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The ongoing coronavirus pandemic will not scupper plans to roll out 80 new brand stores across China, the LEGO Group has insisted, despite the impact the virus has had on supply chains, its LEGOLAND parks and global offices. Speaking with the Asia Times, the Danish toymaker has underscored its design …
Read More »The Independent Toy and Gift Show explores September dates for its 2020 return
Following its announcement last week that this year’s The Independent Toy and Gift Show which was to be cancelled, organisers are now exploring the opportunity to host the show later this year, in September. Originally scheduled for its usual April slot on Tuesday, 21st and Wednesday 22nd next month, the …
Read More »Young Inventor Challenge project Betcha Can’t lands at US retail
The Chicago Toy and Game Group is celebrating the successful retail launch of Betcha Can’t, a new bragging and betting game that has emerged from the organisation’s grass roots campaign, Young Inventor Challenge. The title was invented by friends Lily Brown (13 years old) and Tait Hansen (12), who have …
Read More »The Entertainer to close all stores from 5pm today but maintain online operations
The Entertainer is to close its high street stores from 5pm today, Monday, March 23rd, in light of the developing coronavirus pandemic. The UK toy chain made the announcement via its social media channels this morning. The move arrives following the call from the UK Government for family and individuals …
Read More »Spin Master updates financial outlook for 2020 following coronavirus pandemic
The global entertainment company, Spin Master – the home of brands including the popular PAW Patrol and Bakugan franchise – is to withdraw its 2020 outlook in connection to projected product sales, stating that the potential impact of the developing COVID-19 situation on the firm is as yet unquantifiable. The …
Read More »UK turns to board games, puzzles, and crafting as suppliers and toy shops prepare families for school closures
When the world goes all topsy turvy, it would seem that the British public – the ones not occupying themselves with sitting on mountains of toilet paper and packets of pasta – are turning to the simple pleasures of jigsaw puzzling. This is the sentiment from the board games and …
Read More »Board game sales surge 62 per cent on Bargain Max as customers shop for isolation entertainment
The online discount toy store, Bargain Max is reporting a 62 per cent surge in sales of board games, with data suggesting that it has become a go-to hobby for those in self isolation or working from home across the UK. The retail platform has told ToyNews that it has …
Read More »The Independent Toy and Gift Show cancelled over coronavirus outbreak advice
The Independent Toy and Gift Show, scheduled to have taken place on April 21 to 22 has been cancelled due to the escalating coronavirus outbreak, the show’s organisers confirmed this morning. The move to cancel the show follows the latest Government advice surrounding travel, public gatherings, and social distancing issued …
Read More »Amazon suspends shipments on toys and all non-essentials amid coronavirus crisis
Amazon is suspending shipments of all non-essential items to its UK and US warehouses until April 5, to make space for vital items needed during the coronavirus outbreak. The US company is prioritising five categories of goods which it calls essential products, and which shippers can continue to send to …
Read More »Opinion: Is the Wild West about to be tamed? – Fanattik’s Anthony Marks
Anthony Marks is MD of Fanattik a pop culture specialist, a gifts and collectibles licensee for 20th Century Fox, Universal Studios, and Paramount Pictures. He talks us through why the days of the Comic Con counterfeiter may just be numbered As a self-confessed geek I have no problem admitting that I have …
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