SUPPLIER PROFILE Moving mountains
For Moose Mountain, bringing a range to the UK is now an exciting reality. Robert Hutchins discusses the firm’s plans to introduce its extensive range of wheeled toys to the market in the New Year
MOOSE MOUNTAIN is coming to the UK. Actually, it’s already here, sizing up the market and waiting for its moment to strike. For this manufacturer of ride-ons, wagons and inflatable play environments, that time is 2014. Having enjoyed a
successful soft launch in August with a range of Little Value wagons - a Disney licensed pre-school line of push and pull along products - the Jakks Pacific owned firm plans to bring its extensive range of wheeled toys to retailers across the territory. And Jakks Pacific’s managing director, David Carscadden, cannot wait to show the UK what Moose Mountain has in store. “We are very excited to be bringing this range to the UK,” Carscadden tells ToyNews. “We have got a big opportunity here, and it’s a great opportunity for the independent sector in particular to pick up new lines.”
The firm’s soft launch of its Little Value wagons has put the company in good stead for its full range in the New Year. “We are in Argos with
Little Value wagons at the moment which are absolutely flying out. They are a tremendous Disney
have Fisher-Price and we have Kawasaki, our three key licences for ride-ons,” explains Carscadden. “As far as Happy Haulers
are concerned, we’ve got Disney, Fisher-Price and some more feature driven Fire Chief or Diggers type of products, and the Kawasaki items with authentic lighting and sounds. Priced from £29.99, the
Our wagons are selling 2,000 pieces a week out of Argos. They are doing phenomenal.
David Carscadden, Moose Mountain
licensed product,” continues Carscadden. “Our wagons are selling 2,000 pieces a week out of Argos. They are doing phenomenal. These are going to be a very high volume line for us in 2014, with the next step up being the Happy Haulers.” The UK arm of Jakks
Pacific was created five years ago, and if the aforementioned sales figures from Argos are anything to go by, the company is already enjoying a rapidly growing UK success.
“As from five years ago,
we have been picking up some of the US product and bringing it in to the UK organisation. We are now a thriving UK business,” adds Carscadden. The firm is now primed to
deliver its licences to the UK market through various products and subsidiaries. “Now that we have a UK company, we’re acquiring all the licences. We have all the Disney licences, we
Happy Haulers line is a collection of feature driven, interactive ride-ons with product including the Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies Ready, Set, Go Raceway, a ride-on featuring its own mini race track. “The Happy Haulers are something unique,” he continues. “They’re a ride-on that, with the click of a button, you can lift the handle and the handle bar and the seat all comes away in one and becomes a pull along handle with lights and sounds.” The New Year marks the end of Carscadden’s waiting game as he readies for a ‘big year’ ahead. He adds: “The thrust will be in the New Year. We know the product sells, we know the product is priced correctly and it’s gone through the Argos QA testing. “We’re expecting a big
year next year and we will start to promote the new licences and new product during the year.” On the advertising front,
Carscadden insists Moose Mountain is not the type to come out guns blazing.
“It’s unlikely that we will
TV advertise from the off,” says Carscadden. “We are certainly going to
do press and trade advertising as well as social media and work with mummy bloggers. We like to feel our way in to the market first. “If it’s appropriate, we will
invest. We have a good history of investing in TV support where it’s appropriate, so once we are sure that it is, we will be happy to invest heavily.” And the firm’s portfolio of
licensed product does not end with wheeled toys. The company has found success in the US with its range of arcade games, pinball sets and interactive mats, and Carscadden hopes this will eventually translate over to the UK. “Our arcade games do
very well. We have the Turtles licence in the US but not in Europe yet,” continues Carscadden. “After wheeled toys,
they will be the next focus for us. “At the moment however, all our attention is on the ride-ons. We’re expecting big things.”
30 November
www.toynews-online.biz
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