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