Trends Column - the U.S. Toy Association talks about the latest hot toy trend

Plum Play wins Queen’s Award for International Trade

Lincolnshire-based business Plum Play is one of 226 national organisations to be recognised with a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Now in its 56th year, the Queen’s Award celebrates outstanding businesses in four categories: Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity. This year, Plum Play has been recognised with the award for International Trade, which highlights businesses that have demonstrated substantial growth in overseas earnings and commercial success within their sector. The business specialises in outdoor play equipment with a focus on creating products that are sustainable and durable.

Established in 1988 by husband and wife team Jonathan and Diane Schaffer, the company is now run by their son Paul Schaffer, who is managing director. The award is a significant milestone for the company, which has offices in the UK, Hong Kong and Sydney and exports to more than 50 countries. Paul Schaffer said that he was “extremely proud and honoured to receive the prestigious Queen’s Award”. He added: “From launching our first toy over 30 years ago to now, selling to more than 50 countries, it’s been quite a journey! “Plum Play was set up to offer toys that look great, are super safe and have that all-important fun factor. This award is a recognition of all our hard work and will increase opportunities for us to break into new markets and raise further awareness of the brand.”

Mattel focuses on cutting plastic use

Mattel has announced a new goal to reduce plastic packaging by 25% per product by 2030. This initiative is featured in the company’s 2021 Citizenship Report, which provides a progress update on Mattel’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy and established goals.

They are organised into three pillars: Sustainable Design and Development; Responsible Sourcing and Production; and Thriving and Inclusive Communities; representing the ESG areas where the company believes it can have the greatest impact.

Mattel is focused on reducing plastic materials from product packaging, including polybags, window sheets, and blister packs, as part of its packaging strategy and reduction approach.

TOYS ENCOURAGE KIDS TO ESCAPE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY

Jennifer Lynch, content developer & toy trends specialist at The U.S. Toy Association, looks at hot play trend The Great Play Escape

The U.S. Toy Association’s trends team predicts that The Great Play Escape will be one of the hottest toy trends in 2022, with toys that offer both a mental escape through digital worlds as well as travel-ready toys to take on the road.

As the Metaverse continues to drive trends across multiple industries in 2022 - including toys - consumers can expect to see more AR/VR technologies in the play space as well as products tied to immersive gaming worlds. And for those that want to stay grounded in the physical world but still seek an escape, there are plenty of options that are travelthemed and ready to take on the go.

Here is a sample of the toys and playthings to look out for in 2022:

Minecraft Transforming Turtle Hideout Playset and Figures (Mattel) Based on the virtual gaming world, this giant-sized Minecraft Turtle transforms into a multi-level hideout and command base for Steve and his turtle friend. The playset features a giant Turtle’s mouth that opens to reveal a secret entrance and window with changing ocean views. Bluey’s Caravan Adventures (Moose Toys) Kids can pretend to go on a caravan adventure with Bluey’s family and friends and bring the preschool series to life. The playset opens to reveal a second storey and cosy bunk beds as well as a flip-to-reveal kitchen in the back of the van. LEGO Friends Vacation Beach House (LEGO) This modular LEGO Friends set is packed with features and accessories so kids can play out their summer days by the sea. The set boasts a swimming pool as well as scooters and a banana boat for off-site exploring. Tonies (tonies) Kids can escape into storyland by placing their devicecompatible figures on a Toniebox for a screen-free listening experience that includes stories, songs, and more. New for 2022, a Wild Kratts tonie character will let children explore animal-related science concepts and stories of adventure, mystery, and rescue with the Wild Kratts.

Be sure to check out The Toy Association’s 2022 Toy Trends Briefing to get the lowdown on the top trends that will be driving global toy sales through the holiday season. Visit www.ToyAssociation.org/trends to learn more.

Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson to speak at Toy Industry Day

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE (pictured top left) is confirmed to speak at this year’s Toy Industry Day, taking place on Wednesday June 29 at Great Fosters Hotel, Egham, Surrey.

Tanni Grey-Thompson is Britain’s best-known Paralympic athlete, a BBC Sports Personality of the Year and holder of the OBE and DBE. Born with spina bifida, she has won 14 Paralympic medals and a slew of international sporting awards.

Alongside Tanni, there will also be a presentation from Don Williams (above, top right) of KPMG, who will be discussing the retail climate, as well as a hot buffet lunch and networking opportunities for members.

The Industry Day will take place in the morning from 10.15am after the BTHA AGM, which will start at 9.30am.

Tickets are priced at £50 + VAT, with subsequent tickets £25 + VAT. There is limited capacity at the venue so be sure to register early.

To see the full schedule and book tickets, head to www.btha.co.uk/ industry-day.

Goliath snaps up Australian toy company

Goliath has announced its acquisition of Colorific, a family-owned STEM, craft, activity, preschool and educational toy business based in Melbourne, Australia.

Colorific, established in 1990, has been a leader in innovative DIY products for more than 30 years, having sold more than 50 million products to 40-plus countries. It has won multiple product, supplier and business awards over the years, and in 2019 Colorific was inducted into the Australian Family Business Hall of Fame.

Mark Levi, Colorific’s managing director, said: “For some time we have been looking for a partner to replicate the success we have had here in Australia on a global scale. We are excited to have found the perfect match with Goliath, another innovative and highly successful family toy business. We would like to take the opportunity to thank our loyal customers, suppliers and amazing team members who have been with us for the journey”

“The acquisition of Colorific by Goliath represents a great new chapter in our company’s story,” said Jochanan Golad, Goliath Group CEO. “With Goliath’s global distribution, we are well placed to bring Colorific’s innovative ranges to the world. We’re extremely excited to grow Colorific’s successful brands such as: Build a Bot, Wood WorX, Kids Projects, Metal Worx, FairyLites, Watch Me Grow and more.”

Jakks Pacific sees highest sales and earnings for 14 years

JAKKS Pacific has revealed its latest financial results, which show it has posted its highest Q1 net sales and earnings per share in 14 years.

The results for the first quarter 2022 showed that net sales were $120.9 million, up 44% compared with $83.8 million last year, and the highest Q1 net sales since 2008. Its costume business has more than doubled compared with Q1 2021.

“Our 2022 is off to an exceptional start,” said Stephen Berman, Jakks chairman and CEO. “For several years we have talked about maintaining a disciplined focus on growing evergreen toy categories and brands to deliver consistently improving, yet sustainable, results. In addition, this approach can also benefit from the excitement and enthusiasm that new entertainment content can generate. As the year begins, we are starting to see strong results as more consumers discover and embrace films like Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Disney’s Encanto, and want to deepen their relationships with the characters by engaging with a broad array of our toys, Halloween costumes, day-to-day roleplay and many other related products.’’

Net sales for the first quarter were $120.9 million, up 44% versus $83.8 million last year, led by strong growth in Action Play, Dolls/Dressup and Costumes offset by slight weakness in Outdoor/Seasonal.

Gross profit in the first quarter was $29.9 million or 24.7% of net sales, compared to $26.1 million or 31.1% of net sales in the prior year. Improved product margins and lower royalty expenses were not enough to offset a significant year-over-year increase in ocean freight and related expenses.

Peppa Pig splashes into the Yoto library

Yoto, the audio platform for kids behind the Yoto Player, and recently launched Yoto Mini, has collaborated with Penguin Audio to bring Peppa Pig titles to its audio library.

In a first for the platform, children will soon be able to immerse themselves into the world of Peppa, with two short story collections: At Home with Peppa, and Peppa Pig: Bedtime Stories, which provide over an hour of tales.

The new release, At Home with Peppa, invites listeners to join Peppa as she embarks on a range of activities and adventures.

The audio adventures, produced by Penguin Audio, aim to create a relaxing environment for children before bedtime. Peppa Pig: Bedtime Stories includes dialogue, songs and sound effects from the hit show.

Barbie pays tribute

to HM The Queen

This year, in celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Barbie brand has recognised Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the longestruling monarch in British history, with a Tribute Collection Barbie doll made in her likeness.

The Queen Elizabeth II Barbie Doll is instantly recognisable in an elegant ivory gown and blue riband adorned with decorations of order. The tiara is based on Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara – famously worn by The Queen on her wedding day - and miniature medallions on ribbons are inspired by the Royal Family Orders. The pink ribbon was given to The Queen by her father George VI, and the pale blue by her grandfather George V. Since 1959, the Barbie brand’s purpose has been to inspire the limitless potential in every girl and remind them they ‘can be anything’. That message has never been more relevant than it is today. Last year, the Barbie brand launched the Tribute Collection to celebrate visionaries for their incredible contributions, impact and legacy as trailblazers.

The Queen Elizabeth II Barbie Doll is presented in a box inspired by the styles present in Buckingham Palace, made from a 3D ornate die-cut border which frames the doll, and an inner panel showing a throne and the red carpeting inspired by the palace throne room. The box is printed with a crest-shaped logo and a badge commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne.

Curated meetings go international

Following its successful beta trial and launch at Spring and Autumn Fair, Curated Meetings is now opening its doors to buyers and brands from across Europe and the rest of the world, inviting them to take part in this new way of doing business at Autumn Fair on September 5 and 6 at the NEC Birmingham.

The programme is open to retailers and buyers who have purchasing responsibility and are actively sourcing across product categories including toys, home decor, housewares, party, beauty, wellbeing, seasonal, accessories, jewellery, white label and more.

Curated Meetings facilitate efficient, 15-minute pre-scheduled, one-to-one meetings between qualified buyers and relevant suppliers based on a mutual interest to drive new business opportunities together.

Hornby goes loco for Platinum Jubilee

Severn Valley Railway has partnered with British model company Hornby to produce a limited edition collector’s model of a special locomotive.

The limited edition of 1,500 models will feature SR West Country Class 34027 ‘Taw Valley’, the locomotive that will soon appear in a purple and silver livery in honour of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, renamed as ‘Elizabeth II’.

The leading heritage railway sparked worldwide excitement in February this year when it revealed its plans for the head-turning repaint. The name ‘Elizabeth II’ was selected by public vote, and has received royal approval via the Cabinet Office. The loco will be renumbered as ‘70’ to reflect the seven decades of Her Majesty’s reign.

Hornby marketing and product development director Simon Kohler said: “Hornby has had a strong relationship with the Severn Valley Railway for a number of years, and the opportunity to produce this model is the absolute pinnacle of our association.’’

The Hornby 00 gauge model will be issued in a strictly limited edition of 1,500.

Aquarius is ready to rock

Aquarius has launched a new range of rock music-themed products for the European market. Featuring some of the world’s most notorious acts, the range has been designed to help retailers reach a dedicated and engaged audience of music fans.

The line-up includes a host of interesting takes on traditional formats including games, playing cards, and puzzles for the range’s key licences: David Bowie, AC/ DC, Pink Floyd, Johnny Cash, and The Grateful Dead. Plus, the collection’s hero product, a new Kiss-themed board game approved by Kiss frontman Gene Simmons himself, will join the range this autumn.

The Kiss Tour Board Game invites players to put on the best shows, collect tons of cash, and leave rock and mayhem in their wake. The first player to hold a concert in each city on the cross-country tour wins. For ages 12-plus.

Emulating a classic vinyl disc, Aquarius’ line-up of classic rock picture discs are great gifts for music fans. Each puzzle uses a precision cutting technique to ensure a perfect fit for all puzzle pieces.