Mattel confirms Mario Kart themed Hot Wheels for June 2019
As well as character inspired Hot Wheels cars, each sculpted in the style of the hit Nintendo Switch title Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the company will also release tracks inspired by race courses from the game series.
First LEGO VR experience comes to the UK at Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester
The Great LEGO Race is currently only in Boston, USA, however will be arriving at Manchester’s flagship attraction later this year where kids will be able to take part in an exhilarating new LEGO initiative.
Sensible Object brings new Battle Mode to its tech-fuelled board game Beasts of Balance
The Battle Mode update brings a new competitive gameplay mode to the title, further compatibility with new physical pieces as well as some extra fixes and improvements to the original Beasts of Balance game.
New Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trailer lands as Nickelodeon readies for series premiere
The 2D animated series will premiere in the UK simultaneously on Nicktoons and Channel 5 later this year, marking the first UK simulcast across Viacom owned channels.
Intelligent life: Exploring AI's place within the toys we play with
Artificial Intelligence has become ubiquitous among modern life, from driverless cards to Voice technology, and more and more it is creeping into the way we play today. Robert Hutchins takes a deep dive into the topic of technological evolution in the toy space
Qualatex celebrates sales surge for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom ballon range
The movie is the fifth instalment in the Jurassic Park franchise and reached over $148 million at the box office in its opening weekend, making it the second most successful opening for a Universal film of all time.
Harry Potter world arrives at Hamleys and is poised to "only get bigger" for the retailer
The Regent Street landmark has opened a Harry Potter inspired environment with the aim of bringing the Harry Potter universe to life in an interactive retail space featuring product demonstrations, quidditch trials and LEGO Hagrid.
Slime brands reassure retailers following damning chemical reports from Which?
Canal Toys and Zimpli Kids have reassured retail partners of the safety of their own slime brands as Which? reveals staggering findings from product testing.
Yvolution secures future with funding partner Sino Foreign Trading following Toys R Us fall-out
As part of the new relationship, Sino Foreign Trading will provide the support to strengthen the company to expand its global efforts and strength of brands in Yvolution and the popular Y Flicker Scooter.
Tesco-Carrefour alliance called into question by French antitrust
The inquiry has been launched to “assess the competitive impact of these purchasing partnerships on the concerned markets, both upstream for the suppliers and downstream for the consumers.”
Build A Bear CEO apologises for sale debacle with extended summer deal
Safety concerns were raised across the globe as the retailer held a one-day sale in which customers pay the a price set at the age of their child for bears that often reach up to more than £50.
Build A Bear's 'pay your age' offer could be brand's biggest disaster...or greatest success
The company was forced to abandon its ‘pay-your-age’ campaign, an initiative that offered UK customers the chance to buy any bear, which can cost up to £52, for the price of their child’s age, over safety concerns due to its popularity.
MGA confident of Crate Creatures' UK success as Smyths continues summer campaign
The firm has launched the line exclusively with Smyths in an initiative running until the end of July, before rolling the line out to wider retail.
Zuru celebrates 'huge month of trading' posting 77 per cent increase
The result has seen Zuru reach the number six manufacturer, behind only Mattel, Hasbro, LEGO, Spin Master and MGA.
Asmodee UK takes eight gold medals and the BIGGY at Imagination Gaming Game of the Year Awards
When I Dream lead the run of successes by taking home the BIGGY (The Best Imagination Gaming Game of the Year) as well as gold in the Best Family and Best Literacy Game categories.
Slime brands reassure retailers following damning chemical reports from Which?
Canal Toys and Zimpli Kids have reassured retail partners of the safety of their own slime brands as Which? reveals staggering findings from product testing.
MadeForMums names 2018 MadeForMums Toy Awards judging panel
And you may spot a familiar name or two...
Heading to Autumn Fair? Get involved in the August issue of ToyNews
If you’re heading to NEC’s Autumn Fair this year, make sure your products are being seen with our Autumn Fair Show Guide.
STAX embarks on UK PR campaign with Playtime as new launches are detailed
Handling both consumer and trade media relations, influencer outreach programmes and experiential management, Playtime PR will realise a six-month activation period for the firm.
Dad's Choice Awards 2018 open for entries
The event – now in its sixth year - is billed as the only UK awards dedicated to fathers and their children.
The Toy Retailers Association details DreamToys 2018
The DreamToys event will return to its usual home at St Mary’s Church in Marylebone in London on Wednesday, November 14.
Eolo has 'huge expectations' for Fartist Club as cross-platform IP taps growing kidult market
The firm has initiated a global campaign to bring the Fartists Club to the European, US and Canadian kidult markets across multiple platforms, digital partnerships and influencer content creation.
Flair details major marketing push for Disney's Puppy Dog Pals toy line
The collection officially launches at the end of July and will be supported by TV, YouTube Kids pre-roll, kids’ press, an interactive microsite campaign with Tiny Pop, social media outreach and campaign with influencers.
Hasbro's "big Christmas line" Nerf Laser Ops Pro brings video gaming to life
The new Nerf range includes unique blasters that encourage head to head combat that can be stepped up gear with the free Nerf Laser Ops Pro app.
Schleich embarks on search for new star species to join its Wildlife figurines line
The global hunt is tasking fans to vote for the next species to join its animal figurine collection, with the winning figure taking pride of place in the 2019 catalogue.
Asmodee UK strengthens PR and marketing with new hire and Playtime PR appointment
The board gaming giant has hired the specialist toys and games PR agency to handle consumer PR and media relations on an on-going basis. The team will work closely with Annie Taljaard, Asmodee UK’s new PR and marketing assistant.
Canal Toys launches So Glow DIY to the UK
Anthony Grimaud, CEO, has described early reaction to the range as “phenomenal,” with orders being made since February this year.
PMS International taps Taylor Herring for major Elves Behavin' Badly marketing campaign
With over two million elves sold in the run up to Christmas 2017, Elves Behavin’ Badly became one of the biggest selling brands last year.
Is Click Creations' own IP, Bijou Bracelets the next playground craze?
Click's Luke Hillier believes the range has all the characteristics of the next playground craze accessory.
Board game FReNeTiC enjoys continued success following Board Game Club takeover
Graeme and Fiona Fraser Bell, the brother and sister team behind the popular guess-the-accent game Accentuate have seen continued pick up and interest in their new title FReNeTiC, despite only recently launching to market.
