Toys n Playthings October 2019

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CONTENTS Regular

er 2019 Octob No. 1 Vol. 39

Chairman Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

Managing Director Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Editor Georgie Dobie georgie@lemapublishing.co.uk

Media Solutions Manager Simon Davis simon@lemapublishing.co.uk

Writer Naomi MacKay naomi@lemapublishing.co.uk

Digital Publisher Mirella Anstey mirella@ltw.media

Digital Editor Rhys Thomas rhys@ltw.media

Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

Circulation Manager Robert Thomas robert@lemapublishing.co.uk

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Leader – with Mark Naish

6

News – the latest toy industry headlines

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Licensing News – the latest on licensed products

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People News – the latest on who’s moving where

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Movie News – what’s happening on the big screen

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Media News – the multimedia rundown

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Retail News – the latest from the retail landscape

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Toy Talk – retailers chat to us about Christmas and Brexit

30 Trade Talk – suppliers talk about how business has been so far this year and how they’re getting on with range planning for 2020 32

What’s New – new products that you need to get your hands on

70 Step Back in Time – a slice of toy history from the industry’s longest-running magazine 71

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Don’t Miss – unmissable products for buyers and retailers

Features 34 Educational/STEAM toys – the latest from one of the industry’s fastest-growing categories 49 Who’s Who in Licensing – a snapshot of some of the key companies involved in licensing 58

Boys Collectables – TnP investigates the top toys to collect for boys

Special Report 18

Cover Story – Pop culture specialist Funko reveals an exciting new boardgame

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20 Spotlight on Spielwarenmesse – CEO Ernst Kick tells us what’s in store for visitors 26

Retail Interview – TnP speaks to CEO Simon Arora and Toy Buyer Hayley White about B&M’s runaway success and toy strategy

48 BLE Preview – What’s happening at Brand Licensing Europe this month 68 Toys Plus Retailer Special – TnP catches up with Blackpool-based retailer Toys Plus, to discover why they have been meeting with MPs 69 Product Spotlight – Meet the Heroes of Goo Jit Zu, the latest collectables from Character Options

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At the heart of retail

A member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation

Independently audited ABC circulation of 4,768

1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019

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Columnists 6

Trends Column - the US Toy Association looks at foodie fun, one of the hottest trends right now

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Media analysis - Generation Media looks back at some of the most successful licences within the toys and games industry

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The Independent/Secret Supplier – our dynamic duo make their predictions for the top sellers this Christmas

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Retail opinion – John Ryan looks at pop-up shops and how important it is to be in the right place at the right time

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46 Gaining insight – Kids Insights looks at how some of the oldest brands in the industry keep relevant by keeping ahead of the trends

Helping everyone sell more

Give little ones screenless storytime this Christmas

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Red Starter Set RRP £69.95 includes Toniebox, Creative-Tonie and charging station

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Father Christmas Creative-Tonie RRP £11.99

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The Snowman and The Snowdog RRP £14.99

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Christmas Songs and Carols RRP £14.99

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The Jungle Book RRP £14.99

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The Lion King RRP £14.99

You can find more information on the Toniebox a little later in the magazine and on tonies.com.

NEWS

A Funko Film Warner Bros. is bringing Funko to the silver screen after optioning the movie rights to its distinctive Pop! Vinyl figures.

The film turns the relationship between Warner and the toymaker on its head: Funko has for years licensed Warner Bros. properties, such as Harry Potter and DC superheroes for its range of popular collectables, but will now work in unison with the team at Warner Animation Group on the movie.

Visitor registration now open!

The British Toy & Hobby Association has announced that registration has opened for media and visitors to attend Toy Fair 2020.

The 67th Toy Fair will be held at Olympia London from Tuesday 21 – Thursday 23 January. Press Day is scheduled for Tuesday 21, with the new Influencer Day on Wednesday 22 January.

Toy Fair is the largest dedicated toy, game and hobby trade exhibition in the UK. Covering a total of 22,000m2 floor space, the show hosts more than 260 exhibiting companies that are set to launch thousands of new toy lines.

Rebecca Deeming, Interim Head of Toy Fair, says: “Toy Fair is the perfect place to see the hottest new products and hidden gems for the coming

year all under one roof. With more media than ever attending Toy Fair, we’re delighted to launch our brandnew Influencer Day to better support content creators and our exhibitors.”

Confirmed exhibitors for Toy Fair 2020 include Bandai UK, Hasbro, Big Potato Games, Funko, Keel Toys and many more.

It has been announced that the Pokémon Company International will be sponsoring the show’s entrance foyer for a fourth consecutive year.

How to register:

Toy Fair 2020 visitors can now register for free at www.toyfair.co.uk. Visitors who choose not to pre-register will need to prove they are a genuine trade visitor and pay a £15 entry fee on the door.

John Lewis’s festive favourites

John Lewis & Partners has picked a mix of tech, traditional and textbased treats in list of predictions for the top 10 toys of Christmas 2019, including the Tonies Starter Set from Boxine and Ravensburger’s Gravitrax Starter Set XXL. Harry Boughton, Toy Buyer at John Lewis, says: “As we all become more aware of our impact on the environment we are seeing a move away from products such as slime and collectables in favour of toys which have limitless play value and can be passed down to younger children.

“Parents are also telling us that they want to buy toys that encourage their children to spend more time playing with educational games and reading.”

21%

The increase in sales of wooden toys, as witnessed by John Lewis this year.

TRENDS: FOODIE FUN The Toy Association’s Kristin Morency Goldman shines a light on ‘Foodie Fun’ – one of the hottest toy trends of 2019 that is leaving children hungry for more Food-themed toys and games that inspire creative play and tap into cultural food crazes are one of the hottest trends of 2019, according to trend experts at the US Toy Association.

“Whether they are collectables with a ‘sweet’ twist or experiments that make real food kids can eat, there are so many fun food toys hitting the toy aisle now through the holiday season,” said Adrienne Appell, trend expert at the US Toy Association.

‘Foodie Fun’ was one of the

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“

Whether they are collectables with a ‘sweet’ twist or experiments that make real food kids can eat, there are so many fun food toys hitting the toy aisle Adrienne Appell, Senior Trend Expert

”

hottest toy trends of the year announced

by The Toy Association at Toy Fair New York in February. Here are a few examples of Foodie Fun toys and games: Rainbow Gummy Candy Lab (Thames & Kosmos): Kids can make their own delicious unicorn-, cloud-, and rainbowshaped gummies in a range of flavours and colours, while investigating the scientific properties of natural polymers.

Includes all food ingredients needed to make these sweet treats.

Sushi Scramble (TOMY): Pick up your chopsticks and a menu – it’s time to Sushi Scramble! Food comes around on

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Bandai goes back to school Bandai UK feeds imaginations through schools and science with the launch of two major education-led campaigns for its Bananas and National Geographic brands.

Working with children’s weekly newspaper, First News, Bandai UK has created a comprehensive schools resource campaign by developing lesson plans and activities linking to the National Curriculum’s PSHE learning.

Focusing on friendships, social skills, and recognising different personal qualities, the resources

use the Bananas collectable Crushie characters to help pupils establish friendships at the start of the new academic year.

Bandai UK has also joined forces with Science & Nature Magazine to find the Young Lab Creator of the Year in association with its National Geographic Dig Kits. The initiative encourages hands-on STEM learning with readers invited to invent their very own creation. The winner will be featured in the magazine and be treated to a VIP visit to the 2020 Big Bang Science Fair.

“We’re really excited to see how both campaigns have bridged play and learning dynamics. It’s been fantastic to showcase the brand’s creativity and relevance for children and teachers to engage with during the back-toschool period” Kirsty Mackenzie, Marketing Manager, Bandai

England Rugby Team vs Plasticine Poodles As the Rugby World Cup begins, the England Rugby Team has been honing its competitive edge – with Plasticine! The question is who can make the best Plasticine Poodle?

“We loved this Facebook post!” says Flair’s Nicola Bergot, “It’s great to see the team having some light hearted fun prior to the Rugby World Cup starting and it really shows that any age can enjoy Plasticine. Good Luck England (and all the home nation teams of course) over the next few weeks!”

Take a look and see who wins: www.facebook.com/48835794824/ posts/10156960691549825?sfns=mo

a conveyor belt and players have to match the yummy dishes on their menu in a hurry. The player with the most sushi wins.

Dragon Snacks (Goliath Games): A mischievous baby dragon ate too many treasures, and now players have to snatch his snacks. Watch his belly magically light up to view the treasures inside. When his nose horn lights up, reach down into his belly and try to remove the correct colour treasure. The first player to collect three treasures wins.

Candylocks (Spin Master):

OCTOBER 2019

These scented collectable dolls feature 15 inches of colourful cotton candyinspired hair. The doll comes packaged with her hair wrapped around her face and body, so kids have to open the pack to see who is hidden inside.

There are more than 20 to collect including Birthday Kate, Carmella Apple, and Cotton Sandy. The unique texture of Candylocks’ extra-long

Ms Monopoly for the win A new edition of Hasbro’s Monopoly board game is tackling the gender pay gap by paying female players more than men for completing the same tasks.

Ms. Monopoly starts female players on £1,900 while males will begin on £1,500. Women will also automatically earn more than men as they make their way around the board.

The final girl-powered gameplay twist gives chaps an equal chance to out-earn their opponents should they invest wisely. Doing away with property, players instead invest their money in inventions created by women, such as bulletproof vests, chocolate chip cookies and stem-cell isolation techniques.

Fact!

The twist on the traditional game on monopoly sees women players begin with £400 more and collect more money than men for doing the same tasks.

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Glitter Girls – A Putt with a Cherry on Top! Mini Putt Playset (Battat): Get your Glitter Dolls ready for hole-inone fun with extra sprinkles of silly sugar – and a cherry on top.

This playset includes a mini putt golf course with working cherry light, ice cream sundae obstacle, ice cream stand, two ice cream cones, pinwheel spinners, one putter, and one golf ball. Compatible with most Glitter Girls dolls.

Want to see the hottest new toys and games coming to market in 2020? Come to Toy Fair New York – the largest toy, play, and youth entertainment product marketplace in the Western Hemisphere, taking place February 22-25, 2020. Visit www.ToyFairNY.com to learn more.

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NEWS Kids Insights launches in India Kids Insights, specialists in kids market intelligence, has announced the launch of Kids Insights India, which will see the company survey 410 kids in India, each week, resulting in a total of 21,000 children being surveyed each year.

Kids Insights started collecting data in India on 1 June 2019 and will issue its first set of reports and launch its real-time portal later this month.

As part of their launch into India, Kids Insights have teamed up with TotallyAwesome. TotallyAwesome is the leading kids’ digital media company in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Kids Insights India will be able to help clients understand the dynamics of the Indian children’s ecosystem, help them define their audience, measure and evaluate the success of campaigns and ultimately improve their return on investment” Nick Richardson, CEO of Kids Insights

Punching above their weight Muffin Time, the remarkably random card game

by Big Potato and Turbo Punch, has smashed its final target in the last few hours of its Kickstarter campaign, reaching £1m.

The card game was invented by YouTube allstars Turbo Punch, who took their ultra- popular asdfmovie series and transformed it into a game where absolutely anything can happen.

From skateboarding cows to exploding turtles, Muffin Time is packed with 200 unique cards, along with all sorts of exciting stretch goals.

Muffin Time will be hitting shelves across the UK from April 2020.

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Bidding for buyout The Los Angeles Times has reported that Jakks Pacific has received a takeover offer from Alleghany Capital Corp., the parent In recent years, Jazwares company of Jazwares. According to the has acquired First report, Alleghany put in a bid of 85 cents a share to purchase Jakks Pacific, valuing the Act, ZAG Toys, Russ Berrie, company at around $27.7m. and Applause Brands Shares in Jakks Pacific have fallen nearly 70 per cent in the past 12 months. The offer follows a slow start to the year for Jakks, which reported a 10 per cent slump in sales during the most recent quarter and a decline in net profit of more than a third to $17.7m.

In its most recent financial statement, Jakks CEO Stephen Berman said he expected business to pick up in the back half of 2019, as products for Toys Story 4, Frozen II and the 30th anniversary of The Little Mermaid begin to bear fruit.

Did you know?

Call to brawl Spin Master has been busy reigniting the brawling excitement of Bakugan, the global toy hit that captured kids’ imaginations a decade ago. A newly evolved anime series, innovative toy line, card game and mobile app have all been developed to build on the brand’s rich heritage and fan-base, promising one of the largest and most dynamic legacy franchises across the globe.

Spin Master UK has created pop-up Bakugan Brawling stations in toy stores and shopping centres from August through to October half term. Additionally, 165 Entertainer stores have been offering weekly Brawling sessions throughout the summer from their own in-house BakuMasters.

Speaking about The number of Bakugan, UK Senior Brand Manager Simone Palombi kids who will have says: “This reimagined franchise has maintained the answered the call essence of what kids got excited about 10 years ago, and to brawl by the with exciting new features, it’s clear that we’ve succeeded in starting to inspire an entirely new generation of children time the Bakugan to watch, collect and Bakugan Brawl!”

20,000+

tour ends.

Rags to riches Posh Paws International is thrilled to be the new home of Ragtales, a range of traditional soft toys and rag dolls with true heritage and character. As Posh Paws continues to grow its presence in the gift market, the addition of Ragtales bolsters its long-term commitment to the sector.

Ragtales are renowned for producing highquality, British-designed rag dolls and soft toys that take inspiration from the heritage of British Life.

Ragtales MD Roddy Bridges, says: “We are delighted to be partnering with Posh Paws, the future is looking very exciting and together we will put Ragtales back on the map.”

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LICENSING

NEWS

Did you know?

The Snowman celebrated its 40th anniversary last year in October.

Character Options count down Character Options is bringing the magic of The Snowman to toy shelves this Christmas with a new Toy Advent Calendar.

The licensing deal is just one of a flurry announced by Penguin Ventures.

The advent calendar hides a different toy behind each door Lindsay Pearl, Category Manager at Penguin Ventures, says: “The 40th anniversary of The Snowman demonstrated just how much warmth and affection there is for this classic brand.”

Tail wagging partnership Trends UK is teaming up with BBC Studios on a new licensed range of electronic learning toys tied to the hit series Hey Duggee.

The new range will include a learning tablet and flip-up phone, featuring Duggee and his squirrel friends Tag, Betty, Roly, Happy and Norrie, each with an educational element, developing communication skills and helping children to recognise colours, numbers, shapes and letters. The toys will be available in-store and online from spring 2020.

“We are delighted to work with BBC Studios on this engaging property,” says Lindsay Hardy, Marketing Director at Trends UK. “Hey Duggee electronic learning toys will have fun and educational appeal at their heart. The range will inspire children to have a go and try new learning tasks with lots of laughter along the way, just like the show.”

Julie Kekwick, Senior Licensing Manager, BBC Studios, adds: “Trends UK is a brilliant addition for Hey Duggee and the perfect fit for the brand.”

50 million+ The number of iPlayer requests received by Hey Duggee in 2018. The show consistently ranks as one of the top three programmes on CBeebies.

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Anna Knight promoted Informa Markets has Rick McConnell, promoted Anna Knight Informa Market’s to Vice President, North American Global Licensing Group, President, says: following two months “Over the past operating as interim MD two months, for the division.

Anna has proved Anna has worked for Informa Markets that she knows (formerly UBM) for 10 this market years, most recently inside out – and holding the position of is incredibly Event Director for Brand well-connected Licensing Europe. and wellIn her new role, respected within Knight will continue to it – and has really be responsible for the strategic and commercial exciting and quite groundperformance of BLE, breaking ideas Licensing Expo Las for propelling the Vegas, the Licensing Leadership Summit in group forward” New York City, and the group’s media division License Global. Anna will also work in partnership with Informa Markets Asia in the delivery of Licensing Expo China and Licensing Expo Japan.

Raspide rejoins MGA Sandrine de Raspide has rejoined her old firm MGA Entertainment as its new General Manager of International Sales and Licensing.

“It’s great to be back at MGAE,” says Sandrine. “Our future is flush with new partners as we grab hold of the many opportunities before us.”

Since departing MGA 12 years ago, Sandrine has held senior licensing positions with some of the world’s most recognisable brands. She was EVP of Marvel Entertainment, prior to its acquisition by Disney, before moving to various leadership roles at Sanrio until 2016. Most recently Sandrine was Senior Vice President at Level-5 abby Hong Kong.

Sandrine will report directly to MGA Entertainment’s CEO Isaac Larian, who says: “Sandrine’s deep knowledge of the international markets combined with her passionate spirit to deliver quality programmes and initiatives will make for exciting international licensing programmes.”

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“Sarah’s leadership in developing and growing Viacom’s global consumer products business, which has included seven $1bn brands at retail during her tenure, makes her a perfect fit for Funko”

PEOPLE

NEWS

Ken Brotman, Chairman of the Funko Board of Directors

Viacom COO joins Funko board Funko has appointed Viacom Chief Operating Officer Sarah Kirshbaum Levy to its board of directors, effective immediately.

Sarah has served as Viacom Media Networks’ Chief Operating Officer since 2016, where she is responsible for overseeing global strategy, finance and operations for the division.

Prior to her appointment at Viacom Media Networks, Sarah was Chief Operating Officer at Nickelodeon for over a decade.

New face for sales Learning Resources has appointed Thomas Baker to the role of Head of Sales EMEA. Dennis Blackmore, Learning Resources’s MD, says: “Thomas has a proven record of developing and executing effective sales strategies and is a key appointment to the company. He’ll focus on maximising our strong relationships with our retail Thomas says: partners in the UK and Europe and “Trends indicate that expanding on our existing base in the parents are keen to dovetail Middle East, Africa and India.”

With many years’ experience in the home learning with what’s baby and toy product categories, going on in the classroom.

Thomas brings a wealth of experience to the role, having managed sales and We see potential for to-market strategies for numerous ongoing growth in the brands in the category across many educational toys category regions including the UK, Europe, and my team will continue Asia-Pacific zone and Africa. to leverage our proactive Thomas’s appointment comes as the company moves towards the and innovative approach to Q4 sales period. He will be based in growing sales and revenue Amsterdam and manage a sales team in the markets we service” across the EMEA region.

Halilit’s new marketer Halilit has welcomed Olivia Cudworth to the marketing team as its new Digital Marketing Executive.

Bringing three years’ experience to the role, Olivia will be implementing Halilit’s enhanced consumer awareness and social media strategy.

OCTOBER 2019

Chustz gets creative Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products has promoted David Chustz to Executive Vice President of Global Creative.

David will lead design, planning and consumer product development across Viacom and Nickelodeon’s portfolio of licensed properties. He will also oversee the graphic and product design teams, writers, creative strategists, and project managers.

A Nickelodeon veteran of more than 10 years, David was previously SVP of Global Creative, and before that served as Senior Vice President of Franchise Creative strategy.

In that role, he was central to the consumer product development for some of the kids’ network’s biggest properties, overseeing strategy for the likes of SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and, more recently, social star JoJo Siwa.

Simon hops on board UK tabletop games developer and retailer Steamforged Games has welcomed Simon Spalding to its board as Executive Chair.

Simon joins after a dozen years in international commercial and production roles at Fremantle Media. Prior to that he spent 14 years with Hasbro working on marketing and brand development for multiple brands.

“With the support of our new investor, Foresight Group, we aim to build on Steamforged’s reputation as an industry leader in creativity, quality and game experience,” says Simon.

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MOVIE

NEWS

19 December Hanks is out of this world Tom Hanks is set to leave Woody behind to play another action figure toy.

Hanks is to appear in Mattel’s latest toy movie adaptation, which brings back astronaut Major Matt Mason, an action figure from the Space Race era.

Major Matt Mason toys appeared in the mid-1960s at the height of the US-Russia space race. The major lives and works on the Moon.

The live-action movie is said to be based on a short story written

by Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon, and will be adapted for the screen

by Akiva Goldsman (The Paramount Pictures Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons). recently signed up Mattel The movie will be as master toy partner for co-produced by its Top Gun franchise, which Mattel Films and includes next year’s sequel Paramount Pictures.

Release date for the ninth Star Wars film, The Rise of Skywalker, set to be the film to see over the Christmas holiday.

Did you know?

starring Tom Cruise.

Lights camera, action!

Release dates for superhero movies: Joker: Oct 04, 2019 Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn: Feb 7, 2020 Wonder Woman 1984: Jun 5, 2020 The Batman: Jun 25, 2021 The Suicide Squad: Aug 6, 2021 DC Super Pets: May 20, 2022 Aquaman 2: Dec 16, 2022

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Keeping the whole flock happy Get set for shear delight this autumn, when the Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, is released. This is Shaun the Sheep’s second feature-length movie - Shaun the Sheep Movie was a hit in 2015.

Smiffys, the dress-up specialists hold the official licence for Shaun the Sheep, so look out for fun costumes for both men and women, and a children’s outfit; great for getting the whole family involved.

The film is released on 18 October.

Did you know?

Shaun the Sheep’s second feature-length movie, Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, is set for release this autumn.

Funko gets avenge!

Avengers: Endgame fans can ask Santa for the new Funko Pop! Figures.

Look out for Captain America with his broken shield and Mjolnir; and Peter Parker dressed in his Iron Spider suit, and holding the Nano Gauntlet.

Due in shops in December, just in time for the Christmas rush.

Good news for dino fans You know how you hate it when a film ends with a cliffhanger and the next film is not out for another two years…well Jurassic World’s Colin Trevorrow has solved the problem.

A short film called Battle at Big Rock will offer some resolution to Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’s cliffhanger ending.

The eight-minute film was premiered on a US network and can now be found online.

Trevorrow will bring the full-length finale to the latest dino-trilogy, the as-yet-unnamed Jurassic World 3, in 2021.

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MEDIA

NEWS Bringing Masha to the cinema Generation TnP columnist Generation Media has helped to bring Masha and the Bear to the big screen.

The media planners and buyers had a hand in the campaign, which saw the preschool hit in 89 Vue cinemas across Ireland and the UK from the end of September.

Masha and the Bear on the Big Screen is part of the cartoon’s 10th anniversary celebrations, and includes latest episodes from season 3 of the hugely popular cartoon.

Apple’s streaming service is nearly here!

Apple TV+ will be released in more than 100 countries on 1 November, with a monthly subscription starting at £4.99.

Consumers who buy an Apple product such as an iPhone or iPad will get a year’s service thrown in for free.

Content will be available on iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TV, along ■ Launch date, 1 November. with Amazon Fire ■ Price from £4.99 a month.

TV, LG, Roku, Sony ■ A year free with purchase of and VIZIO platforms iPhone/iPad in the future.

The details…

YouTube fined over kids’ data Bing does a deal

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Acamar Films has signed a new content deal with the BBC for a new series of its award-winning pre-school property Bing.

A further 26 x 7’ episodes are set to air on CBeebies and the BBC iPlayer from 31 October following the launch of the new episodes on Acamar’s new app Bing: Watch, Play, Learn. The BBC has also relicensed the original 78 episodes, bringing the total number of episodes to 104.

Bing is the top rated pre-school show on BBC iPlayer – the series won an International Emmy Award in the Kids Pre-School category in 2016, a Writer’s Guild Award and a BAFTA nomination for best Pre-School Series.

This new series sees Bing celebrating his birthday, and the entire cast celebrating Christmas and Hallowe’en. New episodes also include stories about face painting, finding a fossil, a visit from the fire engine and camping in the garden.

The total number of episodes of the award-winning CBeebies TV show Bing.

Milkshake gets aboard Milkshake! has acquired season two of Millimages’ preschool show, Pirata & Capitano.

Consisting of a further 52 x 11-minute episodes, the new season will continue to follow the crew of the ship, The Pink Skull, as they carry on with their never-ending quest for treasure across the islands of the Great Sea. The new episodes are scheduled to air in 2020.

Did you know?

Milkshake is the free-to-air home to the top two properties overall in the kids market, Peppa Pig and PAW Patrol.

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YouTube has been fined $170m by the US Federal Trade Commission over its handling of children’s personal data.

Regulators said the technology firm had knowingly harvested the data of its youngest users in order to profit from the sale of targeted advertising. YouTube was found to be tracking web browsing history without parents’ consent.

The FTC found Google’s streaming platform in breach of online privacy law, specifically COPPA, which prohibits organisations from using data collection to target advertising towards children under 13.

Facebook, in contrast, was fined $5bn earlier this year for its mishandling of personal data, though this was not restricted to the privacy of children. Video app TikTok, which faced similar allegations to YouTube, was fined $5.7m.

Last month YouTube put an end to targeted advertising on children’s videos, or those they were likely to view. In February some of its biggest advertisers such as Disney, Hasbro and Epic Games temporarily boycotted the service, cutting back or pulling their spend entirely.

Herschend steams ahead Herschend Entertainment Studios (HES) is expanding its leadership team to prepare for the 2020 relaunch of kids’ brand Chuggington and the development of new intellectual property.

Natalie Setton joins HES as Vice President of Commercial, Content Distribution & Licensing.

Chuggington celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2020 with a full-scale global relaunch of the popular series with an all-new season six premiering in spring 2020, and a new toy program from master toy partner Alpha Group debuting in autumn 2020.

tnp.media

MEDIA

ANALYSIS

Hot property!

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will increase towards the end of the year. And, as we look t the time of writing, Brand Licensing Europe to the licences of 2020, the sector continues to expand.

(BLE) is just around the corner. So, this month Licensed toys are of course attractive from a commercial we’ve taken a look back to appreciate the perspective, with those strong licences continuing to great success licences have had within the guarantee placements with major retailers. toys and games industry.

The content itself essentially acts as a 30-minute Last year, the NPD Group’s Kids Licence Tracker report advertisement, so it is no surprise that IP owners are keen highlighted the commercial strength and commercial to become content owners themselves. Such examples attraction of the licensing market. Within the report, which include the likes of Spin Master with PAW Patrol, and tracks spending across 17 industries, figures indicate that more recently Alpha Animation with Super Wings. licensed products captured one-quarter of unit sales in And of course, through the eyes of a child, it is easy to the US for kids aged 14 and under. understand the draw that licensed toys Delving into the figures, kids aged three have. The emotional appeal instilled in TV to five represent the largest age group for programmes and movies only amplifies the licensed sales based on units sold, or nearly The imagination of children, bringing to life their 30 per cent. The industries that over-indexed in emotional favourite characters. this age group were Toys, Games and Puzzles; Looking back at the year to date, 2019 Arts and Crafts; and Health and Beauty. PAW appeal has been another strong year for licensed Patrol was the licence that captured the largest instilled in TV toys with manufacturers continuing to share of sales in this age group. showcase innovation and surprise. With The second largest group was kids aged six programmes that, the market naturally becomes as to eight, with a 23 per cent share of the kids and movies competitive as ever, making it essential licensing market. Industries holding the highest for toy manufacturers’ and licensors’ share for this age segment were Fashion only advertising efforts to stand out and capture Accessories; Apps/In-app Purchases; and amplifies the their audience’s attention.

School Supplies. Star Wars accounted for the Looking at the boys toys and games largest share of sales among this age range. imagination category YTD (Jan – Aug 2018), the top Unsurprisingly, the top of children, TV campaign for licensed toys and games five licences across all Sports ages and industries bringing to life was Pokémon Trading Cards, which delivered more than 2,400 Boys 4-9 TVRs. were: PAW Patrol, their favourite Pokémon The Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra, Disney Frozen, programme on CITV has an average Mickey Mouse, NFL, characters viewership of 17,000 boys per episode. As and Star Wars.

Pokémon’s master toy distributor in the Despite the UK, Character Options has also been advertising, with obvious pitfalls of selecting a two TV lines deployed to date. licence that fails to develop As for the girls category, the top licensed toy and traction, licensed toys games TV campaign was Spin Master Hatchimals accounted for roughly 25 CollEGGtibles, which has delivered 1,461 Girls 4-9 TVRs per cent of toy sales. The (Jan – Aug 19). In September, Toys ‘n’ Playthings success toy licences have shared the news that Spin Master has inked a global commanded undoubtedly streaming deal with Netflix for Hatchimals: Adventures in Hatchtopia. A deal that is set to expand the world of Hatchtopia.

These are just the top-ranking examples of licensed toys deploying TV campaigns to directly sell the According to the NPD Group’s Kids Licence product to consumers, but of Tracker report, licensed products captured onecourse there are many others. As quarter of unit sales in the US for kids aged 14 we attend Brand Licensing Europe and under last year. The top five licences across next week, we’ll most certainly be all ages and industries were: PAW Patrol, Disney keeping eyes and ears peeled for newness coming to the market.

Frozen, Mickey Mouse, NFL, and Star Wars.

BLE here we go again!

“

“

MV

Generation Media’s Alex Taylor-Smith takes a look back to appreciate the great success licences have had within the toys and games industry

Licensed to thrill

Generation Media is the UK and Ireland’s largest independent media buyer of toys and games advertising. Visit generationmedia.co.uk or call 0207 307 7900 to learn more.

tnp.media

RETAIL

NEWS

Disney brings its magic to Target Dozens of permanent Disney shop-in-shops are set to open at Target stores across the US. Over the coming year, more than 60 Disney stores will open as permanent fixtures inside Target stores across the US, including in major cities such as Philadelphia, Chicago and San Jose.

The first 25 locations are due to open from October, just as merchandise for Disney’s end-of-year blockbusters Frozen II and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker begins to fully roll out.

Target will operate the Disney-branded zones, which will cover an average of 750 sq. ft and be strategically located near kids’ clothing and toy departments. They will stock Disney toys, apparel, gifts, stationery and more, including more than 100 products previously exclusive to Disney’s own retail locations.

Fact!

There are plans to launch 40 additional in-store Disney areas in Target stores by October 2020.

More garden centres join Toymaster Four branches of British Garden Centres have joined the Toymaster buying group.

The chain joins a growing number of garden centres that are teaming with Toymaster to diversify their product offering and increase their appeal to families as a shopping destination.

The garden centre group has 16 locations across the country. The

16

new Toymaster destinations are: Bressingham Garden Centre in Norfolk, Wolseley Bridge Garden Centre in Staffordshire, and Albrighton Garden Centre and Bridgnorth Garden Centres, both in Wolverhampton.

Other new recruits include recent ember, The Leisure Centre in Ireland’s Co. Clare, and Starlings Toy Outlet in Spalding, Lincs.

John Lewis issues Brexit warning

Ma steps down from Alibaba

John Lewis has issued a bleak warning about the effect a no-deal Brexit could have on its business.

The company, which owns department stores and Waitrose supermarkets, has just delivered its first-ever half-year loss - £25.9m pre-tax for the six months to July (this compares with £800,000 profits for the same period last year). The losses were put down to major investment and consumers being cautious about buying bigticket items.

Outgoing chairman Charlie Mayfield said that should the UK leave without a deal, ‘’we expect the effect to be significant and it will not be possible to mitigate that impact.’’

He also cautioned that, ‘’Brexit continues to weigh on consumer sentiment at a crucial time for the sector as we enter the peak trading period.’’

China’s richest man Jack Ma has stepped down as chairman of ecommerce company Alibaba.

Ma founded the company 20 years ago.

Taking over from Ma is Daniel Zhang, the company’s CEO. Alibaba lists more than 6.5 million toys on its main site. The company partnered with Mattel in 2017 to bring the US toy firm’s lines to Asia and partner on new AI systems.

Fact!

Alibaba has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 2014 and is worth $460bn.

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Guess what…

Customers, colleagues, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and other interested parties are invited to submit ideas to help reduce plastic packaging Sainsbury’s has announced an ambitious new at www.about. commitment to reduce plastic packaging by sainsburys.co.uk/ 50 per cent by 2025. helpreduceplastic

Sainsbury’s wages war on plastic

The new target includes all branded food packaging, Sainsbury’s brand food packaging and packaging across all of Sainsbury’s operations.

The supermarket currently uses almost 120,000 tonnes of plastic packaging per year.

The scheme will include switching to alternative materials, using lighterweight plastics and introducing refillable packaging. Key areas are: plastic milk bottles, packaging for fruit and vegetables, fizzy drinks, water and fruit juices.

Some of these alternatives will require customers to change their behaviour – for example, Sainsbury’s is reviewing alternative options including the introduction of refillable bottles, introducing returnable milk bottles or offering a reusable jug with milk in a lightweight plastic pouch.

Other plans include removing plastic bags and trays from vegetables and fruits, fresh water stands for customers, and a ‘pre-cycling’ area where customers can remove unwanted packaging before leaving the store.

New/old owners for Intertoys Dutch toy chain Intertoys is changing hands for the third time in as many years, returning to the stewardship of former owner Blokker Holdings.

Intertoys is owned by Green Swan, the Portuguese investment group that also operates Toys ‘R’ Us in Spain and Portgual.

The group saved Intertoys from bankruptcy in March this year, but now will offload Intertoys and Maxi Toys - another ailing European toy chain that Green Swan acquired back in January this year - to Mirage Toys Group, the toy retail division of Blokker’s new parent firm Mirage Retail Group. Mirage will also acquire Maxi Toys from Green Swan.

OCTOBER 2019

Pop-up shop pulls into St Pancras Fact!

A Hornby Hobbies pop-up shop The pop-up shop will be has opened at London St open seven Pancras International train station, selling Scalextric, Airfix, days a week, Corgi and more until Christmas. from 7am to 9pm, and can Among the products on offer is a Coca-Cola Christmas Hornby be found near Eurostar train set and the classic famous Departures.

Flying Scotsman train set, along with the very apt Eurostar train set for international travellers passing through.

Corgi will be offering a range of film and TV die-cast models, from British classics such as the London bus to The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine and the James Bond Aston Martin DB5. The die-cast Harry Potter Hogwarts Express will also be on display, just across the road from the station that famously houses Platform 93/4.

Scalextric will be offering a range of sets and cars from Looney Tunes, Wacky Races and Justice League.

Toys ‘R’ Us Canada boss steps down Melanie Teed-Murch has stepped down as President of Toys ‘R’ Us Canada after nearly 25 years with the company. Toys ‘R’ Us Canada said it had not yet appointed a successor or an interim boss.

Melanie joined Toys ‘R’ Us in 1996, working her way to the top post three years ago, where she oversaw the business as the wider Toys ‘R’ Us group collapsed around the world.

During that period, Toys ‘R’ Us Canada managed to keep the doors open after being snapped up by investment group Fairfax Financial Holdings ltd for CAN$300m.

Since the acquisition completed in June 2018, Melanie has been the face of Toys ‘R’ Us in public-facing campaigns, including the donation of more than 700,000 toys to charity over the Christmas period, and promotional events for Mattel’s 60th anniversary activity for Barbie.

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COVER FEATURE

FUNKO

In a Funkoverse far, far away…

Eva Verhaak, Head of Strategic Marketing & Sales EMEA at Funko, checks in with TnP to chat about what Funko has been up to this year, and introduces Funkoverse, an exciting new board game that launches this month What has Funko been up to this year?

It’s been another great year here at Funko and all of our territories across EMEA are experiencing strong growth. Our breadth of products and categories are continually expanding and we now have more than 1000 licences under our belt. It’s an amazing time to be on the Funko train.

We’ve been working hard with our partners, launching some of the biggest pop culture properties, including new ranges for Avengers: Endgame and Stranger Things, with more exciting releases to come as we move into Q4, including Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Frozen 2 and Apex Legends.

Outside of Pop! we’ve championed

new licensed home and gift lines throughout the year and have seen exciting new developments as our Loungefly accessory line continues to thrive. We have our own IP, Wetmore Forest, aimed at a younger demographic, launching this year and finally, our first foray into games with Funkoverse, in stores this autumn.

It certainly is a game-changer – and it won’t stop there, as we see what 2020 has in store.

Earlier this year, Funko acquired the game design studio ForrestPruzan Creative. Why was Funko keen to acquire Forrest-Pruzan?

Forest-Pruzan is a worldrenowned creative powerhouse

Did you know?

Funko acquired the Seattle-based game design studio Forrest-Pruzan Creative this year.

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“

The Funko community loves pop culture, and the games category is increasingly a part of this

”

that has been developing quality games for nearly 20 years. Not only are they game inventors, but they’re also designers and they have a studio dedicated to play-testing. They originated Cranium, as well as many licensed property games including Disney Villainous and The Home Alone Game. The acquisition is in line with what we are doing with apparel, accessories and our Funko Animation Studio. This combination of original thinking and existing expertise in licensed properties made them a great fit within the Funko family.

This October, Funko will launch Funkoverse. What led Funko to branch out into the board game arena?

The Funko community loves pop culture, and the games category is increasingly a part of this. The board game category is in continual growth across the globe and particularly in Europe, so it’s a logical and exciting brand extension. The Funko consumers will love these new games, including the exclusive Pop! figures

tnp.media

Freddy Funko to the rescue!

The core premise is that the Funkoverse has fractured and Freddy Funko needs the help of his friends to collect fragments of it and put it back together.

that come with them and we’ll speak to a new engaged audience too.

Tell us a little about the game.

Funkoverse is a light strategy game suitable for families and friends to play together. With Funkoverse, there is enough depth to satisfy the core board game consumer without being too complex to alienate casual, pick-up-and-play gamers.

The core premise is that the Funkoverse has fractured and Freddy Funko needs the help of his friends to collect fragments of it and put it back together. Combine your favourite characters and go headto-head in many exciting game scenarios. Move through memorable locations and use your characters’ unique abilities to capture points and achieve victory!

Potter, the DC Universe, Rick & Morty and Golden Girls. There are four-player versions and two-player expansion packs that can also be played as a standalone.

Watch this space for news on more huge properties coming to Funkoverse in 2020, as well as announcements on many more Funko games.

Do you have any exciting plans for the launch of Funkoverse?

We launched Funkoverse globally at San Diego Comic Con earlier this year, following up with presence at the biggest board game convention in the US, Gen Con. These shows are a great way to get our product in the hands of pop culture and board game fans and receive genuine feedback. We’re pleased to report back that the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. We’ll be following the same strategy here in Europe with presence for Funkoverse at Essen, Germany, the world’s biggest board game convention, and at MCM Comic Con in London, both in October.

We’re partnering with our influencer base to ensure wide exposure across social networks with lots of video content to showcase the game play and mechanics.

As well as influencers, we have a dedicated publicity drive and have secured features in top tier board game magazines and websites.

Outside of the core community, our retail partnerships are key to ensure that consumers across EMEA can buy Funkoverse easily, which will be available in English, French, German and Spanish initially. We will have

exposure in core retailers and their communications as we head into the core Christmas gifting period.

“

With Funkoverse, there is enough depth to satisfy the core board game consumer without being too complex to alienate casual, pick-up-andplay gamers

”

Why should retailers be sure to have Funkoverse on the shelf for Christmas?

Funkoverse is a fantastic brand extension that offers fans of Funko a new way to engage with their favourite franchises.

It’s a high-value item that’s sure to drive revenue with its appeal to pop culture fans, film and TV aficionados, board gamers and families alike.

It is our first offering in the games arena, which we’re set to expand in 2020 and beyond.

We can’t wait!

Who are these games aimed at?

Funkoverse has a broad consumer target based on the accessible nature of the game itself. Of course, core Funko advocates will love this as it’s another way to add to their Funko collection, but this is a game that board game enthusiasts will appreciate too. Additionally, Funkoverse offers a way for fans of these franchises to truly immerse themselves in their favourite characters and enjoy playing with family and friends.

How many games will be launched in the first wave of Funkoverse?

Each version of the game is a different licensed property with the initial launch including Harry

OCTOBER 2019

Funko: 0203 957 7018 www.funko.com

19

PREVIEW ON SPOTLIGHT

NUREMBERG TOY FAIR SPIELWARENMESSE

Show

business!

Services for visitors Services to help you organise your time at the fair ■■ The online catalogue ■■ The interactive hall plans ■■ The Spielwarenmesse app Facilities to help you find suitable accommodation ■■ The Partner Hotel Programme ■■ Spielwarenmesse’s partnership with Airbnb Other benefits for visitors ■■ Admission tickets can be used on all days of the fair as a free travel pass on the local ÖPNV transport network ■■ The voucher booklet contains discounts and give-aways, which can be redeemed with participating exhibitors ■■ The VisitorLounges can be used by visitors to rest and recharge mobile devices 20

TnP speaks to Ernst Kick, CEO Spielwarenmesse eG, about what’s in store for visitors of the Spielwarenmesse in 2020 Can you tell us a bit about the also benefit from an excellent business Spielwarenmesse? environment as the fair is subdivided If you want to experience the “Spirit of Play”, into product groups, channelling visitor you can’t possibly miss the Spielwarenmesse. potential. Despite the size of the fair, quality As the largest international trade fair for is given priority in all aspects. Exhibitors are toys and games, the Spielwarenmesse draws supported by an extensive range of services decision-makers to Nuremberg from all over to enhance their success. the world. 31 per cent of our exhibitors appear How many exhibitors exclusively at this fair have booked their “We see it as our and at no other. The mix stand? Can suppliers role to continue of market leaders and still apply to exhibit? start-ups brings a unique 2,886 exhibitors from all developing the diversity of products over the world appeared Spielwarenmesse to the event, providing at the Spielwarenmesse more than 67,000 visitors in 2019. For the majority, concept without with a comprehensive the event is already losing sight of our overview of the industry. firmly pencilled into their target groups” This underpins the fair’s diaries which is why we status as a leading expect to record similar international trade fair numbers again in 2020. and its role as an important business and The official deadline for bookings was 30 networking platform.

June. Even so, companies may still be able to get a stand space if, for example, other Why is Spielwarenmesse an participants cancel. unmissable event?

The Spielwarenmesse is the central business Who can visit the show and how do they hub for the toy world. Exhibitors have the get a ticket? opportunity here to make a statement to The Spielwarenmesse is a trade-only the market, and their competitors. They fair so it’s open exclusively to trade

tnp.media

Is there anything exhibitors can do to get more visitors to their stands?

We all know that we buy with our eyes first, so open and inviting stands are always going to help. We also offer a wide range of supporting services, such as advertising options and opportunities to exhibit “The mix of market products in additional high-exposure locations. leaders and startThese are great ways ups brings a for exhibitors to draw unique diversity attention to themselves.

visitors over 16 years of age. Included are businesses or groups who focus on toys or other products represented at the show. Visitors can register in advance and buy their tickets online: www.spielwarenmesse.de/tickets-kaufen Spielwarenmesse celebrated its 70th anniversary last year.

How did you mark this important birthday?

We celebrated the Spielwarenmesse’s special anniversary in style by inviting all industry members to the ToyFestival which took place at the exhibition centre in Nuremberg.

of products to the event, providing more than 67,000 visitors with a comprehensive overview of the industry”

What stage of planning are you currently at for Nuremberg Toy Fair 2020? And will the show offer anything different to previous years?

It takes around 18 months to prepare a trade show. And no two shows are ever the same. The markets are forever changing. Each target group has different expectations, which we respond to individually. As far as our services are concerned, we are in constant dialogue with our exhibitors, trade visitors and partners.

What advice would you give to retailers visiting the Spielwarenmesse?

With more than a million products, there is so much to discover at the Spielwarenmesse. I would advise all visitors to plan their time as thoroughly as possible. The online catalogue is a great way to start looking for exhibitors and to arrange meetings. A visit to Hall 3A is an absolute must – not only does it showcase the latest innovations and trends, but it also hosts young, innovative companies from Germany and the ToyAward nominees and winners. The Toy Business Forum is the place to go for new ideas on running your business, whereas the LicenseTalks feature experts from the exciting field of licensing.

OCTOBER 2019

Can you tell us more about last year’s revisions to the product categories at the show?

The new product group Electronic Toys quickly became established in its first year. We also successfully merged the product groups Model Railways and Model Construction. These changes were really quite significant, and they will become more firmly cemented at the next event. We keep a close eye on the market and will carry on responding to changes as they emerge.

Given how many thousands of entrants you have for the ToyAwards, what makes a product stand out? And how do you narrow entrants down to the final nominees?

In recent years, the number of entries for the ToyAwards has been breaking one record after the next. To make it easier for companies to take part in this important industry accolade, we are introducing a digital preliminary round. All companies entering the competition are asked to submit a product description and images first. The expert jury uses this material to narrow down the entries. The selected products are then sent in and the jury nominates three products in each of the five categories at a meeting that takes place before the Spielwarenmesse. The ToyAwards help to raise the profile of the participants.

After all, they can use the Award to great effect as part of their marketing strategy.

Spielwarenmesse EXHIBITORS: Nearly 3,000 visitors from 68 countries VISITORS: Over 67,000 visitors from 132 countries AREA 170,000 m2 – 12 product groups 18 halls PRODUCT DIVERSITY 1 million products and 120,000 innovations Looking to the future, where do you hope to see developments for the Spielwarenmesse?

The world is forever evolving, and these changes inevitably have an impact on the toy industry too. Just think of digital media. These days, technological toys are widely found in children’s playrooms alongside traditional toys. That’s why we see it as our role to continue developing the Spielwarenmesse concept without losing sight of our target groups.

2

OPINION

Talking retail Dr Wendy Hamilton Grasshopper Toys & Curious Minds Helensburgh, Scotland Is your shop planning anything in particular for October half term?

We’re planning a honey-tasting event for our customers to come in and try the honey produced from the Grasshopper Toys hives.

We’ll also be running Hallowe’en events too; lots of spooky fun!

What about Christmas?

This year we’re working well with Playmobil and Brio and will be making sure we have lots of Playmobil advent calendars in – we sold out very quickly last year.

Jade OliverDeacon The Toy Shop, Okehampton, Devon Are you planning anything in particular for October half term?

We do monthly competitions anyway, but no, nothing specific to half term. We have noticed that people tend to come in and buy more pocket money and arts and crafts toys to keep the kids entertained.

What have you got planned to push for Christmas??

We plan to push all of our products over the Christmas period, no products more than others. People have already been buying a lot of Lottie, dolls houses and Bruder.

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Please email naomi@lemapublishing.co.uk if you would like to be featured in next month's Toy Talk

TnP loves to hear your views .

This month we chat to retail ers about their plans for Octob er half term and Christmas

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The Tonies are already being talked about because they’re so new, a lot of people haven’t heard of them (and it’s an electronic thing and I don’t normally do electronics) so they’re doing really well for me at the moment.

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h.

RETAIL

Caroline Hubbard Hubbard's Toy Cupboard

Vicky Brown Just Williams Toys, Beckenham and East Dulwich Are you planning anything in particular for October half term?

October half term is like any other holiday, where we see a spike in sales with parents buying items for going on holiday such as activity books and travel games or money being spent on items to keep children busy over the holiday. This would include items such as Play-Doh, arts and crafts, science kits, games and puzzles.

As for events we have a colouring competition planned and a prize draw for a family ticket to the Horniman Museum.

We find that Christmas sales start to kick in once all the kids have gone back to schools after October, so half term is when we see parents secretly taking notes of what their children may want for Christmas!

What have you got planned to push for Christmas?

Over Christmas we will be giving an extra push to certain games such as Think Fun games and in particular Rush Hour and Rush Hour Junior, which we have on our demo tables. We will be running a few in-store Think Fun competitions in the lead-up to Christmas to help raise their profile.

As an independent, I feel that we need to have a different offering, a point of difference. So I am always looking for new and exciting items to stock. More floor space will be given to such products, rather than highly advertised toys.

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The Toy Shop, Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute Are you planning anything in particular for October half term?

I find that the October half term tends to be families going out for what could possibly be the last days before winter really kicks in and it tends to be just a general run-of-the-mill week. What I do have during this week however is customers coming in with their children to get an idea about what they might want for Christmas.

What have you got planned to push for Christmas?

I have reintroduced Playmobil this year, after having given it a rest for a couple of years and customers have really given that a welcome return – so that will be getting quite a large area of floor space. I’ve also introduced some brand new companies; I’ve brought in a company called Threadbear Tender Leaf Toys, which is a wooden toy company for pre-schoolers. Also Green Toys by Bigjigs always has a big area in my shop because customers really really like it. I’ve also brought back in Wow Toys – I had given them a rest for about 18 months, but they got a welcome return and are already proving very popular with customers. For the older children, I’ve brought in things like the motion control UFO, 5-in-1 mechanical coding robot and the robotic hedgehog because I always find there is a gap in the market for the older ones who are beyond toys like LEGO but still want to play with cool toys.

Red Balloon Shop, West Kirby, The Wirral What have you got planned to push for Christmas?

We’ve just recently put out our new delivery of LEGO and PlayMobil advent calendars and they’re always really popular and sell out really quickly, hence why we put them out quite early and they’ve take up quite a lot of the floor space. We will be getting in more of the bigger kits from LEGO and then things like the more traditional ride-on toys and wooden play kitchens as well, as they seem to be popular around Christmas.

OCTOBER 2019

Brian Simpson Head of Buying, SMF Toytown, Belfast Are you planning anything in particular for October half term?

We don`t tend to come up with our own promotions specific for key times in the year. Our approach, and in my opinion our strength, is that we always price goods to be competitive, all year round.

What have you got planned to push for Christmas?

All orders are placed for Christmas, and we are always doing our best to have plenty of what the customers are looking for. In particular this year we are finding the new L.O.L. lines, such as the OMG Dolls and the Glamper are among the top lines, but we have hundreds of products that are all being asked for in the run-up to Christmas. For 2019, I feel that the best new licence to hit is Ryan’s World.

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Half term is when we see parents secretly taking notes of what their children may want for Chistmas!

Vicky Brown, Just Williams Toys

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Val Reynard,

James Colcough Wizard Toys, Melton Mowbray, East Midlands Are you planning anything in particular for October half term?

We see half term as an opportunity to turn the shops into a slightly different mode.

When schools go back after the summer holidays it’s parents coming around, shopping around for ideas. But once half term starts we want to look like an exciting place to be.

We have space to put out tables and chairs and try to get free stuff – colouring competitions, Pokemon swaps – but we also like to work with suppliers, if we can offer a 3 for 2 on a collectable range or similar. It’s a nice time to work with suppliers before we hit Christmas. Some of our staff are quite creative – they’ve done make your own Forky from Toy Story 4 – it’s all very Blue Peter!

What have you got planned to push for Christmas?

We’re feeling and hoping for quite a traditional Christmas. We need a bit of feel-good I think. People want to spend time together as a family.

People might take more time off at Christmas because of the ways the days fall. So, family board games, things to keep the kids entertained – making a model or building a bigger more advanced LEGO set, Less about the buy it once get bored toys and more about quality.

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THE INDEPENDENT

OPINION

Step into Christmas The Independent looks ahead to the all-important final quarter and gives his predictions for the top 12 toys for Christmas 2019

Best-sellers VOLUME: 1) L.O.L. Surprise Boys – MGA 2) L.O.L. Surprise Sparkle Dolls – MGA 3) Hot Wheels Singles – Mattel VALUE: 1) L.O.L. Surprise OMG Dolls – MGA 2) L.O.L. Surprise Boys – MGA 3) L.O.L. Surprise Glamper - MGA

keeping an eye on our overall stock value, hearing customer feedback on our pricing and the toys that we simply can’t get any stock of – all the while chasing sales like crazy to maximise our turnover and popping the odd promotion on! It’s all part of the hectic life of an independent toy retailer. And, although in a month’s time I may well have a massive rant about the exact same thing, I am currently well up for the fight that’s to come. I’m not 100 per cent sure whether or not the whisky is helping, but I’m sure it’ll dull the pain that’s on the horizon.

But the main thing I want to bring to your attention this month is my ‘Top 12 Toys for 2019’. As always, this is my own take on things, and I am

“

I am excited about my list, because I believe the top lines are of high calibre, and that all ages, sexes and quirks are well covered

“

I

literally can’t believe it’s here again! The colder weather, Hallowe’en, Christmas Clubs, whisky, no grass to cut! Working in this industry has given me some of the hardest winters ever, but the reality is that I live for the battle that comes at this time of year.

Watching stocks, tracking sales,

quite happy to take a bit of stick for my list. However, I really do think it’s a good list this year!

One thing that made this easier is that when I looked at everything, there were far fewer exciting items among the new toys coming out to ‘wow’ our kids and capture their imaginations, in comparison to other years. This only reinforces my opinion that London Toy Fair was a bit boring.

In general, I don’t like toy fairs at all, but at that time, I definitely felt that the innovation wasn’t great. I wasn’t walking around 10 to 12 suppliers’ stands and feeling awestruck at the product lineup. That being said, I am excited about my list, because I believe the top lines are of high calibre, and that all ages, sexes and quirks are well covered.

THE SECRET SUPPLIER

Winter is coming Although the Secret Supplier recognises the Independent’s excellent eye for picking best-selling products and understands why he’s picked his toys based on ‘excitement’, he argues that availability and market pricing should first be accounted for…

24

will arrive in time. We don’t know what exchange rate will apply to the dollar. We don’t know what duty rate will apply. And we don’t know how we will supply Smyths in Ireland.

So, from the supply side, there is a huge amount of confusion.

Suppliers have inevitably cut back on marketing budgets, as well as their TV spend, thanks to the miserable sales figures of most retailers and suppliers.

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While choosing a bestsellers list based on excitement is certainly a logical methodology, the critical issues are first and foremost availability and secondly market pricing

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A

s our favourite Independent retailer confirms, winter is coming! And with it comes all the excitement, as the toy industry prepares itself for the mad rush that gets later and later each year.

However, this year is different from any other that I have previously experienced, with the political and economic turmoil that is Brexit. Right now, we don’t know if the stock we ordered

As the Independent suggests, it is excellent practice to compare all lists of best-selling toys. But, at the same time, remember that the public are not looking for the overall winner, as we are blessed with a multitude of different categories that will each have their own best-seller.

The Independent’s list identifies that the bulk of the

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here goes: Rizmo – Tomy L.O.L. Glamper – MGA Barbie Dreamtopia Unicorn & Doll – Mattel 4. Owleez – Spin Master 5. Ryan’s World Deluxe Figure Pack – Flair 6. Scruff A Luvs Families – Click/Worlds Apart 7. Blume Doll – Skyrocket 8. Peppa Pig Sleepover Peppa – Character Options 9. Frozen II Feature Doll – Jakks Pacific 10. Go Glam Nail Studio – Spin Master 11. Pets Alive Boppi the Bootie Shakin’ Llama – Tobar/Zuru 12. Lego City Donut Shop Opening – Lego The main thing to note here is that my list is heavily weighted towards products targeted at the girls market. And this is because I don’t need to worry about balance. I can appreciate that the actual Dream Toys list has to work across all categories, but the majority of sales in my stores are currently coming from girls. This is especially true given that Fortnite never seemed to live up to the hype of bringing the boys aisle back to where it needed to be – of course, that’s just my opinion, based on my personal experience!

I also want to point out that there are no Paw Patrol, Nerf or

board game products on my list. The reason for this is simple – I feel that there are other products out there that are more exciting.

My list is based on the ‘excitement’ factor and what I feel people will be eager to purchase.

For example, the Paw Patrol Mighty Pups Jet Playset is a great item and we will sell a lot of this in the run-up to Christmas, for all those boys and girls who still love Paw Patrol. But the item itself doesn’t excite me. In essence, it is just another big Paw Patrol

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Maybe it’s because there hasn’t been a real craze this year that movie products are doing so well

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So 1.

2.

3.

Playset; whereas the Go Glam Nail Studio, which by coincidence also comes from Spin Master, is a really cool item. I showed the Go Glam Nail Studio to a couple of my friends’ kids and they thought

“

The public are not looking for the overall winner, as we are blessed with a multitude of different categories that will each have their own best-seller

OCTOBER 2019

offering. But while choosing a best-sellers list based on excitement is certainly a logical methodology, the critical issues are first and foremost availability, and secondly market pricing. After all, the Independent would be the first to complain if his favourite product was not available, if the

“

toys that excite him are girls’ toys.

There is no doubt that the current global economic turmoil has caused suppliers to cut back on new product investment.

But I would have expected to see some of Hasbro’s lines making the Independent’s list, as Hasbro typically has a strong

it was absolutely brilliant. General consensus was that parents were happy at the thought of their girls getting their nails done in a highly detailed way, without them having to apply the varnish themselves.

I am certain that this Christmas will be as interesting as all of the ones that have come before, with madness and chaos making up the bulk of the descriptive terms we use for our day jobs during this hectic time of year. But at the end of the day, this is what it’s all about – the hustling, ducking and diving and trying to make the best of it.

I hope the list meets with some approval from readers. And fellow retailers – I think it’s well worth doing the same exercise for yourselves. It helps give me a bit of clarity around what I find exciting, which gives me focus in terms of educating my staff on the lines that are likely to be popular sellers, so that they know where to locate them in-store, what their key selling features are, and so forth. This is turn drives the sales on these products anyway, so it turns it into a bit of a win-win.

supplied was sold at cost.

In this instance, the Independent is taking a position on his selection of toys and he is quite rightly suggesting that all independents do likewise. Briefing his staff accordingly will help ensure that the toys he is backing will be best-sellers in his store. In that way, he can make his own product predictions come true.

Now, I have to give credit where credit is due. The Independent has an excellent eye for bestselling products. And so, I do believe that other independent retailers would be well advised to learn from him.

Good luck Mr Independent – let’s hope that at the close of play on 24 December you can sit back and enjoy your well-deserved whisky, having won the battle that we all face!

25

RETAIL B&M

The price is right Opening a new store every week, B&M is a retail phenomenon. Growing from one store in Blackpool to a chain holding 10 per cent of the UK toy retail market, Naomi MacKay talks to B&M CEO Simon Arora and Toy Buyer Hayley White about the secret of their success

W

open the door and word of mouth brings in those 15,000 transactions,” says Simon.

“Mind you, it gives our buyers a hard job, because they can’t tell suppliers that their product will appear in a TV ad.”

And how many of those are sales of toys and playthings? “Of The leading the £3.5 billion brands didn’t want to sales of toys work with us – we were made in the UK an irritation and an each year, we inconvenience – but have around a 10 per cent stake you can’t ignore a 10 in that market,” per cent market share says B&M Toy in toy sales Buyer Hayley White. Of course, in the golden quarter, sales go through the roof, says Simon. Like many toy retailers, around 70 per cent of sales are made in that part of the year.

The first B&M store was in Blackpool, And how does B&M choose which Lancashire. There are now more than 600 toys it will be stocking? “We are stores throughout the UK, and the company governed by a specific number employs more than 28,000 staff. Around five of lines that we can hold in the million customers shop at B&M every week.

hen a new B&M store is born, 15,000 shoppers come through the doors in the first week alone. That’s a lot of footfall – and a lot of people looking for toys, along with everything else that the retailer sells.

“Our aim is to open a new store every single week,” says CEO Simon Arora. “In that way we are identical to Aldi.”

And it’s no coincidence, he says, that these two successful retailers both offer a discount proposition.

“The legacy retailers, who sell their stock at normal retail prices – there’s no reason for the shoppers to buy from them. If you offer value for money, they will come.”

Not only that, but B&M’s advertising budget is surprising – it adds up to a big fat zero. “We don’t advertise, we don’t offer a lottery, or special opening prices. We literally

Fact!

26

“

”

warehouse, but roughly, it is 50 per cent branded product and 50 per cent own brand. Of that, 30 per cent is FOB – it comes in containers from China, while 70 per cent is from the domestic chain and comes from the UK supply,” Hayley explains.

So, what is the secret of B&M’s success? Simon says: “As you walk through a B&M store, you will come across a category where you see something you need, whether it is a cleaning product or something for a DIY project. At any one time in your home, there is something you need that is in our shops.

“Two-thirds of our shoppers come in once a fortnight, even in our out-of-town stores. Let’s say you had a Toys ‘R’ Us store out of town, they wouldn’t have had shoppers coming in more than once every few months. That is our secret, there is always something you will dump in your basket, whether it’s at £2, £4.99, or even £9.99. We are masters of capturing the impulse buy.”

And one way they do that with toys is by positioning them on the top shelves of that most-visited area of the store – groceries. “We call that the canopy stock,” Simon explains. “As most people buy some groceries when they come in,

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subconsciously we are selling them toys. We’re not going to make our money selling cheap Mars Bars – we make it on electrical, DIY, toys and home goods.”

There is also an operational purpose behind those toys placed up high. In the runup to the busiest time of year they act as a stock room for the store, so that as toys sell in the main toy aisles, they can be replaced by stock that is in the store not the warehouse.

It’s easy to see how there has been a B&M explosion – after all, 10 years ago it was a very different story.

“B&M is 30 years old, and we only started this explosive growth back in 2008 when the recession came,” explains Simon. “One of the catalysts was the demise of Woolworths. But if you compare us now, we are three times the size of Woolworths and we did that in 10 years - it took them 70 years to get there!”

The increase in size and success has seen suppliers start to look at B&M in a very different way.

“We have 10 per cent of the toys market – they can’t ignore that. The leading brands didn’t want to work with us – we were an irritation and

1978 The year B&M was born.

OCTOBER 2019

B&M’s Christmas crackers ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Disney Frozen II L.O.L. Winter Disco range Fortnite Ryan’s World Peppa Pig Paw Patrol Zuru Boppi the twerking Llama Toy Story 4

an inconvenience – but you can’t ignore a 10 per cent market share in toys,” says Simon.

Hayley expands on this: “Ten years ago our best sellers were a Hello Kitty bracelet set, a Ben 10 Guessing Game, and a Fifi and the Flowertots 10in bike. Basically, they were label slapped – a licensed sticker put on a product. We would have a Peppa Pig scooter but not all the toys.

“Fast forward five years and our top sellers are the same as the NPD top sellers – L.O.L., LEGO

“

When it’s B&M, Primark and Aldi thriving, it shows value is bringing life on to the high street.

Minifigures, PAW Patrol vehicles.

We’ve turned from a down and dirty discounter to a major player.

“Gone are the days of relying on one big movie, although of course we have stocked Toy Story 4 and have Frozen II this quarter.

So much now comes from viral

”

trends. You have to be on your toes – YouTube is full of slime videos, there’s the YouTuber Ryan’s World toys and Fortnite was an overnight success. But of course, a lot of suppliers have their marketing departments keeping up with the trends.”

Speaking of the online world, unlike many retailers, B&M do not sell online, and have no plans to. But the company does have a very active website, which lists vast amount of product with

27

B&M’s best sellers ■■ L.O.L ■■ LEGO Minifigures ■■ PAW Patrol vehicles

up-to-date prices, offers and the latest products just arriving in stores. The company just doesn’t actually sell online.

While B&M stores have five million shopping transactions every month, the company’s website notches up 1.25 million unique visits each month, so people are certainly browsing online and then buying in store.

In the Liverpool head office, there is also a team of “very engaging young people, millennials, who are all over Facebook, Instagram and the rest of social media,” says Simon.

Then there is the B&M app – not only can shoppers scan products in store to get the very latest price, they can scan a product in a different shop and

3

“

Gone are the days of relying on one big movie, although of course we have stocked Toy Story 4 and have Frozen II this quarter. So much now comes from viral trends

”

discover its price in B&M. “That’s quite disruptive!” says Simon.

But selling in the real world is where it’s at for B&M. “Kids love to run up and down a toy aisle and parents love to see them doing that. And of course, kids want to pick out toys themselves.

They love to pick up pocket money toys and parents love the low prices!” says Hayley.

As we mentioned earlier, Christmas is key for B&M, as the company brings customers through the door not only to buy toys but also wrapping paper, gifts, decorations and more. But summer is also an important season for B&M; it’s a peak selling time for outdoor toys.

“We have £200m worth of garden and camping items, outdoor adornment, and we can sell our paddling pools, trampolines and so on next to that patio set. It gives us an advantage over other retailers who don’t have that crossover,” says Simon.

And does that toy range differ depending on the store’s locations? “Yes, we give more space to toys when they are out of town,” says Simon. “Because toys can be large purchases, and no one wants to mooch around the high street carrying a load of big bags. And you’re definitely not going to want to walk the high street carrying a trampoline!”

Do B&M work with suppliers to promote product lines and bring in consumers? Yes, says Hayley, “We often speak to the likes of Disney and Universal. We have been

speaking to Disney about Frozen II and Universal about Minions and Trolls for next year. We have things like in-show theatre, and character appearances. The nature of our relationship has definitely changed over the past five years as we have become a major player.”

“LEGO work with us so that we have a good range of products in now, and suppliers wouldn’t have wanted us to stock the latest TV lines five years ago,” says Simon.

“Five million people open their wallets at B&M, so how could they ignore us?”

So, what's selling particularly well?

“We’ve never known a property to be so strong as L.O.L, even the likes of Moshi Monsters and Frozen – nothing has got near to L.O.L.” says Hayley.

While they always have an eye on the best sellers, Simon says they are always prepared to keep space open to bring in something new, quickly, in order to keep ahead of the latest trend.

Looking to next year, Mattel, Hasbro and MGA are already in Hayley’s sights. MGA in particular, she says are great at following the latest trends.

“Innovation is really important at the moment,” she says, “with the likes of Wow! Stuff’s Invisibility Cloak, and LEGO’s Hidden Side.”

While much of the news about the high street is negative at the moment, B&M’s outlook is positive. Simon says: “When it’s B&M, Primark and Aldi thriving, it shows value is bringing life onto the high street.”

tnp.media

RETAIL

OPINION

Right on track T

here is a lot to be said about selling the right thing under the Channel before driving off in search of La in the right location.

France Profonde or wherever. This means that those Last month, Hornby took the plunge and opened found on the ferries tend to be budget-conscious a pop-up shop in London St Pancras – the capital’s trippers (frequently day-trippers) who may not thank (and probably the UK’s) most beautiful station. Set to trade you for offering a model boat that will tip the scales until Christmas, the logic is pretty simple: Toy trains are gifts, when it comes to cost effectiveness. Therefore, you may Christmas is a time for giving, and there is a neat symmetry be better off sticking with in-town toyshops and the about opening a store selling model engines and suchlike in a occasional model boat specialist. railway station.

And what else might there be that has followed a There is also a precedent for selling toys in St Pancras; similar approach to the Hornby pop-up? Obviously, Hamleys has a modestly sized, permanent store for those the retail forces behind Harry Potter read the runes seeking to purchase a memento of their trip before they when they opened a store at Platform 93/4 at King’s board the Eurostar to the City of Light. There Cross station. People generally queue for will also be those on the look-out for a gift for a at least 20 minutes to push a baggage host or loved one. For these consumers, Hornby trolley towards a brick wall, while wearing The trick is has tailored its offering to include a model a striped scarf. Having taken advantage Eurostar train – the right thing in the right place to make the offer of the photo opportunities, the station – and an example of a pop-up that really does visitor can then head into the Harry Potter look and feel as work in terms of being appropriate. But what shop and buy the necessary gifts and else might work as far as matching a location to though it should merchandise inspired by the boy wizard. the product is concerned?

Kids best-sellers are therefore fertile be part of the In the case of Hornby’s new pop-up, Airfix is ground for those in specific locations – and location as a also available to buy. Airfix is a time-honoured this is something that should be taken whole model kit manufacturer that I was particularly advantage of. The trick is to make the offer fond of when I was younger – I actually had look and feel as though it should be part a room filled with plastic scale models, mostly of fighter of the location as a whole. Harry Potter trainers probably aircraft. This is a brand that has managed to remain relevant won’t work at the platform, but pencils and wizard’s hats from one generation to the next. For the most part, its may well fly off the shelf. products sit on the top shelf, sold in secondary areas of Turning our attention back to the Hornby pop-up, the independent toyshops – a trait that it shares with Hornby toys sold at this location are ones that will appeal to a trains and the finely crafted model boat kits from Danish mature demographic seeking to recapture lost youth, brand Billings. as much as those encountering model trains for the first So how might all of this fly – or sail – when it comes to time. Thought of in this way, planes and boats may be popping up? Obviously, there are airports, but pop-up just as appropriate for a travel hub retail spot as trains. locations tend to be in short supply and there is the little There will be former model boat builders and plane matter of excess baggage, size and so forth for those who assemblers among those hurrying to catch the 09.24 shop and then board a plane. With this in mind there may to Paris Gare du Nord – and unlike first-time actually be some justification for a store, temporary or modellers, they will have money in their wallets. otherwise, that is located on another travel path (that isn’t This begs the age-old question – when airside), when it comes to the sale of model plane kits. does a toy become a hobby? Most A lot of people hang around in airports waiting for others model kits are geared towards the to arrive and landside space tends to be a little cheaper for latter – at which point they become retailers. Or there is the option of persuading a host retailer to less constrained by age and therefore stock the products, which might be an easier sell than trying have a wider target market. Whatever to convince an airport landlord that you should be paying less the case, there is a lot to be said for rent than other retailers. Airfix, and similar products, do have thinking hard about where you are a simple advantage – a host shop can store a fair number of going to put a temporary shop and models without severely compromising the available space. who it will appeal to. The Hornby Therefore, in terms of pounds per square foot of display pop-up is one instance of where a space, the category does have the potential to deliver more product range has a sufficiently broad bang for your buck. But then, airports are a little tough to call. appeal to make setting up shop in a Space is limited and there are a lot of merchandise options relatively expensive destination, with for retailers. high footfall, worthwhile.

So then, what about model boats? Setting up store in a What might seem a niche category ferry terminal may seem an idea, but it’s a bad one. I think can have mass appeal, with a little most people fly or put their car on a train that rushes them careful thought.

“

John Ryan turns his attention to pop-up shops and illustrates the importance of selling the right thing in the right location

”

John Ryan is Stores Editor at Retail Week. He has worked for the magazine 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.

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TRADE

OPINION

Trade talk

Calling all suppliers and distributors! Next month, in Trade Talk, we’ll be talking toy fairs! If you would like to get involved with the issue, email georgie@lemapublishing.co.uk

This month, we caught up with suppliers to find out how business has been so far this year and how they’re getting on with range planning for 2020 PHIL RATCLIFFE

DAVID MORDECAI

Marketing and Sales Director, MV Sports

CEO, Tobar

As we prep for the final quarter, can you share with us how business has been for you so far this year?

Business has been good so far this year with growth in most categories. Both our own brands and licensed products have performed well with the majority of customers increasing their business with MV.

As we prepare for the final quarter, can you share with us how business has been for you so far this year?

While it may have been a challenging year for some, we’ve seen some fantastic growth in some of our core ranges, including the pocket money category.

Have there been any products that have sold better than you expected?

Growth has been across the board, but our very own UMove brand of premium scooters has started well and our licensed Tepees, Dream Dens and Scootin Suitcases are performing better than expected.

How is your 2020 line-up shaping up? What factors influence range building at MV Sports?

2020 is shaping up nicely with the launch of Frozen II merchandise on the horizon and the addition of several key new licensed properties for SS20. New additions to UMove have been very well received and we also have some new ranges that will be unveiled at Olympia in January.

Have there been any products that have sold better than you expected?

The hotly anticipated Boppi the Booty Shakin’ Llama from Zuru has sold fantastically well for us this year.

We’ve also seen brilliant sales of Fresh Metal Eggs from Maisto, and Tobar’s own Colour Changing Chameleon has experienced a great level of pre-orders in advance of its arrival this month.

How is your 2020 line-up shaping up? What factors influence range building at Tobar?

Our Buying Team has been busy focusing on future trend planning for 2020, and expanding a number of the new ranges introduced this year. We will, of course, be unveiling some great new ranges at Toy Fair 2020.

SHELLY SUNDAG Senior Manager Brand and Communications, tonies Boxine GmbH As we prepare for the final quarter, can you share with us how business has been for you so far this year?

This year has been a real whirlwind. We only launched in the UK and Ireland in late 2018, so it has been a steep learning curve getting to grips with a new territory, but we are extremely pleased to have passed the ‘Year One’ milestone with flying colours. It has been really rewarding to see just how well our audio licences and kids products have been received by retailers and consumers alike. We have now sold one million Tonieboxes and over 10 million Tonies since launch and it’s brilliant to see our company go from strength to strength.

Have there been any products/licences that have sold better than you expected?

Our Disney launches in the summer – The Lion King and The Jungle Book – have been especially well received. We expected these lovely characters to do really well and we

30

were delighted to see their popularity reflected in sales. Similarly, Peter Pan was also a great success. We also have a number of seasonal licences, like the Snowman, which we expect will do really well over the festive period.

How is your 2020 line-up shaping up? What factors influence range building at Boxine?

Our portfolio planning is always completed 18 months in advance, which means we’re already working towards 2021. For 2020 our focus is all about finding the right time of the year to launch relevant licences and seasonal products, as well as continuing to deepen our grasp of the UK and Irish markets.

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Marketing and Distributing Quality Brands

DKL Marketing Ltd, 11 Deer Park Road, Northampton, NN3 6QD, UK tel. 01604 678780 â&#x20AC;˘ email. sales@dkl.co.uk â&#x20AC;˘ web. www.dkltoys.co.uk

WHAT’S N Brand spanking new launches from top toy companies to help you sell more

The next chapter

Fact!

Two brand new Disney characters will be joining the Tonies collection in November.

TONIES matt.keudel@boxine.de tonies.com In November, tonies will be introducing two brand new Disney characters to the Tonies collection, and the company can’t wait!

In the summer, tonies was extremely proud to launch its first ever Disney Tonies, The Lion King Tonie and The Jungle Book Tonie, affiliating the brand with two of the most beloved children’s stories of all time.

These new characters have been extremely well received, and the company has no doubt that the two upcoming characters, which are set to join the growing Tonie-Family, will be just as well-loved.

Stay tuned for more details as the company builds up to an exciting announcement in October!

Give it some Gelli!

Animal magic

ZIMPLI KIDS

LEARNING RESOURCES

01254 460 006 www.zimplikids.com

01553 762 276 www.learningresources.co.uk

Did you know?

Not only are the Zimpli Kids Gelli Worlds Dino and Gelli Worlds support Fantasy packs jam-packed the development of with hours’ worth of fun to be sensory and motor had, but the unique Gelli skills, while kids enjoy texture also has numerous benefits for a child’s education some messy fun. and sensory development.

Gelli Worlds enables children to ‘just add water’ to experience the texture of Gelli and let their imagination run wild with the fantasy or dino figures. Sensory activities encourage children to explore different processes while they create, play and use their imagination. What’s not to love? Gelli Worlds helps with sensory and motor skills, all while having a ton of messy fun!

Zoomigos combine energy and imagination as children pump them up, place them in their vehicles and watch them zoom. Hands-on learning stimulates imaginative play and develops fine motor skills.

All Zoomigos have see-through legs so that inquisitive kids can explore how they work. Sets include a Hippo with a rowboat car, a Fox with a box, a Dog with a tennis ball, a Monkey with a banana, an Elephant with a bathtub, and an Alligator with a floatie, as well as an activity guide.

Did you know?

Zoomigos encourage hands-on learning, simulating imaginative play and helping children to develop fine motor skills and key developmental skills.

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NEW New Moon AMSCAN 01908 288 500 www.amscan.co.uk On the back of its ratings success on CBeebies, Moon & Me is well on its way to becoming a pre-school classic for a new generation of pre-school children.

Amscan is therefore delighted to be offering Moon & Me costumes. Moon Baby and Pepi Nana garments can be ordered now for delivery in Q4 2019. Party goods and balloons will follow in Q1 2020.

Fact!

Moon & Me party goods and balloons will be available from Amscan in Q1 2020.

Rizmo’s evolving!

TOMY 01392 281 928 www.tomy.com Tom y has la u n c h e d w h a t i t’s c a l l i n g th e fi rst-ever ‘ evol vi ng t oy ’, Riz m o, w h i c h l i s te n s , l e a rn s a n d grow s i n both pl ay v alue and ph y s i c a l fo rm th e l o n g e r k i ds i nteract w i th i t.

W it h a nam e th a t s te ms fro m R h y th m M ons t er, Riz m o i s re a d y to p l a y im m ediat ely o u t o f th e b o x , b u t dev elops ov e r ti me a s k i d s i n te ra c t, c uddle, s ing a n d p l a y w i th i t.

The toy grows and evolves from an adorable baby to playful k i d a n d , u l t i m a t e l y, t h e m u s i c loving Rizmo.

Once Rizmo fully evolves, additional play modes and more advanced interactive features are unlocked. Rizmo starts out with five play modes, including Rolling Rhythms and Record Songs, where children can sing to Rizmo and it will sing the same song back.

OCTOBER 2019

Snow business BRUDER 01491 412 415 (The Sales Partnership) www.bruder.de

Fun features:

■ Opening doors ■ Lifting and Suitable for children aged four-plus, pivoting plough the impressive Prinoth Snow groomer blade with Leitwolf has now been added to the adjustable comprehensive Bruder range as a new outside blades model at a scale of 1:16. This toy has ■ Lifting and extraordinary levels of detail and an pivoting rear ample functional scope. The impressive snow blower master blade is height-adjustable, with rotating pivoting and features adjustable outside impeller and blades for maximum clearing results. adjustable Thanks to opening doors, optionally outside blades available bworld figures have access to ■ Chain drive the impressive cab.

The detailed, powerful snow blower at the rear is height-adjustable and features a rotating impeller. The snow blower is also pivoting and features adjustable outside blades. An absolute highlight for any young winter sports true to Bruder’s motto “just like the real thing”.

Compatible with figures, the Prinoth Snow groomer Leitwolf can be played with indoors and outdoors and has been manufactured from high-quality plastics such as ABS.

Catch our drift WILTON BRADLEY 01626 835 400 www.wiltonbradley.com This year sees the introduction of the Xootz Typhoon Power Drift Trike – the ultimate fun for kids who love speeding around and performing drifting stunts.

The award-winning Typhoon Power Drift Trike was created using in-house tooling and 3D design, evolving the best selling Viper’s striking design and colourway. The result is an eye-catching product with plenty of attitude.

With an impressive run time of 60 minutes and a max speed of 16km/h this impressive, unique ride-on provides endless outdoor fun for speed and stunt mad kids.

16km/h

The max speed of the Xootz Typhoon Power Drift Trike.

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FEATURE

EDUCATIONAL/STEAM TOYS

Learning Resources

Learning curve Educational and STEM-based toys are currently experiencing an upturn, as interest in this kind of toy increases.

How are the toy companies responding to this, and what can you expect to be stocking in the near future? TnP takes a look through the microscope lens…

T

core part of our portfolio.” he global STEM toys market Peter Jenkinson, toy expert and is set to grow at nearly five founder of Toyology, agrees: “This per cent, according to the category has seismically shifted. From latest report from Technavio. everyone wanting to plant a STEM Driven by the desire of working label on their boxes parents to use AI-powered toys as and jumping on a learning companions for children, STEM toys are a bandwagon with toys and a global shift in context-based that weren’t in any way learning, which has seen parents and win/win for parents fun, and hardly even teachers encouraging the adoption and anyone buying a taught basic elements of STEM toys as teaching aids, it of anything, we now looks like STEM and educational toy for a child as they have a solid offering.” toys will only increase in popularity. know they will love to And toy makers and distributors are seeing this in action.

So what is driving play with it, but it also “We’ve seen continued growth in this upturn? helps them build the category this year, particularly “There is a nice feelin the sales of STEM and coding good factor involved valuable skills toys,” says Simon Tomlinson, Head in buying a toy with of Marketing at Learning Resources educational features Lindsay Hardy, “When you consider the knowhow for a child and we are Trends UK kids will need when they enter the seeing the development of STEM workforce 10 to 15 years from now, it’s specific areas in toy retailers, especially skills like digital literacy, flexible thinking online,” Lindsay Hardy, Marketing Bandai and problem-solving, emotional Director, Trends UK. intelligence and being able to assess “STEM toys are a win/ and analyse information that they win for parents and anyone will need. Parents are facing buying a toy for a child as this future head-on by actively they know they will love to looking for toys that teach play with it, but it also helps these concepts and skills when them build valuable skills. Plus children are most receptive, adults are intrigued and drawn which is when they’re playing.” in by the educational play“Our STEM ranges go from patterns as well. For example, strength to strength and we have our Science Mad Chemistry Lab seen our retail sales grow YoY for includes 80 experiments and a both our National Geographic kits spirit burner! We all remember the and our Sea Monkeys lines,” says Kirsty Bunsen burners from our school Mackenzie, Marketing Manager, Bandai. days – so how cool is that?

“Distribution is also being extended We’ve focused into deeper distribution and new on science retailers which is very encouraging. equipment These two brands continue to be a

“

We asked retailers…

Have you noticed any trends within the STEM arena? Are shoppers willing to spend more on something with educational value?

A lot of the time, they are.

Orchard Toys are aimed at a younger audience and therefore they don’t actually realise they are learning while playing. And with SmartGames, they are aimed at seven-year-olds plus, and are all logical games and educational.

Caroline Hubbard, Hubbard’s Toy Cupboard, Hinckley, Leicestershire

We get asked for a lot of product that is useful for children with autism and even adults with learning difficulties.

We don’t have a specific science section, that would be a bit of a luxury for us.

James Colcough, Wizard Toys

For us STEM is always huge, we run the curiousminds. co.uk website and I’m a trained scientist, so science is a huge part of our business. It goes from strength to strength each year.

Dr Wendy Hamilton, Grasshopper Toys

Rainbow Designs

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FEATURE

EDUCATIONAL/STEAM TOYS

The appliance of science TnP spoke to Emily Whyte, CoFounder of pre-school science class provider, Mini Professors (www. miniprofessors.com) What educational toys do you use in your Mini Professors sessions?

All sorts including: ■■ Magnetic human body, jumbo tweezers, counting bears, giant test tubes, gears and cogs, brain models, skin models – all from Learning Resources ■■ Electric circuit (wires, bulbs, sockets from TTS) ■■ Children’s stethoscopes ■■ Plastic animal sets (toob) ■■ Amoeba, blood and brain cell teddies (Giant Microbes) What are the benefits of these sorts of toys?

We use giant test tubes, magnets and magnifying glasses, which are all very visually appealing and easy to use due to their multitude of colours and sizes. Other items such as the brain and skin models help us to explain different parts of our anatomy more visually to children.

Have you noticed any trends for science-based toys?

Slime kits are becoming increasingly popular. At Mini Professors we make our own slime in lessons, which is nontoxic and perfectly safe.

How do these toys help to support development?

They help to develop their fine and gross motor skills. A twoyear-old would struggle to use an ordinary pair of tweezers but when given a large, colourful plastic pair of tweezers they can attempt to master it.

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made user-friendly for children and kits that encompass proper science experiments.”

Simon Tomlinson at Learning Resources, says it’s the parents’ desire to be involved in their child’s education: “Our research shows that parents see themselves as their children’s first and most important educator. We’ve found that in the past year, almost 80 per cent of parents have considered purchasing an educational toy. These parents understand that there are opportunities for learning all around and educational toys are an ideal way to bridge the gap between school and home.”

Bandai’s Kirsty Mackenzie agrees: “Educational toys offer proactive learning through play. Parents want what’s best for their children – they’re becoming more aware of balancing screen time and the need for providing more educational activities. Children themselves are becoming more savvy about the environment and the world in which they live, and are increasingly drawn to toys that offer exciting and engaging hands-on experiences.”

With the increase in interest and rise in sales, the market is changing at a rapid rate.

“It’s become pretty crowded and competitive!’’ says Trend UK’s Lindsay Hardy. ‘’There are some interesting ideas of what constitutes a STEM item out there but I think parents have a pretty shrewd idea of what’s inherently useful to support learning at home.”

“We’ve noticed that in an increasingly connected world, many parents are concerned their kids are missing out on real-world, tech-free play,” points out Learning Resources’ Simon Tomlinson. “They understand the importance and value of free play, specifically outdoors, and we’ve seen a growth in sales of our GeoSafari range, which offers robust

“

We’ve found that in the past year, almost 80 per cent of parents have considered purchasing an educational toy Simon Tomlinson, Learning Resources.

Learning Resources

toys that encourage outdoor exploration and discovery.

“Our product development team have also identified a growing consumer demand for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) support resources.

Learning Resources offers a range of Soft Foam Dice and Conversation Cubes that have either emojis or open-ended questions that teachers are using to help children learn to express, articulate and manage emotions through handson play.”

“The category’s growth has meant that there has been a lot of new entrants including more own-brand options. We are lucky to have such fantastic well-known brands including National Geographic and Sea Monkeys to ensure that we are at the forefront of both consumers’ and retailers’ minds,” says Bandai’s Kirsty Mackenzie.

“The focus on the environment and green issues is now starting to feed into product ranges. Our National Geographic kits are packaged in card boxes and trays and 27 per cent of proceeds from our sales are used for vital research and conservation.”

So with so much interest in these toys, what is selling well, and what’s in the pipeline for retailers in 2020?

“Toys like Artie 3000 in our coding category continue to be top performers for Learning Resources,” says Simon Tomlinson. “However, Playfoam remains a best seller for the company. We’ve launched some great line extensions this year in our core Playfoam range and the newer Playfoam Pals collectables series.”

Toyology’s Peter Jenkinson is a fan of Learning Resources: “Artie 3000 and Coding Critters are my two favourites in the coding category. They add an element of fun to stealth learning. There are some interesting entrants from the Indian market and a company called Smartivity, which is putting fun into the STEM category with a superb line of build/play toys.”

“Sea Monkeys is considered a retro STEM line, but it continues to surprise us with its performance,” says Bandai’s Kirsty Mackenzie. “It’s very reactive to TV and we know sells well in the run-up to Q4.”

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FEATURE

EDUCATIONAL/STEAM TOYS

Big names join Bandai BANDAI 0208 324 6160 www.bandai.co.uk

Hands-on science LEARNING RESOURCES 01553 819 380 www.learningresources.co.uk STEM and coding toys are strong categories within Learning Resources’ product line-up. Hands-on play is a core value, and all of its toys are designed to encourage learning through active, real-life play.

Included is a range of screen-free coding toys for children aged four and up, and this year has been a good one for the category. The range now comprises four products: Code & Go Robot Mouse, Botley the Coding Robot, Artie 3000 the coding and drawing robot, and the latest launch, Coding Critters. Both Botley and Artie 3000 have won several awards in the UK and internationally and continue to sell well in the UK and Europe. Learning Resources knows that children as young as four can grasp complex coding concepts and that more parents than ever are looking for educational toys, so the company is optimistic that Coding Critters will prove popular in Q4.

Stems is another hero product. It’s the first new kind of construction toy launched to the market in a long time. Considering that it comprises one type of flexible piece that can be bent, flattened, zipped to another and shaped to create infinite designs and objects, it’s revolutionary in the category.

What customers find appealing with Stems is that it is ideal for bridging the gap between science, technology and maths educational play and creative thinking. Learning Resources has received positive feedback from both retailers and customers.

Did you know?

Botley and Artie 3000 have won several awards in the UK and internationally.

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Bandai continues its foothold in the STEM category throughout 2019 with new licences, ranges, and product lines.

The category is growing in the UK and Bandai has joined forces with some of the world’s best-known partners to feature a variety of themes and play-patterns to inspire children’s learning and give them the confidence to explore the world around them.

Bandai’s National Geographic assortment covers a variety of STEM subjects, encouraging ‘edutainment’ play through a variety of entry- and mid-price kits. In partnership with one of the world’s most respected and influential brands, National Geographic is fast becoming a solid evergreen brand in the company’s portfolio.

Dig Kits are core to the range with sharks, dinosaurs, bugs, and gems available for 30-minute excavations to discover real specimens. Mini Kit versions offer treatsized purchases, ideal for first-time dig experiences or for adding to existing Dig Kit collections.

Since its acquisition of the Original Sea Monkeys last year, Bandai has seen a strong performance from the heritage brand, which has contributed to early science learning and play for decades.

Encouraging engagement with nature, nurtureplay, and an opportunity for children to own their own aquatic pets, the Original Sea Monkeys line is compact and affordable.

Cleaning house CASDON 01253 608248 | www.casdon.co.uk Casdon combines pretend play with household names to bring replica appliances and role play accessories to the playroom that not only excite but help children learn and grow.

Launched in September from the award-winning Dyson collection is the Dyson Cord free Vac. This cordless vacuum is a direct replica of the life size Dyson. The model features working suction, realistic sounds and twist and turn action just like the real thing.

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FEATURE

EDUCATIONAL/STEAM TOYS

Building on the future SPIN MASTER 01628 535000 www.spinmaster.com As an educational construction toy, Meccano has much to offer in the STEM/ STEAM category, and 2019 sees the brand continuing to support educational initiatives to build on its important role within this field.

Meccano has its sights set firmly on opportunities to get kids building and creating with this challenging construction material, and the introduction of its innovative new Inventor sets gives thinking and enquiring kids the tools to build their future!

Introduce budding engineers to the world of building with Meccano’s Set 1, Quick Builds. Ideal for curious minds, this STEAM set is the perfect way to show your young thinker how concepts from science, technology, engineering, arts and math are practically applied. Builders will feel just like real engineers as they use real tools to start making all-new creations.

Offering even greater possibilities, look to Meccano’s Set 3, Geared Machines.

Using the included gear pieces, young thinkers will get to experiment with mechanical design as they bring their creations to life. With the included Maker Tool, young inventors can use the built-in hole punch, edge guide, screw gauge and scorer to turn any material into parts, and parts into an all-new creation! As part of the STEAM The Maker Tool allows young learning system, this building kit shows how principles from science, inventors to use the builttechnology, engineering, arts and math are practically applied. in hole punch, edge guide, For those with even more of a thirst for invention, Spin Master screw gauge and scorer to introduces Meccano’s most inventive building kit yet: Set 5, Motorized turn any material into parts.

Movers. Young engineers can tap into their imaginations to make their creations, then use the working motor to bring them to life!

As they learn animation basics, builders will see how concepts from science, technology, engineering, arts and math are practically applied – in the most awesome way.

Did you know?

Get kitted out VIVID IMAGINATIONS

01483 449944 www.vividtoysandgames.co.uk Encouraging STEM-linked learning via educational and funpacked science-based kits for children aged 8+ and with a range of accessible price points, and introductory sets for ages 4+, Science4You is the perfect range to encourage children to discover the wonders of the world around them. 2019 will see the introduction of a range of new and exciting Science4You lines, perfect for any budding scientist. Gross everyone out with Yucky Science; have fun creating your own tattoos for you and your friends with Tattoo Factory, or create all things slime with Slime Factory Glow in the Dark. All sets include multiple experiments, apparatus and a 36-page educational book to learn all about the experiments in each set. Yucky Science and Tattoo Factory will be TV supported in Q4.

Fact!

Each Science4You comes with a 36-page educational book.

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_learn to code__line by line

Artie 3000â&#x201E;˘ the award winning WiFi enabled, drawing robot Artie 3000â&#x201E;˘ is the new coding and drawing robot that puts children in control! Artie has a built-in Wi-Fi server so can be used anywhere without requiring an internet connection. The easy-to-use drag and drop programming can be used on a Mac, PC or tablet and offers four modes of play; pre-programmed shapes, games, art for colouring and freeform coding.

CONTROL FROM A PC OR TABLET

+

BUILT-IN CODING APPS

=

CODING MEETS CREATIVITY

FEATURE

EDUCATIONAL/STEAM TOYS

Dancing with dinosaurs VTECH 01235 555 545 www.vtech.co.uk The interactive Learn and Dance Dino sings, stomps and spins around, encouraging little ones to move and dance with their Dino friend. The Learn and Dance Dino comes with nine action plates that will customise Dino’s voice, emotions and dancing styles.

Insert one of the three red plates into the Dino’s back and the voice style will change into a awesome Dino, cool Robot or a fearsome Monster – so the Dino will say fun phrases in the different voices.

The three yellow plates change the Dino’s emotions, to make the Dino happy, angry or sleepy, giving fun sound effects and helpful phrases for each emotion, helping little ones learn about their different feelings and giving useful tips to deal with them.

The three blue plates introduce different dance styles, making the Dino march, dance to hip-hop or ballet, encouraging little ones to dance along, mimicking the Dino or trying out their very own dance style.

Mix and match all nine plates for more than 25 different combinations, to turn the Dino into a cool Robot, that has an angry emotion while ballet dancing, or change the plates to make the Dino speak like a Monster, be happy and dance hiphop style. All nine plates can be stored in the handy Dino egg.

The three light-up buttons teach colours, shapes and music.

The green and pink versions of the Learn and Dance Dino are currently on TV now with digital and social campaigns to continue throughout the peak season, to get the most exposure to both parents and children.

Guess what…

The interactive Learn and Dance Dino offers 25 different combinations of dance, voice and emotion.

42

Running on full STEAM Fact!

MARBEL

0845 6000 286 www.marbel.co.uk

The deluxe Super Spirals Quadrilla run has 129 pieces.

Children can immerse themselves in science and engineering with Hape’s ever-expanding collection of Quadrilla marble runs.

The new and deluxe Super Spirals Quadrilla run provides hours of fun-filled family play. With a whopping 129 pieces full of exciting twists and turns, Super Spirals is jam-packed with a collection of brightly coloured building blocks, accelerators, roulettes, xylophone rails, see-saws and curved rails, not to mention the transparent stairway and the four control blocks, which add additional elements of surprise, randomly distributing the marbles from every direction.

The concept of science is applied when the marble begins to makes its journey through the course, using a sense of force, balance and motion - is it smooth running or is a redesign required to allow the marble to run freely? Just like coding a program on a computer, Super Spirals uses technology, just not digitally. Each of the different elements – spirals, levers, windmills and holes – works together to get the desired end result.

Meanwhile, the engineering of the Quadrilla run is what makes it possible; you’re constantly posing different questions such as how high will you build it? And how many spirals will you add?

Arts comes into the equation when you begin to build the Super Spirals Quadrilla run, deciding the order and colour combination of each play piece. To complete the STEAM learning journey the Super Spirals Quadrilla run uses maths; if your marble stops half way down then add another block or spiral to increase the marble’s movement.

Magic maths ORCHARD TOYS 01953 859525 www.orchardtoys.com Orchard Toys’ collection of maths games and jigsaws make developing number and counting skills a fun and enjoyable experience for children aged three to nine. Among the range of triedand-tested STEM lines is an Orchard Toys classic; Insey Winsey Spider, which has been in the range for more than 44 years. The quick and simple gameplay is perfect for introducing children aged three to six to the concept of counting.

Orchard Toys also offers maths games for older children. Magic Maths helps children learn addition, subtraction and multiplication.

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>V8 Engine with New AR feature

> Chemistry Lab

> Digital Walkie Talkies

© 2019 & TM Discovery Communications, LLC. All rights reserved. © 2019 Trends UK Ltd. SCIENCE MAD is the Registered Trade Mark of Trends UK Limited. © 2019 Haynes Publishing.

To place an order please contact:

For media enquiries, please contact:

Trends UK (National Accounts)

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Email: salesadmin@trendsuk.co.uk www.trendsuk.co.uk

Email: sales@wind-designs.com www.wind-designs.com

Tel: +44 (0)1295 768078

Tel: +44 (0)1353 724140

Ane Olesen: ane@wirepr.eu

7UHQGV 6&,(1&( $' 7R\VQSOD\WKLQJV [ VHSW LQGG

8BUDI ZPVS TBMFT NVMUJQMZ with our wonderful, wooden

&EVDBUJPOBM 3BOHF

1MBDF ZPVS PSEFS UPEBZ tel: 01603 397 105 email: sales@tobar.co.uk www.tobar.co.uk

FEATURE

EDUCATIONAL/STEAM TOYS

Did you know?

You can build a V8 Engine and use a new AR feature to make it come to life.

Fact!

Discover the natural world

A mirascope uses mirrors to create a realistic-looking 3D projection illusion of a real object.

TOBAR 01603 397 105 www.tobar.co.uk Tobar has a wide variety of products to interest any budding Einstein or Attenborough. The Junior Explorer range has everything the budding scientist needs to discover more about the natural world. From butterfly nets to binoculars – the range includes bug collecting tubes, a bug catcher, magnifying glasses and a fabulous Bug Observation Dome for closer scrutiny.

For the green-fingered brigade grow a Venus Fly Trap or take a look at Herb Heads, which allow you to grow Basil, Parsley or Chives in a character plant pot. The best-selling Mr. Grasshead and Owl Grasshead cultivate their own hair – leave it to grow long or cut it short! When it comes to growing, Magic Growing Crystals are a must; for those who just can’t wait, add a special liquid and watch as the crystals form into magical shapes. Choose from a Growing Garden, a Mermaid, Penguin, Peacock or, of course, a Unicorn. There are also special kits to make your own slime.

Tobar has geography covered too, with inflatable globes – for more scientific pursuits choose from gyroscopes, magnets, a mirascope and kinetic wheels.

A popular addition to the range has been the Solar System Planetarium. This self-assembly planetarium has glow-inthe-dark planets ready to be painted. This year learn even more about the solar system with the new Putty Planets Solar System - this has planet globes that open up to reveal a different coloured putty. The range has all price points and interests covered and appeals to a wide age range.

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Mad for science TRENDS UK 01295 768078 www.trendsuk.co.uk Trends UK has celebrated gold awards from MadeForMums and Creative Play for the Science Mad Chemistry Set, and more exciting new kits join the range in 2019. The Science Mad Build Your Own Robotic Vacuum Cleaner has 75 pieces to build a working model that can sense walls and obstacles, a floating suction indicator and dust collection chamber.

The Science Mad Circuit Lab has more than 50 experiments teaching about electricity, electrical components and circuits. An interactive Science Mad Pop Globe features AR technology with an app that scans the geo-political globe to reveal fascinating facts and pictures.

Refreshed with a cool new utilitarian look, Trends UK’s popular Discovery range has been rebranded under the Discovery Adventures brand. With Digital Walkie Talkies, Night Mission Goggles, Bug Barn, Metal Detector and much more, the Discovery Adventures toy range is ideal for families in the great outdoors.

Trends UK has also re-branded its popular build-your-own engine range under the new Machine Works Haynes livery. The best-selling V8 Engine will now come with a new AR feature. Download a free app and explore machine functions with animated AR features and 11 engine components described in detail.

Animal-led learning MATTEL

01628 500000 www.mattel.com Fisher-Price continues to showcase an impressive range of educationally-led toys, including new launches that enable little ones to experience hours of fun through learning.

This year sees the introduction of the Linkimals – an interactive range of toys each with different features to keep little ones engaged. Technology enables the five products to link, enhancing baby’s development, with sounds, songs and phrases that teach numbers, colours and enhance motor skills. The Smooth Moves Sloth, Musical Moose, Lights and Colours Llama, A to Z Otter and Happy Shapes Hedgehog join together to create an immersive learning experience, including an exciting light.

New to the Infant Laugh & Learn range, the Light-up Learning Vacuum and On-the-Glow Coffee Cup stimulate learning and role-play fun.

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Spin me round FLAIR, GP 020 8643 0320 www.flairplc.co.uk A classic brand with a foothold firmly in the STEaM sector is Spirograph. Available from Flair, the Original Super Spirograph is back and better than ever! The classic interchangeable Spiro-Tracks let kids create their own unique geometric and patterned shapes, taking designs to a whole new level. This jumbo 75+ piece set comes in a durable storage case with a work surface and features a real metal die-cast #50 Spirograph wheel to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the original Spirograph.

Did you know?

Spirograph first appeared 50 years ago.

OCTOBER 2019

On Trax for STEM success RAVENSBURGER 01869 363 800 www.ravensburger.com The multi-award-winning GraviTrax system is on a roll into the final quarter with add-ons set to ignite fans’ imaginations.

The GraviTrax system challenges children to explore STEM principles as they design and build their own gravity track system. With more than 100 pieces in the GraviTrax Starter Set, it offers the perfect entry point – providing parts to create multi-level track systems including rails, blocks, connectors and ‘tricks’.

This autumn, young fans will be able to add to their collection with the much-anticipated Trampoline. Other new add-ons include Volcano, Flipper and Tip Tube. Ravensburger will drive awareness in the second half with heavyweight TV, digital, event and PR support.

Also under the Ravensburger umbrella, the creative Thinkfun brand adds an engaging and fun spin on STEM learning with the Invasion of the Cow Snatchers game.

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CONSUMER

INSIGHT

Ahead of the curve How do you keep a classic board game In 2018, we identified the ‘Generation relevant in today’s digital world?

Speak’ trend, as more and more kids Increasingly we are seeing how indicated a preference for controlling licensed properties not only keep technology with their voice. And we Monopoly relevant for today’s kids, have since tracked the impact of voice but also bring more popularity to this technology on the kids’ ecosystem. classic game. Makers Hasbro recently Our latest data shows that YoY the partnered with Netflix show Stranger number of children who prefer to Things to create a limitedcontrol their devices with edition version. TV shows voice has increased Our latest their exerted further influence by 63 per cent. on board game playing in data shows Another brand this period, with nearly a embracing the trend is that year-onquarter of kids under the Pokémon Trainer Guess, age of 12 having reported year, the which was played by 22 playing Game of Thrones- number of per cent of boys aged related board games. three to 12 in the last children who Hasbro has also proved quarter. Pokémon trivia prefer to itself ahead of the curve experts can use the in terms of technology, included Poké Ball, which control their with the introduction of is equipped with voice devices with Monopoly Voice Banking recognition technology, to their voice has help identify the Pokémon.

– the first edition of the game to use voice Overall, 10.4 per cent of increased by activation features. The kids own their own smart 63 per cent game comes with a small speaker, rising to 16.5 electronic voice banker, per cent among younger which tracks players’ transactions teens aged 13 to 15 – the most popular within the game. This is what we call segment. Over three-quarters (77.7 per ‘flash’ trend reaction. cent) of the smart speakers owned are Amazon-branded – either the Echo or the Echo Dot. A further 2.8 million (representative, equivalent to 23.9 per cent) kids in the UK have access to a smart speaker in their home.

Our research and strategy team works with clients, using data from surveying 21,300 kids across the UK each year. The breadth and depth of the information collected allow us to predict the more major trends set to occur, particularly as more brands jump on board with new technology.

Our insights help clients develop their advertising and media strategies, from identifying the right media to inspiring their creative execution.

Which board games have you played with this month?

Monopolising the girls market Each year at Kids Insights, we survey more than 105,000 children aged three to 18 years, from across the globe, to help our clients better understand the attitudes, behaviours and consumption of this generation of kids, tweens and teens.

We recently issued our latest set of quarterly reports, detailing our findings from the past 12 weeks.

Our Leisure Measure report focuses on the offline lives of kids, from how they spend their time, to what they enjoy doing and what they are currently consuming.

Based on our findings, we can see that between April and June 2019 Monopoly was the mostplayed board game of teenage girls in the UK. Invented in the US in 1934, children like the game as it is a luck-based, so anyone has a chance to win. Because it is also a great educational platform that can help children to develop money handling skills, logical thinking, and attentiveness, it has remained a long-standing family favourite.

“

“

Nick Richardson, CEO of Kids Insights, explores how games such as Monopoly remain relevant by keeping ahead of the trends

To download a complimentary Kids Insights report, visit http:// kidsinsights.com/toysnplaythings/ or to organise a meeting please call 0330 159 6631.

PREVIEW

BRAND LICENSING EUROPE

Licensed premises

Show Stats What: Brand Licensing Europe 2019 Where: ExCEL London When: 1-3 October 2019 Web: www.brandlicensing.eu

It’s showtime – toy companies and retailers will be heading to London’s ExCEL for the biggest licensed brand event in the toy calendar

W

here will you find more than 7,800+ retailers and manufacturers with 260 leading brand owners and agents across entertainment, art, sports, corporate brands, gaming, heritage and more, all offering the chance to identify new trends, build partnerships and secure brands’ rights?

You’ll find all this and more at Brand Licensing Europe – or BLE – Europe’s leading brand licensing event, which takes place at ExCeL London from 1-3 October 2019.

Anna Knight, BLE’s VP, Licensing, sums it up: “It’s THE place where the entire industry gathers to do business, network and get up to speed with trends (in licensing and beyond). It’s where retailers can spot new brands and visualise how licensed products can be merchandised in store as well as soak up practical insights and analysis in our Retail Trends Lounge sessions.

It’s where licensees can meet brand

owners to partner on future projects and be inspired by more than 2,500 incredible products from across every category imaginable.”

In 2018, the event saw 264 exhibitors in the hall, and 2019 looks set to be even bigger. Going from strength to strength is the Brand & Lifestyle Zone. More than 7,800 people walked through the doors last year, and the show is expecting similar numbers in 2019.

If you’ve visited before, you will have noticed that the venue has changed.

Anna explains: “Our exhibitors wanted more flexible space options. Our visitors wanted a more experiential event with more catering options. We wanted a venue that would support further European attendee and exhibitor growth, that would give the show the space we need to

Did you know?

According to Licensing International, the global licensing industry is now worth $280 billion, an uplift of 4 per cent year on year.

OCTOBER 2019

“

It’s THE place where the entire industry gathers to do business, network and get up to speed with trends (in licensing and beyond)

Anna Knight, BLE’s VP Licensing

”

grow and to provide our visitors with a better experience, from meeting spaces, seating areas and catering points to retail showcase spaces and experiential activations. ExCeL does all of that.”

It may be a different venue, but it’s still the place to find all the big names in licensing, including Nickelodeon, Jazwares, Spin Master and Amscan, plus there are more than 65 first-time exhibitors at the show including Difuzed, Sutikki, ZAG Studios, RSPCA, Boatrocker Studios, Royal Horticultural Society, Olympique de Marseille, Evolution, Hamsta World, Style Library, Lady Geraldine Designs, Rugby Australia, Sarah Lovell Art and Nintendo.

Another difference this year is that instead of focusing on a single theme for BLE 2019, the show will highlight several licensing categories – animation, gaming and eSports, heritage x interiors and publishing.

As well as networking and meeting people on the exhibition stands, there is plenty more to keep you informed and entertained. The Wednesday keynote panel is focused on animation and will showcase the crème de la crème of British animation including Aardman Animation, Magic Light Pictures, Acamar Films, blue-zoo and Coolabi. “This is going to be such an interesting session and the panel is full

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PREVIEW

BRAND LICENSING EUROPE of some of the best creative minds in animation – I can’t wait!” says Anna.

“Our Thursday keynote panel is all about eSports, with former head of Nintendo Europe David Yarnton, Game’s Mary Antieul and Daniel Amos from Difuzed. It’s the highlight of what’s become an ‘unofficial’ gaming day at BLE, when we’ll have three sessions on the Thursday focused on gaming and eSports.”

Head to The Arcade (D280) - in partnership with PowerStation Studios, and Activision, Bioworld and Sybo Games – to find out more about gaming, and to the Beyond the Book publishing activation (D120) for author meet and greets with Adam Hargreaves, Terry Deary and former Licence This! winner Charlotte Reed.

Here you’ll find more than 15 successful product ranges from Beano, PJ Masks, Guess How

Much I Love You, Ladybird, Barbapapa, Mr Men & Little Miss, Tara Duncan, Elmer the Elephant, Horrible Histories, Moomin, Miffy, Paddington, Thomas & Friends, The World of David Walliams, Beast Quest, The Gruffalo and Bing.

Not got your ticket yet?

Never fear – retailers, licencees and manufacturers can sign up for a free ticket at: www.brandlicensing.eu/ register-now

It’s showtime!

TnP caught up with some of the major exhibitors at the show to find out why it is such an important part of their business year…

Jazwares Sam Ferguson VP Global Licensing Why is BLE an important show for you?

Jazwares is a global company and so BLE is incredibly important. With offices in London and Germany and an ever-growing network of distributor partnerships across Europe, the company’s footprint continues to grow within the territory.

Spin Master

What will you be looking for at BLE this year?

A new boozer to replace the Hand and Flower and obviously the next big property!

Will you be approaching any new/ existing licensors?

It will be a mixture of both new and existing licensors.

Local teams will meet with local licensor teams to understand key activations for the year, while the global licensing team will be looking for the next big thing with existing and future licensors.

Spin Master Anna Hewitt, Licensing Director Why is BLE such a key show??

BLE offers the perfect opportunity to see all that is on offer in the European region. We always attend BLE with the ambition of finding a hidden treasure in a new property, or a new partner for our own IP. What will be a key focus for Spin Master at BLE? BLE offers an opportunity to connect with all our partners while also seeking out new IP. We are hopeful of discovering something new and exciting that will be a complement to our portfolio.

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tonies

What sort of year do you think the industry has had since last year’s show?

The Content and Retail environments are ever-changing, and that is something that we have to navigate as an industry. For Spin Master, it’s been a good year so far! PAW Patrol continues to deliver, How to Train your Dragon has done amazingly well, Bakugan has just launched in Europe and is off to a great start across the region, and Hatchimals continues to perform in the highly competitive girls’ aisle.

Looking at 2020 – will it be a year of movie licensing hits, TV-oriented or perhaps even sports?

As we approach 2020, it is clear the content landscape is shifting, and while TV is still very relevant, we see the SVOD and AVOD options as well as brand ‘experiences’ emerging as opportunities. Movie Licensing will always be a factor – and we are particularly excited about 2020 as it marks the start of our partnership with the iconic DC brand. We are looking forward to bringing Spin Master’s renowned innovation to the toy line and will be sharing more details about this exciting partnership in the new year.

What are your top tips for getting business done at BLE? Planning and preparation are key. Work out where your appointments are going to be based and make sure you don’t book in half-hour meetings at the opposite ends of the hall! It’s also important to wear comfy shoes.

How do you feel about the move to ExCel in 2019?

Personally, it’s not as convenient as Olympia but we will see how it goes this year. BLE has always had a vibrant, energetic atmosphere,

Get networking Head to the Novotel London ExCeL from 5pm on 2 October for complimentary drinks at the Global Licensing Group Party. Meet the team behind BLE, Licensing Expo & Licence Global as well as the MDs from Licensing International’s chapters from around the world.

And book your ticket for the Licensing International BLE Official Party at the Museum of Docklands on the Wednesday evening – tickets must be booked in advance through the Licensing International or BLE websites. which I hope the new venue will be able to retain.

tonies Shelly Sundag, Senior Manager Brand & Communications Why is BLE an important show for you?

BLE is a fantastic opportunity for us to scope out the future collaborative partners that are crucial for our business’ growth, and it is a great way to be spotted by brands that may not have been aware of us otherwise.

What will you be looking for at BLE? We will be keeping an eye out for potential partnering opportunities brands that share the same outlook and ethos as us.

Amscan Mel Beer, Licensing Director EMEA Why is BLE an important show for you?

BLE is vitally important for us as we get an early glimpse of new/emerging franchises, get feedback on existing ones (from licensors, retailers and licensees), finalise decisions and network with our industry colleagues.

What will you be looking for at BLE? We’ll be using this year’s show to help cement decisions on franchises we saw in Vegas but product ranges aren’t likely to emerge from any new licences we sign until AW20/SS21 now.

Will you be approaching any new/ existing licensors in particular?

In addition to meeting with our key strategic partners, we are keen to explore the ‘gaming’ sector further.

It’s a relatively new arena for us that shows a lot of promise across all of our product categories.

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n i o h w Who’s

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SPECIAL FEATURE

WHO’S WHO IN LICENSING

Amscan Tel: 01908 288 500 Web: www.amscan.co.uk Who’s Who? About Amscan…

Amscan’s extensive portfolio of licensed partyware, balloons and costumes ensures that every occasion is catered for. From pre-school to children’s, through to teens and adults, more than 90 widely recognised franchises are available to ensure there is something for everyone.

Best-selling franchises for 2019 include evergreen classics and hot new must-haves, including: Peppa Pig, PJ Masks, Paw Patrol, Very Hungry Caterpillar, Dr Seuss, L.O.L. Surprise, Pokémon, Super Mario, Thomas & Friends, Disney and Marvel.

Dress-up is now a vital part of Amscan’s product offering and continues to grow year on year, across generic and licensed ranges. To sit alongside the existing offering Amscan has added a varied mix of new licences for 2019, including: Peppa Pig, Moon and Me, Top Wing and Sunny Day. New launches for World Book Day 2020 include Trolls 2, Paddington Bear, Dr Who and Crash Bandicoot. While Hallowe’en 2020 will see the introduction of Stranger Things and Fallout costumes.

Amscan’s unrivalled choice of licensed foil balloons has also been extended to include a highly anticipated new range for Disney’s Frozen II, a design re-fresh for Disney Princess and new Star Wars Episode IX designs to complement the Classic Star Wars offering.

New 2019 franchises for party goods include: Harry Potter (Kawaii style), Baby • PJ Masks Shark, Peppa Pig and PJ Masks, with • Paw Patrol more new franchises to come in 2020.

Licensing Director EMEA: Mel Beer Head of Marketing, VM and Retail Development: Jennifer Wilson Head of Sales Wholesale & Independent Channel UK/Eire: Andy Smart Head of Online Sales UK/Eire: Tim Holness

Key products • Peppa Pig

Mel Beer, Licensing Director EMEA, on licensing at Amscan How important is licensing for Amscan and what’s on the cards for 2020?

“Our focus is to continue developing our licensed portfolio across all four pillars of our business (foil and latex balloons, party goods and dress up), adding franchises that complement, but do not compete with, our existing franchises.

“We work closely with our licensors to develop ranges that truly resonate with fans and I’m delighted at the customer response we’ve had to our new 2019 ranges so far.

“As to 2020, we’ll have lots more to announce in the coming months so watch this space!”

When creating new products to bring to market, what are your priorities as a licensee?

“Amscan has worked with some of our 50+ licensors for more than 20 years, so building strong relationships is key. We select franchises based on their customer appeal but favour working with partners who are flexible and collaborative, who have strong brand/marketing and retail plans, and who are realistic and supportive in these uncertain times.”

Amscan works with more than 50 licensors, including the following specifically for dress-up…

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SPECIAL FEATURE

WHO’S WHO IN LICENSING

Funko Tel: 0203 957 7018 Web: www.funko.com

Who’s Who? Managing Director: Andy Oddie Head of Marketing: Eva Verhaak Head of Sales Management: Andrew Smith Senior Licensing Manager, EMEA: Lucy Salisbury

Lucy Salisbury on licensing at Funko

About Funko...

Funko boasts a huge breadth of licences, allowing for a large catalogue of products. Funko’s licensing partnerships are long-established; the company is now working with more than 1,000 IP owners. This makes Funko one of the companies with the largest range of licences in the industry. With product across TV, Movies, Music, Sport and many more, Funko is in the unique position of being able to offer products that can appeal to every fan.

Key products • Funko’s Loungefly bags, with licensed lines including Harry Potter and Star Wars • Pop! Vinyl, with popular licensed figures including Marvel Avengers Tony Stark

Some of Funko’s partners...

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• Pop! Vinyl figure and T-Shirt, with licensed sets including The Flash

How important is licensing for Funko and what’s on the cards for 2020?

“Licensing continues to be core to Funko and what we do. We have close working relationships with our licensors to ensure we’re developing products that consumers want to buy and showcasing each licence and franchise as well as possible.

Nostalgia has never been more on-trend and here at Funko we’re incredibly well positioned to capitalise on this, with our range of licences old and new.

In 2020, we will continue to focus on delivering the broad range of licences across a wider range of product, as we continue to grow our core Pop! business. We’re also expanding further into more categories including board games, home and gift, apparel via our Loungefly brand and many more.”

When creating new products, what are your priorities as a licensee?

“At Funko, we have a wide range of licences, allowing us to appeal to practically all consumers. After all, our tagline is ‘Everyone is a fan of something’. There is so much variety, enabling us to cater for core collectors, who buy on a large scale, and more casual buyers.

The global blockbuster, Avengers: Endgame was a hit with collectors who snapped up their favourite heroes from Iron Man to Captain America to Thanos and everyone in between. Core franchises, like Harry Potter continue to be hits as new iterations of favourite characters are released.

It’s not just about Pop! as Funko continues its expansion in other categories. Pop! and T-Shirt packs have proved a hit, and premium accessories continue to grow via Loungefly’s quality licensed handbags and purses.

Homewares is another exciting new area for Funko as we bring our unique design ethos to home and gifting categories.”

As 2019 continues, expect to see Frozen fever hit, as we release multiple products this October, featuring Anna, Elsa and the rest of the gang from Frozen II. The force will also continue to be strong as we get ready for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker with plenty of products to satisfy fans and collectors.

Moving into 2020, watch out for Funko’s first foray into real hair with the launch of Trolls in the run-up to Trolls: World Tour!”

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SPECIAL FEATURE

WHO’S WHO IN LICENSING

Jazwares Tel: 0203 598 0272 Web: www.jazwares.com About Jazwares…

Jazwares is a global leader in consumer products, creating innovative products with interactive entertainment brands for audiences around the world, with diverse licences such as Fortnite, Roblox, Feisty Pets, Angry Birds, Nerf, Blippi and more.

The Fortnite line pushes the boundaries of traditional toys, bringing the digital world to physical product unlike anything ever seen, with the Llama Loot Pinata winning Best Licensed Product at the 2019 International Licensing Awards, and more exciting development planned for 2020.

Winner of the Action Figure of The Year at the Toy Industry Awards, the Roblox toy line brings the imaginative world of Roblox to life with action figures and playsets inspired by favourite characters and experiences from the platform.

Feisty Pets interactive plush, collectables and figures go from friendly to ferociously funny with just a gentle squeeze, as the ultimate prank toy.

The action-packed Angry Birds toy line brings the Angry Birds charisma to life with splat balls, blinds, figures, playsets and plush.

Jazwares continues to bring battle-ready gear, targets and storage to market as Hasbro’s licensee for Nerf accessories.

A Blippi toy line will launch in Spring 2020, following the appointment as master toy partner for the Pre-School Edutainer and YouTuber. The range will feature toys inspired by Blippi’s most watched content.

A part of Zag Toys, Domez, joined the Jazwares family in 2018. The stylised collection of miniatures has one of the strongest licensed portfolios within collectables, with the hottest properties in film, animation and gaming. Domez is poised to grow further in 2020 with new, exciting licences.

Key products • Roblox Jailbreak: Museum Heist Feature Playset • Fortnite: Legendary Series 6” Figure Pack • Fortnite: RC ATK Vehicle

Who’s Who? VP Global Licensing: Sam Ferguson

Sam Ferguson, VP Global Licensing on licensing at Jazwares How important is licensing for Jazwares and what’s on the cards for 2020?

“We pride ourselves on our balanced and varied licensed portfolio from pre-school through to gaming. It is great to see how the industry is leaning into the digital space for brands and we are so excited to be playing in the influencer space in 2020, with the debut toy launch from YouTube star Blippi.

We have an incredible portfolio of brands. Our existing brands continue to grow and with

exciting new launches on the horizon there is a lot to look forward to for the year ahead!

When creating new products to bring to market, what are your priorities as a licensee?

“At Jazwares our key priority when developing product is to stay true-to-brand, our products are always engaging and authentic. Our licensor relationships are partnerships, we work closely and collaboratively to tell authentic brand stories and to maximise opportunities at retail.”

Some of Jazwares partners:

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The star capti vatin kids g globa lly

Engage and Play the Blippi way Figures, Vehicles, Playsets Plush & Roleplay coming in 2020

For Sales Enquiries Please contact: UKSales@jazwares.com Š 2019 Blippi. All rights reserved.

Š 2019 Jazwares. All rights reserved.

SPECIAL FEATURE

WHO’S WHO IN LICENSING

tonies Email: Licenserequests@tonies.com Web: tonies.com

Key products • The Lion King Tonie • The Gruffalo Tonie • The Snowman Tonie

About Boxine GmbH, creator of Tonies and the Toniebox… tonies was launched in Germany, in 2016, by dads Patric Faßbender and Marcus Stahl. Since then, the Toniebox has replaced CD players and cassette recorders in over a million children’s bedrooms across Europe.

The Toniebox is an innovative audio player that’s proving an increasingly popular alternative to screens, smartphones and complicated controls. The first digital Senior Manager Brand & audio player suitable for children, has a functional Communications: Shelly Sundag design – a tough cube lined with durable, sustainable fabric. The Toniebox also comes equipped with intuitive features, helping families put the fun and magic back into storytelling and audio adventures.

The user journey couldn’t be simpler. A Tonie figurine is simply placed onto the Toniebox, attaching via a magnet, and the corresponding content will start playing. Take the Tonie figurine off the box, and the audio pauses. Parents and children can even record their own stories or songs on a Creative-Tonie via their smartphone using the Tonie-App. Thanks to an NFC chip in each Tonie, the Toniebox always knows what content to play when paired with each individual figure.

The collection is constantly growing and the number of Tonies available to buy in the UK and Ireland is set to grow to 60 by the end of 2019. The current characters in the Tonie-Family already include some wellknown faces, including The Gruffalo, Stick Man, Little Red Riding Hood and The Snowman, while CreativeTonies allow users to upload up to 90 minutes of their own audio content.

Who’s Who

Shelly Sundag on licensing at tonies: How important is licensing for tonies and what’s on the cards for 2020?

“At tonies, licensing is the key that opens the door to the many worlds that spark the imaginations of thousands of children across Europe and facilitates the growth of our business. Licensing is crucial to ensure we are giving our young audience the stories they love, and subsequently it helps us build a relationship with them, enabling parents and children alike to deepen their understanding of our products at tonies. For us,

product development and maintaining a constant stream of new stories is everything, and this would not be possible without licensing.”

When creating new products to bring to market, what are your priorities as a licensee?

“When looking into new products to bring to market, we aim to collaborate with partners who understand the importance of audio experiences in bringing to life their characters, whether it be through music or stories.”

Characters in the Tonie-Family include…

The Lion King The Gruffalo Stick Man Little Red Riding Hood The Snowman ... and many more

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The award-winning children‘s audio system Toniebox … and it‘s collectible licensed audio characters Tonies!

Pop me on and play!

It’s that simple. Pick a Tonie, put it on the Toniebox and your audio adventure begins.

Put the Tonie on top …

sit back and enjoy listening.

Heard enough? Just take your Tonie off.

Ready for more?

Simply put it back on.

You’ve got the magic touch!

No complicated controls or confusing displays.

It couldn‘t be easier.

Tap to switch chapters.

Press the ears to adjust the volume.

FEATURE

BOYS COLLECTABLES

Bandai

Let’s hear it for the boys Boys are fighting back in a market overwhelmed by girls’ collectables. So what’s new out there for boys who want to start a collection, and what benefits can it bring to them? TnP investigates

I

t’s been a very strong couple of years for collectables in general, but it’s been the girls’ collectables that really seem to have taken off – witness the success of MGA’s L.O.L. dolls for instance.

Recent research from supermarket giant Sainsbury’s found that while some traditional pastimes such as climbing trees are being shunned in favour of watching TV, kids still love to collect things.

More than half of those surveyed still collect something, with cards (42 per cent) and stickers (38 per cent) coming up high on the list. Good news for the launch of the shops’ Disney Heroes collector cards and albums!

And it’s good news for the traditional boys collectables such as Match Attax and Pokemon cards, too.

And also great for boys’ development, as child development psychologist Amanda Gummer explains: “Collecting can help children feel like they belong – especially when they’re able to swap toys with friends in the

“

There is

a lot of innovation coming in the boys’ collectable category and more focus on the marketing support needed to attract and retain boys into a brand

playground. They can gain a sense of achievement when they complete a collection and because it’s done over a period of time it will be a positive part of childhood memories.”

Peter Jenkinson, toy expert and Founder of media business Toyology, says: “It’s great to see innovation in the boys’ collectable category; it’s been largely girlslanted for a few years.

“I’ve been getting really good feedback from kids and parents on the Treasure X line (Character Options). With their new, bigger playsets on the market for Christmas,

this could well be the one to watch.’’

Bandai is busy looking after the boys, says Kirsty Mackenzie, Marketing Manager: “Now that the girls’ collectable area has become very crowded, we have seen attention turn to boys. There is a lot of innovation coming in the boys’ collectable category and more focus on the marketing support needed to attract and retain boys into a brand.”

James Colclough, Director of Wizard Toys, believes that to capture the boys market, companies should not simply convert a girls product. James says: “Boys like to be active and they like toys that they can keep in their pocket and

Kirsty Mackenzie, Bandai

Character Options

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What the retailers say…

I don’t do licensed goods and a lot of the collectables are licensed goods, but I do sell die-cast cars by Siku, and boys seem to like to collect those. I do think that this market of toys is possibly replacing more traditional sports/action toys to be perfectly honest. I seem to struggle to find sports/action toys without them being really expensive, although pocket kites are popular as they aren’t too dear.

Caroline Hubbard, Hubbard’s Toy Cupboard, Hinckley

I think it would be nice to see more boys’ collectables on the market because it’s heavily one-sided towards girls. Pokemon cards are obviously trending highly and do very well, and Crazy Aaron’s Putty is a popular collectable for both boys and girls. But I don’t think boys necessarily do collections like girls do, so I shall not be bringing in large ranges of collectables for boys if they really take off.

Jade Oliver-Deacon, The Toy Shop, Okehampton

Learning Resources

“

Collecting can help children feel like they belong – especially when they’re able to swap toys with friends in the playground Amanda Gummer, Child Development Psychologist take to school – something they can trade, without being very prescribed by the marketing companies.”

Leanne Jennings, Head of Buying at Tobar, says the company appreciates the importance of boys’ collectables: “It’s always a Collectable winning category for Tobar; we combined with do so many collectable lines from pocket money to the precision construction is a models by Maisto and Bburago – key theme for us all at different price points.”

And toy retailers should for 2020 be paying attention, as boys’ collectables continues to Leanne Jenkins, increase in popularity. “The Tobar boys’ collectables category is a growing area for us,” says Bandai’s Mackenzie. “It’s an area that is tough to crack but it’s great to see new brands and concepts coming through for boys.

We launched our Battle n Build figures as part of our Robozuna range in April, and for AW19 we will be adding in refreshed characters.”

The trend is changing for Tobar, too.

Boys have been keen to collect slime and putty when they’re spending their pocket money, but Leanne Jennings says that trend has been shifting in recent months: “Pocket money items are still hot though; we have seen a lot

“

”

OCTOBER 2019

”

With L.O.L., Shopkins and so on it has been a really strong year for girls’ collectables, however, the Fortnite Trading Cards and the Pokemon Battle Packs are really popular with boys.

Hayley White, Toy Buyer, B&M

Over the years there have been various boys’ collectables that have done well for us but none that we have seen our customers stick with and continue to collect. Just because there are now boys’ characters of the popular LOL dolls and Hairdorables, I don’t think it will be the boys buying them!

of interest in our Shark World category and also in Fresh Metal Eggs from Maesto and Angry.”

In fact the Fresh Metal Eggs are a top performer this year: “They are great pocket money-priced Vicky Brown, Just Williams Toys, items. Each egg contains Beckenham and East Dulwich a different vehicle.”

And as innovation continues, there will always be something new to look forward to in this category. Bandai will be introducing an exciting new brand – Freak Lab – at the end of the year. ”This is a Bandai-developed product range and offers boys something Tobar unique and fun!” says Mackenzie.

“Freak Lab will be supported with TV and also social and digital content to drive the collectability messaging.”

Tobar, meanwhile, is keeping its plans under wraps until London Toy Fair – but there will be new collectable ranges for boys in 2020.

“We can say that collectable combined with construction is a key theme for us,” hints Leanne.

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FEATURE

BOYS COLLECTABLES

Bandai ranges are go!

BANDAI

0208 324 6160 www.bandai.co.uk Bandai was granted the master toy licence for the new Thunderbirds Are Go range earlier this year.

Collectable vehicles include the Launch n Go fleet and Motion Tech lines.

With four iconic vehicles to collect, the Launch n Go mini machines simply connect to the launcher ready to race. Clip the launchers together to race all of the Launch n Go vehicles at the same time. The Motion Tech TB1, TB2, and TB3 is a collection of sound-activated vehicles.

ITV series Robozuna was released in late 2018, and Bandai also holds this master toy licence. The Robozuna Battle n Build figures are the perfect entry point into the range.

Featuring all the key characters from the hit show, these 6cm finely-detailed, poseable figures feature a twistable waist and spin-able arms and come with an attachable arena block. These blocks can be clipped together to build the Robozuna arena or used for storage and display.

Slurpees Snot Suckers proved an instant hit following its Christmas 2018 launch. Combining collectable and slime crazes in one, these

Fun and farts!

snotty characters are captivating children and are perfect pocket-money and treat purchases.

Freak Lab is a brand-new addition to the Bandai portfolio. Children pour water into the chamber and then watch it fizz and bubble, revealing the bones of a freaky monster. There are six different monsters and a rare character to collect, each in a variety of colourways. Each monster collected can be combined to create a giant ‘freak’ character. There are more than 24 to collect in Series 1.

Spoilt for choice SPIN MASTER

FUNRISE

01628 535000 www.spinmaster.com

01908 555640 www.funrise.com

With the collectables trend showing no sign of slowing down, Spin Master continues to innovate with new transforming popopen figures from its popular Bakugan range, as well as building on its awesome Monster Jam all-new diecast collectables.

Perfect for the playground, kids can face off against their friends with their very own Bakugan. Popopen figures transform from BakuBalls to Bakugan, allowing children to recreate the excitement of the TV show and collect all their favourite characters.

The Bakugan Battle Planet toy line will retain the essence of what made the original toys so popular 10 years ago, with exciting new features that bring revolutionary card and app play. Innovative, all-new marble-like balls with ingenious technology instantly transform into multiple collectable characters when rolled over a magnetic Bakucore.

Suitable for kids aged six-plus, the Bakugan Starter Pack has everything required to roll into action. While the fastest way to build an epic Bakugan army is with the Battle Pack. And now the most powerful Bakugan in the universe has arrived: Dragonoid Maximus.

For more collectable fun for kids, Spin Master’s range of Monster Jam trucks incorporate realistic features and new technology. As the worldwide toy partner for Monster Jam, the company has a commitment to detailed design plus an authentic Monster Jam experience. The range includes the all-new 1:64 scale Diecast Monster Jam truck.

For hilarious boys collectables look no further than the Fart Ninjas range from Funrise.

Funrise’s latest development of Interactive, farting ninjas is sure to blow you away. These charismatic bad boys are perfect for kids who love pranking their friends and family. Be careful, if you walk past a Fart Ninja the motion sensor will be activated!

Included in the just-launched, initial range are eight smaller collectable figures, which are priced perfectly for pocket money purchases; meaning that mischievous kids can collect multiple Fart Ninjas and prank everyone they know!

Did you know?

Fart Ninjas are activated by a motion sensor – prepare to be pranked!

100+ The number of 1:64 scale trucks to collect in the Diecast Monster Jam truck range.

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FEATURE

BOYS COLLECTABLES

Surprise factor PLAYMOBIL

Series 16

www.playmobil.co.uk 01268 548111

Characters in the Series 16 line-up include: Skier, Hair Stylist, Musician, Police Officer, Musketeer, Knight and many more.

Beloved toymaker Playmobil has just launched its latest collectable Figures Series 16. The series introduces 12 new heroes for Playmobil fans old and new – all with their own accessories to guarantee hours of roleplaying fun.

The new series will be sold in blind packets to add an element of suspense, guaranteeing a surprise as collectors discover what’s inside.

The new series consists of 12 different figures that can be collected, assembled, and interchanged - the combinations are endless!

Children can seamlessly incorporate each new figure into any set or scenario, while, newcomers to the small world play can launch their collection with this series of engaging characters. With each character representing a different activity or profession, there is something to meet all interests.

Take the tube DKL MARKETING 01604 678780 www.dkl.co.uk DKL Marketing distributes Plus-Plus, the ultimate construction toy and fantastic collectable for boys.

Fastest-selling products from Plus-Plus are the tubes!

The must-have product features four generic sets and 25 themed sets including Dinosaurs, Zoo Animals and the new Mystical, Aquatic and Farmyard Animals.

Each tube contains 100 Plus-Plus pieces and design instructions to create 3D models.

Packaged in attractive clear tubing and available in a CDU display of 24 pieces or they can be hung.

Alternatively, there is a Floor Spinner Stand that can hold up to 144 tubes featuring a play tray with play pieces.

Children can’t resist picking up the construction pieces and getting creative!

DKL supports all its ranges with a full marketing campaign.

A new kind of action hero CHARACTER OPTIONS 0161 633 9800 www.character-online.com A new action hero brand has broken through this summer delivering a super exciting and hugely collectable new lineup of goo-filled heroes to both the boys and pocket money aisles; meet the Heroes of Goo Jit Zu! The Heroes of Goo Jit Zu evolved when a freak cosmic event transformed animals from the city zoo into goo-filled Goo Jit Zu fighters, each with their own gooey features, unique powers and martial arts moves. With this event comes a new entertainment property and with it, Character’s new collection of action figures, ready to take on the world!

The core Heroes each have their own compound to explore – from super stretchy, squishy, oozy, mushy and even crunchy, they’re all super collectable!

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Guess what…

Teasure X continues with Treasure X Kings Gold.

Smash tomb-shaped vessels then dig through to find the hidden character.

Wave 1 launched in July with a full FSDU programme and Wave 2 is hitting the shelves now with a global schedule of marketing activity including short films, influencer activity, TV advertising, digital activations, pre-roll and more.

Named ‘Action Figure of the Year’ at the Australian Toy Fair, Treasure X is the ultimate surprise-reveal collectable with continuous quests for explorers to get to grips with.

Next, the journey for real gold-dipped treasure continues with Treasure X Kings Gold. Featuring an all-new play pattern, this time kids will have to smash the tomb-shaped vessels then dig through a magic rock compound

to find the hidden character within.

There’s 24 all new Mini Beasts and Hunters to be found, as well as eight larger-scale Mystical Beasts to collect.

Treasure X is subject to continual waves of activity including events, influencer campaigns, online platforms pre-roll and TV advertising.

Also not to be missed are key collectables from Pokémon, with action figures being a main driver for the millions of fans of this legendary brand.

Continually refreshed and at different scales and price-points there really is a Pokémon toy for every would-be Trainer!

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Gormiti_Toyworld Full Page Template.indd 1

11/09/2019 14:31:41

FEATURE

BOYS COLLECTABLES

Lording it up!

FLAIR, GP 020 8643 0320 www.flairplc.co.uk With a new TV series and a strong marketing push behind it, the mighty Lords of Gormiti are set to start a new boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; collectable craze this autumn.

Autumn 2019 will see the heroes and villains of Gormiti make their mark with a new master toy range packed full of characters from the TV series. This cool new toy line includes all the main characters from the Gormiti Lords to the most evil of Darkans. But added to the action figures, role play and accessories, is an all new element; interactive game play, as every pack includes a trading card that can be used with the Gormiti app to unlock exclusive game content.

As an opening price point, the foil bagged mini figures not only have the important surprise element, but also an added gameplay element with which fans can battle each other.

Combine their battle number with the trading card to find the true power of the character. The place to display this new mysterious world of Mini Figure heroes and villains will

Did you know? be the One Tower Flair has other boys collectables Playset; the centre including Ben 10 and Rise of the of the action for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. all the epic battles of Gorm!

For larger-scale play there are Basic, Deluxe and Super Deluxe Action Figures to choose from, and kids will also be keen to get their hands on the Elemental Bracer; the essential tool with which to summon their favourite characters and defeat the Darkans.

Creepy critters Top of the LEARNING RESOURCES www.learningresources.co.uk 01553 762 276 Hidden inside every pod of squishy squashy special glow-in-the-dark Playfoam is a creepy critter in the new Playfoam Pals Monster Party Series 5.

There are 13 mysterious friends waiting to be unearthed including a rare Alien Cat. Kids can use their spooky-looking glow-inthe-dark Playfoam to model and sculpt props for their characters and collect and swop pals with their friends.

The Playfoam Pals Monster Party Series 5 comprises a two-pack, six-pack and 12pack. Each product contains Playfoam, a character, and a collection checklist.

Playfoam is non-sticky, non-drying and offers endless hours of sculpting, squishing fun. Suitable for children aged five-plus.

Pop Pops MOOKIE TOYS 01525 722722 www.mookie.co.uk

Pop Pops launched earlier this year, pushing Mookie into the slime and collectables markets.

Both ranges capture some of the biggest trends of the year; unboxing, slime and collectables.

A key feature of Pop Pops is the bubble wrapinspired casing that children have to pop to discover the hidden collectables within the slime. Pop Pops Snotz is the boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; product offering, with a Snotz character collection consisting of 60 Snotz that are either common, rare, super rare or special edition. Slime packs come in either three, six or 12 so the fun can continue.

In addition to the slime packs, boys can use the Snotz Slammer Hammer to smash open their Pop Pops Snotz and use this to store their collectables.

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1

2 EXPERIMENT

3

GENERATE TM MC

Emerge

COLLECT & COMBINE ALL 6 ALIEN TRIBES!

24

STYLES COLLECT THEM ALL!

COMBINE 2, 3, OR 6 FIGURES TO MAKE A SUPER MONSTER!

Freak Lab TNP advert.indd 1

EMERGING DECEMBER 2019

TV PROMOTED, DIGITAL & INFLUENCER CAMPAIGN CONTACT SALES@BANDAI.CO.UK OR 0208 3246160

19/09/2019 21:36

Keeping it real SISO TOYS UK

01620 674 778 sales@sisotoysuk.com

Did you know?

Majorette is one of the world’s largest and Social media has played most revered die-cast toy car brands and a key part in building up has a history that dates back more than the Majorette brand in 50 years. The brand is sold worldwide by Germany and Australasia, the Simba Dickie Group and the Majorette with more than 100,000 brand is built on collecting realistic cars fans across Facebook vintage, Mercedes and American Muscle cars, which come and playsets with realism. and Instagram. in a gift box. Retailers can then move into the playsets – The single die-cast packs are the core the smaller ones come with a die-cast car, while the larger of the range and start the collectability sets come with five die-cast cars. for fans. Retailers should start with the street and premium cars. There A lot of development and investment has gone into Majorette since are 10 different street cars to collect across licences including Audi, 2010. There have been packaging re-designs, brand refreshes, new Renault, and Land Rover. The premium cars are the real heart of the licences acquired with leading car manufacturers and eye-catching POS Majorette brand. With 18 to collect, the premium cars boast opening and fixture development to create real theatre in stores worldwide. doors, interiors, suspension and transparent headlights.

More investment and development have gone into the product, with There’s also a number of different themes including construction, licences acquired for Lamborghini and Porsche for instance. Therefore farm, buses, trailers and more. The SOS theme has flashing lights so bi-seasonal wave refreshes of the die-cast cars, with new colour ways, young fans can play out cops and robbers chases. The playtape and new models and licences to collect. There has also been a lot of further die-cast pack includes a die-cast car and a role of playtape that can be development into the playsets, which offer great value and really bring used to make a track – a great ready-to-play item. the Majorette action home for younger fans. The playsets have themes The deluxe cars come with a collector box, and have metal bodies including garage, police/rescue, airport, farm and racetracks. and rubber tyres. The assortment of five-car gift packs including

Prehistoric play SCHLEICH

01279 870000 www.schleich-s.co.uk

Did you know?

Schleich has given three of its best-selling dinosaurs a makeover: the Giganotosaurus, the Dimetrodon, and the Spinosaurus.

Action, fun and new adventures – the Schleich Dinosaurs range inspires a younger age group this year, strengthening its boys’ market offering with additions to its core Dinosaur-themed world.

Thanks to the revised product range, boys from the age of four can create exciting adventures with the impressive prehistoric giants, such as the new Plesiosaurus or the Dracorex.

A makeover of three absolute best sellers has also taken place: the popular Giganotosaurus with movable lower jaw and the Dimetrodon are available in new colours. The Spinosaurus is also available in a new design; it has a moveable lower jaw and it has been modelled according to the latest scientific findings. There are also two other impressive new additions.

Thanks to its wings, the flying dinosaur Dimorphodon is able to reach lofty heights and immediately catches the eye with its striking orange painted design, the stripe on its back and its wide-open mouth. The Animantarx has thick armour that protects it from its enemies: two really cool giants of the prehistoric era that dinosaur fans will absolutely adore.

Further never-seen-before prehistoric giants join the line-up – the Plesiosaurus, a new underwater dinosaur with a bendable neck, and the Dracorex, a dragon-like dinosaur. Also available is the Diabloceratops, as well as a cheeky Giganotosaurus juvenile with a moveable lower jaw.

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toys . jouets

spielwaren

just like the real thing

The Sales Partnership Distributors Ltd Chiltern House, 45 Station Road Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 1AT Tel.: +44 1491 412415 Fax: +44 1491 412915 Contact Name â&#x20AC;&#x201C; James Triptree sales@thesalespartnership.com

www.bruder.de

RETAIL SPECIAL

Samantha Clare and Laura Clare had lunch with Rebecca Long Bailey MP Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

TOY PLUS

Samantha Clare (Toys Plus Director), Chris Webb (Parliamentary Candidate), Laura Clare (Toys Plus Director) and John McDonnell (Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer)

Talking business Tnp catches up with Samantha Clare and Laura Clare from Blackpool-based retailer Toys Plus, to discover why they have been meeting with MPs Tell us a little about Toys Plus One of the directors of the company – Laura Clare – was originally a Power Seller on eBay, selling various products including toys. After many years, Laura decided it would be more costeffective to store products in a retail premises, rather than just a warehouse where the products Your first would increase rate of sale.

Another reason for a retail business does premises was to reduce the not always high expenditure on postage provide fees. Laura then made the instant shortdecision to bring in additional term reward, skills and it was agreed to be joint directors with Samantha, and it can who had previous managerial involve longexperience. Both directors term also believed there was a gap investment. in the market for a toy shop within their chosen area.

Toys Plus (Blackpool) was the first shop, which has been running since 14 April 2017.

Toys Plus (Cleveleys) opened on 27 October 2018. The Toys Plus website has been running since we opened the first shop oin 2017.

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Tell us about having a toy shop in a holiday destination.

Does it affect the toys that you stock – do you have lots

of pocket money toys for instance? And how do you handle the seasonality?

Due to having a toy shop in a holiday destination, the biggest difference we see is a high volume of sales within travel toys such as the ‘Grab & Go’ range by Hasbro Gaming, as these games can be played by families staying at a hotel or travelling by train, car and so on.

Our summer range includes many beach toys to cater to those families on holiday, however as our toy shop is based in the town centre and not on the promenade many of our customers are local to the area and shop at Toys Plus all year round.

You recently met with Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer John McDonnell to talk about the local area and economic issues affecting the area and any changes needed. Tell us more!

Yes, we discussed with John McDonnell that we believed one major issue affecting the area is the prolonged disruption of Northern Rail Services, which in turn has a detrimental effect on the businesses in the area. He agreed that significant investment

Is there one game that you think will be a big hit this Christmas?

Toy Story 4 Monopoly and L.O.L Surprise Monopoly.

Do customers come in asking for products they’ve seen advertised on TV before Christmas?

Yes, all of the time. TV adverts play a significant role in our customers’ choices of toys. For example, last Christmas it was‘Nerf Laser Ops Pro’ as it was also seen on ‘Philip Schofield How to Spend it Well at Christmas’.

Also, Yellies, Soft’n Slo Squishes, Treasure X and Stretch Armstrong.

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is important, in order to gain an accessible infrastructure into a town, otherwise it is at risk of being cut off away from others.

You’ve been busy! You also had lunch with Rebecca Long Bailey MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to discuss what you and she believe would help to improve the success rate of first-time businesses.

What did you talk about?

We discussed the issues around high business rates for some first-time businesses. We also spoke about the importance of highlighting those landlords with many properties, who offer those properties at high levels of rent only, while leaving the high street shops empty. We discussed and highlighted the importance of our area receiving its fair share of investments within budgets.

Finally, we underlined the importance of re-educating society away from a culture of instant gratification, to understand that your first business does not always provide instant short-term reward, and that it can involve long-term investment.

Do you have any tips for anyone setting up a business – particularly in the toy retail sector?

Just like all businesses it requires a lot of dedication and determination. For the toy industry particularly, educate yourself as much as possible on the type of toys you choose to sell, regarding suppliers and the products. Our main policy and advice would be, always listen to your customers.

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Spotlight on... the Heroes of Goo Jit Zu These new squishy collectable heroes from Character Options have gone down a storm with retailers. And for autumn, an ultimate Hero has joined the squad – The Supagoo Blazagon! Supported with TV and digital activity, there’s plenty of reasons to get on board with the Heroes of Goo Jit Zu!

Stretch for attack lights and sounds

Squeeze his wrist to launch a ‘Fireball Attack’!

Squish him!

Stretch him!

Watch as this hero of Goo Jit Zu lights up for battle action

Contact Character Options 0161 633 9800 www.character-online.com

TNP

LOOKS BACK

Step back in time TnP’s Founder Malcolm Naish looks back through the news of Octobers past: 2014, 2009, 1999, 1989

October 2014

October 1999

• Nickelodeon opened a flagship store in London’s Leicester Square. This multi-level store was set to include state-of-the-art multimedia and interactive elements to create a perfect showcase for a broad range of products.

• E-commerce competition was heating up. eToys (www.etoys.co.uk) made its debut and was a Toys ‘R’ Us backed operation. Almost immediately, www.discounttoys.co.uk was unveiled in what was seen as a deliberate move to scupper the eToys price promise. The Discount Toys pricing policy appeared to be based on list price, plus VAT – and in some instances it was below list price.

• I was saddened to report the passing of Sue Humphrey. Sue moved with her partner to Henleyupon-Thames in 1987 and worked with Brian Triptree for 26 years. She was a great asset to Brian’s various toy roles over those 26 years and great at working his toy fair stands.

• Hasbro topped the TV spending charts with Character Options a close second.

• Vivid created a lot of excitement with their newly introduced Real FX car racing sets. We anticipated that this would prove stiff competition for Scalextric.

• We interviewed Louise Pearson of the Drayton Manor theme park, home to Thomas Land. Obviously, they flog plenty of Thomas product, but when we interviewed Louise, Ben 10 was flying out of their 10 toy outlets.

October 2009 • The first-half figures from Argos showed a drop of £6m in profits at £79.7m.

• One of the toy trade’s most popular receptionists, Chris Leahy at Toys ‘R’ Us, lost her brave fight with cancer. Chris was the happy, smiling face in reception for 22 years. And she was the recipient of a Golden Teddy in 2003.

• In Autumn 2009, virtually all Toy Fair exhibitors were looking forward to returning to Olympia.

• Littlewoods Shop Direct changed its trading terms at a moment’s notice when the company announced that it would be proposing an increase in its settlement discount, as well as the addition of an online marketing levy from 1 November. As Queen Victoria was heard to say: “We are not amused”.

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• The Mail on Sunday published its annual list of the 100 highestpaid women in the UK. The only toy trade lady was Christine Nichols of Golden Bear at number 76. Lisa Schachetti of nursery company Mamas & Papas was in the top five. I first met her husband David when he worked in his uncle’s warehouse in the early seventies. Well done to both of them!

• I was sad to see that the receivers had been called in to die-cast company Lledo – a powerhouse in its time.

• Hamleys made the news for all the wrong reasons, reporting a firsthalf loss before tax of £2.6m.

• OPEC’s revision of crude oil prices created waves in the Far East, as warnings of significant price increases followed in its wake.

• I loved the quote from our ‘Off the record’ regarding Alan Caswell of the Arcade Toy Shop in Dudley – ‘Toys am we’ as it became known. In a recent Midland’s golf day, Alan won the trophy for ‘Nearest the pin in two’. Rumours that Alan might be turning pro should have been discounted, like most of his toys!

October 1989 • ATR Chairman Philip Goodall left the buying group Totally Toys to join Toymaster.

• I was very sad to record the death of Waddington’s Berec Watson. He was a lovely man, with an infectious spirit, who lived life to the full. He was also a marvellous host who is sorely missed by all.

• Hestair announced Kiddicraft was up for sale.

• Dave Cave’s role at Makro changed, as it was announced that he would be heading up one of the company’s new divisions. These were Electronics/ DIY and Small Domestics – this sadly meant that he was to have less time for the toy trade. At the time, sales of his inspired buying choice of ‘Rockin Flowers’ had passed 55,000 pieces and it looked likely that sales would top 100,000 by the end of the year.

• Cada Toys were forced into receivership after almost 25 years of trading. Dave Harrison was a great wheeler dealer, but tough economic times and a far from understanding bank saw to the company’s demise.

• The Lion Mark debate continued to thunder on with the TGIA. Many importers were up in arms, as they felt that the BTHA was almost suggesting that toys that did not bear the Lion Mark on their packaging should be seen as unsafe. Of course, this was untrue, as members of the TGIA were just as keen as the BTHA to ensure that all toys sold in the UK were safe.

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DON’T MISS… We bring to the fore a selection of the hottest and newest products that will help you sell more. Buyers and retailers, get in touch with your sales contact now!

Product: The Lion King Tonie Company: tonies Boxine GmbH Email: matt.keudel@boxine.de Web: Tonies.com

Product: What’s in the Box? Challenge Company: Character Options Tel: 0161 633 9800 Web: www.character-online.com

Product: Gormiti Mini Figures Assortment Company: GP Flair Tel: 020 8643 0320 Web: www.flairplc.co.uk

Product: Frozen Tepee Company: MV Sports Tel: 0121 748 8000 Web: www.mvsports.co.uk

Product: Playfoam Pluffle Company: Learning Resources Tel: 01553 762 276 Web: www.learningresources.co.uk

Product: Fortnite RC ATK Vehicle Company: Jazwares Tel: 0203 598 0272 Web: www.jazwares.com

Product: Moon and Me – Moon Baby Costume Company: Amscan Tel: 01908 288500 Web: www.amscan.co.uk

Product: Rizmo Company: Tomy Tel: 01392 281928 Web: www.tomy.com

Product: Learn and Dance Dino Company: VTech Tel: 01235 555 545 Web: www.vtech.co.uk