Tag Archives: interview

Boasting an extensive line of STEM and construction toys, it’s no wonder Engino is recognised as a serious player in the toy space. Jade Burke catches up with owner and MD Costas Sisamos about the firm’s increasing presence worldwide, its expectations for upcoming pre-school range Qboidz and why STEM products are on the up.

2016 has proved to be a terrific year for Esdevium Games, with Pokémon sales soaring thanks to the Pokémon Go phenomenon. Steve Buckmaster, MD of Esdevium Games speaks to Jade Burke about the growth in tabletop gaming, the effect of the Brexit vote and what the firm has in store at next month’s London Toy Fair.

Following the 11th annual Rubik’s UK Championships last weekend, what’s it like to be a speedcuber in amongst all the action? Jade Burke catches up with John Adams’ Laurence Livsey, who is a speedcuber with a current solve time of 6.97 seconds under his belt, to see which events he took part in and how he solved the mystery of the Rubik’s.

Having first opened its doors in 2007, The Toy Box is celebrating its ninth birthday this year. Here, the retailer’s directors - Sharon and Mark Horsman - talk to Jade Burke about their hopes to expand its new Kids Clothing Agency, the battle against dropping footfall and why they believe Teeny TYs will be this year’s sell-out toy.

After securing funding last year on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, Accentuate is marking its year’s success with a new social media campaign for fans to win Argos gift vouchers. Jade Burke catches up with Accentuate co-creator, Graeme Fraser-Bell.

Since the opening of her first toy store in Hinckley, Caroline Hubbard, owner of Hubbard’s Toy Cupboard, has revealed that a second store could be on the cards in the future. Here, Jade Burke finds out why fantastic customer service is key to the business and how the retailer stands out from the local competition.

Chicco is rolling out a string of TV adverts this year to promote its latest Fit n Fun product line. Here, Mitch Levene, MD of parent company Artsana UK & Ireland, talks to Jade Burke about why Chicco is venturing into the small screen, its plans to celebrate Euro 2016 and how more retailers can get on board with the toy line-up.

Frances Cain, founder of A Girl For All Time, has taken to Kickstarter to launch the company’s latest doll line, Your Modern Girl. Designed to make play more creative, Cain tells Jade Burke why the range boasts limitless potential, how further expansion is on the cards and why representing diversity is key to the firm’s ethos.

Last year marked Cardea Solutions debut in the plush toy arena with its Cardea Cuddlies collection, and now it seems the company wants to expand on its offering in this competitive marketplace.

With a brand new site on the way in the summer for customers to buy from, the future is looking bright for Wigwam Toys in Brighton. Here, Clair Letton, owner, tells Jade Burke about childhood Monopoly tournaments, the importance of the local community to the business and what issues are currently impacting the store.