NEWS
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Buyers out in force!
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• Top ne w • Big int s from the show erview w fl • Produ ith Posh oor cts and P aws people galore
Big buyers from Tesco, Harrods and Ocado hit Toy Fair yesterday
Standing proud Insect Lore, stand G30, was thrilled yesterday to be named 2019 Stand of the Year. “We’re celebrating our 50th year of trading, so this is a very special award for us,” says VP Marc McManamna. “We wanted to make it an imaginative and impactful space that reflected our nature-oriented business.” Roland Earl, Director General of the BTHA, says: “The stand is very nicely built. It’s a creative use of space and a very clever design.” Meanwhile, Shell Scheme of the Year 2019 went to The Elf on the Shelf, Upper Level 155. MDs Toby Spoerer and Lewis Finch, pictured with Account Manager Bea Ayres, say “Santa is very happy!”
Ocado
First up was John Hext, Tesco’s Category Manager, Toys & Nursery, who visited the show on day one and two, said he was “looking for everything”. “I’ve seen a lot of new stuff and plenty of innovative stuff out there. Generally I think there’s a lot more innovation and play value. Perhaps because it’s so competitive out there, parents want more for their money. Generally, as a result, I’d say the standard is rising.” Thomas Hampton, Buyer, Technology & Toys, Harrods, was also at the show yesterday. “It’s been fantastic to see so much variety at London Toy Fair this year with exciting newness for
Harrods
autumn/winter 2019.” There was good news for the Greenhouse, too, as Carla Sydenham, Buying Manager, Ocado, headed there to see the “great innovation coming through in the toy industry. “There have been some lovely fast-paced and fun educational toys and games this year,” she said. She’s pictured above with Buying Assistant Georgina Checkley and Senior Buying Manager James Gowing.
Turn to page 48 for more buyer news.
Tesco
Somewhere over the rainbow Tapping into the dolls and collectable categories, both of which are doing well, Mookie’s new RainboElla range allows girls to create and customise their own dolls. The RainboElla set delivers dolls heads, hair gels and body gels, along with a curing machine, which girls use to design and mould their own doll bodies, hair and accessories; and, with seven dolls to collect and different coloured gels, the doll customisation options are endless. “With RainboElla, you really can create all the different colours of the rainbow,” says Gemma Lewington, Marketing Manager of Mookie, stand E149.