Michael Acton Smith is the founder of top licensed toy property Moshi Monsters, but he’s not content with just one brand. In this exclusive interview, he explains to Dominic Sacco about choosing tablets over toys, eclipsing Star Wars and the unstoppable growth of his company Mind Candy.
From Modelzone to Moshi Monsters and MakieLab dolls, toy brands and retailers are experimenting with temporary retail destinations. ToyNews asks industry members and retail experts whether pop-up shops can work in the toy space.
The Toymaster show, Harrogate continues to be one of the must-attend events in the industry calendar. The many deals on offer mean suppliers come away with new orders and business, while members get value for money and tend to do the majority of their buying for the Christmas season.
Online shopping giant eBay changed the way second-hand goods are sold. It offers retailers prosperous marketplaces, but also allows ‘scalpers’ to sell rare products with low RRPs for hundreds of pounds. And are unofficial toys altering the market for good? Dominic Sacco asks eBay, toy suppliers, retailers and collectors.
Following big toy comebacks for Furby and Turtles, youth research agency Dubit asks kids which new toys they’d like to see based on other heritage brands, including Tarzan, Pingu and The Jungle Book.
Its high quality Knights, Wild Life and Farm Life productions continue to notch up the sales across a range of retailers, and now Schleich is looking forward to a healthy summer thanks to The Smurfs and further expansion. ToyNews finds out more.
Tomy releases its new line of 'revolutionary' track and Chuggington trains, pulling into retailers with fresh features; Recommended products from Hasbro, Flair, Panini and Tomy.
Mattel's frighteningly fashionable doll property for tween and teen girls has established itself as a top toy brand in just a few years. Dominic Sacco talks to global brand marketing director PJ Lewis about the science behind the dolls.
More popular in the UK than ever, Halloween is the perfect time for retailers to make a killing, stocking a variety of dress-up, magic sets, games and tricks. ToyNews casts its eye over what will be in-store.
One of the oldest and most traditional forms of children's entertainment, the world of puppetry still manages to more than hold its own in the modern market. ToyNews rounds up the latest theatrical characters to take the stage.
Marbel enjoyed steady growth in 2012, and now it's added Pinky Poppy giftware as well as Bullyland's Disney and animal figures to its stable. We speak to marketing manager Phil Nelson for an update.
This month, Dr Amanda Gummer weighs up the different skills boys and girls develop using toys, and highlights three Good Toy Guide reviews.
With around half of the retailer's sales made online, it's full steam ahead for Argos' expansion into the digital arena. Marc Spence, trading director for toys, freetime and jewellery, speaks to Dominic Sacco about exciting times ahead and expectations for the toy market.
An ambitious GP Flair is pushing on in a big way this year, with its sights firmly set on being a top five manufacturer. Samantha Loveday talks to managing director Simon Hedges, in his first interview since taking on the new role.
Golden Bear's marketing and product development director Christine Nicholls runs through the toy range.
Following a successful 2012, what's next for VTech? We ask Gilles Sautier about the new InnoTab, new products and the popular kids' tablet sector.
