This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
HongKongpreview


which FOB can throw up. I do believe the trend towards more domestic trading will continue, reducing buying risks (they can cancel and return domestic lines) with a greater demand on competitive domestic product costs.” And one supplier who should perhaps remain nameless provided the most amusing response: “I personally believe that lots of customers will spend less on FOB than before. So many more customers are now are asking for domestic prices. But listen to this: one buyer actually asked me why is it so much more expensive to buy out of your UK depot than from the Chinese factory. Lord give me strength!” I’ll be visiting Hong Kong once again next


year, taking in both the showrooms of TST and also spending several days at the Toys and Games Fair, which takes place at the Convention Centre over on the island 7th- 10th January. If you would like me to visit your showroom or show booth, feel free to drop me a line with your availability: john@toyworldmag.co.uk.


In the meantime, here is a sneak peek at just a few of the new lines which will be unveiled in Hong Kong in January. INSPIRATION WORKS: There will be


opportunity to see the new 2013 Kurio line- up for the very first time, although there is an international embargo on revealing any information prior to HK. So, according to David Martin: “If you’re not there, you’re behind already.”


MV SPORTS will be showing a range of wheels based on what Phil Ratcliffe describes as “the hottest girl property around at the moment. The Skylanders range also has started very brightly, so we will be urging the few customers who haven’t taken the plunge to get on board as soon as possible.” KIDS@PLAY’S key new line for 2013 is the


City Peddler, a high end recreational City Scooter designed for urban travel. It has a steel and aluminium folding frame, and is height adjustable from eight to 18 years. It also benefits from a single bracket clean flow chain system (whatever that may be) and the maximum user weight is said to be a generous 15 stone. TOY STATE will be unveiling major extensions to its Road Rippers Line and also within the Caterpillar range. The theme is very much innovation, with Construction Dough being introduced to CAT and exciting sound and light features in Road Rippers. The new TV line for 2013 is Gearheads (“Yes” says Robert Mann, “a TV line from an FOB company!”), which combines action figures with interactive play features and construction. Starting at around £5 through to £50, this range meets all the price pints for collectability and also offers large Christmas playsets. WORLDS APART will be unveiling its new


Permanent Showroom for the first time – Room 401, Empire Centre – where it will be featuring all the ‘core products’ (Go Glow, Ready Bed,


Toyworld 47


“Our experience is that the trade is actually spending more on FOB and a number are making extra commitment to Own Brand. The big problem is not the amount they are spending but the dates they decide to


make their selection trips.” Robert Mann, Toy State


Ready Room, Pop N Fun) alongside all the new products – Skoot, Blue Nose Collectables and Wobble Deck. Group sales director Vance Withers is also “really excited about showing the full range of Horrible Histories for the first time – we’ve had fantastic reactions from the customers so far but this will be the first time that they will have seen the complete range in all its ‘historic’ glory! We’re also excited to be showing new Go Glow ‘Hero’, new Pre School Games and a new ‘Dress and Play’ roleplay range – not to mention our range of ‘Turtles’ and ‘Monsters’ products.” PETERKIN has enjoyed a successful year with its revamped dollsworld range; in fact Simon Blacker admits “it’s been our best year ever – by a long way. We’re now selling in 60 countries – and counting.” Several new dolls


will be unveiled in Hong Kong, along with a brand new range of prams and strollers. DRAGON–I will be launching Toy-fi Teddy, which uses patented technology to allow a child to talk to its toy anywhere in the world. The child can also send and receive messages via I-Cloud and Dragon-I’s own server. IMC will be launching a very exciting TV-


promoted collectable range; INGO DEVICES has a brand new Hot Wheels RC line and additions to its successful tablet range; PLUM PRODUCTS will be adding to its indoor range to create a collection of traditional wooden items with all year round play value. Whilst GROSSMAN has completely revamped its Ozbozz range, both in style and price. It will also be introducing the Elektra range of scooters, hogs, skateboards and helmets.


Dyna-Z


01702 329 866 | barry@bgmarketing.biz UK Toy trade stalwart John Mitchell became a Hong Kong resident several years ago, but has retained close links with the UK toy trade. For 2013 he has teamed up with Barry Harding to offer a brand new wheeled range to UK buyers. 2013 sees the launch in the UK of a range of products under the Dyna-Z name, available exclusively through B.G. Marketing. Two key products to be launched are the Original RockBoard and the smaller Mini RockBoard. Both use patented technology and provide two scooters in one product. With the board fl at, the RockBoard is a traditional ‘kick’ scooter, whereas with the board raised the rocking motion provides an easy to ride, combination board/scooter. The Mini RockBoard won the TIA Outdoor Toy of the Year Award for 2012 in the USA. Both RockBoards are made from high-quality aluminium, with the Original


supporting weights up to 200 lbs for eight years plus, and the Mini RockBoard being suitable for fi ve years up and supporting a weight of up to 90 lbs. Other new products will be available in time for the 2013 Hong


Kong and London Toy Fairs. These include the ‘Descender’, a new product to capitalise on the fast-growing sport of ‘grassboarding’. All products will receive creative PR support and will be available domestically as well as on a direct FOB basis.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72