Games & Puzzles
ROLLING WITH THE PLAYERS The games and puzzles sector continues to fight its good fight against today’s screen-saturated society. Robert Hutchins rounds up all those making a big impact on the category this year
Jumbo Games 01707 260436 Having finished 2018 as the UK’s number one manufacturer of adult puzzles and accessories, Jumbo has started the year with growth, driven by the investment in over 60 new adult puzzles that launched in January. Jumbo’s market leading adult puzzle brand Wasgij is already seeing growth of 15 per cent this year that is being led by the six new 1,000 piece puzzle releases across it Original, Destiny and Mystery puzzle concepts. In June it will introduce three 1,000 piece puzzles in the range; Original 32 The Big Weigh In, Destiny 20 The Toy Shop, and Christmas 15 Santa’s Unexpected Delivery that will again include a free 1,000 piece for added consumer value. It’s why it was the UK’s number one selling adult puzzle item in 2018.
To continue driving the 29 per cent growth for its Falcon de Luxe puzzle brand, having already released 10 new puzzles in January, Jumbo is bringing out 10 new puzzles across 500-1,500-pieces in April. 10 new puzzles are on their way for June, including the Christmas 1,000-piece puzzle, titled ‘Santa’s Special Delivery’, that includes a free 1,000-piecer. Jumbo will be releasing four new 1,000-piece Puzzles for Dumbo, Aladdin The Lion King and The Little Mermaid’s 30th Anniversary, but it’s not all adult puzzles for Jumbo this year. With the new hit pre-school property, Moon & Me, already topping the viewing charts, Jumbo has four puzzles aimed at children three and upwards, while hot off the press is its range of pre-school eco-games produced using 100 per cent recycled materials are already proving popular move for the company. There are four games in the range for this year, with more to come. April 2019 | toy news | 37