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RETAIL ONLY 35 NEWS


Ann Summers-style parties promote new trivia game


Linkee makes its retail debut as brand enjoys added exposure from ‘Linkee Nights’ in London  Plans to expand by Dominic Sacco


FRESH QUIZ game Linkee is proving a hit across the UK. But before you throw down this


issue of ToyNews in disgust, let’s make one thing clear: Linkee is not an adult brand nor does it have anything to do with Ann Summers. But it does have a unique way of getting its game in front of consumers. The company hosts ‘Linkee Trivia Nights’ in London, where consumers gather a group of friends or relatives, sorts out refreshments and a location, and a rep turns up with a selection of Linkee games to play. At the end of


COUNTER INSURGENT


This month, some dim-witted delivery drivers are grinding the gears of our mystery independent toy retailer


SEPTEMBER is always a big month for deliveries, and this year, even though I ordered less


than I usually do, we somehow have more stock than ever. Our plight isn’t helped by some delivery drivers who are just getting thicker and thicker. One idiot the other day put


two boxes for the warehouse at the back of the shop, and then two minutes later came in the front door with a further 26 boxes from the same firm. He dumped them in the doorway so no one could get in and mouthed off about needing help – as if it wasn’t obvious. When asked why he didn’t just take them with the other two boxes, he said he had to “deliver to the address on the docket”, or not at all. As he had a full truck and the boxes were in the way of his deliveries, I called his bluff and told him to take them


back and I would let his boss and the firm know how awkward/thick he was being. But we do have some


drivers who are good; our regular TNT driver is great. He even dropped our Furbys off first thing as he was passing to his first ‘before 9am’ drop, and knew we needed them early. He is always cheerful


like the UPS man in Legally Blonde. I explain that ‘looking good in shorts’ is not a criteria for a job in the courier service. However, we do need to wonder how these couriers and suppliers will cope with the growing trend of Christmas getting later every year. I know it is always on December 25th, but you know what I mean.


You always know when UPS are coming down the road in


their ‘buses’ – they make more noise than a jet aircraft.


and understands that he will get help if he treats his customers like normal people. As for UPS, you always


know when they are coming down the road in their ‘buses’ – they make more noise than a jet aircraft at take-off. And then I get earache from the female staff that none of the drivers are


It seems we are heading


toward the US way of doing things here. They don’t even think about Christmas until after Thanksgiving. How would some of the ‘big boys’ cope with that over here? They don’t want to ship after December 1st, but that is when independent toy retailers can and will still take stock if we’re


able to get our hands on it. Still, I guess this helps the smaller companies who appreciate the business from indies more. Before I go – one last rant to companies chasing numbers: I don’t care about your quarterly numbers and I don’t care about you needing to get (more) stock in the marketplace. If I order for a particular month, I don’t expect you to slip the delivery in early, thus buggering up the payment dates and the fact I might just want to cancel


underperforming lines (pulled TV ads are very often the culprit). The extra work you cause by doing this is reaching the point where serial offenders will be charged for my time you waste. Right, I’ve got to go now to try and find a home for 50 pallets stacked outside the warehouse. This is normally a good month for getting rid of them, with Bonfire night coming, however no one seems to want them unless we deliver them (free of charge, of course).


NOVEMBER 2012


Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair. Linkee joint founder Dean


The quiz game (right) is proving a hit with adults at free parties organised by Linkee (left)


the evening, attendees can opt to buy one for £20.


The aim of the game is to win enough letters to spell Linkee. Each question card has one letter on the back – to win one you must work out


what links the answers to the four questions on the front and shout ‘Linkee’. No board is required. Linkee made its retail debut at Daniel of Windsor in late October and has previously sold out at the


Tempest told ToyNews: “It is very early days, but we are also in discussions with a few other High Street retailers. “We put the nights on for free at the moment in London, but are looking to expand the idea of Linkee Parties around the UK in the future.” Warren Du Preez, from retailer Daniel of Windsor, added: “Visually, Linkee is engaging and demands to be picked up.


“It is sure to be a hit with families for Christmas.” Linkee: 07729 977 220


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