allegedly...
Summer traditionally heralds the arrival of a number of blockbuster family movies, which can provide a timely boost to canny retailers. By all accounts Despicable Me 2 has been extremely popular in recent weeks, but it seems to have caught a few retailers out (again). There are rumours of stock being fl own in to meet the huge uplift in demand since the movie launched. Perhaps it didn’t help that that Universal wasn’t – how can we put this politely – the most pro-active of licensors when it came to trade marketing for the property, but it has certainly built up some momentum now. Monsters University also launched in July, and there are high hopes for this one too in the coming weeks....
There are a number of job vacancies in our online recruitment section at the moment (www.
toyworldmag.co.uk), in both the toy and licensing fi elds. One of the most intriguing opportunities on our ‘job board’ is the chance for a sales person to re- locate to Hong Kong to work for Dave Cave’s Dragon-i operation – worth checking out if you’ve ever considered living and working in one of the world’s most fascinating cities....
An interesting nugget to emerge from recent conversations with the TV community suggests that Argos is not especially popular right now, having signifi cantly cut back on its traditional levels of spend with the kids channels to promote the arrival of its autumn / winter catalogue. The shortfall certainly took a few broadcasters by surprise, but hopefully a few toy companies were able to benefi t from some enticing short-term deals to fi ll the gaps. Argos’ reduced spend does, however, raise a few questions, not least whether this approach signifi es a reduced reliance on the ‘big book’ going forward. Indeed, there have been a few murmurings about a new Argos project – possibly called ‘i-extra’ – which would support that theory. As ever, watch this space....
An American medical supply company boss was recently detained by workers in a Chinese factory over a pay dispute. Workers blocked exits around the clock and deprived him of sleep by shining bright lights on his offi ce. Union offi cials said that the man had failed to pay the staffs’ wages for two months, and workers at the factory feared that the business was about to close without any promise of severance packages. Whilst there have been no specifi c instances of similar unrest in toy factories, there is little doubt that the current Chinese workforce is markedly different to previous generations, and is far less likely to accept being treated the way some of its predecessors were....
As an online sales tax moves closer in the USA, the debate over whether the UK should also be adopting a similar measure has heated up in recent weeks, with senior fi gures from both sides of the online/bricks & mortar divide wading in to put their point of view across. The head of Morrisons, Dalton Phillips, has admitted that online sales are having a damaging effect on the High Street and said that his company is willing to pay an online tax to help address the problem, magnanimously commenting: “As more and more sales migrate online, it seems to me intuitive that you would tax the online channels as well.... you’ve got to have a level playing fi eld.” A generous offer at fi rst glance, but as Morrisons is just moving into the online space, presumably he knows that any tax would be levied on a very small part of the company’s turnover. In contrast, Shop Direct boss Alex Baldock is unsurprisingly unimpressed with the concept, stating: “If you tax business it should do three things: it should promote growth, promote jobs and be fair. An online tax fails on all three counts.” He added: “I feel for people who pay rates, but it’s a business choice.” Of course, the phrase “ he would say that, wouldn’t he?” also springs to mind. Expect this one to run and run.....
We may be in the middle of Summer, and there have even been a few sporting events to get excited about in recent weeks, but for the football fanatics amongst us, the real sporting action is just around the corner, with the start of the new domestic football season only a matter of weeks away. And to add to the pleasure (or pain), some die-hard fans also like to join in with one of the many Fantasy Football games on offer. Once again this year Toy World will be running its own Fantasy Premier League mini-league – the Toy World Masters – so if you’d like to join in this year and pit your wits against fellow toy trade luminaries, just drop John an email (
john@toyworldmag.co.uk) and he’ll send you all the log-in information. Will this be the year when we see a new name etched on the (metaphorical) winner’s trophy? Bring it on chaps and chapesses.....
After a long and illustrious toy trade career spanning over 50 years, Keith Segal will be retiring on August 9th. Keith joined I .Angel and Sons in December 1959, and has spent recent years with Mookie Toys. Keith summed up his time in the industry by admitting: “I can honestly say it’s been a real roller coaster of a ride, but one that has made me many good friends along the way. I will miss the trade, but look forward to a whole new future without health and safety inspections, or trading standards.” We’d like to wish Keith all the best for his retirement....
Toy World is celebrating its 2nd birthday this September
We’d love you to be part of our special September birthday issue.
Published on 2nd September – Perfectly timed to reach retailers just as the all important Christmas season starts to get into full swing.
Call Mark Austin on 01442 840307 to fi nd out more about what’s on offer for this bumper edition. 74 Toyworld
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