Toys n Playthings June 2021 by Lema Publishing

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021 June 2 No. 7 0 Vol. 4

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01626 835400

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sales@wiltonbradley.co.uk

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CONTENTS 021 June 2 7 0 No. Vol. 4

Regulars 5

Leader - with Clare Turner

News - the latest toy industry headlines

People News - all the movers and shakers

Retail News - what’s happening on the retail landscape

Media News - the multimedia rundown

Chairman

Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

Licensing News - what’s hot in licensed products

Trade Talk - suppliers reveal their predictions for the second half

Managing Director Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

20 Toy Talk - retailers share their reopening experiences 21

Editor Clare Turner clare@lemapublishing.co.uk

Coffee Break - with Big Potato Games account manager Hannah Cornish

Naomi MacKay naomi@lemapublishing.co.uk

What’s New – fresh launches that you need to get your hands on

Don’t Miss - a sneak peek at unmissable products for buyers

Step Back In Time - a slice of history from the toy history from the industry’s longest-running magazine

Athee Waran athee@lemapublishing.co.uk

Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

Circulation Manager Robert Thomas robert@lemapublishing.co.uk

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30 TnP Ambassadors - our tiny testers try out MV Sports’ Nerf Inline Scooter with Mini Blaster

Assistant Editor

Advertisement Manager

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Features 36

Tech Toys & Gadgets - a look at the latest innovations

Construction Toys - TnP reviews what’s new in this evergreen category

Dress Up & Roleplay – TnP finds out what’s popular for pretend play

On The Farm - a round-up of farm-related toys and games

Special Reports 22

Retail Interview - with Hobbycraft senior buyer - kids & hobbies Joseph Pulfrey

Retail Interview - with OnBuy.com founder and CEO Cas Paton

Retail Interview - with Mapes of Millport joint owners Scott and Deborah Ferris

34 The Big Interview - with Bandai UK CEO Nic Aldridge

Columnists 8

Trends Column - the U.S. Toy Association shares outdoor toy and game picks for 2021

Gaining Insight - The Insights Family discusses the digital world’s impact on kids

Retail Opinion - John Ryan examines alternatives to stand-alone high street stores

Indie Opinion - Diary of a Toy Shop by Hazel McCarthy, owner of Toy Corner in Galway

Lema Publishing Ltd 1 Churchgates, The Wilderness, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 2UB Telephone: 01442 289930

At the heart of retail

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LEADER Clare Turner

W At the heart of retail Also by Lema Publishing

TableWare INTERNATIONAL

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

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eatherwise, it was a pretty experiences of all the toy retailers featured miserable May - the coldest in this issue apart from our guest columnist for 25 years with rainfall 31% Hazel McCarthy, owner of Toy Corner in higher than average, according to the Galway. But at the time of writing our new Met Office. What’s especially galling ‘Diary of a Toy Shop’ article, she was hugely for toy retailers is that last May was relieved to have just heard the news that click the sunniest on record and they were & collect was returning to the Republic of forced to close. Now they can reopen, Ireland from 10 May and she could reopen on it’s the weather that’s in hospital. 17 May – for the first time in 2021. But there is hope on the horizon. As Another independent retailer in this edition we go to press, forecasters - Mapes of Millport on the Isle of are promising that our Cumbrae - turned 75 on the very Toy unusually wet and cold day that non-essential reopened in retailers will May will end on a drier and Scotland, so 26 April was a double warmer note over the bank celebration for joint owners Scott be hoping holiday weekend. and Deborah Ferris. As for online, our that market And retail is on the road interview with Cas Paton, founder and conditions will CEO of OnBuy.com, reveals that the to recovery too. The latest ONS (Office for National toys and games category is among spark a big Statistics) figures covering the strongest in his entire catalogue. surge in the period from 4 April to In the meantime, while the boost in consumer 1 May show that retail sales sales is a step in the right direction, volumes grew sharply with a spending this high streets still have some way to monthly increase of 9.2%. Of summer go. As KPMG UK Head of Retail Paul course, this was the period Martin recently pointed out, retailers when restrictions on ‘nonare delighted with the way reopening essential’ retail in England, Scotland has been greeted by consumers eager to and Wales were relaxed, allowing engage once more with physical shopping, physical stores to reopen from 12 and online sales have continued to grow April in England and Wales and from across most categories, but at a reduced rate 26 April in Scotland. This reopening as many consumers stepped away from their had a “profound effect” on the retail computers to head outside. sector, ONS said, with non-food stores He predicts that retailers face an interesting providing the largest contribution to few months as they assess the level at which the monthly growth. online shopping falls back - and warns that Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the full reopening of the hospitality sector will the British Retail Consortium, confirms likely see a dilution in retail spend in favour of this. She said the ongoing easing of leisure, entertainment and hospitality. coronavirus restrictions has offered a Toy retailers will be hoping that with the long-awaited and very welcome boost increasing positive signs of the economy for thousands of retailers - and pentimproving, market conditions will offer scope up demand built up during lockdown to spark a big surge in consumer spending continues to be released. She added this summer. that online sales also continue to So, what’s been your trading experience, perform strongly, rewarding those as a toy retailer or supplier? I’d love you to retailers who invested in their online get in touch and share your story. You can and delivery operations during connect with me via LinkedIn or email me at the pandemic. clare@lemapublishing.co.uk. I look forward to Her views are reflected by the hearing from you!

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NEWS Character Group reports £6.1 million profit

The Character Group has reported £6.1m profit for the first half of its financial year, and says it anticipates continued growth in the second half. The announcement came as the toy giant published its results for the half-year ending 28 February 2021. Turnover for the period was increased by 44% to £74.5m, with an underlying profit before tax of £6.1m. The performance is attributed to its strong portfolio of brands, and growth is expected to continue through the second half of the financial year and beyond Christmas 2021. The

Group reported that Goo Jit Zu is penetrating all major international markets, with distribution already achieved in more than 40 countries. The Character Group’s other major brands (Peppa Pig, Pokémon, Little Live Pets, Shimmer ‘n Sparkle InstaGlam, Stretch Armstrong, Fireman Sam, Scooby Doo) are also exceeding expectations. In addition, there has been a focus on developing a sustainable, eco-friendly range of products over numerous brands with the new World of Licensed Wood range. The report stated that the Eco-Plush multi-licenced collection has also been enthusiastically embraced by the industry and consumers. Also mentioned is Character’s partnership with Moonbug Entertainment and the Master Toy line for new preschool property My Magic Pet Morphle, set to launch later in the year.

Magformers UK to distribute Puzzly-Do! Magformers UK is expanding its business by becoming the exclusive UK distributor for new toy brand Puzzly-Do! Magformers UK is the ownerdistributor of Magformers and Stick-O magnetic construction toys. Managing director David Kelly said: “I wanted to introduce a new toy line that offers high retailer margins, low SSPs, creative on-trend designs - and is environmentally friendly - while maintaining our core values of being fun and educational. Early reactions from retailers to Puzzly-Do! have been fantastic and I can’t wait to see the brand out in the marketplace alongside our ever-popular Magformers and Stick-O sets.” Puzzly-Do! launches in the UK with five Dubbl-Puzzls: themed jigsaws with illustrations on one side, which can be flipped over to reveal a line drawing on the back. Children can use the 10 felt tips included to colour in the reverse side. The launch contains five themed sets: Ocean Friends, Farm Friends, Forest Friends, My Sweet Shops and My Vehicles.

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New edition of virtual AsmoFair Following the success of Asmodee’s virtual trade show in January, the games specialist - in partnership with sister company Coiledspring Games - has announced that a fourth edition of AsmoFair will run from 6 June to 11 June. Asmodee claims AsmoFair was the first toy industry event of its kind in 2020 when the pandemic forced the abandonment of inperson shows, and ‘took a level up’ with its biggest edition so far in January, thanks to the introduction of a virtual walkthrough tour of a fully built show stand. “We were delighted by the overwhelmingly positive response to the January edition of AsmoFair,” said Anil Boodhoo, national channel director at Asmodee UK. “Our team has created an experience that really is the next best thing to attending a trade show in person, and we’re excited to step things up once again to give retailers a valuable first look at some unmissable products.” Visitors to the June edition can head to asmofair.co.uk to book meetings with Asmodee’s sales team.

Mattel launches PlayBack programme Mattel has unveiled details of PlayBack: a new toy takeback programme that will enable families to extend the life of their Mattel toys once they have finished playing with them. The scheme is designed to recover and reuse materials from old Mattel toys for future Mattel products, and supports the company’s goal to achieve 100% recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic materials across all products and packaging by 2030. To participate, consumers can visit Mattel.com/PlayBack, print a free shipping label, and pack and mail their outgrown Mattel toys back to Mattel. The toys collected will be sorted and separated by material type and responsibly processed and recycled. Materials that cannot be repurposed as recycled content will be downcycled or converted from waste to energy. The programme accepts Barbie, Matchbox and MEGA toys, and other brands will be added in the future. Mattel PlayBack will initially be available in the US and Canada. It will extend to France, Germany, and the UK through third-party recycling partners. “Mattel toys are made to last and be passed on from generation to generation,” said Richard Dickson, president and chief operating officer of Mattel. “A key part of our product design process is a relentless focus on innovation, and finding sustainable solutions is one significant way we are innovating. PlayBack is a great example of this, enabling us to turn materials from toys that have lived their useful life into recycled materials for new products.”

toysnplaythings.media 28/05/2021 20:03

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NEWS

Mattel UK gets gold

Monopoly teams up with Capital FM Capital FM joined forces with Hasbro last month for a Monopoly-themed breakfast show challenge centred on the board game’s Community Chest. The initiative was in aid of Global’s Make Some Noise: a national charity that works to improve the lives of disadvantaged people. Announced live on 14 May by Capital Breakfast presenter Roman Kemp, Roman’s Monopoly Mission saw Monopoly ‘open up’ its Community Chest to give back to communities most in need across the UK. Roman took on five daily Monopoly-themed challenges at iconic London locations alongside his co-hosts Sian Welby and Sonny Jay, and with every successfully completed task, he received a key. On the final day, he collected a master key from Mr Monopoly himself to unlock Monopoly’s Community Chest and secure £100,000 for Global’s Make Some Noise. Anne Leonhardi, marketing director North Europe of Hasbro, said: “Global’s Make Some Noise is an incredible charity that delivers much-needed support, awareness and funds to aid the wellbeing of communities up and down the UK. We hope that in an inevitable year of change, through the opening of the Community Chest, we can help give back and support those individuals and communities in need.”

Mattel UK has joined the IAB [Interactive Advertising Bureau] UK’s alliance of Gold Standard advertiser supporters. The industry body actively raises standards within digital media buying with the Gold Standard. The initiative certifies companies selling digital media, if they meet set criteria around improving the

digital advertising experience, helping compliance with the GDPR and ePrivacy law, tackling ad fraud and upholding brand safety. A cohort of advertisers, including Mattel UK, pledge to only use Gold Standard certified companies wherever possible and therefore commit to driving change around key issues that concern brands.

Baby Show online for trade Consumer fair The Baby Show Live has introduced a trade day for its online event this year. The trade showcase will offer retailers a special preview on Thursday 17 June between 9am and 5pm before the event opens to the public on 18 June. The online event will include trend reports and industry insights from Trend Bible and MadeForMums, as well as demonstrations from brands showcasing their latest launches. Register at www.thebabyshow.co.uk.

TRENDS: OUTDOOR TOY AND GAME PICKS FOR 2021 One of the top trends identified by The U.S. Toy Association for 2021 is ‘Rediscovering Play’, which offers developmental benefits for kids - and lots of fun, says senior communications specialist Kristin Morency Goldman Carving out time to get up, move, and play throughout the day is so crucial for children (and adults) who spend a lot of time sitting in front of screens. Playing outdoors adds another layer of benefits: when kids are outside, they are improving their health and developing important developmental skills, whether they are climbing trees, playing a game

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Toy sales for 2020 reflected the growing trend with categories such as sports toys and summer seasonal toys

Founded in 1916, The U.S. Toy Association is a not-for-profit trade association representing businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The U.S. toy industry has an annual U.S. economic impact of $97.2 billion and its 1,000plus members drive the annual $27 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Association serves as the industry’s voice on

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of catch, digging for worms, or simply enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. One of this year’s top toy and play trends identified by The U.S. Toy Association is ‘Rediscovering Play’, which includes outdoor toys and games for all ages. According to The NPD Group, toy sales for 2020 reflected the growing trend with categories such as sports toys and summer seasonal toys showing strong

the developmental benefits of play and promotes play’s positive impact on childhood development to consumers and the media. It has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, government, consumers, and industry on programmes to ensure safe and fun play.

gains of 31% and 24% respectively. Even as daily life returns to normal for most families, we expect children and parents to continue turning to outdoor play as a diversion and stress reliever, having experienced first-hand how beneficial it can be. Whether encouraging kids to explore nature or get up and move, outdoor toys often enable kids to engage in unstructured play, giving them a chance to develop skills they will carry into adulthood. Here are five examples:

The organisation produces the world-renowned Toy Fair New York and Toy Fair Dallas; advocates on behalf of members around the world; sustains the Canadian Toy Association; acts as secretariat for the International Council of Toy Industries and International Toy Industry CEO Roundtable; and chairs the committee that reviews and revises America’s widely emulated ASTM F963 toy safety standard.

toysnplaythings.media 28/05/2021 20:04

Gibsons donates £50K to chosen charities Gibsons has given £50,000 to charitable causes. The donation follows a successful trading year for Gibsons in 2020, its jigsaw sales soared by 59%. The charitable donation will be shared across eight organisations, representing a variety of causes aligned to the company’s CSR strategy and close to the hearts of the Gibsons’ team. The charities are Alzheimer’s Society, Friends of the Earth, Jigsaw4U, Macmillan Cancer Support, Samaritans (Croydon and Sutton branch), Small Steps, The Toy Project and YoungMinds. Kate Gibson, managing director at Gibsons said: “We’ve pledged to grow our fundraising year on year, through a range of initiatives, such as donating £2 to Samaritans for every Rainbow Heroes puzzle sold.’’ Commenting on receiving their donations from Gibsons: Adam Scott, corporate partnerships manager, Friends of the Earth: “A massive thank you to everyone at Gibsons for this incredible £10,000 donation. It is also great to see Gibsons taking responsibility for minimising its own impacts via its Green Game Plan.’’ Jane Garfield, charity director of The Toy Project, added: “The support we’ve had in getting our Play Room up and running has been more than we could have ever dreamed of. With Gibsons donating £4,000 we have covered running costs for another three months on top of the 11 months already sponsored.’’

Billie drives Na! Na! Na! success Na! Na! Na! Surprise is continuing its partnership with celebrity mum and star of ITVBe’s The Mummy Diaries, Billie Faiers, following last year’s social media success. As brand ambassadors, Billie and daughter Nelly have been promoting the expanding range of collectables and playsets from Na! Na! Na! Surprise, with the brand seeing an increase of more than 3,500 followers to its UK Instagram account. Now, the brand is focused on its latest playset launch, the Na! Na! Na! Surprise Soft Plush Convertible Car, with a glam photoshoot starring Billie and Nelly. The pair posed with a lifesize version of the car, complete with stand-out pink bodywork, creating a series of fun images shared across Billie’s and the brand’s social accounts. Continuing the partnership in 2021, Billie has supported Na! Na! Na! Surprise in launching the Teens series of larger 28cm fashion dolls. In addition, the new 2-in-1 Fashion Doll & Pom Sparkle Series was supported with a ‘Flip The Switch’ themed challenge to highlight the sequin additions, and reach a new audience via TikTok.

Redo San Diego Long Board (JAKKS Pacific): With extensive engineering and research, Redo Skateboard Co. has carefully crafted boards that offer ease, trick capability, and balance. Vikings of the Northern Lights (Starlux Games): It’s Vikings vs. Ice Dragons as players compete in this game that’s part freeze tag, part team sport. It can be used for the game as designed, or as a dress-up accessory. Wicked Big Sports Tipping Point: A dynamic new way to play cornhole. Each Tipping Point board pivots on a centre beam so while you play, the board can tip towards you or your opponent, and there is a hole on either side. It comes with grip dot bean bags that ‘stick’ to the board’s surface, folds easily for storage and has a handle. ICE BALL (KESS): A bounce ball filled with liquid glitter. As it bounces, the liquid colour filling flows in patterns for a fun shine effect. It’s available in six sparkling colours: green, teal, pink, gold, blue and purple. Returning Boomerang Plane (MukiKIM): Flies up to 10ft in a 360-degree returning flight range. Simply tune the Styrofoam structure as instructed and slide in the wings. It loops in any direction and always comes back. Included are detailed tuning instructions to dial in your flights.

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28/05/2021 20:04

NEWS

Tonies partners with library project

DKB signs up with Uncanny Brands DKB Toys & Distribution has announced an exclusive UK distribution deal with homewares company Uncanny Brands. Best known for pop culture small appliances, Uncanny Brands’ lines include themed kitchen accessories ranging from popcorn makers and toasters to salt and pepper grinders and hand blenders, all designed around iconic licensed characters from Star Wars, Marvel and Pokémon, among others.

Tonies has gifted Toniebox storytelling audio devices to the Life-changing Libraries project launched by ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ author Cressida Cowell. Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell’s project is set to showcase the transformative impact a wellresourced primary school library has on a child’s opportunities in life, alongside the vast inequality currently facing children across England. Over the course of a year, six primary schools across England – all of which have at least 25% of pupils eligible for free school meals – will be helped to develop a reading for pleasure culture, with the support of BookTrust. Each school will have a dedicated library space created by BookTrust and the sponsors of the campaign, which will

be stocked with Tonieboxes and 1,000 titles, selected by BookTrust and donated by publishers. The Tonieboxes will allow children in the six schools taking part in ‘Life-changing Libraries’ to enjoy some of the nation’s favourite stories, such as Elmer and Peter Rabbit, in audio.

Brands to get untapped in New York The U.S. Toy Association, producer of Toy Fair New York, and Mojo Nation has announced a new partnership to showcase multiple creative collaborations between toy companies and high-profile partners spanning the apparel, food & drink, hospitality, live event, video game, film & TV, and publishing industries. The Brands Untapped space will feature at Toy Fair New York, taking place from 19-22 February 2022. The experience-rich, curated area will be designed to showcase toy and game brand extensions, product ranges, and licensed interactions. An accompanying Brands Untapped conference will host talks and panels delving into the design stories behind the extensions of iconic toy brands

into categories such as footwear, video games, and even hotel suites. “The excitement is mounting for Toy Fair New York ’22, as we continue to build out our slate of engaging activities at the show and unveil unique business and educational opportunities for the global play community,” said Marian Bossard, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association. “Our partnership with Mojo Nation to bring ‘Brands Untapped’ to the show floor is the culmination of months of planning as we aim to position Toy Fair New York for future expansion. We expect it to solidify Toy Fair New York’s position as the place to scout the hottest trends in toys, play, and licensing.”

LadBaby drives Little Tikes video Little Tikes has partnered with social media influencer LadBaby to create a special one-off video that celebrates its red and yellow car: the Cozy Coupe. The viral video, which aired over the May Bank Holiday weekend, follows regular Cozy Coupe appearances in a selection of the YouTuber’s most famous videos - including one viral video that saw LadBaby Mark Hoyle take his boy through a makeshift drive-through in the toy car. The latest video features Mark surprising his wife Roxanne with a giant custom-made Cozy Coupe, after telling her there is a brand-new car waiting for her in the garage. This was shared across LadBaby’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube channels, and to date has received over 3m views.

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Wow! Stuff bags £4.5m funding Toy innovator and distributor Wow! Stuff has secured £4.5m funding to help support its ongoing growth. The Wolverhamptonheadquartered business, which has offices in LA and Hong Kong, was looking for funding to assist its growth in the European market. The additional funding from Independent Growth Finance will allow the business to expand its branded range on a commercialled timeline throughout the pandemic and beyond.

Did you know? Founded in 2006, Wow! Stuff’s original bestseller was a comical yet practical bathroom towel, which featured in television, film and Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art

toysnplaythings.media 28/05/2021 20:04

Hey, little spender! Pocket money app RoosterMoney has released the findings of its survey of 50,000 four- to 14-year-olds, which reveal how kids’ money habits have changed over lockdown. The Pocket Money Index shows that children are earning 40% more than prelockdown: £7.20 a week against £5.15 last year (Q1 2021 vs Q1 2020). The increase has come from kids embracing their entrepreneurial spirit by doing extra chores - and over 14% are topping up their income by selling items online such as old toys and clothes (vs 2% in Q1 2020). Digital games such as Roblox and Fortnite top the list of pocket money purchases, while books, magazines and sweets have seen a drop over the past year. The move online is also reflected in where kids are spending: seven of the top 10 stores are now online, against four pre-lockdown, with Amazon holding the top spot. Meanwhile, kids’ saving rates have risen from 32% to 48%.

Posh Paws raises over £10,000 for NHS Charities Together Last year Posh Paws partnered with NHS Charities Together to design and produce a range of NHS ‘Thank You’ Bears that play a cheering and clapping sound when you press their tummies, with a percentage of the sale of each bear going directly to the charity. So far, Posh Paws and its parent company Whitehouse Leisure have raised over £10,000 for NHS Charities Together through the sale of the NHS Bears and they want to keep the momentum going and continue to raise funds for the charity, with the help of their customers. Posh Paws said: “Your support by ordering the ‘Thank You’ Bears doesn’t just help NHS staff, but it also directly reaches patients, local communities and hundreds of other vital NHS projects covering the length and breadth of the UK, ensuring that support and funding reaches those who most need it. “The response we’ve had from customers and consumers during lockdown for the ‘Thank You’ Bears was fantastic, and we aim to continue our efforts in raising more donations for the NHS Charities Together this year with your support.’’

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Sign up now for Toy Trust fundraising event The Toy Trust is looking to recruit as many people as possible to take part in its new fundraising initiative. Starting at 9am on Friday 11 June, Around the World in 80 Hours invites the toy industry to participate in an attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 80 hours (which amounts to 40,075km). Participants can complete distances by a mix of disciplines over the 80-hour period and can use their creativity by wearing fancy dress or choosing unusual means of transport (no motors allowed) such as tandem bike or horseback. Traditional methods such as

walking, running, cycling and swimming are also encouraged. Companies already signed up to take part include VTech, The Entertainer, Hasbro, Mattel, John Adams, Generation Media, Jazwares, Rainbow Designs, Playmobil and NPD Europe. The event, which will be hosted on exercise tracking app Strava and is free of charge to join, is in support of two UK-based charities: myAFK and Handclapped Children’s Action Group (HCAG). Funds raised will be used to buy bespoke mobility equipment for kids and young people. For more details, email Matt Jones at Matt@btha.co.uk or go to www.toytrust. co.uk/around-theworld-in-80-hours/. You can also set up a fundraising page at virginmoneygiving.com/fund/ aroundtheworldin80hours.

Robin Hood game targeted for award The Adventures of Robin Hood, published by Kosmos Games, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Spiel des Jahres title. “Michael Menzel, the game designer who created the award-winning Legends of Andor series, has brought this enchanting medieval story to life and we cannot wait for it to arrive in our warehouse at the beginning of August,’’ said sales director Jo Drage. The winners are due to be announced in a ceremony in Berlin on 19 July.

Obituary: Michael Loveland Toys ‘n’ Playthings was sad to hear of the passing of Michael Loveland. Michael played a key role in the formation of the UK operation of Bandai in 1982 when tasked by the Japanese parent company to establish a subsidary in the UK. He was part of the team that brought Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the UK and Europe. Michael also served as an active board member for both the BTHA and the Toy Industries of Europe. Roland Earl, director general of the BTHA, said: “Michael was a very popular and influential Council member of the BTHA. His

thoughts on, and assessments of, issues were always insightful and he was hugely respected. On a personal note I learned a very great deal from Michael about all sides of the toy sector, which he so loved. “Michael was always helpful and generous with his time to me and always looked forwards not backwards. I am hugely privileged to have known and spent time with him and treasure my memories of Michael. “Our thoughts are with his family, former colleagues and friends across the world at this time.’’

28/05/2021 20:04

PEOPLE

NEWS

BBC Studios

appoints licensing duo

Toymaster names MD

this much Buying group Toymaster has promoted BBC Studios has deserved Yogi Parmar from joint interim managing appointed Louise promotion. director to the permanent role of Rigby and Gaby Dior as He is a longmanaging director. licensing managers in serving, popular and Colin Farrow, who was joint interim a move to expand the much respected leader managing director, will continue to corporation’s consumer of the Toymaster head office team, and serve Toymaster as finance director and products ambitions and this promotion recognises his dedication, company secretary. Paul Reader will deliver its brand and management skills and expertise in all continue to support Yogi as the third retail strategies. things Toymaster.” executive director as marketing director. Louise and Gaby He added: “I should like to thank Colin Toymaster chairman Chris Blatcher said: both report to BBC for his continued support and dedication “I’m sure our members, suppliers and staff Studios’ licensing to the group.” will all join me in congratulating Yogi on Louise Rigby director merchandise, partnerships and interactive Rikesh Desai and are responsible for identifying new product opportunities. They will also manage and oversee the company’s Following a period of growth, and the success of its Disney portfolio of merchandise Crystal Art range launch in the first quarter, Craft Buddy is and brand licensing seeking a raft of new hires. partnerships spanning The company has expanded its product development team Bluey, Hey Duggee, BBC with the appointment of Katrina Oliver as product manager. Earth and Doctor Who. Katrina Oliver With a background in retail, having previously worked as Louise will manage Gaby Dior a buyer at Mothercare and Boden, Katrina brings a wealth of experience and will UK deals and Gaby work alongside existing marketing and sales teams to develop new lines and extend will oversee licensing established range offerings. operations and agent relationships In addition, Craft Buddy is looking to recruit three additional roles: head of marketing, across EMEA. product compliance manager and finance & HR manager (maternity cover). Louise has over 12 years’ experience Craft Buddy co-director Gary Wadhwani said: “We’ve had a fantastic response across in the brand and licensing industry. She the trade for our new arts & crafts launches over the past year. Demand has grown has worked with brand owners including during the pandemic and, as we look to expand our influence in the arts & crafts sector, LEGO, Disney, WB, Hasbro, Nickelodeon plus explore new license partnerships, we need to bolster our team to support our plans and PlayStation. Gaby brings over for this year and beyond. All roles will be partly based in our office in Chesham and 15 years’ experience in licensing and partly from home. Industry experience is of course very welcome.” consumer products. She previously managed licensing programmes across EMEA for international agency Wildbrain CPLG, and internationally for Zodiak Rights (now Banijay Rights). She Ravensburger has expanded has worked on brands Kids International its marketing team with the including The Simpsons, Marketing (KIM) has appointment of PR manager Sonic The Hedgehog, appointed James Triptree Kirsty Barr. She will work across Sesame Street and most to manage key accounts. Kirsty Barr the portfolio of brands including recently Brown & Friends, He is well known across the Ravensburger blue triangle, BT21, the Spin Master portfolio, the UK toy trade, having BRIO, ThinkFun Brain and Logic Games. Ghostbusters and the Sony managed the sales Katy Fletcher, head of marketing and Pictures Entertainment TV portfolio. partnership for over 20 years. James Triptree product development, commented: “I’m This announcement follows a James joins UK sales delighted to welcome Kirsty on board. successful year for BBC Studios’ manager Nigel Deacon and McCabe With her wealth of experience in toys, consumer products division which Marketing & Sales, which manages the games and licensing, I’m looking forward has secured an extensive catalogue of company’s business in Ireland. to working with Kirsty, who will focus on licensees in the UK to coincide with KIM recently confirmed it was partnering the consumer PR for many of our new the launch of Emmy award-winning with Cuckoo to support local supply of four launches and heritage products too.” preschool series Bluey on CBeebies, new of its key brands: Quercetti, GeoPuzzle, Kirsty added: “I’m thrilled to be joining partnerships and renewed deals for Hey Chameleon Kidz, and Bubabloon. In Ravensburger UK. I’m passionate about Duggee including its first confectionery addition, KIM markets its Pugs at Play the toy and licensing industry, and the product with Kinnerton, and successful brand on an FOB-only basis. many wonderful people within it.’’ BBC Earth branded product launches.

Yogi Parmar

Craft Buddy

rolls out recruitment drive

Kirsty joins Ravensburger

KIM strengthens sales team

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RETAIL

NEWS

The Entertainer debuts in Spain

The Entertainer opened its first branded store in Spain last month. In 2018 The Entertainer has extended the high street toy its Quiet Hour to run every day retailer acquired the Poly in every one of its 171 stores across the country. The chain of 39 toy shops in initiative aims to create a Spain and has now rebranded the Poly store calmer environment for autistic people and shoppers who may in the south-east coastal find the return to the high city of Valencia. The street a stressful experience. store will adopt many of Previously running on The Entertainer’s UK Saturdays and during school retail practices such as holidays, Quiet Hour now demonstrations and operates every morning for the character meet-andfirst hour of opening. The greets, in line with social retailer has been awarded an Autism Friendly Award by distancing guidelines. the National Autistic Society Gary Grant, founder for its commitment to and executive chairman supporting autistic customers of The Entertainer, said: and their families. “We have been operating in Spain through our Poly stores since 2018 and heavily investing in the Spanish market, but now is the perfect time for us to introduce The Entertainer to the people of Spain. “We have spent 40 years perfecting our unique customer experience and are excited to bring this to Spain for families to enjoy. The Entertainer Valencia is a significant landmark for our operations in Spain and we’re excited to develop and grow The Entertainer further across the region over the coming months and years.”

Did you know?

Tonies pops up

in Harrods

Children’s audio player brand tonies hosted a pop-up at London department store Harrods’ fourth floor toy department last month. Open throughout May, the pop-up featured some of the best-selling Tonies from tonies’ collection of more than 100 characters including stories such as The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, Stick Man, and Zog. Offering content to entertain and educate children up to 10 years-old, the range also featured Peppa Pig and a selection of Disney classics including the Lion King, the Jungle Book and Toy Story. Accessories were available too, including Tonie-Carriers. With enough space to hold 20 favourite Tonies, these carry cases come in six shades to match the Tonieboxes’ six colourways. Tonies described the pop-up as ‘the perfect day out destination for families and children who have spent months at home during the pandemic’.

John Lewis store revamp John Lewis & Partners Edinburgh opened its doors to customers on 14 May following a multi-million pound refurbishment. Billed as a new shopping landmark for the Scottish capital, the branch in St James Quarter boasts a new range of services and experiences. There are several fun interactive areas dotted around the shop to encourage parents to relax while their kids play. These include a tepee, giant soft play cube game, digital coffee table with touch-screen top, and soft-play vegetable patch, plus an interactive Hornby Flying Scotsman model in the toy department,

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28/05/2021 19:44

MEDIA

NEWS

Hot Wheels hits new gameplay heights More gameplay for the Hot Wheels Unleashed game has been revealed - Skyscraper and College Campus. The rusty and dark Garage, with its underground mood, has already made its debut. Set in a construction site, Skyscraper will include tracks set on three different floors of the building under construction, with areas that will definitely test players’ fear of heights. College Campus, meanwhile, is set in a typical American college. A new gameplay video has unveiled six new vehicles out of the 60-plus vehicles available on day one. They are: Bump Around, Mountain Mauler, Sandivore, Boom Car, Buns of Steel, Fast Gassin and Motosaurus. Hot Wheels Unleashed offers players the opportunity to drive the cars as if they are playing with the diecast toys. The gameplay includes adrenalinefilled races, an extended choice of Hot Wheels vehicles with different attributes and rarity levels that players can customise with different skins, and jaw-dropping tracks set in everyday-life locations with special track pieces and interactive items. The game also features a Track Editor that enables players to customise tracks in any game environment and share them with the game’s community.

Dinos rise on YouTube Playmobil has launched a new dino adventure to coincide with its new Dino Rise play world. Dino Rise – The Legend of Dino Rock will take all fans of the prehistoric giants on an actionpacked, heroic journey. Seven animated episodes will be broadcast on the Playmobil YouTube channel, and children can also watch Dino Rise via the YouTube Kids app.

Dino Rise is the second animated series made to accompany a new Playmobil theme. Novelmore, the animated series based on the Playmobil knight’s universe, was the first.) The latest story presents the dinos quite unconventionally - not as attackers, but alongside young heroes fighting against evil forces.

Did you know? Dino Rise will be streamed in German, English, French, Spanish, Italian and Dutch

CMC keynote

speakers revealed

Multicoloured music deal Guru Studio and bRAND-WARD Services have announced a new major collaboration with Warner Music for the hit preschool animated series, True and the Rainbow Kingdom. Warner Music has launched its first True and the Rainbow Kingdom single, with singles and albums due throughout 2021. TRUE: Tunes, the franchise’s first album, was released by Guru Studio in 2020 and garnered more than 100,000 streams in the first 30 days. True and the Rainbow Kingdom is executive produced by world-renowned artist Pharrell Williams. The series first launched on Netflix in 2017, and has since become a ratings hit around the world.

The Children’s Media Conference (CMC) has announced two keynote speakers for its 2021 conference, which will run virtually from 5-9 July. The opening keynote will be delivered by ‘Global Teacher Prize’ winner, Andria Zafirakou. Also in a brand-new slot, presenter, author and actor Konnie Huq (right), will be the inaugural ‘The Key To…’ keynote interviewee. The opening keynote, titled ‘The Power of Potential – Learning Together’, will be held on 5 July. Andria Zafirakou will share insights on inspiring, empowering and enabling kids, and reveal the greatest lessons she has learned while engaging with young people. Andria is an art and textiles teacher at Alperton Community School in Brent and was crowned the best teacher in the world in 2018. On 6 July, former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq will be interviewed for the first of the CMC’s ‘The Key To…’ sessions. She will discuss her three decades as a presenter and writer – her experiences, her inspirations, and what she cares about most when it comes to kids’ media (current and future). For more information and registration, visit: www.thechildrensmediaconference.com.

tnp.media

LICENSING

NEWS

Golden Bear joins the Club Golden Bear has signed as plush partner for The Baby Club, in a deal brokered by Rockpool Licensing. The third season of the hit BBC commission launched last month and is presented by Giovanna Fletcher and Nigel Clarke. An on-screen baby club, the show is broadcast twice daily on CBeebies. As a regular feature in the CBeebies top viewing charts, The Baby Club has been a

major success since its launch in 2019 and has become a lifeline for little ones and their grown-ups, especially during lockdown. Golden Bear will be developing plush based on the growing family of characters featured in the show, beginning with Baby Bear, who appears with Giovanna and Nigel and stars in all activities, play, songs and stories.

Emojis come to town In a partnership with the emoji company GmbH, digital studio WildBrain Spark is producing emojitown, a series targeted at teens and young adults. WildBrain Spark, which holds exclusive global distribution rights to the new series, premiered emojitown on YouTube with a dedicated channel at the end of May. The series is being supported with extensive digital marketing, paid-media campaigns and dedicated social media strategies. WildBrain Spark will also exclusively handle branded content opportunities and advertising sales for emojitown on YouTube. WildBrain’s licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG, will handle worldwide licensing and merchandising rights for emojitown and develop products across key categories for teens and young adults.

Fanattik signs

Building on Bing’s success Acamar Films is expanding its UK licensing programme as appetite for Bing, the multi-award-winning hit preschool show, continues to grow. Last year demand for Bing consumer products enjoyed an 11% year-on-year increase (Kidz Global, 0-6 years, Oct 2020 vs Oct 2019). This year Acamar Films has welcomed strategic new categories to the consumer product programme taking the UK licensing portfolio up to 25 licensees. 2021 will see new partner Solent launch bathtime and dental products and children’s audio system tonies will be delivering an audio storytelling experience, slated for a 2022 release. Master toy partner Golden Bear saw an impressive 115% year-on-year sales growth for Bing in 2020 and is expanding Bing’s world in 2021, introducing Nicky, a new character from the latest series, and siblings Coco and Charlie to the range. New lines for Autumn/Winter include a musical dancing Bing and a large playset of Bing’s House. For the very first time, bath toys, with the new wind-up Bathtime Boat, are set to make a splash at retail. 8th Wonder has a raft of new wooden toys and games to add to its Bing range, marking the Bing Skittles and Carry Along House as high performers. MV Sports will be widening its retail footprint with additional listings of wheeled and outdoor toys, in time to greet the warmer weather.

Hasbro deal Pop culture specialist Fanattik has signed a gift licence with Hasbro for both Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons have millions of fans around the globe. With an upcoming Magic: The Gathering Netflix series, a live-action Dungeons & Dragons film, and video games featuring both on the horizon, even more people are likely to be brought together by these games. The Fanattik range will cover money boxes, clocks, barware, gifts and collectables. 15

News Licensingnm-4.indd 1

28/05/2021 19:58

CONSUMER

INSIGHT

Blurred lines I

n a fast-moving global toy industry, top trends and what influences purchase decisionmaking can shift at a remarkably fast pace. At The Insights Family, we’ve noticed that the latest technology-infused toys is an area that falls into this space. Augmented Reality (AR) takes interactive play to the next level, enabling users to create products that blend both physical and digital play in innovative ways. The technology can be leveraged for educational play patterns too (such as the Smart Globe Explorer AR by Oregon Scientific: a learning globe that features a wireless Bluetooth pen) which also piggybacks on the growing popularity of STEM toys. In the toy industry, LEGO has recently launched LEGO Vidiyo, a new app that allows kids to create their own music videos and share across their in-app feed. The app will accompany a new LEGO set of mini figures and bricks, which kids can scan into the app, where AR will be

used to create dancing characters. As the lines between online and offline play become increasingly blurred, it’s important for brands to offer digital extensions of their IPs, as kids expect their favourite brands to offer entertainment across the whole ecosystem. The ever-rising smartphone and tablet penetration among children is one of the main catalysts for the dynamism witnessed in AR powered toys. In the US, a substantial 52% of kids aged three to nine own a tablet and 36% of 10 to 14-year-olds own a mobile. In the UK, 62% of kids aged three to nine own a tablet while 46% own a mobile phone. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that technology does not sell itself.

“

To fulfil its full potential, AR needs to integrate real play patterns, rather than simply offering the experience of circling a smartphone or tablet screen around a static product. Offering unique and immersive play experiences, AR presents both opportunities as well as challenges for the wider industry. Play patterns that not only create a digital world but also a tactile response are likely to engage children.

AR takes interactive play to the next level, enabling users to create products that blend both physical and digital play in innovative ways

“

Kids depend a lot on the digital world as they spend large amounts of time with technology, and brands need to be following this trend, says Nick Richardson, founder and CEO of The Insights Family

What this means to you…

For product creators, there are many areas for growth in the industry. Consumers today are looking for products that are personalised for the individual and answerable to the rising interests of kids in technology. Kids depend a lot on the digital world as they spend large amounts of time with technology, and brands need to be following this trend. While numerous digital trends have accelerated on account of the pandemic, there have been many things altered around kids’ offline life, too. Traditional feel-good hobbies (such as arts & crafts, board games and reading) and interests have risen to prominence once again for those looking to disconnect. Kids are finding both online and offline ways to keep themselves entertained, demonstrating that digital entertainment and traditional toys and hobbies can exist together effectively.

The Insights Family (formerly The Insights People) specialises in kids, parents, and family market intelligence. Providing real-time data on their attitudes, behaviour, and consumption patterns, the company surveys 6,970 children aged three to 18 and 3,400 parents every week across 17 countries. To learn more and to get freemium access to The Insights Family real-time data portal, visit: https://try.theinsightsfamily.com/ toysnplaythings/.

RETAIL

OPINION

What about a

toy shop-in-shop? F

rom reading various recent reports recently, one thing that’s apparent is that if you want to almost guarantee seeing other people - people who are shopping - you could do worse than head off to the nearest large retail park. Retail park?! Yes, those places on the edges of our towns and cities which you can drive to, park for free and walk straight into stores of your choosing. Many retail parks are not the first places that spring to mind if you want an ‘experience’ of the kind that seems to preoccupy the minds of so many retailers these days. They tend to be a bit anodyne and have an identikit approach to store design. But there’s no denying their convenience. They also happen to be cheap to be a part of - or at least far less expensive than most high streets. All of which means that since the unlocking of non-essential retail, they have been outperforming the retail market as a whole. The question therefore is: why are there so few toy retailers making their mark on retail parks? The answer is actually pretty straightforward. Unless you happen to be Hamleys, or a toy shop of similar scale, the price per sq m may be low, but there are too many sq m per unit to make the whole thing a paying proposition for the standard toy shop owner/operator. But there is still another possible method of entry: become part of somebody else’s store. The shop-in-shop is having a ‘bit of a moment’ as those with large footprints seek to find ways of justifying their size - while those who are too small to even consider occupying a store of this kind cosy up to bigger merchants to become part of the action. The theory runs that this means the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, and that when two or more complementary retail brands buddy up under a single roof, they become more of a destination: a kind of de facto department store. The granddaddy of them all is Next. This is a retailer that has multiple retail park branches - some of them very large indeed. Many play host to not just their own-brand merchandise but offer a home to everybody from Costa Coffee to Laura Ashley (the latter has opened a shop-in-shop in the Next flagship on Leicester’s Fosse Park). And the point is that there seems little limit to what Next and a few others like it are prepared to entertain when it comes to renting out excess space in their shops. So why not toy shops? Are there any rules about what sort of retailer could become, in effect, a tenant of a larger concern? To

“

judge by what’s happening out there, almost anything goes (although the idea of Ann Summers popping up, as it were, in your local Screwfix might be a stretch - but on the other hand, why not?). From B&Q appearing in Asda, to online electrical giant AO.com setting up in Tesco, the world of the shop-in-shop is as varied as most high streets. Everybody, it seems, is a winner. If you were a toy retailer with space inside a hypermarket or within the premises of a large retail park tenant, footfall would seem to be a given, with all the good things that tend to follow from this. That said, if you follow this course of action, what about your standalone store(s) in the heart of the town/city? Might they not suffer? Possibly. Yet there are those shoppers for whom edge-oftown retail parks are locations they will never make it to. The urban London dweller is a person for whom ‘local’ means not straying much beyond the capital’s West End, for instance, and the idea of heading out to the periphery seems like time wasted. On which reckoning, there would appear to be room for both high street and retail park denizens. If you are a multi-site operation, then there are strong arguments for being in both places if you want to cover your bases. There are competitors in both locations, of course. On the high street, there will always be others willing to take you on mano a mano. The same is true of retail parks where there are, and almost always have been, specialists that call this home: Smyths is a case in point. Just as on the high street, however, it’s your job to put your best shop-in-shop foot forward if you want to make this form of retail work for you - it’s still possible to be in a high footfall area and not realise a profit. There’s no easy fix, but you should be aware that there are alternatives to the classic standalone store and that relying on the offices of another might be a good way to put your toe in the water to see if there is long-term mileage in the shop-in-shop or in a different market. It’s worth thinking about.

Why are there so few toy retailers making their mark on retail parks?

”

John Ryan is Stores Editor of business magazine Retail Week. He has worked for the title for more than a decade covering store design, visual merchandising and what makes things sell in-store. In a previous life, he was a buyer. 17

John Ryan examines alternatives to the classic standalone high street toy store

THE INDEPENDENT

OPINION

Diary of a toy shop Guest columnist Hazel McCarthy, owner of Toy Corner in Galway, shares her long-awaited reopening journey

“

hen I opened Toy Corner in November 2019, I was cautious and prepared myself for the possibility that I may not survive more than six months. Little did I know that not only would I be closed within six months, but I would continue to open and close like a yo-yo! I went from adamantly declaring I would never have an online shop to building my own ecommerce website completely from scratch. My first sale on my website was on 24 March 2020 and since then I’ve shifted my business from being 100% online to running the shop and website in tandem and back again. Online was slow this March and April which was disappointing, but I think (and hope) that customers are just waiting until shops reopen here, and the slowdown is because none of us expected that we would be closed this long. As I write this, news has finally

I love the idea of creating experiences and space for memorymaking

About Toy Corner…

Hazel says: “Toy Corner is a 600sq foot store that sits in the wonderful village of Moycullen at the gateway to Connemara in Galway. In one direction, there is the vast and rugged expanse of Connemara, where Gaeilge is the first language of many, and in the other is Galway City, which is artistic, fastgrowing and cosmopolitan.

"As Toy Corner sits in the Connemara Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) region, it’s important to represent and advocate for the Irish language in the business. I’m a fair bit away from being able to say ‘Tá Gaeilge agam’ (I speak Irish), ‘ach, táim ag foghlaim’ (but, I’m learning)!” 18

come through in Ireland that click & collect will return from 10 May and I can reopen on 17 May - for the first time in 2021.

Learning curve 2020 was a steep learning curve. But I’m fortunate to have many years of experience (I grew up working in my mum’s shop Hopkins Toymaster in Wicklow Town) which I could rely on for product knowledge. Brexit has been a huge additional challenge on top of the Covid-19 pandemic, but I bought like mad while I was closed and had time to chase down deliveries - and didn’t have to panic when two months’ worth of scheduled deliveries landed in on top of each other. I have the additional logistical challenge of almost no storage space but luckily my helpful Grandpa is always working on new storage solutions for me… If you haven’t figured it out by now, this really is an article by an independent! Thanks to furious buying and lots of late nights, my shop will be fully stocked by the time I reopen and I can make a fabulous impression on all my customers. I can’t wait to show it off - and take a breather from buying and merchandising! I was delighted to have my hard work recognised in the 2020 Retailer of the Year Awards organised by the BTHA. I worked so hard last year - most of it behind closed doors and completely alone - so in that context, the recognition means even more. I did think I would have grown my team by now but hopefully in the second half of this year I will be able to say I have a colleague, and it will help give me time to focus on some of the other ideas that I write down in the middle of the night - there must be some gold in there somewhere!

Staying motivated I’ve found that Instagram is a wonderful place to stay motivated. Of course it’s difficult to always create new content,

and find time to prioritise that, but looking at other toy shops that I follow on the platform - the fabulous remerchandising they’ve done, and the new initiatives they’ve introduced - has been inspiring. It’s also been a great way to connect with other independents while in-person conversation remains off the table. Shout out to Jollys toy shop at Thrapston in Northamptonshire for taking the time to advise me on a loyalty card scheme, which I’m looking forward to introducing, and to my alma mater Hopkins Toymaster for inspiring my Tap To Tidy series, now living on my Instagram highlights as Sparkle Feed. [Tap to Tidy is an Instagram trend in which users post a photo of a messy room or cupboard, followed by an image of the same space tidied up.] I post a ‘before’ photo, and then an ‘after’ photo: Instagram users only need to tap to tidy my shop! I store the ‘afters’ on one of my highlights on Instagram, so all the photos of the shop looking sparkling are together. Not only did that generate new content for me, but it also kept me motivated and accountable to keep going with remerchandising my shop. We don’t talk about it enough, but it has been really hard working in isolation. I returned to retail because I love talking to people, connecting with them, and helping them find the right product. I think that need is probably what inspired the creation of my Boredom Busting Box. Each box is filled to the value of ¤50 with items tailored to the interests and age(s) of the recipient(s). They are time consuming to create but they are so rewarding and mean so much to everyone. I love the idea of creating experiences and space for memory-making more than anything else, and the Boredom Busting Box feeds into that too - it’s like a little bit of the essence of Toy Corner gets opened up in homes around the country whenever one leaves the shop. Maybe 2020 has driven me a bit mad, but I chose to believe it’s just a little bit of magic.

toysnplaythings.media

TRADE

OPINION

Calling all suppliers and distributors! We’d love to hear your views. Get in touch with Clare@lemapublishing.co.uk to have your say!

Trade talk

This month, we find out what retailers are ordering from our suppliers now toy shops are open, as well as the toys our suppliers have kept from childhood

JULIA LOESER Science Kit sales, marketing & PR manager Thames & Kosmos Since the reopening of non-essential retail, are you enjoying a boom in orders? It’s been encouraging to speak to our bricks-and-mortar customers who say their loyal customer base has been returning steadily since reopening. In particular, their young customer base is excited to see toys again in action. I’d say the trade is cautious but also keen to bring in new and exciting stock, mostly within the £15-£25 price bracket. Have you noticed any interesting trends? Our medium price point ranges such as FEAK continue to be popular. Within the range, we’ve had a hotly anticipated restock of our best-selling Rubber Band Racers, Solar Powered Rovers and Ultra Light Airplanes, which at £16 can be played with indoors or out, providing educational fun while not breaking the bank. Sales in the run-up to the May half term have been steady. What are your best-selling products at the moment? Last month the hotly anticipated CREATTO series 2 range hit our warehouse and immediately proved a hit among end-users and influencers alike. The kits range from Mini to Maxi and allow children from the age of eight to make, play and display their 3D light up creations. Within our board game range, the EXIT – The Game titles continue to be best sellers with our first new title of the year, The Gate Between Worlds, slotting perfectly into the intermediate difficulty level. Our next new arrival in the series, The Cursed Labyrinth, is due in July - and pre-orders are already coming in thick and fast for this novice level adventure. What lines do you expect to do well in summer and autumn? Sales of our FEAK range will continue to be steady. We think the upcoming summer holidays will see a lot of families holidaying at home and let’s face it, the weather in the UK is rather unpredictable, so the FEAK range is perfect to keep children entertained when indoors. And the Squishy Organs from the range include a bouncing brain; what’s not to like? Within our board game range, we are introducing a hotly anticipated English Language EXIT – Advent Calendar with pre-orders flooding in. The German language version was a sell-out last year and we can’t wait for the arrival in the summer as it will offer EXIT – The Game enthusiasts a new escape room dimension in the run-up to Christmas Day!

PHIL RATCLIFFE Joint managing director MV Sports & Leisure Since the reopening of non-essential retail, are you enjoying a boom in orders? Our order book is very strong. The challenge has been to navigate supply chain disruption and bring in as much stock as possible to service the “Our high demand. Have you noticed any interesting trends? Customers are ordering much further out, to have the best chance of securing stock. We’ve also seen a big uplift in our own brands such as Kickmaster, Hedstrom, Stunted, uMoVe and Wired - continuing the trend from last year. Classic licences have seen an uptick this year too, especially on preschool. What lines do you expect to do well in summer and autumn?

order book is very strong. The challenge has been to navigate supply chain disruption and bring in as much stock as possible to service the high demand”

Hedstrom and Kickmaster in the summer (swings, slides, trampolines, goals) and Wired and licences in the autumn particularly higher value items such as bikes, go karts, e-scooters and battery operated ride-ons. Finally, have you kept any toys from your childhood? Very few, as my mother gave or threw them all away. Some battered old Matchbox cars and a handful of boxed games are all that’s left. My kids have more than filled the void, and most of theirs are in the loft!

DAVID MORDECAI CEO H.Grossman What are your best-selling products at the moment? Pushpoppers. These are flying out. We have already had nearly 3 million items ordered with more on the way: a real pocket money winner. What lines do you expect to do well in summer and autumn? Scooters are in big demand at the moment, and we see this continuing through the rest of the year - together with anything related to the fidget craze. Finally, have you kept any toys from your childhood? Subbuteo brings back so many memories.

Finally, have you kept any toys from your childhood? I still have my first teddy bear - which was a dog. He’s lost his eyes and is a bit battered (spending his retirement in the loft) but he always reminds of my grandparents and the silly voices my granddad used to make.

JUNE 2021

RETAIL

OPINION

Talking retail

If you wo uld like t o take pa in Toy Ta rt lk, we’d lo ve to hea from you r . Please e mail clare@lem apublishin g.co.uk

TnP loves to hear your views. As shops have been open a few weeks, we ask retailers how they think summer trading will look

Jayne Rees Owner, Eve's Toy Shop Llandeilo, Wales Tell us about Eve's Toy Shop. We have one shop, which opened in 2002 in the small Welsh town of Llandeilo, and an online presence. I would describe our range as traditional, concentrating on wooden toys sourced from the UK and Europe. We squeeze a lot into our little shop, but our key product categories are newborn & baby, toddler toys - and then we jump into the older category with lots of imaginary play, discovery & science toys, arts & crafts and a small selection of outdoor play. We have about 20 key suppliers including Tenderleaf Toys, Djeco, Jellycat, Galt, Haba, Schleich, Le Toy Van, Usborne Books, Jura, Brio, Lottie, Bertoy, Learning Resources, Lanka Kade, Orchard Toys, Thames & Kosmos, Clockwork Soldier and Corolle dolls. These companies make beautiful toys that fit perfectly with our ethos. How has reopening been for you? We were excited to reopen. We worked hard while the shop was closed and gave it some much-needed TLC. To be honest, after being closed for such a long time, the little back-up money that was left after Christmas was all but gone. In Wales we were forced to close four days before Christmas and obviously that's our busiest time, so we lost so much money. A few sleepless nights didn't make this time any easier, but we got through it. Since reopening, it's been good: customers are eager to support us, and the ‘Shop Local’ campaign has definitely helped. Our first week was a great success. Holidaymakers were still around, due to children being on half term, and I managed a good night’s sleep at last! What’s selling well? During sunny weather we sell more outdoor toys: balls, windmills and so on. I was totally unprepared for the sun but we managed to sell out of buckets and spades that we had left from last year, so that was good. Any surprise purchases? Customers have started looking for christening gifts. These were pretty much cancelled last year so it's nice to see family and friends gathering together again, albeit outside at the moment. It gives me some hope that things are getting back to how they were. What are your predictions for summer trading? I think the summer could be a good one with many families choosing to stay in the UK rather than go abroad. We'll be keeping our shop well stocked with summer toys. We’re limited on space so there's no room for larger items like paddling pools or sand pits - but more buckets and spades are already on the way and I'm taking this month to try and put some sort of plan together. Wish me luck!

NEW Talk Retailnm.indd 1

Jennie Hogg

Owner, Cachao Toys, Muswell Hill, London Tell us about Cachao Toys. We opened in Muswell Hill in December 2015 and we also run a website. How would you describe your range? Inspiring, well designed and with lots of play value. I've probably got stock from more than 30 suppliers at the moment (including cards, gift wrap and party supplies). Key toy brands include Brio, Schleich, Smart Games, Lottie, Djeco and Jellycat and House of Marbles. Key product categories? Usually it's the birthday party present that turns over ie the £10-20 toy, but as there hasn't been much partying going on this past year, it's hard to pin down one category. How has reopening been for you? So up and down! Very good to start… people are so happy that we're open again. What’s selling well? There have been lots of requests for party favour toys because even though kids aren't having parties, it's become a tradition to still give a party bag to everyone in the class on their birthday. And pocket money toys have been doing well: kids have been saving up to spend in a toy shop and each child wants something different to buy. What are your predictions for summer? I hope summer sees parties start up again. especially with the rules easing up. I imagine that as people might be around more than in 'normal' summers, they might want to make it up to their kids for having rubbish birthdays during lockdown. So I’m stocking up on party supplies as well as presents. I'm also getting all the outdoor toys like Swingball and sand toys that I didn't get last year because I was closed. What’s your favourite toy/game of all time? When I was a kid, my favourite thing ever were soft animals. I couldn't get enough. I also loved board games like Life and Monopoly.

toysnplaythings.media 28/05/2021 19:49

Clair Letton-Marshall Owner, Wigwam Toys Brighton, East Sussex Tell us about Wigwam Toys. I took over the business in 2012. The shop is in the Fiveways area of Brighton, about 35 minutes’ walk from the town centre. We only have a small physical space and we run our webshop from the same premises, so we have to be creative with our displays (sometimes I think about hanging things from the ceiling if we get desperate!).

How would you describe your range? We have the classics that you would expect to see in a toy shop such as LEGO, Playmobil, Jellycat and Sylvanian Families, but we specialise in retro style, design-led and unusual toys and gifts that you won’t find in the supermarkets or chain stores, including beautiful books and small emerging brands. This means we always have something fresh for our customers to look at. When I’m looking for a new product, it must pass the ‘would I?’ test: wouldI buy it? And would I give it to my children or my friends’ children? If the answer is no, then it doesn’t make the cut. I want customers to be able to put together a gift, or treat their children to something that is good value. By that I don’t just mean financially, but something that does what it says it does, and can withstand plenty of play and not fall apart. I also look out for brands with a good story and ethos - be it their environmental stance, brand values or fair trade practices.

How has reopening been for you? We have rearranged the shop floor to keep everyone safe, and altered our staffing so that only one of us is on the premises at any time, so if anyone gets sick, there’s someone to step in. Over the past year, with the move to online shopping due to lockdown, we saw a big increase in sales, which has slowed now the shops have reopened. It’s been lovely to see our customers again: I can’t believe how big all the kids have got since we were last open! In-store sales are slightly lower than this time pre-Covid in 2019, which is to be expected. I think [the pandemic] has made many people think carefully about their spending. But increasingly customers tell us they have consciously chosen to ‘Shop Local’ and support indie stores and businesses, which is really encouraging.

Has there been a change in footfall patterns? We used to be able to confidently predict the busier and quieter days of the week, but this has dramatically changed since reopening. We are in a residential area, so our customers are largely locals rather than tourists. With many people still working from home, they are able to shop through the week rather than only at weekends, so there’s been a levelling across the week - on most days, turnover is roughly the same.

What’s selling well? We’ve noticed a slight shift in favour of higher-priced items. If parents are buying for their own children, they are moving to less volume, more quality. Children’s spending remains largely the same: on pocket money toys - and we’ve seen huge demand for fidget toys. Pokémon is still going strong. It’s always been a good seller, but demand has really increased because we’ve seen big supply shortages. Whenever we put new Pokémon online, it goes really quickly. We’ve started stocking more mindfulness products for children and books about the world around us - bugs and beetles, back garden safari, things to spot on walks and so on – which have been selling in much greater quantities. I think lockdown got more families out in nature together, and it’s sparked an interest. I wonder if we’ll see an increase in budding naturalists in the future!

What are your predictions for summer trading?

JUNE 2021 NEW Talk Retailnm.indd 2

COFFEE BREAK TNP catches up with Big Potato Games account manager for Southern UK and Ireland Hannah Cornish to find out more about the company’s plans What’s your background? I’ve dabbled in a few industries, but previously I was at Groupon, and before that I was working for a toy and games consultancy focusing mainly in international. Tell us a bit about your company. Big Potato Games is an independent board games company based in London. We specialise in party games for kids, families and adults for most group sizes. I think we have a game for every occasion but somehow, we keep coming up with more great ideas! What’s your working week like? During lockdown, I was home-based. But now everything is opening back up, I will be on the road for a few days a week visiting customers and checking out new locations where our games would sell well. A lot of my customers are indie toy shops and board game cafes so I talk to them to see what’s selling, what’s not and how we can help drive sales. What’s keeping you busy at the moment? All the indies opening back up again is keeping me busy; making sure they have everything they need now that people are allowed back in shops. What are your goals for 2021? To build some of our retailers’ businesses and increase our presence in independent department stores and gift stores in tourist destinations. What big launches and marketing campaigns can we look forward to this year? I'm really excited about Nice Buns! It's such a cute game - our creative team has done an amazing job on the artwork and the game play is fun. Another one I can’t wait for is our brand new social deduction game called Snakesss: the packaging features a cool optical illusion, and we predict it’s going to be one of our big hits this year. Which toy do you wish would make a comeback? I used to collect Beanie Babies with my mum and sister when I was younger, and we were convinced they would be worth something one day. We now have a lot in the loft, so if they make a comeback like Pokémon cards, that would be great! Finally, what’s your coffee break beverage of choice? I love a cold brew coffee. Doesn't matter on the weather, iced coffee all the way. OK Play is Big Potato Games’ best-selling travel game 21

28/05/2021 19:49

RETAIL INTERVIEW HOBBYCRAFT

Inspiring creativity

TnP catches up with Hobbycraft senior buyer - kids & hobbies Joseph Pulfrey, to discover what’s hot for kids at the arts & crafts superstore chain What’s your career background? I was a buyer for 15-plus years working in the home entertainment, grocery and DIY sectors, before joining Hobbycraft in 2017.

Tell us a bit about Hobbycraft. Founded in 1995 at Christchurch in Dorset, Hobbycraft has grown to become a nationwide business with more than 100 stores across the UK, ready to support and inspire an ever-expanding variety of crafts.

How would you describe your product range? The Kids department is effectively split into three categories: Art, Craft, and Kits. Art features stationery, colour/ paint your own lines, paper, card, paints, paint accessories, and stickers. Craft houses our assortments and accessories (the bits and pieces for craft projects and ‘makes’ that includes an

enormous selection of items such as eyes, feathers, pom poms, pipe cleaners and beads) plus glitter (all biodegradable now), foam, felt, moulding clay and picture beads. The Finally, Kits is where all our own-brand ‘make door is your own’ kits for knitting, always open stitching, wood craft, and to suppliers art sit alongside branded with craft kits from the likes of Galt, Play-Doh, Aquabeads something and Fuzzikins. unique and Alongside the Kids with a fit category, we have models with and jigsaws from brands such as Revell, Tamiya, Hobbycraft Gibsons, Falcon, and Ravensburger.

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How many brands do you carry? In excess of 40. This ranges from brands with a large presence across one or two branded bays, to new suppliers with perhaps just one or two SKUs that are in development or trial.

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How many suppliers do you deal with? We are always trying to streamline the number of suppliers we have onboard and look to have close relationships with strategic partners. Currently we work closely with Hasbro, James Galt, Play Monster, Vivid and Epoch, to name a few. But the door is always open to suppliers with something unique and with a fit with Hobbycraft.

How do you find products? Ideas for the range come from customers, colleagues, press and social media. From that, we either develop the idea and source it ourselves, or look to buy from suppliers. Approaches from reps are often most fruitful, and it can be down to the right product at the right time. So many products are launched off the back of a presentation of an item or an idea that I just happen to be looking for at that time. Two weeks earlier or later and it may have been a non-starter. Trade shows can be good, but

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Best sellers ■ Box of Craft ■ P aint Your Own ranges in ceramics ■ C ardboard playhouses ■ Suncatchers ■ Pocket money kits ■ Paints ■ Easels

only if there’s good access to newness and, more importantly, new suppliers and ideas.

What’s your selection criteria? Simply: does it fit with our customer? We could easily sell more toys and probably sell plenty of them, but Hobbycraft is a destination for those who want something that will inspire their creativity and aid them in making or crafting. If it’s not doing that then it’s not really for us. Our range should be there to inspire kids and grown-ups alike. Many customers may not know what they want, but they want to leave with something - or with the materials that they can ‘create’ with, whether that’s a complete kit, or a bag of felt, foam,

■ Card

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I see customers in our Kids range as shopping for a very specific non-specific thing; they want something to inspire creativity - a project to take up time. It's our job to put that in front of them when they walk through the door or search online

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cardboard, pom poms, eyes and PVA. I see customers in our Kids range as shopping for a very specific non-specific thing; they want something to inspire creativity - a project to take up time. It’s our job to put that in front of them when they walk through the door or search online.

■ Crayola ■ M ake-your-own slime-related products ■ W ooden craft accessories accessories remain at the top of our best seller lists week in, week out.

What are your current best What’s your favourite art or sellers? craft? Our box of Craft is a constant best seller, as are our Paint Your Own ranges in ceramics, cardboard playhouses, and suncatchers. Our own Hobbycraft pocket money kits, paints, easels, card; Crayola; make-your-own slime-related products; and wooden craft

I have two young daughters, so crafting, painting and drawing with them takes up my time. This ranges from making bubbling volcanoes with the eldest, to a mountain of PVA blobbed on paper with googly eyes plonked on top with the youngest!

Hobbycraft raises funds for kids’ charity Hobbycraft has launched a new product - a Colour In Cardboard Wigwam - to help raise funds for its charity partner Together for Short Lives, the UK charity for seriously ill children and their families. The five-sided construction, which has a different design on each side, is available in-store and online now and all profits from sales will be donated to the charity. Hobbycraft has worked with Together for Short Lives for nine years and has raised more than £1.8m for the charity to date. Together for Short Lives supports 54 children's hospice services caring for seriously ill children and their families across the UK. Heather Robbins, trading director at Hobbycraft, comments: “Our customers

JUNE 2021

love our Colour In Cardboard range and we’re incredibly excited to be able to launch a brand new line that will raise vital funds for our charity partner. Together for Short Lives does amazing and important work that resonates with our colleagues and customers, and this new product is set to raise thousands of pounds for them, which will help them continue making a difference for seriously ill children and their families.”

RETAIL INTERVIEW OnBuy.com

Onwards and

upwards

Toys and games are always strong sellers on OnBuy.com across all ages and a wide range of interests. TnP talks to Cas Paton, founder and CEO of this fast-growing online marketplace What’s your background?

Tell us a bit about OnBuy.

Before I created OnBuy, I had been running website development companies since I was 21 (back in 2006!) and working as an ecommerce consultant for organisations such as NATO and the NHS. It became evident that many businesses felt a sense of dissatisfaction with the services offered by online marketplaces, which was affecting their ability to maximise their ecommerce trading. As I dug deeper, I realised that the existing ecommerce marketplace model was inherently flawed. The central issue was that, typically, marketplaces also function as retailers. Sellers who use these platforms are regarded as ‘third parties’ and are expected to go toeto-toe against the same platforms they’re supposed to be able to trust to give them a fair deal. Despite this business model being the status quo in ecommerce, it didn’t make it right - and it didn’t give sellers the best opportunity to grow their businesses.

I put together a team and launched OnBuy in 2016, creating a true marketplace where sellers and buyers can connect securely, and where we focus on facilitating that The toys relationship rather than selling & games our own products. OnBuy has more than 35 million listed category is products, sold by thousands of among the independent sellers. Not one strongest in of those products is listed or stocked by OnBuy itself, and our entire never will be. We have more catalogue than eight million customers and counting, with a 4.7/5 rating on Trustpilot across more than 27,000 reviews. We’ve successfully grown over 600% year-on-year for the past three years. We’re expanding globally, so our growth is only set to continue!

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What are your key toys & games categories? Because OnBuy works with independent sellers, as well as with toy brands and manufacturers directly, our range is substantial. Toys

& games are always strong sellers on OnBuy across all ages and interests. We’ve divided our toys & games category into 18 subcategories: action figures & playsets; baby & toddler toys; building & construction toys; children’s arts & crafts; classic toys; dolls, puppets & accessories; educational toys & games; electronic toys; fancy dress; games & magic sets; hobbies; jigsaws & puzzles; musical toy instruments; outdoor toys & games; pretend play; soft toys & teddies; sports toys; and toy vehicles.

How is the toys & games category performing generally? The toys & games category is among the strongest in our entire catalogue. Our sellers are amazing at keeping up with trends and the latest releases especially as many of them are physical toy shops using OnBuy to set up their ecommerce sales channel, or brands directly selling via OnBuy.

What products are popular at the moment? Many of our most popular products

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How is trading generally compared with this time last year? Really strong. We opened 2021 off the back of a sensational Q4 2020, where the peak season saw OnBuy achieve incredible growth, fuelled by our major national TV advertising campaign with ITV. Our success benefits the independent businesses who sell with us, so we’re glad to have been able to create such immense growth as it directly translates into increased market share for our sellers. are family games or hobbyist board games, such as LEGO, Airfix and jigsaw puzzles. UNO card games are always hugely popular, as are games such as Boggle and more adult games like What Do You Meme.

Toy retailers are facing challenging times: how can those who don’t have an ecommerce website use OnBuy? OnBuy caters to businesses of all types and sizes, so our selection criteria is simple: if you’re a registered business with barcodes for your products, we’re happy to welcome you aboard! Sellers can simply visit our website, fill in the application form and we’ll get in touch within one working day to discuss onboarding. As you rightly point out, the challenges we’ve all faced in the past year or so mean that it’s not just established ecommerce companies who are looking to diversify their sales channels by joining OnBuy. It’s also businesses stepping into the world of selling online for the first time, often following remarkable physical store success. It can sometimes feel as if the odds are stacked against businesses when they choose to sell online, particularly if they’re new to ecommerce. That’s partly why we personally onboard each new seller

JUNE 2021

- it creates a personal relationship and helps paint a picture of the needs of their business. That in turn means we can tailor our advice. We give sellers powerful tools and advantages, such as instant payment via PayPal when items are dispatched, a risk-free ad service called Boost, and a versatile Sale Price discounting tool. We also offer a Subscription Waiver Guarantee, which gives retailers time to get set up without being charged a recurring subscription fee, and a Transparent Fee Guarantee, where all our sellers pay the same fees. These benefits and tools are freely available to any OnBuy seller of any size, anywhere in the world.

Following the closure of non-essential retail for so much of last year and Q1 of this year, did you see an increase in the number of retailers turning to OnBuy? Absolutely. The challenges facing the UK high street inspired quite a market sidestep from physical to digital retail. We consciously supported sellers of every kind when the pandemic first began - we never prevented anything ‘nonessential’ from being sold on OnBuy, because we knew this would stifle independent businesses. We’re now seeing upwards

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If you look at how ingenious many physical retailers have been in embracing an online strategy, we believe that an omnichannel approach where physical and retail works in harmony is the future

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of 600 new retailers joining us every month. If you look at how ingenious many physical retailers have been in embracing an online strategy, we believe that an omnichannel approach, where physical and digital retail works in harmony, is the future of how many organisations will be doing business in this decade and beyond.

What sets you apart from other online marketplaces? One of our major differentiators is our business model: we’re a true marketplace, not a retailer. OnBuy doesn’t sell its own products and never will. We’ve created an ecommerce ecosystem. Fairness and transparency are at the core of our company, so we’ve levelled the playing field for both retailers and customers. We put the power in our customers’ hands: we show all the retailers selling a product on the product page - including each retailers’ price, delivery information and their reviews - so customers can easily choose who they’d like to buy from. We don’t influence the sale or try to push our own products because we don’t have any of our own stock to sell! Instead, we offer customers a huge amount of choice, with fantastic prices across millions of products and secure payments

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RETAIL INTERVIEW OnBuy.com

processed via PayPal. As for our retailers, each seller has an equal stake in their own success: we don’t favour one seller over another. That means huge multinationals, sole traders, and everyone in between trade on the same level playing field. What’s more, our partnership with PayPal means sellers can access their funds the moment they dispatch an order. We never hold or even handle their money. Cashflow is key for independent businesses, and our sellers don’t have to wait for pay-cycles. Added to that, we’re growing worldwide as we speak, with the aim of being in a wide range of countries by year-end 2023 – promising all of our sellers global reach.

How does OnBuy deal with the influx of fake copies of toys that don’t meet UK safety standards? To me, reputation is everything. OnBuy is centred around delivering a positive experience to every single customer, so the verification of our retailers is of utmost importance. My team and I take a zero-tolerance stance on any products found to be fake or unsafe, and once we are aware of a potential situation, we take immediate action. We also work

closely with brands and government agencies to help identify any instances of counterfeit or unsafe products. I’m a father myself, and I would be devastated if my family were exposed to these kinds of goods. My team has the expertise and resources to let them identify, delist, and take action against any sellers who try to use our platform to sell substandard goods - acting the moment any potentially counterfeit or unsafe items are reported.

Where are you taking the business next? OnBuy is going global in a big way. 2020 saw us launch our

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job? While there’s something to be said for creating the world’s fastest-growing marketplace, I believe the fact that OnBuy demonstrates how ecommerce can be fairer on sellers and customers alike is a real game-changer. I’m lucky to be able to watch more and more sellers join our platform, knowing that it truly works for them. Instead of worrying about competition from us, sellers can use OnBuy to connect to customers in the way they deserve to - easily, efficiently, and with the full support of our marketplace. And the most challenging? As OnBuy continues to evolve, new challenges continue to emerge - as is to be expected considering the immense growth of our platform and team, along with our increasing global reach. I’m not fazed by the challenges that crop up though: I love a challenge and I’m lucky to have a highly skilled and agile team around me who are capable of driving OnBuy forwards, no matter what the road ahead looks like.

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I love a challenge and I’m lucky to have a highly skilled and agile team around me who are capable of driving OnBuy forwards, no matter what the road ahead looks like

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internationalisation strategy, with the aim of bringing OnBuy to a range of countries by year-end 2023. We’re doing this to connect more customers and more sellers than ever before. We have more than 525 million live product listings ready to roll out now, with a whole host of global retailers ready to add their product ranges. Combined with our efficient infrastructure and robust network of global partnerships, we’re ready to scale rapidly to offer customers around the world a completely location-tailored shopping experience. Our partnership with PayPal means they’ll have the ability to pay in their local currency, too. We’re always looking to evolve and enhance our customer experience, so we’re launching the OnBuy app in 2021 for both iOS and Android, which will mirror the choice and convenience of the OnBuy website for customers all over the world. This year has already seen great strides in OnBuy’s C-suite development. We’ve appointed ex-eBay director Mark Lister as CCO, ex-Richmond Group finance director James Watts as CFO, and Aron Cody, former chief customer officer of Seasalt, as CMO. We have more key hires progressing now, which we’ll be announcing in due course. We’ll also be opening a second UK office in Manchester during 2021, adding a 100-strong team of tech expertise to our growth journey.

Finally, what’s your favourite toy or game? Some people are surprised when I say my favourite game is Monopoly especially since I’m so against the idea of monopolies in real life. But it’s a classic, with so many versions. As a kid, I had lots more hobbies and interests - not just playing at business empires! You’d have been just as likely to find me getting into mischief while ripping around the garden with my remote-control cars. Cars remain my passion even now, although I get to play with slightly bigger versions these days!

toysnplaythings.media

RETAIL INTERVIEW

MAPES OF MILLPORT Scott and Deborah Ferris were delighted to be able to fully reopen on the day of Mapes of Millport’s 75th anniversary and celebrated with a personalised cake

Mapes marks a

milestone

Mapes of Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae turned 75 on the very day that non-essential retail reopened in Scotland. Clare Turner talks to joint owners Scott and Deborah Ferris

apes of Millport has been serving the island of Isle of Cumbrae since 1946. On 26 April, the independent retailer celebrated its 75th anniversary - and joint owners Scott and Deborah Ferris marked the milestone in style, because it coincided exactly with the date when non-essential shops in Scotland could reopen their doors after lockdown. The couple took over the shop in 2017, after it was sold to them by the Mapes family. They are passionate about Cumbrae, describing it as “our little gem”. Originally from Glasgow, the couple relocated four years ago, leaving careers in recruitment consultancy and insurance respectively to pursue their dream of embracing island life permanently. Scott says: “In 2016 we calculated that we’d spent 42 weekends of the year here. So when the shop came up for sale, we knew it well. I remember shopping here as a kid, with my nose pressed against the glass joke counter, looking at the stink bombs, dirty face soap and fart powder - and being amazed by the LEGO. I said to Deborah: “What about it?”. We chatted it through, agreed that it seemed a natural progression - and that was it!” The business specialises in toys and

bikes, which are spread over a total display area of 1,200sq ft. “We’re essentially two shops of 600sq ft each with different entrances,” says Scott. “My side is ‘outdoor-based’: I rent and sell 400-plus bikes, along with skateboards, scooters, bike accessories, fishing and camping equipment, DIY items and custom clothing. Deborah deals with the toys side: it’s a traditional toy shop with an extensive range.” So how has trade been since reopening? “The bike side has always been open because bikes are ‘essential’ so people brought their bikes in to be serviced - but they couldn’t walk into the toy shop to pick an item, because we effectively have two front doors,” says Scott. “For toys, trading has been really positive. Many customers have said: ‘we’ve so missed you it’s brilliant to be back here’. So it’s been great, with lots of big ticket sales that we wouldn’t normally expect at this time of the year. “Of course, a lot of frustrated kids haven’t been

“

For toys, trading has been really positive. Many customers have said: ‘we’ve so missed you - it’s brilliant to be back here

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out much, and a lot of parents have been dying to go on holiday, so they’re exceptionally happy to be here - and keen to make their children as happy as possible. But I think we’re rather unique, in as far as we’re a holiday destination.” He explains: “Cumbrae is just a short hop from the mainland and in previous years, the ferry has brought 5,000 people a day here. If you take into consideration Visit Scotland’s statistic that every tourist brings £64 to the community, that’s £320,000 per day. Last year Cumbrae welcomed 210,917 ferry visitors and the (pre-covid) 2019 figure totalled 319,410.” He says the island has 800 residents, of which children account for 120 (comprising 8 preschoolers, 52 primary schoolkids, and 60 secondary school students). But when tourists, day-trippers and second homeowners visit, the total number goes up dramatically to about 2,000 “and nearly everybody will visit the toy shop”. Deborah’s number one brand is LEGO. Mapes has been dealing with the company for 50-plus years and it accounts for 15-20% of the shop’s display area. Other key names include Bruder, Jumini, BigJigs Toys, John Adams, Peterkin,

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Joint owner Deborah Ferris looks after the toys side of the shop

Top ■ Pushpoppers

Best Sellers

■ LEGO in general ■ BBC Planet Earth 20cm plush animals ■ Die cast metal cars ■ Mapes Lucky Dip bags Orchard Toys and, she says, “we’re just setting up with Jellycat”. So what are her key product categories? Deborah gives a whirlwind verbal tour: “When you stand in the shop facing the doorway, to the left is a row of games, from Jenga to Articulate. Then there’s pocket money toys and games, followed by outdoor toys such as tennis, diablo, and five different types of football. The LEGO section is next. Then there’s an art section, from creative colouring to single pencils, paint, felt tip pens and PVA glue, and a car section with remote controlled cars. One category that’s really big for us is die cast metal cars. We deal with Boxsters, PeaceKeeper, Teamsterz and Corgi, and we’re bringing in plastic models from Revell and Carrera. “Next is the gun section (you wouldn’t believe how many little boys love their toy guns!) including cap guns from Swat and Combat and cowboy guns from Wick Western. Then there’s the baby section, from BigJigs Toys, Infunbebe and Leapfrog. We have wooden toys, rag dolls, catapult aeroplanes and bath submarines as well. Oh, and obviously the joke counter, which has everything from your nail-through-the-finger to snappy chewing gum, wobbly pencils, slime eggs and squirt guns - and don’t forget the whoopee cushions!

“There’s something for everybody here. And if I’m questioned more than once for a product that I don’t have, I’ll get it in, just in case. For example, I was once asked if I stocked clothes pegs for a dolly’s whirligig. I said ‘no, but I’m going off for stock, so I’ll pick some up for you’.” Deborah regularly visits a cash & carry in Glasgow, primarily for pocket money toys, and says they always know when she’s there, because they hear her exclaiming ‘Oh, that’s new!’ and ‘Oh, I like that!’ Where else does she source products? Visiting trade shows was on the cards last year until covid put paid to that plan. But she hopes to attend the next Spring Fair. In the meantime, reps visit her in person, and she deals directly with other companies or places orders online. So what’s been selling well? “Opening the door back up, it was the LEGO sets for a lot of kids,” Deborah recalls. “We’ve got to know the children over the last four years since we took over, and we’ve seen them grow. They come in every time they’re here to visit relatives and have conversations with us. They tell us how they’re doing at school, and they’re the ones that go towards the LEGO: it’s the first section they head for.”

Guess what… Cumbrae is a small island off the coast of North Ayrshire and Millport is its only town. Mapes is in the centre of the town on the prom, a stone’s throw from the beach, and Scott has installed a weather webcam above the shop door which means island lovers can keep an eye on large areas of the shorefront 24 hours a day. Deborah says: “Cumbrae seems to have its own microclimate: it can be absolutely chucking down with rain up the road but brilliant sunshine here, so we guide people towards our website to check the weather.” Scott adds: “I wanted to grow the online side of the business and the weather webcam encourages further traffic. My thinking is that the more people are hitting the website, for any purpose at all, if they then go on and look for toys… In the last seven days we had 2,400 hits on the website alone and 280 on the home page. We get an average of 700 hits a day from around the world.

JUNE 2021

“

Of course, a lot of frustrated kids haven’t been out much, and a lot of parents have been dying to go on holiday, so they’re exceptionally happy to be here - and keen to make their children as happy as possible.

”

The pocket money area is popular too, with finger poppers, slimes, putty and magic sand proving big hits. And some of the more traditional games and toys are grabbing attention as well, such as Jacks and kazoos (“kids say, ‘I’ll have a go at that!’”). But two products that have really taken off are Pushpoppers from H Grossman under its HGL brand and Reversible Octopus plush toys from Muddlelit. Deborah is eager to make her customers’ shopping experience as much fun and as comfortable as possible and is keen to ensure that Mapes is “not a ‘don’t touch’ shop. Everything’s out on display for the kids. Often, I’ll unbox a product and put it in the window, so customers can see what it actually looks like, because sometimes the packaging doesn’t give you a clue about what the toy is like inside”. Another thoughtful initiative Deborah offers is Lucky Dip bags, which she puts together herself. These include a £1 bag of five items such as a pencil, rubber, bouncy ball, punch balloon and flying glider, and a £2.50 version which offers “something to do or make. There’s a little art thing like a ‘chip away and find the diamond in the sand’ egg, or a creative kit which could be a paint-your-own suncatcher for the girls. For boys, I tend to put in a wee alien or a fridge magnet that they can make. “The bags were started by the previous owner and have been going for 20 years. I purposely go out looking for something different to include in them, because if kids are here for the whole summer holidays, they don’t want the same thing week after week. So I change the contents regularly.” With summer on the horizon, what’s next for Mapes of Millport? “We’re just keen to get back to a bit of normality,” Deborah says, “and, of course, we’re looking forward to a change for the better - and hopefully good weather!”

L A I C E P S S R O D A S S A B AM

t o o h s d n a t o Sco o two t e k a t s y tester n i t r u o laster h B t i n n i o M m This ter with o o c S e in Nerf Inl Dad Alex says: “When Oscar first saw the scooter in the box he said he couldn’t wait to go for a scoot on it. After all, it combines two of the most attractive things for a seven-year-old: a scooter and a Nerf gun. It’s a win-win! “I was slightly apprehensive as sometimes these things are not easy to put together, but this was really simple. There were only two parts to slide together and then secure with two bolts that were tightened with the supplied Allen key. Attach the bullet holder using Velcro, and it’s good to go. "Oscar’s sister Blossom (aged four) joined in and soon they were playing with the Nerf gun, using their imagination to make up scenarios and to target-shoot, and using the scooter to ‘escape the dungeons’. The design really encourages outside play - Oscar was very keen to get out and have a scoot around on it. “We like the design. It’s very bold and attractive to a seven-yearold, and because it was not complicated to put together, it meant instant play. The foot platform felt very secure due to the material used, which is designed to prevent any slipping accidents at speed. “The Nerf gun is light and simple to use - no batteries are needed so again, you get instant play. And, as it’s small, it meant that even when Oscar had finished with the scooter, he could carry on playing with the Nerf gun. The bullet holder is a great idea too, as usually we lose Nerf bullets within a very short time! Of course, the scooter can also be used individually.’’

Aoife says: This is so much fun: the Nerf gun is great and I like that it has a stand - my other scooter doesn’t have that

rts’

MV Spo h t i w s l whee

ys: Oscar suars are

The colo nd the so cool a great d is kickstan I’m for when using the Nerf gun

Nine-year-old Aoife, seven-year-old Thomas and five-year-old Isla all took turns to test out the scooter. Mum Catherine says: “This is innovative. Thomas was very amused by the Nerf gun in the handle, which he enjoyed aiming at his sisters! They soon wanted to be part of the fun too, so it was a good toy for our day out I like that I c an in the park. I prefer anything that gets them out and ride and sho about and playing together, so this is ideal. ot at the same tim “Aoife likes the fact that it has a stand, as her current e scooter doesn’t. Thomas definitely enjoys the Nerf gun and is looking forward to playing with his friends... he likes that he can ride and shoot at the same time. “Initially I thought this would be a great toy for Thomas but it turned out that both my daughters were just as excited to play, so it’s proved to be a good gender-neutral toy. They have already asked to go out with it to the park again. This is perfect timing as the weather is getting better, so it will encourage them to get out and about more. In fact Aoife says she can’t wait to play with it again and again!’’

Thomas says:

Contact MV Sports 0121 7488000 www.mvsports.com

toysnplaythings.media

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Wheels On Fire!

WHAT’S N Open for business Bruder 00353 6763800 www.bruder.de Distributor in UK: Alpha Toys

Take on some new tricks Wilton Bradley

01626 835400 | www.wiltonbradley.co.uk Since 2014, Xootz has been making it easier than ever for kids to access the great outdoors. With a range of skates, scooters and skateboards that bridge the gap between toy and action sports, there’s never been a better time to coax the kids away from the screen and out to play. With a contemporary asymmetric design and perfectly co-ordinated performance, the Xootz Phantom and Shred 2.0 Stunt Scooters have arrived. Featuring precision-quality ABEC-7 bearings, black and white 100mm PVC wheels, and solid T-Bar stunt handlebars secured with a 3-bolt tube clamp, these scooters have all the essentials for taking on some new tricks. The non-collapsible T-Bar handles with steel clamp and deck provide the rigidity required for the knocks and impacts it will receive, while the integrated aluminium brake provides the stopping power needed to ensure a safe and controllable ride inside and outside the skate park.

Package delivery company UPS not only offers pure parcel shipping: UPS stores offer a wide range of services including print services, mailboxes and global shipping solutions. There is now a UPS store from Bruder with equipment and a figure. Here, parcels can be picked up and dropped off, shipping boxes purchased, and other services used. The employee included in the set will be happy to help. The UPS store is the perfect addition to the UPS vehicles from Mercedes, Mack and Scania already in the Bruder range and is easy to combine with the other bworld themed sets. Bworld is the toy world of Bruder. It is made up of moving figures, animals, accessories and more recently themed sets, assigned to the well-known Bruder categories. Whether as a driver, rider, water sports enthusiast, or in the hospital ward or motorcycle workshop, bworld items provide hours of fun on their own or make the perfect addition to the detailed vehicles. And with the new themed sets, kids can dive even deeper into the world of Bruder. Printed wall elements with easy-to-mount adjustable feet now form the space for even more reality when playing and the new shelving system can also interact with other elements.

Volcanic activity Thames & Kosmos UK

Peas in a pod Toynamics UK & Ireland 0116 478 5230 | www.toynamics.com The Skip Hop Farmstand Pod Squad Car is another new arrival to the infant Farmstand Collection. Three Peas in a Pod make a cute squad for baby’s first car, as they spin, bob and glide when little hands push them along. It’s the perfect size for little hands to grab and roll, and helps to develop fine motor skills.

01580 713000 www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk Thames & Kosmos has launched the Massive Erupting Volcano: the biggest yet in the company’s history, standing at 1ft tall. With this kit, children from the age of eight can simulate the epic, earth-shattering power of a volcano in their own home! Aspiring geologists can build the huge volcano model with a sturdy frame that slides together, and then decorate it with paint, fake boulders, and cardboard cutouts of dinosaurs and prehistoric plants. But this isn’t just any old volcano; this is a model of an ancient and immensely large volcano from the days when dinosaurs roamed the planet and children will have gooey fun while learning all about real-life volcanoes and what causes them!

NEW

Scoot away! MV Sports & Leisure 01217488000 | www.mvsports.com

Suitable for children aged from three, the CoComelon Tri-Scooter has adjustable handlebar height and comfort moulded handlebar grips and comes complete with a colourful character plaque and a fully printed anti-slip footplate. The three deep tread wheels provide extra stability while the puncture-proof tyres provide additional comfort for little ones. Clamp cover and rear wheel axel caps also add additional safety and aid visual design.

Let’s get creative! Craft Buddy 0203 417 6565 | www.craftbuddyltd.co.uk

Craft Buddy is introducing a host of new designs and range extensions to its popular Crystal Art collection in August. Building on the success of its Disney line launched in 2020, the company has further expanded its inﬂuence in the arts & crafts sector, targeting children aged eightplus with a host of appealing and engaging kits to help create their own sparkling mini-masterpieces. The new designs feature a host of lovable creatures and ﬂora and fauna from the natural world including 18 x 18cm Crystal Art cards depicting animals and birds. Rainbow Toucan and Koala Hugs feature alongside Penguin Family, Turtle Paradise, and Unicorn Garland. Popular with children, Crystal Art Frameable kits incorporate all you need to make and display your creations. Luminous Tree Frog, colourful Rainbow Llama, star-studded Rainbow Cupcake and friendly Sea Turtle are all new additions for this summer. New Crystal Art Notebooks featuring detailed Elephant, Lion, Peacock and Rose images are being launched too, alongside multiple different designs added to the Crystal Art canvas kits. Incredibly detailed images including Gardens of Fuji, Two Toed Sloth and Autumn Hedgehog in 30x30cm canvas options will delight crafters of all ages. Larger 40x50cm kits are being introduced showcasing landscapes, pastoral scenes and animal portraits designed to challenge all ages and skill levels - and ultimately create a dazzling work of art to hang on the wall.

Tonies brings back Bowie’s voice Tonies

sales@tonies.com | www.tonies.com Children’s audio system tonies has launched a Peter & The Wolf/Carnival of the Animals Tonie - with Peter & The Wolf narrated by singer-songwriter David Bowie from a 1978 recording. This new Tonie will take children on a classical music adventure and introduce them to the distinctive voice of one of music’s most enduring icons as David Bowie tells the fairytale, while the Philadelphia Orchestra brings it to life. The doublebill Tonie also includes Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, narrated by renowned composer Leonard Bernstein. In addition, tonies is releasing two more contemporary Tonies this month: Disney Pixar favourite Monsters Inc and Oi Frog and Friends, with the latter narrated by comedian David Mitchell.

An earful of fun! Mookie Toys 01525 722769 | www.mookie.co.uk Noise Pollution is a new card game suitable for players aged 16-plus. Mookie Toys says: “This is a game you can get the whole family involved with, as well as playing with your friends. It will quickly become a staple part of family games night, especially for anyone with a wicked sense of humour!’ With cards like ‘Whale Fart’ and ‘A Joke Falling Flat’ there’s something to keep everyone laughing. No matter what comical sound the speaker blurts out, there will be something in the player’s pack of cards that will put a smirk on opponents’ faces!’’

JUNE 2021

THE BIG INTERVIEW BANDAI UK

Building a solid

foundation This month TnP talks to Bandai UK CEO Nic Aldridge, who is celebrating 20 years in the toy industry What’s your background? I’m a toy industry lifer! I started my career at Vivid Imaginations in 2001 working across various operations, sales and marketing roles. I then moved to Flair Leisure Products as their marketing director in 2011 before I joined Bandai in 2017.

Tell us a bit about Bandai UK. We are the UK toy division of the Bandai Namco Group, which is a huge multinational, multi-industry entertainment group with an annual turnover of over $7bn.

What changes have you made in light of the restrictions that Covid-19 has created? From day one of lockdown in March 2020, we moved to working full-time from home. Our offices are based in Richmond with many of our team taking public transport, so we wanted to make sure everyone had the safest working conditions possible, and in the short term that was working from home. We’ve spent a lot of time and effort ensuring that our offices are Covidsafe, and we are now open again for limited numbers to be working in the office together.

“

How much of your workforce are working from home and what challenges does this present?

The toy industry definitely follows the maxim of 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration

The whole team have been working from home with minor exceptions of reopening or reclosing, depending on the government advice. All in all, the team has performed exceptionally well given these challenges. But there is nothing like the personal touch for team spirit, so being able to go back into the office again will definitely improve working conditions.

”

What opportunities has the pandemic created?

Some of our science and educational properties have really thrived under lockdown conditions, CoComelon Musical which has been a real positive Tractor: Watch your for us. In our plans and strategy child re-enact one for 2020 we had a strong focus of their favourite for ecommerce development, CoComelon videos so we were in the right place - Old MacDonald and time to capitalise on this with the CoComelon planned focus. Musical Tractor.

Suitable for children aged from 18 months, little ones can play and learn about farms, animals, and tractors.

How has Brexit affected your business? Like everyone else who exports to Europe, we encountered some difficulties at the start, but we seem to have navigated these now. It has definitely added another layer of cost and administration to our business, which isn’t particularly welcome!

How do you see the company developing over the next 12 months? Although 2020 was a very challenging year, it was a year of growth for Bandai. This has led us to build a very solid foundation for 2021 and beyond. We are in a very fortunate position where a number of our brands are really firing so we are carefully planning strong growth over the new few years.

NEW The Big Interview Bandainm.indd 1

Will you be looking to expand into other categories in the near future? Our core toy categories are boys, girls, preschool and science/educational and these will continue and, where possible, expand. We also have a very strong kidult business, and this will be another key focus of growth and expansion for us over the next few years.

What are your core goals for this year? To build on the solid growth of 2020 and achieve further strong growth in 2021.

Where do you see opportunities for growth? We have huge opportunities with Tamagotchi, which has been growing in popularity again over the past few years, plus, we have a new product launch - Tamagotchi Pix - and the 25th anniversary to talk about! Both our CoComelon and Miraculous business goes from strength to strength and keeping up with demand is going to be the big challenge! Plus, our kidult business with collector/specialist retailers reopening for business will help us drive continued growth here.

toysnplaythings.media 28/05/2021 19:35

Miraculous Kwami Surprise Miracle Box: This toy provides children aged four-plus with unboxing magic as they search for and collect the six precious Kwami and their jewels. All the blind miracle boxes come with a miraculous map and a Kwami collectable. Tell us your views on the economy and how you think this will affect the industry. Rising costs throughout all areas of the value chain will mean that RRPs will have to rise in the near future. It’s always a thorny subject to get through but one that will have to be addressed by all of us. This will provide challenges at all levels: suppliers, retailers and consumers. We will also have to be more responsible as an industry about the ecological impact of toys, whether that be in packaging or in the product itself. So we will need to consider the impact and cost of sensitively managing these topics.

During your time in the industry, which retailers have impressed you most and why? The four retailers that have made the biggest shifts forward in my time in the industry are (in no particular order): Smyths, The Entertainer, Toytown & B&M Stores. All these retailers have shown huge growth and entrepreneurship over the past 20 years. It’s great to have seen their development over the years, navigating the challenges that have been presented to them and growing their real estate. They continue to be at the forefront

Harumika New Age TieDye Single Torso Set: New Age Tie-Dye lets you create your own looks, whether for lockdown or future festival seasons. Suitable for children aged six-plus, The Single Torso assortment comes with a torso, stick, 10 pins and three fabrics.

JUNE 2021 NEW The Big Interview Bandainm.indd 2

of development of retail within the toy industry and are proving to be strong partners in supporting our development as a business. At the very beginning of my career I was the customer services executive for The Entertainer when I worked at Vivid back in 2001! So I can very well remember their growth over the years.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen since you joined the industry 20 years ago? The change in the retail environment with the loss of huge players in the industry like Woolworths and Toys R Us, combined with the growth of ecommerce.

What’s your earliest memory of your toy career? I joined Vivid as a customer services temp for two weeks back in February 2001 - I had to put on agents’ orders

“

Rising costs throughout all areas of the value chain will mean that RRPs will have to rise in the near future. It’s always a thorny subject to get through but one that will have to be addressed by all of us

”

National Geographic Explorer Earth Science Kit: In this kit you’ll find everything you need to conduct experiments that will teach you about rocks and minerals, volcanoes, vortexes, tornadoes and more. With fun hands-on experiments like digging up mineral specimens, growing a real crystal, building and erupting your own volcano, and creating tornadoes with different fluids, it’s sure to prompt curiosity about how our Earth works. The kit is suitable for kids aged eight-plus.

after Toy Fair. Needless to say, it was a daunting task as the pile was huge!

What do you miss from the early days? And what don’t you miss? I both miss and don’t miss the exceptionally boozy Toy Fairs. They were fun back then, when I could cope with less sleep and hangovers, all those years ago!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job? Building our fantastic team here at Bandai and developing our brand portfolio - both of which are now delivering some outstanding results.

What’s the most challenging aspect of your job? Managing the team remotely during Covid has proved to be a big challenge but we’re definitely holding in there!

Tamagotchi Pix: Suitable for children aged six-plus, Tamagotchi Pix is the newest generation of your favourite interactive virtual pet. For the first time ever, the Tamagotchi device has a camera and touch buttons. While maintaining its core Tamagotchi attributes of nurturing, communication, portability, and gaming, your virtual pet is better than ever!

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry? Work hard! The toy industry definitely follows the maxim of 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. Build your network wherever and whenever you can, as these will become trusted allies and friends over the years to come. And follow the trends, as this is a fashion business after all - can you spot the trend before someone else?

28/05/2021 19:35

FEATURE

TECH TOYS & GADGETS

Leap into adventures LEAPFROG

01235 555545 | www.leapfrog.co.uk

Tech takes

its place Tech toys and gadgets are a part of daily life for us grown-ups, so it’s no surprise that they are becoming popular with an ever-younger age group. TnP finds out what’s hot and what’s next in this sector

echnology surrounds us Tech and all now, from the internet gadget toys will and smartphones, to continue to rise in smartwatches and smart popularity with speakers. So it’s no surprise the focus of that children - who love to end-users being copy older kids and adults - are showing a greater on products that interest in anything techdon’t just let based from an earlier age. children sit on A report from research electronic specialist Childwise shows devices, but that almost half of five- to also offer an 10-year-olds have their own mobile phone, and for educational children from the age of 11, value ownership is at around 90% Julia Loeser, - so younger kids are bound to want their roleplaying Thames & Kosmos activities to include tech toys and gadgets. As Nick Richardson, founder and CEO of marketing intelligence

“

Feature Technm.indd 1

New for A/W21 is LeapLand Adventures, the plugand-play games console from LeapFrog! This video game for children aged from three takes kids on a quest to find four keys to unlock the Clever Castle while exploring letters, shapes, numbers and colours. No internet connection, downloads or account setup is required. You simply insert the plug-and-play HDMI game stick and USB power cable into the television to start playing the video game immediately using the wireless controller. Children can choose between two characters and explore four different lands along the learning adventure. In Letterland, children learn about letter sounds and words that begin with each letter. Numberville helps them learn numbers while having fun by counting along with the characters. Shapetown allows kids to discover different shapes that are found in everyday life. Colour Springs shows youngsters a variety of different objects and helps to teach children about their colours. Run and jump through progressive, replayable game levels to collect gems, cleverberries and treasure chest rewards. Play the game again and again, collecting additional gems, flags and banners to decorate the castle and celebrate at the Gem Festival. Players can also explore more than 150 learning items at their own pace, by playing the educational content directly in the Learning Centre.

company The Insights Family, wrote recently in TnP: “Consumers today are looking for products that are personalised for the individual and answerable to the rising interests of kids in technology. Kids depend a lot on the digital world as they spend large amounts of time with technology, and brands need to be following this trend.’’ And for those who fear that the rise in tech toys and gadgets might stifle play value and development, Georgina Durrant, who is the author of ‘100 Ways Your Child Can Learn Through Play’ (and a former science teacher), has some comforting words. She says that tech toys can be useful in helping children to develop a number of useful skills, including scientific literacy, critical thinking, and creativity. “When children try things out when playing, there’s no pressure if it doesn’t work. They learn that they can just try again,’’ she explains. “For

instance, imagine a child is playing with a coding robot toy with a friend. They have to work out how to instruct the robot on how to move, and how to avoid touching objects in its way. A parent looking on might think they are just pressing buttons and disagreeing with one another about who’s pressing which key, but in actual fact they are learning some very valuable lessons. “For a start, they are discovering that making mistakes is okay - a really valuable lesson to learn. They are learning resilience, as they try over and over again to work out how to stop the robot knocking over the obstacles. They are using critical thinking to deduce why it isn’t working, and they are being creative when they come up with different ideas to try. And trying those ideas is experimenting.’’ And that’s not all! Just this one play session with the robot toy will also

toysnplaythings.media 28/05/2021 19:39

Bandai

JUNE 2021 Feature Technm.indd 2

mighty Gravity Bugs and zany inflatable Aero Dancer have already proven hugely popular among customers.’’ Hape has also targeted the younger age group, with STEM and Tech toys starting from three-plus, says Toynamics managing director David Allan. “We recently launched a Hape remote control train aimed at this age group, that can be controlled from an app on a mobile phone. This is the youngest tech toy we currently have and it provides added learning and play value to a traditional toy,” he says. “We can also see this with our Hape Junior Inventor Collection: a range of STEAM toys aimed at age fourplus. It has an app that takes the kids through different building options, extending the learning and providing an opportunity for children to save photos of their creations and connect and send to friends.’’

“

We will see more traditional toys supported by technology in order to extend the play and learning value David Allan, MD, Toynamics UK & Ireland

“

help them to develop social skills, Georgina claims. “It’s helping them to learn the importance of listening to other people’s ideas, discovering how they can convey their own ideas, and learning about teamwork. These are all vital skills needed during their school years and later when they go into the workplace.’’ So there’s some valuable developmental opportunities to be found in tech toys, and the trend seems to be spreading down the age range, as Thames & Kosmos science kits sales, marketing & PR manager Julia Loeser observes.“STEM Toys are - aside from educational board games - our bread and butter, and we have continued to strengthen our portfolio, with 2021 being our strongest offering yet,” she says. “Early sales results for Q1 indicate that we have hit the mark, whether it’s through our award-winning Kids First Range, which allows parents to introduce scientific topics and hands-on empirical learning for children from the age of three, or our recently bolstered FEAK range, which is aimed at children aged eight-plus and introduces STEM subjects with a focus on fun activities. Recent arrivals the

David believes that we will see more traditional toys supported by technology in order to “extend the play and learning value’’. Julia, meanwhile, confirms that the educational value of these products will help maintain sales momentum.“Tech and gadget toys will continue to rise in popularity, with the focus of end-users being on products that don’t just let children sit on electronic devices but also offer an educational value,” she says. “We are bolstering our Robotics range in 2021 with the introduction of a new range, ReBotz, which is due to arrive in the UK in September. ReBotz is a series of four motorised robot pals that spring into action from a heap of scrapyard parts. Children from the age of six can collect all four models and the different robot parts are all interchangeable, which will keep inquisitive engineering minds engaged!’’

28/05/2021 19:39

FEATURE

Animal magic CHARACTER OPTIONS 0161 633 9800 www.character-online.com

B-Rex features more than 70 sounds and movements

Character Options proves that it’s a whole different animal when it comes to the world of tech toys and interactive pets, with micro pigs, turtles and cute dinosaurs joining its zoo of interactive toys just ahead of the Christmas gifting period. Following the success of Squeakee The Balloon Dog, which was one of the hottest Christmas toys of 2020, Character Options is following its animal instinct and introducing a real Christmas cracker for the second half: Squeakee the Balloon Dino. This cute guy may look like your ordinary balloon animal dinosaur, but B-Rex is part balloon, part Dino and inflated with personality! Kids are going to squeal with delight when they learn that their new pal B-Rex will play games with them, such as Tug of War and Chicken. Then, they will be bursting with pride when he performs his tricks. B-Rex features more than 70 sounds and movements: he’ll walk, stomp, chomp and even dance to music when his headphones are on. This entertaining Dino is going to blow kids away as they watch him deflate, pop, reinflate… and trump at the tug of a tail! Meanwhile, from the world of Little Live Pets, comes the outrageous electronic pet Gotta’ Go Turdle. Hot on the heels of Gotta Go Flamingo and his enormous TikTok success, this interactive Turtle may just look like a pretty rainbow shell, but underneath it all, he’s a singing, eating, pooping machine. Get ready to laugh as he wiggles and jiggles his neck and repeats what you say. After feeding him, he’ll let you know that he’s just ‘Gotta’ Go’ and do a ‘poop’ into the loo. Just feed him some more and he’ll go again and again; all while singing his hilarious ‘Gotta’ Go’ song! Finally, also strutting onto the tech toy scene later in the year is another sure-fire hit from Little Live Pets Piggly - My Pet Pig. This electronic micro pig wiggles his nose and makes more than 25 adorable piggy noises and reactions. He moves, acts and sounds just like a real pig! Kids can take their new pet Piggly for a walk on his lead, feed him with the bottle - and he will even dance to music. The Little Live Pets brand benefits from full support, including TV and digital activity including YouTube, TikTok, microsites, filmstrips and pre-roll.

For junior inventors TOYNAMICS

0116 478 5230 sales@toynamics.co.uk The urge to invent and experiment with the physical world comes very early to children, and the Hape Junior Inventor series of toys gives little ones as young as four the chance to interact with mechanical phenomena and more. Get kids started on the road to becoming a scientist with the Discovery Scientific Work Bench, which contains more than 10 different experiments. As children aged four and over complete each experiment, they will produce a fun new machine to teach them about science. Meanwhile, the Hape Remote Control Train is a modern-looking train for all railway adventures! Use a mobile phone to drive this clever little train forward, back or bring to a stop. It comes with a free Bluetooth phone app that also lets you play five cool sounds, and includes a charging cable. This little train will have a big impact on kids, by helping to develop hand-eye coordination, encourage imaginative play and expand creativity.

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Get with the programme MOOKIE TOYS 01525 722769 www.mookie.co.uk

Mookie Toys distributes for robotics expert Silverlit throughout the UK. Silverlit is always thinking of new and innovative ways to maximise the fun in playtime, while making sure its toys are easy to use. Programme a Bot X has been extremely popular since its launch, featuring pre-programmed features so younger children can play with ease, while older children can programme it themselves.

toysnplaythings.media 28/05/2021 19:39

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Order now 01235 555545 trade_sales@vtech.com

FEATURE

TECH TOYS &

Flair glows up FLAIR sales@flairplc.co.uk www.flairgp.co.uk

Rebooted robotic creations THAMES & KOSMOS 01580 713000 www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk In keeping with its reputation for high-quality STEM ranges, Thames & Kosmos is bolstering its tech toys and gadgets offering for 2021 by introducing a new range of high-quality, low-cost robots called ReBotz! This range builds on the growing demand by parents for goodquality and challenging gadget toys, which let children learn and deepen their knowledge of robotics and technology. Due to arrive in the UK in September, ReBotz! consists of a series of four motorised robot pals which spring into action from a heap of scrapyard parts. Children from the age of six can collect all four models and mix up the interchangeable parts to make their own rebooted robotic creations. These lovable robot pals will keep inquisitive engineering minds engaged - while challenging their understanding of robotics and preparing them for more advanced kits.

Flair’s portfolio is bursting with technological fun, with a host of new concepts to add to its offering including the all-new Let’s Glow Studio. A/W21 will see an exciting arrival in Flair’s tech toy portfolio: the Let’s Glow Studio. This content-crafting kit lets kids glow-up their selfie videos, with no app required. With glow stick dances and challenges trending on TikTok and the sharing of dancing/ fashion content a craze that’s here to stay, Let’s Glow Studio is bang on trend. This reflective crafting kit uses patent-pending retro-reflective technology, which was previously only available with expensive LED suits. The Let’s Glow Studio Star Light Studio comes with reflective stickers, hair clips, shutter shades, stick-on nails and more. Once the glow-up accessories have been created, kids can hit the lights and shoot selfie videos, using the included StarLight Clip. This Clip lets the user glow-up their accessories in 16 different colours and access four colour-change modes with speed control, giving kids full control over their content. Also launching for A/W21 are three top-up packs, so kids can carry on creating. Let’s Glow Studio launches with full marketing support, including TikTok and YouTube influencer content.

Boom, boom, shake the room! Guess what… BASIC FUN!

Tim.Ives@basicfun.com www.BasicFun.com

Bitty Boomers come in characters including Spider-Man, Darth Vader, The Child and Venom

There’s plenty of tech toy fun to enjoy with Basic Fun! this year, as the company introduces an all-new concept that blends youth electronics with licensed collectables. For a tech toy range that gives collectables a new purpose, there’s Bitty Boomers. Available from September, Bitty Boomers is a whole new collectable concept, which aims to change the way kids hear music through pop culture. These miniature, ultra-portable, wireless Bluetooth speakers are small in size but big in sound quality. Licensed and shaped like kids’ and collectors’ favourite characters including Spider-Man, Venom, Darth Vader and The Child, these fun, 2in tall speakers can be synced for extra boom - they can even be used as a selfie remote. Plus, once collected, kids can take their speakers wherever they go, thanks to the backpack clip and strap included with each pack. Already hugely successful in the US, Basic Fun! will launch the range with the top six best sellers.

Feature Technm.indd 4

28/05/2021 19:39

Bandai launches Tamagotchi pix BANDAI 0208 324 6160 www.bandai.co.uk For its 25th anniversary, Tamagotchi allows users to enter the Tamagotchi world with the release of the Tamagotchi Pix. The device features a built-in camera that lets children aged six-plus take pictures with their virtual pet and interact with their characters. The biggest Tamagotchi news since the 1990s, Tamagotchi Pix brings core Tamagotchi play (nurturing and caring for your Tamagotchi character) and further immerses users into the Tamagotchi universe with exciting new features. Bringing the original virtual pets to a new generation of children, this new inception will also appeal to Millennials and Gen Xers, further driving the current retro toy revival and the kidult appetite for buying toys for themselves. Available in two shell colourways, Tamagotchi Pix brings extended immersion into the original alien world, and touch buttons allow users to interact with their Tamagotchis in a much more intricate and engaging way. Children can now cook for their Tamagotchi character, have food delivered, explore the real world to meet Tamagotchi friends, and add pictures of their adventures with a built-in social feed. How children raise their Tamagotchi character will affect gameplay. There are new personal rooms and interactions that dictate each Tamagotchi character’s future profession when they go back to Tamagotchi Planet. No internet connection is required to connect with the virtual pet, allowing ‘owners’ to nurture their Tamagotchi while on-the-go, making for a blended experience that brings together the real world with the world of Tamagotchi. Children can earn Gotchi points by making their character happy and can then spend the points on treats such as a baby-sitter or dining out. They can also connect with friends’ Tamagotchis which allows them to play together and gift items to one another and their pets.

Driving to succeed SIMBA SMOBY TOYS UK 01620 674 778 | uk.simba-dickie-group.com/en/home/ Simba Smoby Toys UK is racing ahead in the tech toy aisle with Jada Toys’ action-packed line-up of RC vehicles that will have movie buffs in a spin! Zooming off the big screen and onto the toy shelf is the company’s RC range from Jada Toys. Film fans young and old can recreate the onscreen action from Toy Story with the Toy Story RC collection. There’s everyone’s favourite disposable friend - RC Forky! Drive him backwards and forwards to see his arms wobble! Another must-see is RC Buggy Buzz Lightyear. Kids can help Buzz get to where he needs to go by taking control of his buggy ride – just like in Toy Story 4. They can also collect RC Buggy Woody for the ultimate battle of the buggies. Or, add some smash, crash action with the Crash Buggy Buzz Lightyear: kids will love watching the Buzz figure and buggy spoiler topple backwards when it collides with something in its path! Another awesome bit of technology comes in the form of the Disney Cars RC collection. RC Turbo Racer Lightning McQueen comes with full drive action and a Turbo Speed feature.

Toys to blow kids away! FUNRISE

SalesUK@Funrise.com | www.funrise.com For a tech toy collection that trumps all others, look no further than Funrise UK’s hilarious Fart Ninjas range. These cheeky chappies are motion sensor activated farting figures that produce realistic fart sounds for unsuspecting passers-by! Available at pocket money prices, Fart Ninja Figures come in a regularly refreshed assortment of characters and poses. Fart Ninjas XL Figures come with a remote control that allows kids to ‘fart on demand’, as well as a record and play back function for kids to capture their own fart noises. Plus, there’s more fun to be had with the free downloadable Fart Ninjas app.

JUNE 2021 Feature Technm.indd 5

28/05/2021 19:39

FEATURE

CONSTRUCTION TOYS

Geomag

Building

on success Construction toys have played a valuable role over the past year, keeping kids occupied and helping them develop essential skills. So what’s in store as we look forward? TnP finds out...

“

onstruction toys is an evergreen category that continues to offer guaranteed sales for indies. With its obvious educational benefits and the promise of screen-free time, it’s always going to be a favourite with parents and grandparents. And they are right to believe that construction toys are beneficial for children, as Clare Stead, founder and creator of the Oliiki app, which is designed to help parents find the learning in everyday play, explains: Julia Loeser, “Construction toys help children Thames & Kosmos to develop in so many ways. They develop their thinking skills, and problem-solving and investigation skills, while also developing their fine motor control. “Other less obvious benefits are Thames & developing concentration and focus:

Feedback from end-users we get regularly is that they want toys that allow children to stay away from electronic equipment and hold their attention while being fun

Kosmos

both skills that are so important for life. When a construction toy is set at the right level of challenge for the child, they are faced with tricky bits to overcome. This develops tenacity. The ability to stick with a problem until a solution is found is a skill that will help a child go far in life.’’ Such skills were a focus for parents during lockdown, with construction

toys flying off the virtual shelves. So how are suppliers planning to capitalise on this popularity as we continue towards a lifting of Covid restrictions? Thames & Kosmos science kit sales, marketing & PR manager Julia Loeser says: “For 2021 we are bolstering our Signature Series by introducing Roller Coaster Engineering, which is sure to thrill and challenge budding engineers from the age of six (with help). With this kit, you get to build and experiment with dozens of roller coaster models to make learning the physics of force, motion, and energy as fun as a day at the amusement park. Hours of constructing fun are guaranteed!’’ The Hape Junior

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Spin Master

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playability. He notes: “We have recently launched a remote control train that can be controlled from an app on your phone, and we have launched an app for Junior Inventor to access new experiments. These are examples of how technology is making its way into the construction toys sector. Hape Railway is an important area for the business and something we are working on this year to expand the range, offering more options to retailers and customers.’’ With an eye firmly on eco credentials, Geomagworld will “continue to develop safe, imaginative and fun toys going forward. Our line is almost all now made from 100% recycled plastics, along with our packaging,’’ says Clive Wooster. Finally, Oliliki’s Clare Stead stresses the importance of these toys, showing why they will continue to be a core asset to any independent toy shop. “Quite probably, the most important element of construction toys that are pitched correctly for the child’s ability, is the sense of satisfaction and pride on completion of the challenge,” she says. “The ability to display success and share it enables others to reaffirm this sense of success in the completion of a project well done. Developing these skills through play helps our children be able to use them in life.’’

Inventor collection was a away from electronic equipment popular choice for parents and hold their attention while in lockdown due to its being fun,’’ says Thames & Kosmos’ educational focus, says Julia Loeser. “Construction toys David Allan, managing do just that. Our hugely popular director of Toynamics UK & Kids First Robot Factory, Robot Ireland. “This construction Pet Shop and Robot Safari kits, for toy allows children to example, allow children from the explore the basics of age of five to seven to construct physics, with many different different models while following experiments for children to the story of the Omega family and, construct, offering great through their different adventures, play value for those aged strengthen their understanding of four-plus,” he says. engineering in a fun way.’’ “Across our portfolio, Toynamics’ David Allan agrees construction toys have that “there will always be an performed particularly well appetite for construction as it for us. For example, Hape pushes a child’s imagination. Both Railway has increased 80% Junior Inventor and wooden railway in the past year. We saw construction playsets are popular this upturn start to take due to the nostalgic nature of David Allan, shape before lockdown and the toys”. it shows no sign of letting And, like many other categories, Toynamics UK & up. To meet consumer technology is being used to Ireland demand, our new product inject extra interest, variety and development continues to cover construction toys especially railway, which is as popular as ever.’’ What products do you stock in this category? Meanwhile at Geomagworld, country manager Clive Wooster says Our main construction toys are LEGO We’ve been dealing with LEGO for 50-plus the company will continue to support and DUPLO, which are always good years and have a huge section that takes its line with independent promotions sellers and popular with both boys about 15-20% of the shop’s display area. For “giving extra margin to generate that and girls. However, I recently ordered kids aged under three DUPLO sells well, and missing cash profit during a wooden construction kit from Vilac we stock Stickle Bricks and building blocks store closures. to try. I’ve only placed a small order as (which grandparents in particular like to buy). “We also provide POS, FSDUs I’m not sure, but we’ll see how it goes. Deborah Ferris, joint owner, Mapes of Millport, where space allows, and the allAnother popular toy as a special gift for Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland important play tray, which comes birthdays or Christmas is the traditional as a branded tray with loose stock wooden workbench by Le Toy Van. We don’t have a large range of construction to allow consumers to play and toys but LEGO is the top seller. We recently Jayne Rees, owner, Eve’s Toy Shop, get absorbed in the product. On started stocking products from Studio Roof: Llandeilo, Wales a practical level, we’ll keep our flat-packed glossy bugs, beetles, birds, fish, minimum order level at £150 to I have the GeoSmart range, and I also animals and more in a variety of sizes. They encourage ‘little and often’ buying. consider marble runs as construction slot together easily and have very clear And, last but not least, we have good toys. I have Kapla too. I’ve tried LEGO visual instructions. The finished product can stock levels in our UK warehouse!’’ alternatives, but they seem tough to sell. be hung on the wall or put on a shelf, and So, with construction toys LEGO has been telling me for 10 years they’ve been selling really well. I love their seemingly as big news as ever, what that I’m on their waiting list so I can’t DIY kits that you colour yourself and then can you look forward to stocking on stock it. It’s very annoying when people put together. I’m looking forward to seeing your shelves? “Feedback from endask me for it, and I have to say no. more of them this year. users we get regularly is that they Jennie Hogg, owner, Cachao Toys, Clair Letton-Marshall, owner, Wigwam Toys, want toys that allow children to stay Muswell Hill, London Brighton, East Sussex

We have launched a remote control train that can be controlled from an app on your phone, and an app for Junior Inventor to access new experiments. These are examples of how technology is making its way into the construction toys sector

Ask the retailers

JUNE 2021

FEATURE

CONSTRUCTION TOYS

A gamut of GraviTrax RAVENSBURGER

Let’s get to work! SIMBA SMOBY TOYS UK

01869 363 830 www.ravensburger.com

01620 674 778 | uk.simba-dickie-group.com/en/home/

Award-winning system GraviTrax continues to set the bar high with lots of exciting new additions and high-profile marketing planned throughout the year. The GraviTrax world is getting bigger, with The Balls & Spinner, FlexTube and Dipper Extensions recently added to the category and more launches planned for A/W21. Keep your eyes peeled on YouTube, with GraviTrax videos dropping every Tuesday to engage construction fans. A big focus continues on the ‘I am a GraviTraxer’ initiative, which features builds created by fans. The app, which enables GraviTraxers to unlock the PRO world, has also been updated. It is available to download for free from the App Store or Google Play, meaning users can take GraviTrax anywhere. GraviTrax is an interactive track system marble run game that allows players to design and build tracks, while experimenting with gravity, magnetism and kinetics.

Fact!

GraviTrax videos drop on YouTube every Tuesday

The Smoby Black + Decker replica range combines pretend play with a renowned name in DIY. This licensed collection is designed to look just like the real thing, so kids can do as the grown-ups do, in a safe and fun way. A bestseller that is ideal for aspiring builders is the Giant Black + Decker Bricolo Ultimate Workbench. At 103cm in height, it comes equipped with 92 accessories including seven tools, 20 screws, 18 nuts, six nails, construction planks, a mechanical ruler, vice and much more. Children can use all the tools at their disposal, including the mechanical drill, to assemble the freewheeling buildable car. This electronic workbench even includes a mechanical saw with sound effects.

For budding builders H. GROSSMAN sales@tobar.co.uk www.tobar.co.uk This month sees the postponed launch of the Bburago Build Your Own City range - you can, quite literally, build your own city. Complete with the relevant vehicles, your city can grow with the addition of a burger bar, police station, train station, hotel, kiosk, post office, pharmacy, car dealer and, of course, a toy shop. With real collectability, this cityscape is destined to be on Christmas lists! The Junior Engineer’s Workshop from Tobar is a multi-awardwinning range of kits, graded in difficulty from easy to more challenging, to test the mettle of any budding engineer. Using real nuts and bolts and real steel, these kits allow kids to design, build and play. They are available in a variety of sizes, from small sets that include a helicopter, plane, racing car and motorbike. This year saw the addition of the Pullback and Go Off Roader, the Pullback and Go Robot and the Pull Back and Go Digger. There is also a larger helicopter with movable propellers and an aeroplane which has movable parts, while the award-winning Monster Truck also has movable wheels.

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FEATURE

CONSTRUCTION TOYS

A range built on Fun! BASIC FUN! 0118 925 3270 www.BasicFun.com For construction lovers, there is one brand that always builds bigger than the box and has a project for everyone: K’Nex. And with the brand celebrating an outstanding 12 months of sales amid the lockdowns, as well as its 30th anniversary next year, retailers and buyers can expect some exciting developments in the second half, which will help grow the brand and continue the sales momentum. Launching this autumn is the fun and dynamic K’Nex Thrill Rides collection, which will see the return of two of the best-selling, classic, spiralising rollercoasters. Look out for the Amazing 8 Roller Coaster, as well as the Typhoon Frenzy - a two-in-one build, with 19ft of track to construct. The segment is part of Basic Fun!’s wider plans to create easily identifiable subcategories for the brand. Also new for A/W21 is the multi-build sub-segment, K’Nex Classics, which is great for a next-level building challenge. Each set includes an easy-to-follow colourcoded instruction manual to make various models. Alternatively, kids can build from their imaginations! Sure to excite is the Beginner Builds set: a 10-model build 125-piece kit. Or, for a set that lets kids build multiple, motorised creations, there’s the 325-piece/25 Model Motorised Creations Set. These new subcategories complement the entry-point Kid K’Nex multi-build character sets and the advanced Architecture segment. Kid K’Nex is the sub-category,

for kids aged three-plus. The soft, chunky, easy fit and pull apart pieces are perfect for little hands, helping to hone early skills and encourage tots to think outside the blocks! Meanwhile, the K’Nex Architecture kits are for K’Nexperts. There are two kits to choose from, to build huge replicas of some of the world’s most iconic landmarks: the Eiffel Tower and a moving model of the London Eye.

Did you know! K’Nex Education sets are aligned to national education standards, and each comes with hands-on lesson plans that help teach STEAM topics

Defying gravity... GEOMAG +41 91 696 1740 www.geomagworld.com

Mechanics

Geomag has revealed an overhaul of its Gravity offers Mechanics Gravity range, available this month. The new range has updated packaging and children an graphics and includes four new items with introduction to piece counts varying between 67 and 207. The the principal Easy Combo System allows all items laws of to be fully interchangeable and interconnecting - offering a great physics opportunity for cross-sell and repeat purchases. The range is also made using a high proportion of recycled plastics. Mechanics Gravity offers children an introduction to the principal laws of physics, with sets to build including magnetic cannons, a 360-degree loop, gravity motor and elevator. Kids will enjoy building the marble run and have fun watching the real ball bearings travel around the circuit using the invisible forces of magnetism and gravity. The range can also be expanded with the introduction of the Easy Combo System. This new system allows for all Mechanics Sets to be joined together with just a few amends to the layout.

toysnplaythings.media

Follow FlairGP.co.uk/laserpegs Toys&Playthings Full Page June.indd 1

12/05/2021 10:32:57

FEATURE

CONSTRUCTION TOYS Kids can collect all three Junior Crew Workin’ Pals

A Roarin’ success! FUNRISE UK

SalesUK@Funrise.com | www.funrise.com

Shine a light on creations Flair 0208 643 0320 www.flairgp.co.uk

Guess what... Flair’s heritage Stickle Bricks brand offers a more traditional option in the construction aisle

For a construction range that will light up a child’s imagination, look no further than the all-new Laser Pegs collection from Flair. Available from A/W21 and launching with 360-degree marketing support including heavyweight TV and comprehensive digital activity, the award-winning Laser Pegs range offers a fun alternative to traditional construction toys, letting kids light-up their creations! Each Laser Pegs set comes with patented light bricks, allowing builders to illuminate their toy. Not only heaps of fun, creating with Laser Pegs enhances a child’s understanding of spatial relations, creative abstract thinking, problem solving and mathematics skills by grouping, and it also helps to improve handeye coordination. Presenting plenty of constructive play possibilities, the Laser Peg Multi-Models sets let children build, play and rebuild over and over again. From autumn, kids will be able to collect and construct the 4-in-1 Red Racer with its 185-plus pieces, the 4-in-1 MicroHawk Faucon, the 4-in-1 Construction set, and the 5-in-1 Spark Hawk. Meanwhile, the Laser Peg Micro-Sparks 2-Pack sets come with more than 100 pieces for quick, fast, fun builds. Alternatively, Flair’s heritage Stickle Bricks brand offers a more traditional option in the construction aisle. This trusted first construction toy brand for toddlers has been a favourite for generations. For kids as young as 18 months, the Stickle Bricks Little Builder set makes for a perfect entry point into the range, letting tots begin building with the assortment of brightly coloured bricks. Or, for bigger builds, there’s the Fun Tub, which is suitable for young builders with grand designs in mind. When play time is over, the tub doubles as a handy storage container. There’s also the Stickle Bricks Farm Set, which comes with pieces for a chunky colourful tractor project, complete with tractor wheels, a farmer, a field full of crops and a pigpen.

Funrise UK’s range of Cat construction vehicles make for a solid staple in every child’s toy box and has become an essential part of construction site play. For an early introduction to the world of construction toy vehicles, there’s the Cat Junior Crew collection. These fun characterised vehicles are packed with plenty of cool features that let tots take control of the vehicle’s every move. A must-see in the collection is the Junior Crew Workin’ Pals Assortment: a trio of collectable character vehicles. Simply press the helmet of each vehicle to activate the mechanical functions of Dump, Tip, Scoop or Lift. Arriving for A/W21 in the core Cat range is the Roarin’ Rex-cavator! This fierce-looking toy machine may have a 7in base but is a force to be reckoned with. Featuring light and sound effects, this construction site vehicle comes with a set of blocks to build with and knock down. Children will love controlling the joysticks positioned towards the back, which offer high precision control and make for thrilling play that feels just like the real thing!

Keeping hands and minds busy TOYNAMICS 0116 478 5230 www.toynamics.com Hape’s new Junior Inventor sets let children explore the basics of physics and learn how these principles apply to the real world. The Hape Junior Inventor Deluxe Scientific Work Bench is packed with 79 accessories and offers 15 different science experiments. Once the workbench is assembled, kids can either consult the enclosed guide or access instructions via the free digital app to choose which experiments to do – or mini inventors may choose to let their imaginations run wild, as they create structures beyond those outlined in the manual! Little hands and minds will be kept busy as kids take part in experiments involving a crane, wind maker and boom gate.

37 toysnplaythings.media

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All GraviTrax and GraviTrax PRO products are compatible.

FEATURE

CONSTRUCTION TOYS

The X factor VIVID 01483 449944Vividtoysandgames.co.uk

Imaginative play SPIN MASTER

The Meccano 25 Model Supercar is a great construction toy option for older children and adults alike

01628 535 000 www.spinmastertoys.co.uk Spin Master has an exciting selection of construction toys on offer that can encourage educational play for children of all ages. Construction play offers children multiple educational benefits and can assist in the development of skills such as hand-eye coordination, problem solving and creativity. For older children, the building sets from Meccano are excellent options, while children of all ages can enjoy immersing themselves in the world of pro skateboarders with Tech Deck. The Meccano 25 Model Supercar is a great construction toy option for older children and adults alike. For years, Meccano has created imaginative construction sets that inspire the next generation of innovators. This model can be built in 25 different ways, so it encourages decision making and helps children to explore concepts from science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths. It is also perfect for intergenerational play as younger children can get involved with the help of parents or older siblings. Also available from Meccano is the Monster Jam Truck. This construction set allows young builders to assemble their own Monster Jam Grave Digger trucks from 100-plus different parts. It comes with two tools to help with assembly and includes a pull-back motor, BKT tyres and a working suspension system for tricks and stunts. Another popular construction toy comes from Spin Master’s fingerboard brand, Tech Deck. The SK8 Shop Bonus Pack includes everything needed to build six custom fingerboards, including assorted stickers, wheels and tools. Each board is inspired by and includes graphics from real skate companies - making it a great gift for aspiring skateboarders and those looking to improve their fingerboarding skills.

ReaXion is a new construction and domino brand from Vivid. Featuring the latest innovation in domino construction, the tiles are an X shape which allows them to connect together - or you can use the linX, which are small connectors that help construct even larger structures. Vivid says: ‘With ReaXion, you can create domino runs like no other. There are so many possibilities: you can create different types of structures from the tiles or add in accessories like the zipline or splitter to create different levels and motion. And after building, it’s time to destroy! Watch your structure collapse in the coolest way, with stunts and triggers adding maximum effect.’ There are four different packs in the range: Xtra, Xpand, Xplode and Xtreme. The brand will be supported with TV and digital marketing throughout A/W21.

Magnetic make-believe MAGFORMERS UK 01270 446250 | www.magformers.co.uk Magformers UK is launching new magnetic construction toys across both its Magformers and Stick-O lines this year. All the sets feature pieces that have never been seen before. And, in the new Magformers sets, there is a strong emphasis on added play value through detachable characters with swappable clothing. The 20-piece Cube House Penguin set includes a child character in a penguin onesie, with a hat that can be swapped for a bear one. The set makes a variety of different mini houses using the magnetic window square, five standard squares, floor and wall pieces, a tricycle and table. The Cube House Frog set includes a child in a frog onesie, with a hat that can be swapped for a seal one.

For aspiring engineers THAMES & KOSMOS 01580 713000 www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk Engineering and physics are vital parts of construction, and Thames & Kosmos’ Engineering Makerspace range combines fun and creativity with STEM lessons. With these nifty kits, children from the age of eight can immerse themselves in the world of physics and engineering. Whether they build five awesome machines with the Kinetic Machines, fun gadgets with the Geared-Up Gadgets, or construct walking machines with the newest in the range - Terrain Walkers – there’s something for everyone. Alien Robots let aspiring engineers build 10 out-of-thisworld machines, while the bestselling Off-Road Rovers offer 10 different models of wild off-road vehicles and other machines.

toysnplaythings.media

An adventurous playset VTECH Charlotte_Drake@vtech.com www.vtech.co.uk It’s time for the ultimate project build with The Marble Rush Adventure Set. This brand new launch from VTech for A/W 2021 is a colour-coded playset that features all the pieces needed to create a Marble Rush Adventure full of jumps, stunts and even an electronic Ferris wheel! Two electronic modules allow for marble runs to be reset or tracks to be split, all while playing cool music and sound effects to enhance the experience. With 10 marbles included and 128 building pieces to assemble, there is plenty of fun to be had! The toy includes easy-to-follow assembly instructions and is compatible with other VTech Marble Rush items.

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FEATURE

DRESS-UP & ROLEPLAY

The power of imagination

Ask the retailer What dress-up ranges do you stock? Not so much dress-up but I do have roleplay accessories: guns (you wouldn’t believe how many little boys love their toy guns!); bows and arrows; swords and shields for knights and warriors - plus cleaning sets and tea sets for girls, along with medical sets and tool sets in wee cases. Oh, saying that, I do stock cowboy hats too!

Roleplay and dressing up are perennial favourites for younger children. TnP takes a look at this evergreen category of ‘playing pretend’

ress-up and roleplay are a big part of play and development for kids from toddler age upwards. As The Genius of Play ambassador Keri Wilmot says on The U.S. Toy Association’s thegeniusofplay. org website: “Dress-up play allows anyone to dream, hope, and use their imagination. It gives kids permission to pretend to be someone or something different and extraordinary that reflects their personality and current interests, and promotes more independence by allowing kids to practice self-care skills.” Roleplay fulfils a similar role, allowing little ones to act out real-life situations within the safety of a make-believe situation. Dressing up has also become more and more popular over recent years, thanks to special occasions such as World Book Day in schools and the prevalence of Hallowe’en costume parties. According to data reports from www. statista.com, spending on Hallowe’en in the UK rose from £419m in 2018 to a whopping £474m in 2019. Licensed products have

become a more solid part of the category too. Phil Cassidy, managing director of Casdon, says: “Licensed products Deborah Ferris, joint owner, Mapes of help to really bring the Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland roleplay experience to life for kids. Casdon toys, the Hape wooden toy range is a products are child-sized popular choice for those wanting to versions of items that adults invest in heirlooms that can be kept may already use within the and passed down through generations,” household. They allow children he says. “Hape has created a Toddler to imitate grown-ups and ‘help Kitchen for tots from 18 months-plus: out’ around the home. Because one of the only brands the products look so to have a kitchen from realistic, little ones this young age. believe they are using The “Children love copying the real thing!’’ ability for their parents from an However, always at children to early age, whether it’s the heart of dresslose cooking, cleaning, or up and roleplay is themselves making a cup of coffee. imagination and in ‘playing These strong roleplay play value. “The themes are still very ability for children pretend’ is much in demand.’’ to lose themselves highly Phil Cassidy at Casdon in ‘playing pretend’ is important agrees: “Perhaps without highly important for for knowing it, parents have confidence building confidence been the biggest influence and developing key on their children’s play, social skills - whether building and particularly during the licensed product or developing lockdown period - just by not,’’ says Phil Ratcliffe, key social going about their daily joint managing director skills household chores, they of MV Sports & Leisure. have been inspiring their He adds that eco Phil Ratcliffe, children’s imagination concerns are also joint MD, MV for roleplay!’’ coming to the fore in Sports & Leisure So if you only have the sector. “Eco-friendly space for a couple of items in this toys play a huge role today, with category, which should you choose to ever-increasing demand,” he says. stock in your shop? He cites the example of “our Grove Casdon’s Phil Cassidy recommends mud kitchen, which is made from the Hetty and Henry vacuum cleaners sustainably-sourced wood with a and cleaning trolleys, because they sturdy construction, and provides are “such an iconic and recognisable the perfect play area for multiple range and their friendly faces are a real children to make mud pies in their favourite with children’’ while Toynamics’ own dream kitchen’’. David Allan recommends toy kitchens It’s a sentiment echoed by David and accessories. “They are always a Allan, MD of Toynamics UK & popular choice for gifting,” he says, “and Ireland. “With the heightened are some of our best-selling products”. awareness of sustainable

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toysnplaythings.media

FEATURE

DRESS-UP & ROLEPLAY

Creative play CASDON

07951 033234 Roger@casdon.com Casdon celebrates its 75th anniversary this month. For three-quarters of a century, the familyrun business has been creating child-sized versions of wellknown and loved household items for little ones to enjoy. Creative play is an essential part of a child’s development and Casdon’s products allow children to have fun imitating grown-ups and ‘helping out’ around the home through roleplay, while also developing their imaginative and practical skills. Among the toy company’s range of licensed products are the Hetty and Henry Vacuum Cleaners. These mini versions won’t disappoint enthusiastic little ones, as each item in the range works in a similar way to the adult version. Both the Henry and Hetty vacuums have a working suction that can pick up small bits of paper and waste; all dirt gets caught in a removable drawer, which is simple for little hands to empty. The accessories pack away neatly under Henry or Hetty’s hat, and the cord is reeled in by turning the handle just like the real thing! In addition to the vacuums, there are also Henry and Hetty Cleaning Trolleys, which offer a variety of tools. Featuring the cute faces of Henry and Hetty, children can wheel the trolleys from room to room, checking what needs cleaning and selecting which items are best for the job. The cleaning trolley includes a mop with a fabric floorcloth, which attaches using the easy ‘push-fit’ method, plus a long-handled brush for sweeping. There is also a dustpan and hand brush, and a pretend detergent bottle and paper debris sack. The deluxe version of the trolley includes a handheld vacuum with working suction and realistic sound.

Make-believe baking MV SPORTS & LEISURE 01217488000 www.mvsports.com MV Sports & Leisure recently launched some eco-friendly FSC certified mud kitchens, perfect for encouraging active play and developing key motor skills. The range features three sturdy kitchens of slightly different sizes and specs. The Grove mud kitchen has a fillable sink with pretend taps and realistic hobs and knobs to bake a mud pie! Underneath the hobs sits a make-believe oven with shelves inside for storage and a windowed door - to check when the mud pie is ready.

Show-to-shelf storytelling FLAIR 0208 643 0320 www.flairgp.co.uk The Master Toy line for Blue’s Clues & You is a must-have for roleplay. This adorable preschool property was recently named the number one new licence globally (Source: The NPD Group Retail Tracking Service YTD December 2020), and this range brings the preschool show to life. The roleplay collection includes a selection of items that kids will recognise from the show. There’s the Ultimate Handy Dandy Notebook, which is perfect for on-the-go roleplay fun; kids simply slide one of four game cards in and press the home button to reveal clues - they can even create their own games with the free-play card. Kids can also sing along to songs from Blue’s Clues & You with the Sing-Along Guitar. It features three different modes of play, and looks just like the one from the show.

Dress like Diana! VIVID

01483 449944 |Vividtoysandgames.co.uk The star of YouTube’s Kids Diana Show boasts more than 5 billion views a month globally (Tubefilter, August 2020), and her popularity continues to rise. Vivid’s product range is based around Diana, her family and their adventures - focusing on the positivity of friendship, family, creativity and the power of play. The Love, Diana launch range focuses on four key categories. Collectables, with a range of articulated mini figures of Diana, her brother Roma and the myriad of other characters from her channel, along with a selection of playsets, which will deliver entry and mid-level price points. Fashion dolls are sure to be a big hit with dolls at various scales, including all the classic play patterns with swappable fashion outfits, hair play, accessories and playsets. The full range is available and on shelf, with refreshes and expansion to the range across A/W21.

toysnplaythings.media

FEATURE

ON THE FARM

Make hay while the sun shines Four retailers across the UK who are big fans of farm-themed toys tell TnP what they sell and why they love all things rural-related, from vehicles to games and puzzles

s parents of small children heave a sigh of relief as outdoor attractions such as open farms and animal parks open their doors again, interest in that perennial favourite - the farm-themed toy - is bound to increase. And with the media attention that popular TV series such as Our Yorkshire Farm and Our Farming Life attract, along with kids’ shows such as CBeebies’ Down on the Farm, even towndwelling kids could form a serious tractor habit! From animals and vehicles to themed playsets and puzzles, these unisex toys are a brilliant way to give kids a bit of knowledge about farming and the countryside, while also encouraging imaginative play and roleplay. Julia Lowe spotted a gap in the market 13 years ago when her children Emily, Oliver and Harry (then aged seven, four and one) expressed a keen interest in farm toys. Coming from a farming background and with experience in the web industry, she set out to create Farm Toys Online as a site where, as she says, “parents like me could go to for well-made farm and horse toys”. As an established ecommerce retailer, the business has not had to ramp up digital activity in response to the challenges of Covid-19. In fact, Julia saw toy sale levels near that of Christmas going into lockdown, as parents prepared for their children to be at home. Julia aims to source products that are “more realistic than most farm toys, but not as complicated and expensive as the exact replica models on the market. Our unbeatable range of farm toys includes toy versions of anything you might find on a farm or in a stable - even down to batterypowered wind turbines”. More than 1,200 toys are listed on the website, and Julia works with

JUNE 2021

“

Our range of farm toys includes toy versions of anything you might find on a farm or in a stable - even down to batterypowered wind turbines

around 35 suppliers, which are a mix of small UK and larger international companies. Key brands include Siku, Bruder, Breyer and Schleich. “We find the brands that do best on Farm Toys Online are the ones willing to work collaboratively with us to reach mutually beneficial revenue goals,” she says. “For example, as a result of working closely with Siku last year, we were able to grow our sales of Siku toys by a whopping 58%.” So what new products have impressed her so far this year? She “absolutely loves” John Deere-Opoly: a farm-themed twist on Monopoly featuring John Deere tractors. Her best sellers year-round are tractors, remote-control tractors and ride-on tractors. But she notes that demand is seasonal for some items, especially tractor attachments. For example, sales of snow ploughs go up in the winter and hay balers increase in the summer. Jayne Rees, owner of Eve’s Toy Shop at Llandeilo in Wales, is based in the middle of a farming community “where regular customers can disappear - only to emerge weeks

Themed window display by Cachao Toys in London

later, tired and exhausted due to the lambing season”. So for her, “‘On The Farm’ and all that goes with that is a particularly good seller at the shop”. She explains: “Springtime, when the lambs are born, can be a busy time for us as a community with holidaymakers renting local farm B&Bs (around half term) for their children to experience life on the farm. This is especially lovely when the lambs are in the fields and brightly coloured tractors trudge through the town - something boys in particular love. “With that in mind, we have a whole section in the shop dedicated to ‘On The Farm’ with animals from Lanka Kade, Schleich and Haba; wooden tractors and farms by Le Toy Van; and books and jigsaw puzzles by Usborne, Nosy Crow, Jura toys and Djeco. It’s an all-year-round seller for us, so we pretty much cover and love all things farm-related!” City dweller Jennie Hogg, owner of Cachao Toys in north London’s Muswell Hill, is several miles from the countryside but she stocks a mix of Schleich animals; Jellycat farm animals, fruits and vegetables; and farm-themed games. For her, “farmrelated toys and games tie in nicely with Easter and make a great spring window display theme - so I make a thing of them, and they sell.”

Julia Lowe, owner of Farm Toys Online

FEATURE

ON THE FARM

Mickey Mouse brings farmyard fun FLAIR

0208 643 0320 www.flairgp.co.uk New to the Flair Just Play portfolio for A/W21, which is sure to be a farmthemed favourite among young children, is the Mickey collection, which lets kids take the on-screen farm fun from Disney into the playroom. Promising lots of fun on the farm is the Mickey Mouse Farm Fun Playset. This toy set features two-sided play, a swinging bell, a working pulley system to reel-up hay bales, and a chicken that lays eggs. Huge amounts of fun and very modestly priced, this playset will be front of mind with Flair’s TV and digital marketing plan. Continuing the farm theme, and benefiting from TV support, is the E-I-Oh Mickey Mouse Feature Plush, which sees Mickey wearing a farmer outfit, singing the ‘Old McDonald’ song and performing his chicken dance! This fun toy even plays a game: “What’s that animal sound?” Kids can also add to their farm fun with the Mickey Mouse Farm Fun Tractor. Little ones will be able to move the truck to watch the animals bob up and down. This is all in addition to some new roleplay lines and the great value Singing Fun Plush.

Inspired by the countryside RAVENSBURGER 01869 363 830 www.ravensburger.com Ravensburger has a broad offering of countryside and farm-themed puzzles, both existing and new, from puzzles ideal for young children to 100-piece puzzles for adults. Farm animals, farming, and the great British countryside are very popular topics for puzzles for all ages. With a strong emphasis on the Department of Education’s official standard covering learning and development for children aged 0-5 years old, Ravensburger’s most popular design - My First Puzzles’ On the Farm 2-,3-,4-, 5-piece product is aimed at kids from 18 months and focuses on the understanding of children’s own environment, animals, and the world. The puzzles feature images of a pink pig, a black and white cow, a brown chicken, and white fluffy sheep, all shown with brightly coloured farm backgrounds. Each puzzle is carefully designed to ensure children get plenty of visual clues to aid them assemble the pieces, helping to build their confidence and encourage them to move onto other titles and larger piece counts. For adults, in the Happy Days range the 500-piece No.3 Countryside Nostalgia puzzles are four bright and cheerful nostalgic designs showing classic countryside scenes by Yorkshire-based artist Trevor Mitchell. Scenes show Sunday Service, The Steam Mill, The Country Show and Farm Services. This is a fabulous product for countryside lovers, or for those who perhaps can’t get to rural areas but want a countryside fix. New for A/W21 from Ravensburger will be licensed XXL 100-piece and 1,000-piece John Deere puzzles. The John Deere Big Wheels XXL 100-piece is a product suitable for older children who are farming enthusiasts, while the 1,000-piece John Deere Then & Now is a nostalgic scene featuring farm equipment old and new. Making a reappearance to the range for A/W21 is We Wish Moo a Merry Christmas 500-piece puzzle.

Feature On The Farmnm.indd 2

Baaaaa-ck in time with a classic BASIC FUN! 0118 925 3270 www.BasicFun.com It’s off to the farm with Basic Fun’s Fisher-Price Classics See ‘n Say The Farmer Says. This retro toy delivers the fun of the farm at the tug of a cord! Packing plenty of nostalgic appeal, See ‘n Say The Farmer Says was originally introduced in 1965 and according to Basic Fun! it was the first talking toy that allowed children to pick the exact phrase they want to hear by pointing the arrow to an animal and pulling the string. The present-day version looks just like the original and works in the same way, meaning parents and grandparents can share one of their childhood favourites with their own kids and grandkids. The circular toy has pictures of 12 animals on it including a sheep, dog, duck, frog, horse, rooster, pig, cow, bird, cat, and turkey. The arrow in the centre has an image of a farmer and a pig on it. Children simply point the arrow to an animal, pull the string, watch the arrow spin, and listen to that animal’s sound. Suitable for toddlers and preschoolers aged 18-months-plus, this educational, interactive toy comes in fun, retro-style open box packaging to ensure it stands out on the shelf.

toysnplaythings.media 01/06/2021 09:30

toys • jouets

spielwaren

BY BRU DE

R DE

just like the real thing

EU G

MAN

ALPHA TOYS LTD Batchworth House, Church Street, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1 JE Tel: 00353 67 63800 Fax: 00353 67 63801 E-Mail: info@alpha-toys.co.uk

www.bruder.de

DON’T MISS…

Here’s a quick peek at some of the hottest and newest products. Buyers and retailers, get in touch with your sales contact now!

Product: I’m Green bioplastic products including bucket and spade set Company: Dantoy Tel: +45 96 57 41 00 Web: www.dantoy.dk

Product: BioBall (eco-friendly ball made with a bio-based formula) Company: Mondo Tel: +39 0173 232 111 Web: www.mondotoys.com

Product: The Crew: Mission Deep Sea Company: Thames & Kosmos UK Tel: 01580 713000 Web: www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk

Product: ALEX Toys Craft Rock Pets Company: DKB Toys & Distribution Tel: 07813 725480 Web: dkbtoys.com

Product: Barbie Pop Up Dream Camper Tent Company: MV Sports & Leisure Tel: 0121 7488000 Web: www.mvsports.com

Product: Jurassic World’s Pic & Push T.Rex Company: Tomy Tel: 01932 281 928 Web: uk.tomy.com

Product: Licensed Advent Calendars: Doctor Who, Star Trek, The Beatles Company: Eaglemoss Hero Collector Email: glynndavies@eaglemoss.co.uk Web: www.herocollector.com

Product: Back to the Future set Company: Playmobil Tel: 01268 548111 Web: www.playmobil.co.uk

Product: Mini Mindful jigsaw puzzle collection Company: Wentworth Wooden Puzzles Tel: 07498 100740 Web: www.wentworthpuzzles.com

TNP

LOOKS BACK

Step back in time TnP founder Malcolm Naish takes a look back through time to reflect on industry goings-on in June 2011, 2001, 1991 and 1983

June 1983 •

•

How time flies by when you’re enjoying yourself! I posed the question that as it would soon be Prince William’s first birthday, would the Palace let me into a secret - H.R.H’s toys for his first birthday? Toy Fair was trying to tackle the admittance of children and had hired a children’s creche organiser for this purpose. Kids at shows have long been a particular problem that we would all like to solve. Surely, serious buyers/owners of toy stores could leave their youngsters at home with a babysitter for the day? My solution of placing them in the deep freeze and defrosting them when the parents arrived home was not taken up by the BTHA! Victor Watson, who was boss of Waddingtons, had been fending off several unwelcome takeover bids. His quote concerning Robert Maxwell was reassuring: “Mr Maxwell has tried to guess what’s in our hand and underestimated our strength and played a card which we can trump. Our accounts for the first quarter show an excellent result and make for a good recovery.”

•

The opening of The Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s new London offices was celebrated in great style at the Berkeley Hotel, where its chairman the Honourable Lydia Dunn OBE welcomed more than 100 guests, myself included.

•

The possibility of Sunday opening was gathering pace with many people in favour. Of course there were various bodies not in favour, including the Church of England. I had previously written that in my opinion, most churches were mainly empty on a Sunday. Of course, I received a reply from a reader who was a regular churchgoer, telling me in no uncertain terms that his church was always well attended and that he was most definitely not in favour of Sunday opening. The debate rumbled on.

June 1991 •

The Toy Retailers Association, along with the BTHA, were about to launch their Lion Mark scheme. This joint initiative would see members displaying the Lion logo that would guarantee to customers that the toys sold in their shops had the approval of the Lion Mark standard.

•

The Bank of Credit & Commerce International was forced to close, placing many Asian businesses in peril. 1991 was proving to be a very tough year, so this was yet another body blow for the toy trade.

•

On the bright side, Mattel reported excellent second quarter figures of $22.1m - the highest second quarter figures in its history and up $2m on the previous year’s quarter. I had money worries of my own, as I was about to fork out for my eldest daughter’s wedding - as a struggling publisher that hit hard! Still, you can’t beat a good wedding, and what a day it turned out to be. Spears Games was a mega British games company. Francis Spear celebrated his 60th birthday in great style, with guests from around the world coming to London to celebrate the event. Sad

JUNE 2021 NEW Step back in Time.indd 1

that this fine old family firm eventually had to succumb and sell to Mattel, whereupon many of its bread-and-butter lines that so many retailers relied on were culled from the range to concentrate on the major brands. •

The Fence Club golf was won by Jon Diver and Colin Lisle - and we pictured the winning duo receiving their prizes.

June 2001 •

Two old-established toy companies - W.H. Cornelius Ltd and S. Oppenheimer Ltd - decided to merge and form The Playwrite Group. With more than 200 years of toy trade experience, the merger worked really well, with the company still going strong today.

•

Sadly, a much revered toy retailer passed away: Ian Collinson. His Harrogate shop was a fantastic store and was eventually sold to Beatties. He was a great character and sorely missed by the Toy Retailers Association.

•

Hanging up his boots, so to speak, was Terry Stephens. His toy trade career had started with Lines Bros in 1951 and he soon moved on to Combined Trade Services, which merged with Upper Thames Wholesale - the forerunner of Youngsters, which gave Toymaster a good run for their money, up to their demise several years later. Terry finished his career with Gibsons Games and well deserved his retirement.

•

Butt Ugly Martians seemed to be the standout licensing property at the 2001 New York Licensing show. An unlikely star, when you see the toy characters they were lining up against.

•

Hornby posted encouraging financial results with pre-tax profits up 63% to £2.3m. Turnover was up 15% to £21.5m.

June 2011 •

Isaac Larian of MGA was suing French toy manufacturer Smoby. MGA claimed that in the due diligence phase of their negotiations, the financials were exaggerated and therefore inaccurate. MGA had relied on the figures that led to the sale of the company. Not surprisingly, Smoby underperformed and so the banks were trying to sue MGA for all the debt that Smoby acquired prior to MGA’s ownership of the company.

•

LEGO was set to build a massive 250-room hotel within its grounds in California, just adjacent to the Legoland entrance. A sure sign of LEGO’s world dominance of the construction market.

•

Can you believe that Postman Pat celebrated his 30th birthday in 2011, once again illustrating the strength of great character licensed characters?

•

I interviewed Gary Grant for The Entertainer’s 30th birthday. I loved his quote: “Today nothing can match the excitement of those first few years. I managed to get hold of 144 of Hasbro’s My Little Pony Palace for just one shop, retailing them at £24.99. Move on 30 years and I’d probably have to retail them at £69.99 and require 9,000!’’

28/05/2021 20:12

F O R M O R E D E TA I L S C O N TA C T 0 1 2 3 5 5 5 5 5 4 5 O R E M A I L T R A D E _ S A L E S @ V T E C H .C O M

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Toys n Playthings June 2021

Articles inside

On The Farm - a round-up of farm-related toys and games

Dress Up & Roleplay – TnP fi nds out what’s popular for pretend play

Don’t Miss - a sneak peek at unmissable products for buyers

Tech Toys & Gadgets - a look at the latest innovations

What’s New – fresh launches that you need to get your hands on

The Big Interview - with Bandai UK CEO Nic Aldridge

TnP Ambassadors - our tiny testers try out MV Sports’ Nerf Inline Scooter with Mini Blaster

Retail Interview - with Mapes of Millport joint owners Scott and Deborah Ferris

Retail Interview - with Hobbycraft senior buyer - kids & hobbies Joseph Pulfrey

Coffee Break - with Big Potato Games account manager Hannah Cornish

Retail Interview - with OnBuy.com founder and CEO Cas Paton

Trade Talk - suppliers reveal their predictions for the second half

Toy Talk - retailers share their reopening experiences

Indie Opinion - Diary of a Toy Shop by Hazel McCarthy, owner of Toy Corner in Galway

Retail Opinion - John Ryan examines alternatives to stand-alone high street stores

Gaining Insight - The Insights Family discusses the digital world’s impact on kids

Retail News - what’s happening on the retail landscape

People News - all the movers and shakers

Licensing News - what’s hot in licensed products

Leader - with Clare Turner

Trends Column - the U.S. Toy Association shares outdoor toy and game picks for 2021

News - the latest toy industry headlines