.jpg?i=1282294678 "OPINION: A new way for indie retail?")
by Elena Ripoli
Greedy landlords, two-faced suppliers and a sexist toy establishment all come under fire from Little Wonders owner Elena Ripoli, who wonders if there is a different way to run an independent retail business....
This month, our High Street retailer tackles the hot topic of excessive packaging on toys.
Scalextric's marketing manager shares a few of his favourite things.
.jpg?i=1281437335 "US: The pre-school race question")
It is a truism that pre-school toys will grow or decline in line with the birth rate. If this is the case, then pre-school toys should have done well in the past decade and look forward to an equally positive couple of decades to come, at least compared to Europe.
Television is currently experiencing a period of business turbulence. Put in softer words, change, which is manifesting itself in terms of consolidation, ownership, and airtime sales representation.
The denials that have emanated from Rhode Island since stories began circulating about a buyout approach haven’t failed to raise eyebrows as to what might lie ahead. Despite fervent denials of interest in a takeover, Hasbro’s good performance in a weak economy was always bound to pique interest.
Consumer facing industries, particularly those that cater for children, are easy prey for ambitious MPs trying to make a name for themselves.
It is entirely feasible that the retail sector has contributed to the slow pace in the recovery of the toys and games sectors by insisting on their suppliers' marketing strategy.
The new Environment Secretary has singled out toys for criticism over what she says is excessive and environmentally unfriendly packaging. Is she right? Crazee Thingz MD, Danny Bamping, thinks she may have a point and maybe the toy industry needs to address the issue itself....
.jpg?i=1277376072 "My favourite things: Joanne Gray")
This month, Tomy's head of European marketing tells us about a few of her favourite things...
Here we go again. It’s always the same at the start of the year. Phone call after phone call of time wasters and people who can’t understand the word ‘no’.
.jpg?i=1270053905 "Agent profile")
In our new column in association with Aardvark Swift, we find out about the daily lives of toy agents...
The lines between a toy company and a broader-based entertainment provider keep on blurring.
This month, Rob Trup lets us in on a few of his top picks...
You can prove anything with statistics. And in these days of school league tables, massaged unemployment numbers and expenditure figures as long as you’ve got the right data it seems you can convince people of anything.
In his new regular column, Jon Salisbury looks back over 25 years in the toy industry...
