ToyFair2013
Hornby Paul Chandler
London provided the platform for the best possible start to the year for Hornby. Our new, much larger stand and positioning was ideal, and the plethora of new and exciting lines being showcased across the brands created a huge amount of interest from both trade and press. The all-new Quick Build concept from Hornby, launched under both Airfix and Scalextric brands, caused a significant level of attention throughout the duration of the London Toy Fair. The stunning Airfix Quick Build range comprises a range of six iconic classic and contemporary model aircraft which require neither glue nor paint, allowing younger modellers to have fun with Airfix. The incredible Scalextric Quick Build product, Demolition Derby, uses the same construction concept, this time allowing consumers to build, race and destroy. Each Hornby brand has a constant flow of new and innovative product coming through, including
new Corgi Toys lines featuring Eddie Stobart, and from Hornby (model railways) the revolutionary digital computer-based control system, RailMaster, using Hornby’s e-Link digital interface unit. Also to look out for are new gift sets from Airfix, plus new Afghanistan lines. There are many new Breyer and Humbrol products to look forward to, plus top licences from Scalextric, including Fast & Furious, Star Wars and James Bond.
Thinkway Toys John Barton
This was Thinkway’s first showing as a direct vendor in the UK and was a great success. The Toy Fair provided the opportunity to see the buyers who did not get to see the line in HK or who were not going to Nuremberg. The overall best new item
was the Talking Minions for the upcoming new DM2 movie from Universal which is released in July. Thinkway is the global master toy licensee. Toy Story continues to perform and gain momentum globally for Thinkway with the revamp of our Signature Collection and will be expanding the line at many retailers. Disney Planes has been received very well by the retailers globally. Thinkway has flying and RC toys and we will have the main driver featuring the U Command Dusty in the UK. In general the feedback from the buyers and the vendors was very positive and people had a sense of looking forward to another good toy year.
Famosa Paul Fogarty
Naturally all went down well, but our Nenuco nurturing doll range was exceptionally well received. The feeling is that the timing is right to have a serious marketing investment- led brand competing and creating increased category interest. Overall very positive – the new opened-
up Upper West hall was busy but tranquil in comparison to downstairs. The continuing expansion of Toy Fair is a credit to the BTHA and all involved. The experience has been very positive
overall and the UK Toy Fair proved to be the jewel in the crown for us. We have had a great reception to Famosa’s return to the UK market with a fully supported UK team.
Schleich Laura Bull
I would have to say our new range of knights went down the best at Toy Fair; everyone was so impressed with the quality, detailing and storytelling, not to mention the fantastic value for money of the whole range. The movable wings and magnetised riders of the impressive Griffin and Dragon were also another highlight amongst the range. We had a great Toy Fair experience, and our remodelled stand received great feedback. The stand was always busy with new and existing customers, there was a great mix; not forgetting lots of orders being placed.
GP Flair Simon Hedge
Toy Fair 2013 was a superb one for Flair and the GP Group as it’s the first major show of the season. The first day started really well with three Best New Toy Awards for Turtles, Trash Pack & Doc McStuffins. Our stand was incredibly busy and visitors were complimentary about the layout and displays. We showcased a number of well-known trading opportunities alongside some very exciting new ones, so there was a lot to talk about. Best recieved well-known opportunities had to be the Turtles 2013 range, which has had a huge impact already on the Boys’ Action Figure market, and The Trash Pack’s 2nd year, plus the re-vamp of Plasticine. Our best-recieved completely new brands had to be Tree Fu Tom, Doc McStuffins (both doing really well already), and Skwooshi launching later this year.
Posh Paws Lisa Dower
We had a very successful Toy Fair this year; we were exceptionally busy for the full three days with both existing and new customers, we had a great reaction to all of our ranges and all in all it was a great show for us. Our new Doc McStuffins plush range
proved extremely popular, everybody that came on the stand was very excited about it.
Tomy Joe Gray
Battroborg, the world’s first motion-controlled micro battling robots, created a big buzz as buyers gathered to battle against each other. And our new key licensed lines, Pokémon and Dinosaur Train, impressed too – especially with the high consumer demand that was already present for Dinosaur Train, and with the news of the new content coming from Pokémon at the end of year. 2012 was a transition year for Tomy, and we feel we’re definitely making step changes so that this is the year we make the industry sit up and notice us thanks to our hot Pre-school and Boys toy products.
Bandai Darrell Jones
As Toy Fair celebrated its 60th birthday, Bandai had an anniversary of its own with Power Rangers reaching its 20th year. The anniversary
got press talking, with news of the milestone covered on BBC Breakfast, The Guardian Online, Evening Standard online and key men’s websites such as Shortlist and Stuff. We revealed the new Power Rangers Megaforce line due to be released in the Summer, with a hugely positive reception from press and buyers.
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