ToyNews Toy industry news: business, marketing, retail, wholesale and distribution
Despite a sales decline of around $38 million year over year to $242.3 million, the US based toy maker JAKKS Pacific has chalked its third quarter results up to a win, having exceeded expectations for sales, gross margin, and operating income. Excluding declines in sales of Frozen products and its …
Read More »OPINION: All trick, no treat – but lockdown is one ghoul that the toy retailers will defeat
Saturday’s announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson couldn’t have been better timed; like a ghoulish trick played on the nation’s retailer scene, it tossed the proverbial egg at the window of the UK’s population of independent traders in true Halloween style. But, says Steve Reece – if the year 2020 …
Read More »Overriding the Amazon Default: How can independent toy shops survive Lockdown II?
The online-meets-physical retailing solution, Click and Collect has been the saviour of many independent toy shops over the course of the year, helping local businesses negotiate closed doors and a locked-in nation as the fight against coronavirus ensued. In the days following PM Boris Johnson’s announcement of a national lockdown …
Read More »‘Buy now, pay later’ option brought into The Entertainer and ELC as toy shop becomes among the first to adopt Klarna
The UK family owned high street toy retailer, The Entertainer, has become the first major toy retailer to offer Klarna as a payment option to all online consumers shopping across its thetoyshop.com and elc.co.uk platforms, allowing customers to buy now and pay later in regular installments. The payment option has …
Read More »“We’ve been gearing up for this financial year”: Hornby returns to profit for first time in nearly a decade
The model railway company Hornby has seen a 33 per cent increase in revenue in the first half of the year, marking a return to profit for the first time in almost ten years. The company’s uplift arrives following a surge in interest for the Hornby Hobbies products over the …
Read More »Ghoulish games: Board gaming’s undying relationship with the horror genre
It’s a perennial favourite among the gaming enthusiast, from zombie hordes and haunted mansions, to murderous slashers and the escape room scene – the horror genre (or spooky, gothic, spine-tingling – whatever you want to call it) it all just seems to work on the board game platform. Just as …
Read More »Gary Grant’s call to UK shoppers: “Don’t leave Christmas shopping to final weeks”
DreamToys and the Toy Retailers Association has issued a call to action of the UK’s consumers to make sure they get their Christmas shopping in early in order to avoid disappointment owing to issues in supply and demand in a year fraught with uncertainty over the impact of the pandemic. …
Read More »UPDATE: It’s a hoax! Very Group dismisses Woolworths return rumours
For a brief spell there a return to simpler times for the UK High Street seemed almost plausible, as rumours circulated that Woolworths had confirmed plans to make its return. An announcement put out on Twitter certainly caught the attention of the UK’s media channels. That was until the now …
Read More »Inside Out Toys brings ReCycleMe arts and crafts products into its sustainable-focused portfolio
The family owned and run small business, Inside Out Toys has underlined its dedication to the sustainable toys market with the introduction of ReCycleMe branded arts and crafts ranges to its toys and games portfolio. It marks the first time the company has entered the arts and crafts market. “Fun2Give …
Read More »Hasbro’s Q3 earnings beat expectations as families spend more on board games throughout pandemic
Stuck at home parents and a global demand for board games and home entertainment has helped Hasbro beat its Q3 analyst estimates as net earnings for the entertainment company reached $220.9 million versus pro forma net earnings of $216.5 million in 2019. Net revenues for the global powerhouse did decline …
Read More »