inspiration seen a surge in popularity, and our trends insight points for toy trends and the latest release is no towards her topping the 2022 Christmas toy charts” different, causing a massive surge in popularity The month in numbers for Marvel toys on site.” 7 the percentage increase in sales of mid-price toys – those costing between £20 and £49.99 – over the first three quarters of 2022 according to NPD. It was one of the best-performing areas in the January to December figures. And while the cost of living crisis and increasing inflation has had an impact on higher-ticket items – sales of toys priced at £50 and upwards were down 8% year on year – customers aren’t trading down to the lowest price points – those under a tenner saw sales decrease by 15%. Items between
Some of the past month’s news highlights as offered up by £10 and £20 were up by 1%, with the biggest rise the Toys n Playthings newsflash and more. To sign up for coming in the aforementioned mid-price range. Melissa Symonds, executive director, UK Toys daily bulletins, go to www.toysnplaythings.media said: “With money tight for so many, consumers have been cutting back on buying toys at the lowest and highest ends of the price scale. Now 31 we are in the run-up to Christmas, we would expect sales to increase and it will be fascinating to see at what price point. Today, the challenge is one of affordability and canny consumers will be looking for discounts and promotions to help make their Christmas budgets go further. With Christmas Eve falling on a Saturday, we predict that sales will be made right up to 24 December.”
FOUR the number of awards and nominations picked up by Playmobil’s Wiltopia range of sustainable toys in recent weeks. The range, the most successful new launch in the sustainable toys sector this year in the UK according to NPD, has succeeded in a raft of UK-based eco toy awards. It includes two gongs at the Blog On Awards, a third place in the MadeForMums awards and as a finalist in the Progressive Pre School Eco Awards. The company said: “Playmobil regards the awards as recognition of the new product line’s concept: The Wiltopia playsets consist on average of more than 80% sustainable material. They teach children exciting knowledge about animals, nature, and the environment.’’
the number of days in May, which has been declared May Mayhem by the Toy Trust for its fundraising drive for 2023. It is encouraging industry types to take part individually or in groups and teams, with the aim of covering 18,000 miles in assorted initiatives – the equivalent to travelling around the entire coastline of mainland Britain. It is also encouraging nonphysical activities and opportunities. Follow @TheToyTrust on Instagram for more. the height in feet above the earth attained by the Hey Duggee Transforming Duggee Rocket Toy, sent into space by BBC Studios on a stratospheric balloon. It floated back down to earth and landed in Cambridgeshire, with the launch featuring on all the character’s social channels.
Credit BBC Studios
