LEADER Clare Turner
T At the heart of retail Also by Lema Publishing
TableWare INTERNATIONAL
with a total of 2,229 participants from 89 rade shows are slowly coming countries. The findings revealed that more back to life after a lost year due than 75% are planning to attend. Christian to coronavirus, with Autumn Fair Ulrich, spokesperson of the executive board at and The Independent Toy & Gift Show Spielwarenmesse eG, said: “The results reflect opening their doors this month, and three the current mood in the toy industry. The desire Toymaster regional meetings planned in to meet in person and experience the buzz of the coming weeks. the real event is huge. We’re delighted about These events will be the first time since this trend.” the pandemic that the toy community will In the meantime, very soon Autumn Fair be able to come together in person, and exhibitors will be catching up with their I’m sure most suppliers and existing customers and welcoming retailers are looking forward After a new ones. Entrepreneur Theo Paphitis to physically spending time in challenging - owner of stationery specialist each other’s company. Digital Ryman, homeware chain Robert Dyas communication has obviously 2020 and and lingerie business Boux Avenue played a vital role in the early 2021, (but probably best known for his recent climate but there really the toy appearances on the BBC business is no substitute for meeting programme Dragons’ Den) - will be up with business contacts community delivering the keynote seminar at and seeing toys and games now has a the event. in the flesh. long-awaited For him, Autumn Fair is “always a As Ravensburger head of marketing & product opportunity to fantastic opportunity for connecting development Katy Fletcher reconnect and retailers and suppliers. After many months of making the best of the points out in our Trade Talk explore new virtual world, Autumn Fair is another feature: “Over the past 18 months we’ve really missed possibilities in sign that retail is getting back on its feet and people are wanting to attend the opportunity to get readiness for live shows.” products into the hands of And there’s more good news on the our retailer customers. We are the allretail front. Responding to the latest so excited to be showcasing important ONS Retail Sales Index figures, British again face-to-face at the AIS Golden Retail Consortium chief executive show and the Toymaster Quarter Helen Dickinson noted that the fifth regional shows. The same consecutive month of rising sales is a goes for our consumers, testament to the perseverance and innovation where events and in-store demos play a of retailers who continue to constantly adapt to key part within our marketing activities. the changing Covid landscape. We’ve been working on a host of online Let’s hope we see that growth continue. And assets but there is nothing quite like handsafter a challenging 2020 and early 2021, the toy on play.” community now has a long-awaited opportunity Her opinion is reinforced by a survey to reconnect and explore new possibilities in recently conducted by Spielwarenmesse readiness for the all-important Golden Quarter. eG of visitors to its international toy For me, I can’t wait to meet you personally. fair Spielwarenmesse to learn more With that in mind, I’d love you to get in touch. about their views on attending the next You can connect with me via LinkedIn or exhibition, which will be held in Nuremberg email me at clare@lemapublishing.co.uk. I look in February 2022. The response was forward to hearing from you! ‘unusually high and representative’
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