News - the latest toy industry headlines

Toys“R’’Us and Babies“R’’Us to return to UK

Toys“R’’Us ANZ and WHP Global, the parent company of Toys“R’’Us and Babies R Us, have signed a long-term exclusive licence agreement for Toys“R’’Us ANZ to run digital and physical retail commerce for Toys“R’’Us and Babies“R’’Us in the UK.

Yehuda Shmidman, WHP Global and Toys“R’’Us chairman and CEO said: “We selected Toys“R’’Us ANZ as our partner to expand into the UK because of their proven success in launching with us in Australia under the leadership of CEO Dr Louis Mittoni. Toys“R’’Us today is a vibrant business with over 900 stores and ecommerce sites across 25-plus countries generating over US$2 billion a year in sales and growing, especially with the new launches underway for both the US and UK markets.”

Dr Louis Mittoni, CEO and managing director of Toys“R’’Us ANZ, added: “Tailoring our successful Australian relaunch plan to the UK echoes the success of other ecommerce ‘platform play’ businesses that have delivered growth and value due to their ability to quickly and cost effectively expand their software, processes, partner relationships and brands into new countries.

“Since Toys“R’’Us returned to Australia in June 2019, we have scaled quickly as customers returned to the much-loved brand and our ecommerce model has proven its success. My team and I are looking forward to developing technical and commercial relationships with UK-based vendors and partners and to engaging with the many loyal Toys“R’’Us former customers and fans in the UK.”

Toys“R’’Us ANZ plans to commence online sales to UK shoppers over the next months, initially from existing operations in Australia, while it works to establish local teams, offices, and logistics facilities during 2022 and 2023.

Visitor registration now open for Toy Fair 2022

Registration has opened for Toy Fair 2022. Following a hiatus in 2021 due to the pandemic, the 68th edition of Toy Fair will take place from Tuesday 25 January to Thursday 27 January at Olympia, London.

The event, which is the largest dedicated toy, game, and hobby trade exhibition in the UK, will occupy a new layout across the Grand and National Halls.

Attendees can register for free at www.toyfair.co.uk. To ease the application process, attendees from any of the past three Toy Fairs will receive a Smart Link to their existing profile, so they only need to check, update, and submit their details to receive their 2022 e-badge.

All visitors must pre-register before they arrive on-site at the show. Unlike previous years, you will not be able to register for your visitor pass on-site, as part of Covid-19 safety guidelines. Show organiser the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) stated: “Toy Fair will be the first opportunity of the year for retailers, licensors, media, and the wider industry to meet face-toface with more than 250 exhibiting companies and get hands-on with the hottest new toys and trends for 2022. After a year away, there is huge positivity and great excitement from the industry to return to a physical show in January.

‘The event will welcome back a high number of companies as well as many new exhibitors. Visitors will be able to network with exhibitors ranging from renowned brands though to ambitious start-ups.’’

BLE issues alert for international attendees

Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) has unveiled details of an international traveller testing partnership - and health and safety protocol measures - for next month’s event, which will be held from 17 November to 19 November at ExCeL London.

BLE has partnered with ExpressTest by CignPost to facilitate all testing requirements for international attendees. ExpressTest by CignPost is one of the leading UK testing providers, an ABTA partner and a UK government listed COVID-19 screening service, which provides fast, accurate and reliable testing.

Anyone needing to take a day two test to enter England will be able to purchase a ‘click and collect’ testing kit, to be picked up at ExCeL. The tests can be self-administered in any location with results uploaded online. Those requiring a ‘fit to fly’ test for re-entry into their country of origin will also be able to benefit from an onsite service, with tests carried out by CignPost staff in secure private meeting rooms at the venue.

The test booking service will open during the first week of November and information will be communicated via the BLE website, social media and direct communications with event customers.

This partnership is one of many measures in place to help the safe return to live events by show organiser Informa Markets. In addition to requiring proof of vaccination, negative test, or natural immunity to enter ExCeL, attendees will also be required wear masks. Medical exemptions will apply, and masks can be removed when eating and drinking.

Nerf launches YouTube masterclasses

In October half term, kids’ action brand Nerf called on parents to embrace their children’s dreams of becoming YouTube stars with the launch of Nerf Upload: a series of physical and virtual masterclasses.

Aimed at arming kids with the basic skills needed to become a YouTuber, NERF Upload showcased the skills and benefits that come from a career in content creation, while dispelling common misconceptions that parents have towards this popular career aspiration.

The masterclasses were hosted

by some of the most popular YouTubers in the UK including Morgz, AJ, and Sharky, who demonstrated that being a YouTuber requires serious skill, involves a lot of fun, and doesn’t simply involve sitting at a screen.

Kids spent 3.5 hours learning the creative and practical skills that go into content creation. The YouTube masters took attendees through a series of four NERFinspired workshops, teaching them everything from how to master the ultimate unboxing - staple in the world of YouTube! - to setting up, filming, and editing the perfect shot, all with plenty of Nerf blasting fun on top, and goodies to take away.

Anne Leonhardi, marketing director for Hasbro North Europe, commented: “We were thrilled to arm kids with the vital transferable skills needed to follow their childhood ambitions of becoming content creators. Nerf has always been a tool for imagination and this campaign highlights that in 2021 this is no different.”

Research commissioned by Nerf - whose blasters regularly feature in viral content across the likes of YouTube and TikTok - reveals that despite over half of British

children expressing an interest in content creation, almost a third of parents don’t believe it is a ‘real’ job. Parents’ key concerns are that their child may spend too much time on a screen (55%), become isolated from friends and family (43%) and even sit alone in a dark room all day (24%).

However, around half of parents acknowledge that a career in content creation could improve their child’s confidence (51%) and communication skills (50%), as well as more creative endeavours such as video production and editing (49%), design and creativity (49%), and photography (32%).

Goliath acquires Endless Games

Goliath has added to its global portfolio with the acquisition of Endless Games, which will continue to operate out of its New Jersey office this autumn with plans to fully integrate into Goliath’s distribution network by Q1 2022.

Goliath CEO Jochanan Golad said: “This is Goliath’s fourth North American, and 11th global acquisition in the last seven years, as we continue to expand and strengthen our position in the market.”

Endless Games was co-founded in 1996 by Mike Gasser, Kevin McNulty and game inventor Brian Turtle. It specialises in board games that offer classic entertainment. The trio have been a part of past successes Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary, and Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

Kevin commented: “I’m thrilled to have Goliath carry on the great legacy that Mike, Brian and the rest of our team have built over the past 25 years. It feels great to sell our business to a company that excels at marketing to maximise the potential of our products.”

David Norman, president of Goliath’s North American office, added: “We are also pleased to announce that Brian has agreed to join Goliath’s management team to help drive our business forward.”

Independent Toy & Gift Show rebrands to INDX

The Independent Toy & Gift show resumed a much-awaited live format when it returned to Cranmore Park in Solihull on 14 and 15 September to unite the industry at the only UK toy trade show of 2021.

Organiser AIS buying group (Associated Independent Stores) said the event was supported by more than 50 suppliers and well attended by retailers from across the UK.

When The Independent Toy & Gift show returns to the same venue in 2022, it will do so under the INDX Home Banner, and will be rebranded as INDX Toys & Nursery. INDX (short for Independent Exhibitions) represents a group of established trade shows covering fashion and home categories, which are curated by AIS. The addition of Toys & Nursery will strengthen the INDX Home portfolio, which includes Furniture, Housewares, Linens, Beds & Bedroom and Gift Food.

The first INDX Toys & Nursery will take place on 6 and 7 April and will expand into the new ‘nursery’ category, which will include gifts, accessories, and soft furnishings.

INDX Toys & Nursery is open to all retailers and is free to attend. Buyers can register for entrance tickets at www.indxshows.co.uk.