NEWS
ToyNews forms new Retail Advisory Board
Buyers and executives from ten chains sign up, including TRU, Argos, Tesco, Morrisons, The Entertainer, Toymaster and more
by Dominic Sacco
TOYNEWS HAS brought together some of the biggest names in toy retail to form a new panel of industry experts. We’ve set up our own
Retail Advisory Board, consisting of toy buyers, directors and execs from retailers across the UK. So far ten retailers are on
board, with more set to join over the coming months. The Entertainer’s buying
director Stuart Grant has signed up, as have Argos’ trading manager for toys, nursery, kids and Baby World Andrea Abbis, and Toymaster’s marketing and operations director Ian Edmunds. Toys R Us UK’s marketing director Mike Coogan and merchandise director Fiona Murray- Young have also joined. From the grocers, there’s
Tesco’s toys category manager John Stanhope, Asda’s category director for toys and sports Stephanie Strike, Sainsbury’s senior toys buyer Tom Folliot and Morrisons’ Marc Dean. Harrods’ director of home
David Miller and Firebox product manager Ben Redhead are on board, too. Morrisons' toy buyer Marc Dean told ToyNews: “I'm really pleased to be joining the panel. Toys are a growing part of Morrisons’ business and are a great fit for our customers. It’s a category that will develop significant growth for us over the next few years so I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to discuss the key industry issues during this time." ToyNewswill regularly contact each retailer for their opinions on the latest toy industry trends, issues and stories to help strengthen its news coverage further.
06 December/January
LeapPad 2 a safe bet for Xmas top spot
by Lewis Tyler
PADDY POWER has said the LeapPad 2 is the ‘clear favourite’ to be the UK’s top-selling toy this Christmas.
The Irish bookmaker has put the kids tablet as odds-on favourite at 1/4. Paddy Power put
together the odds with the help of Smyths UK.
The retailer will confirm this year’s top-selling Christmas toy based on its own sales. To place a bet, head to
paddypower.com and direct your web browser to the novelty betting section, and then Christmas Specials. Betting closes on Sunday, December 23rd.
www.paddypower.com
THE UK’S TOP SELLING TOY BY PADDY POWER
LeapPad 2................................................................................1/4 Furby..........................................................................................6/1 Cabbage Patch Kids ............................................................8/1 InnoTab2................................................................................10/1 LEGO: Lord of the Rings...................................................12/1 Play-Doh Candy Cyclone .................................................14/1 Subbuteo...............................................................................16/1 Web Shooting Spider-Man...............................................16/1 Barbie Train to Trot Tawny..............................................20/1 Nerf N-Strike Elite Hail Fire............................................25/1 Twister Dance......................................................................25/1 Monster High Doll ..............................................................25/1 The Bat...................................................................................25/1 Master Moves Mickey.......................................................33/1 LEGO: Monster Fighters...................................................33/1 Cinderella doll......................................................................50/1
Clockwise from top left: Andrea Abbis from Argos; Toymaster’s Ian Edmunds; Stuart Grant from The Entertainer; and Tesco’s John Stanhope are among the first members of the Retail Advisory Board
Alternative Toy Fair Party returns
Toys are a growing part of Morrisons’ business and are a great fit for our customers. I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to discuss key industry issues during this time. Marc Dean, Morrisons
If you are a toy buyer and
you would like to be considered to be a part of our advisory board, there are two options. Email us at
dominic.sacco@
intentmedia.co.uk or simply call the number below and ask to speak to a member of the ToyNews editorial team. ToyNews: 01992 535646
THE ALTERNATIVE Toy Fair Party is back in January 2013, exclusively sponsored by ToyNews, Progressive Preschool and Aardvark Swift Recruitment. The event made a successful debut in 2012, allowing Toy Fair exhibitors and visitors to unwind, network and enjoy drinks after the show. And it’s back
for 2013, so stick a note in your diary now for Wednesday January 23rd. It will take place in the private function room at the Hand & Flower pub, just opposite Olympia. Tickets will be limited.
You can register interest and you’ll be able to pick up your tickets and free drinks vouchers from the Aardvark Swift Toy Fair stand. “We’re delighted to be co-hosting The Alternative Toy Fair Party again with Max
Publishing and Aardvark Swift recruitment,” said
ToyNews publisher Lisa
Carter. “It gives the UK toy business another opportunity to socialise away from the show floor.” Email
Jen@aswift.com to register your interest in attending the party.
www.toynews-online.biz
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