Special Feature - Distoy

Distoy brings the toy community to London

Distoy is once again set to welcome toy companies and distributors from across the globe to London at the end of May. Toy World caught up with owner David Potter to hear about what’s in store for visitors at this year’s event.

This year’s Distoy event will take place from 30th May to 2nd June. During the four-day show, toy suppliers and distributors from all over the world will travel to London to view a selection of new ranges for which toy companies will be hoping to secure distribution deals.

It’s a simple premise, and one that has served the show well for many years. Distoy traditionally comprises around 200 different showrooms spread across two hotels in London – St James’ Court and St Ermin’s.

The show largely works on a "by appointment only” basis, with meetings taking place in a confidential environment behind closed doors. While retailers are not encouraged to attend, a handful of major toy specialists can usually be seen around the show, with their input helping distributors to decide which lines to add to their portfolios.

The number - and calibre - of people attending Distoy make it a highly efficient and cost-effective way to conduct business; the Distoy experience is an intense, but valuable four day showcase and meeting place.

Speaking to David Potter recently, he believes that the show will be back to its pre-pandemic best this year: “There are a couple of names missing, but many of our regular exhibitors are returning and we have added some good new companies to the event this time round, such as Tomy.”

There has been some debate on various social media platforms about the growth of the LA preview shows, and whether this would impact other trips and events, including Distoy, but David is confident that his event won’t be heavily affected: “ I have been hearing from a lot of European visitors that they would rather travel to London than LA, and with all the showrooms located in two hotels in close walking distance of each other, it is certainly a more user-friendly show. While European attendance remains a core element of the show, we are also expecting strong representation from Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, North and South America and other international territories.”

I asked David what makes Distoy special, and he cited the format as one of its enduring strengths: “A key feature of the show is its intimacy – the networking value is incredible. Everyone is in one central place, and it has a friendly atmosphere which I would hate to lose. It’s one of the reasons why we firmly believe that the hotel set-up is better for Distoy than a traditional exhibition venue. And while scheduled meetings will always be the backbone of the show, spontaneous meetings are so important: you see people bump into each other in the hotel lobbies, the coffee shops, the bars – even in the lifts!”

It's this convivial and easily workable environment which has seen David and his wife Madeleine resist the temptation to move the event to a larger exhibition venue – and he is also convinced that its London location remains a key draw: “Some people have suggested that we should consider setting up an event in LA, but we’re Distoy London and we’ll jealously protect that identity.”

At the time of going to press, David confirmed that the show was almost full, but given the flexibility of the hotel set-up, there is always the possibility that companies wanting to be involved can potentially be accommodated at the last minute. Anyone wanting to participate should contact David or Madeleine Potter at david@distoy.com or madpot@distoy.com

Over the following pages, you can see a selection of the companies which will be exhibiting at Distoy, while a full list of exhibitors can be found at Distoy.com, where visitors should also register to attend. Toy World will be visiting the show, so if you would like to arrange a meeting with us during the event, you can email mark@toyworldmag.co.uk.

Entertoyment

www.entertoyment.net

ogeday.samatli@entertoyment.net

St. James Court, Room 413

Entertoyment, a Hong Kong based company that specialises in the Games category, will be showcasing its latest and most exciting products at Distoy this year.

As a dynamic player in toy industry, Entertoyment aims to be at the forefront of innovation by bringing new and exciting experiences to consumers all around the world. At the same time, the company aims to keep things simple, presenting games that are easy to learn and fun to play.

Entertoyment has launched several popular brands in the past, such as its Zombiezz collectible line and its Don’t be a Donkey, Loaded Lemons and Category X games. All have proven popular among consumers from various age groups and have gone on to be distributed in over 25 countries.

At Distoy, Entertoyment will be unveiling four innovative new products that promise to capture the attention of potential consumers. Spanning word games, action games and strategy games, the new titles offer something for everyone who enjoys gaming.

Following a break from showing internationally owing to the pandemic, the company says it is pleased to show at Distoy this year. To book an appointment, contact Ogeday Samatli on the email above or visit www.// entertoyment.youcanbook.me/.

TCG Toys

1-647-588-8000

jobrien@tcgtoys.com

St Ermin's Hotel, Waterloo Suite

TCG Toys, a leading toy manufacturer in games, puzzles, bendable figures and toyetic playmats, has been busy securing beloved licences based on classic TV, movie and video game properties for its most successful product categories. The company has signed new deals with Paramount, WWE and more, and plans to introduce multiple new lines and extensions to lines for children and adults. The range based on Paramount is focused on an expansive renewal across Nickelodeon properties including Paw Patrol, Garfield, Hey Arnold and more. The deal also includes new properties, with TMNT and the MTV Moon Man TCG Toys featuring in the line-up. Products based on other hot movie and entertainment franchises include WWE’s 60th Anniversary, the new Barbie Movie and video game favourites Sonic and Assassins Creed.

Megamat playmats enhance vehicle and accessory play. Parents can rest easy knowing that Megamats offer kids a safe and durable play surface that is easy to clean and store. TCG Toys has renewed its Paw Patrol licence in time to celebrate the new movie and 10th anniversary, and will be introducing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in time for the highly anticipated new movie, along with global powerhouse brands Barbie, Hot Wheels and Peppa Pig.

TCG Toys’ bendable, poseable, collectibles line will include WWE legends, WWE Superstars and a WWE 60th Anniversary Deluxe Pack along with Sonic, SpongeBob SquarePants and Miraculous. A Star Trek Captains Collection and Beavis and Butthead character bendables will be available later this year. Thanks to their bendable and posable bodies, the toys let kids bring their favourite collectible, poseable characters to life as they recreate exciting battles and adventures. Kids and kidults alike will enjoy this line.

Spin Flip is a puzzle toy that offers a unique and engaging challenge for everyone who loves brain teasers. With 360 degrees of puzzling, users spin and flip the toy to solve the puzzle. Spin Flip is just getting started, with two art series now available and a growing presence on social media. A fidget toy, puzzle and game in one, users can throw Spin Flip in their bag to play anytime, anywhere.

TCG Toys’ games line offers a variety of title for both kids and adults, with new games slated for release into 2024. Pik Qwik is an innovative, fast-paced take on the popularity of word games. On the kids’ side, popular licences have been integrated into the games alongside evergreen themes, meaning children can engage with their favourite characters in a fun and interactive way.

Overall, the company offers something for every child and family across a wide variety of characters, themes and play styles. Its value-driven price points mean parents feel confident in their purchase, knowing they are getting high-quality, engaging toys at an attractive price.

To book an appointment, contact Jeff O’Brien on the details above.

The Bean People

www.thebeanpeople.co.za

chris@thebeanpeople.capetown

St. James Court, Room 212

The Bean People has been making bath time fun since 1988. The company’s Bath Sprudels are unique children’s bath bombs that colour the bath water and reveal hidden sponge toy characters. There are over 200 uniquely designed sponge toy characters to collect across the range. The Bean People is also the creator of the Bath Bean, large dissolving capsules that melt away in the bath to reveal sponge toy characters.

All The Bean People products are handmade in an ISO 22716 (GMP) certified factory in Cape Town. The factory is home to over 90 women from Masiphumelele, and the company has a strong governance ethics underpinning all its employment relationships, earning it the SEDEX badge.

While The Bean People currently exports to a number of countries around the world, the company is looking to expand its market. Over the past years it has been exploring the UK toy market and is now seeking a formal distributor. To achieve this, The Bean People is exhibiting at Distoy 2023 where it will be launching its new generation rainbow Rocket and Star Bath Sprudels, both of which contain the characteristic hidden surprise.

Chris, Cohan and Daniel are looking forwarded to previewing The Bean People’s unique bath toys to the British toy trade. To book an appointment, please contact Chris on the email above.

Cayro

www.cayro.es

krlos@cayro.es

St. James Court, Room 304

Cayro is a Spain-based family business that has been specialising in the development and manufacture of board games for almost 70 years, with three generations of the same family at the helm. The company offers a broad assortment of products ranging from games for the over-twos through to adult titles, spanning categories including Action Games, Family Games and Modern Games.

Cayro’s range of classic games is one of the widest on the market, with original and self-developed titles characterised by their high quality and reasonable price. These elements lend themselves well to high stock rotation throughout the year.

One of the most important features of Cayro’s games are their educational benefits. Combining fun with learning, each game includes explanatory sheets so the games can be used in schools as learning tools. Cayro aims to contribute to a better world by combining fun, learning and sustainable materials to create games for families that provide shared moments for all players.

Cayro takes sustainability very seriously, manufacturing its games with 100% FSC-certified wood. Its cardboard and paper are recycled, all paints are water-based, varnishes are organic and it has eliminated single-use plastics in its games. Any games that cannot be further improved in terms of sustainability are assigned the Play for Change stamp, a badge created by Cayro to identify the most sustainable games within its catalogue.

Several of Cayro’s games have won awards for their sustainability credentials, while others have been awarded Best Game or Best Educational Game by respected organisations. Rubbish Race, for example, holds a top honour from the Play for Change Awards, granted by the Toy Industries of Europe (TIE), and has also gathered awards for sustainability in both Spain and the UK.

Cayro will participate in Distoy once again, showcasing its latest releases for 2024 as well as the latest new products for this year. For more information, contact Krlos Mengual, expansion director, on the email above.

Diamant Toys

www.amav.com

St James' Court, Room 504

Diamant Toys/AMAV continues to expand its licensed products division, building on the success of its Paw Patrol and CoComelon ranges with the introduction of bespoke Barbie and Gabby’s Dollhouse lines.

Covering almost all of EMEA, these new collections include Diamant’s hero product, the GlowPad, which has sold over 12m units internationally and continues to be one of the best-selling items for every distributor that holds the range. With the addition of the Premium Glow Pad, these ranges have already been placed in GAS, Emirates, Spain, Italy, UK, Eastern Europe, US and Canada, and are attracting serious interest from other territories daily.

The Gabby’s Dollhouse line consists of almost 20 products created specifically for the brand, such as the Fluffy Diary, Glitter Domes, a Doodle Pad, the aforementioned Glowpads, art easels, colour-in backpacks, Glam Strands for hairand other items.

Diamant Toys/AMAV has also continued to develop its hero Keypsees and Magic Mermaids collectible lines. Now on their fourth waves due to their continued success, each line consists of new characters, new accessories and lots of surprises, with its own world of content in each box.

The company has also launched a line which took everyone by storm in Nuremberg. Glitz and Go is a collection of handbags shaped like dolls that can be designed and customised. Each comes complete with beauty accessories inside such as gemstones, stickers, hair chalk, glittery eyelashes, hair extensions and more. All are reusable, and the child can change the doll’s face with the beauty accessories according to their mood. Due to its constant innovation and attention to quality and design, Diamant has become a major player in the arts & crafts and collectibles sectors.

YuMe Toys

020 7921 0380

ww.yumetoys.com

info@yumetoys.com

St. Ermin’s Hotel, Buckingham Suite

YuMe Toys, the international toy company that puts creativity and design at the heart of its business, heads to Distoy this May to showcase its internationally successful 2023 toys and collectibles lines and to unveil its brand-new lines for 2024. Ken Goodisson, and Daniel Petcu will be representing the company that is making waves across the toy industry thanks to its always-on innovation approach.

YuMe’s showcase at Distoy 2023 will focus on key lines covering AW23 and SS24. Series 1 of YuMe’s Disney 100 Surprise Capsules launched earlier this year, with novel design which celebrates Disney’s most iconic and loved characters from its 100-year legacy. Each capsule is packed with hidden surprises until the final reveal of a beautifully sculpted 2.5” collectible figure, which sits on a platinum pedestal that can either be played with or cherished for years to come. Phase 2 showcases a further 14 Surprise Capsules including two rare characters: Buzz Lightyear and Minnie Mouse. YuMe will unveil Series 2 of the blockbuster range at Distoy. Retailers are gearing up to deliver even greater sales as Disney’s celebratory marketing campaign ramps up worldwide during Q4 2023.

The second series of the Stranger Things Upside Down Capsules will also be on show. Following the sell-out success of Series 1 last year, the second series will introduce new, fanfavourite new characters such as Vecna, plus other treats. The popularity of the TV series is unwaning, as is the collectability of the new characters for the series’ global fan-base.

DZNR (pronounced Deeziner), YuMe’s high-design range of collectible soft toys which launched earlier this year, continues to grow. Distoy visitors will be able to see new designs under fan-favourite property portfolios such as Marvel, Netflix and Crunchy Roll, to name a few, all featuring bespoke artwork, styles and individual designs. New lines to be showcased at Distoy include Jujutsu Kaisen, Spider-Man, Transformers and Stranger Things.

Leading characters from the blockbuster anime TV series, Jujutsu Kaisen (JJK), whose second season launches in July, come to life in a range of “Cursed” collectible surprise capsules, squishies and bobble head collectibles. The design and intricate fabrication of these items captures the DNA of the increasingly popular anime property, and they are ideal for JJK fans of all ages.

Among Us and Jujutsu Kaisen-branded school utensils. YuMe will also be unveiling a brand-new range of anime-licensed collectibles, featuring some of the most popular Japanese entertainment properties in the world. To book an appointment, visit: https://calendly.com/yumetoys/distoy-2023