INDX Toys & Nursery Show - preview

AIS head of toys & children’s gifts Rosie Marshall

‘On track for a

bumper edition’

Formerly The Independent Toy & Gift Show, the rebranded INDX Toys & Nursery Show is set to become the new favourite in the toy and gift buying calendar, according to organiser AIS (Associated Independent Stores)

The long-established Independent Toy & Gift Show resumed its live format last September and had positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike.

A month later, the exhibition announced plans to join the INDX group and rebrand as the INDX Toys & Nursery Show. INDX (short for Independent Exhibitions) is organised by the buying group Associated Independent Stores (AIS). The INDX portfolio covers 12 sectors across fashion and home and delivers more than 20 business and buyer-focused shows per year. Supplier’s eye “ The show is always a pleasure to attend. We meet some of our largest independent retailers there and it’s a good environment for furthering those relationships “

Nick Saunders, Sales & Marketing Director, Brainstorm

All the events take place at AIS’ own exhibition venue at Cranmore Park in Solihull (just five minutes from M42 J4 and close to major travel networks). The shows are attended by both AIS members and non-member buyers from department stores, garden centres, specialist outlets, boutiques, and standalone shops.

As part of wider expansion plans, alongside Sports & Leisure and Beds & Bedroom, Toys & Nursery is the latest category to join INDX.

What: INDX Toys & Nursery Show When: Wednesday April 6 9am-5pm and Thursday April 7 9am-5pm Where: Cranmore Park Conference & Event Centre, Cranmore Avenue, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4LF INDX website: www.indxshows.co.uk Registration link: www.indxshows.co.uk/indx-home/toys-nursery/registration Cranmore Park location: www.indxshows.co.uk/visit/how-to-find-us Social media: @INDXHome

The addition of Toys & Nursery strengthens the existing INDX Home portfolio, which already includes Furniture, Housewares, Linens, Beds & Bedroom and Gift Food.

Now, the AIS team co-ordinating the newly rebranded INDX Toys & Nursery Show says it is ‘on track to unveil a bumper edition’ when the two-day presentation arrives at Cranmore Park on April 6 and 7.

With more than 12 years’ experience in the toy industry, the team says the exhibition will showcase products from marketleading brands across traditional toys, licenced products, preschool toys, and children’s gifts, along with the latest trends, previews of upcoming launches and ‘surprises at every turn’. Buyers can meet with a diverse array of exhibitors from the world of toys across the two days and visit suppliers with bespoke show offers and curated ranges for a wide variety of retail spaces.

ABGee, Artstraws, Asmodee, BamBam, Bandai, Basic Fun, Bertoy, Best Years, BIBS, Bigjigs Toys, Blueprint, Brainstorm, Casdon, Character Options, Cheatwell Games, Clementoni, Cozy Time, Craft Buddy, Depesche, DKB Toys and Distribution, DKL-Beysal, Epoch Making Toys, Flair, Floss & Rock (Atelier), Funrise, Gibsons, Golden Bear, Hachette Board Games, Halilit, The Happy Puzzle Company, Hasbro, IMC Toys, Inside Out Toys, Jakks Pacific, James Galt, John Adams, Juratoys, Just Play, Kayes of Cardiff, Keel Toys, Keycraft, Kidicraft, Learning Resources, LEGO, Little Concepts, Lumimi, Mad Group, Magformers, Magic Box Toys, Marresa, Marvin’s Magic, Mattel, MGA, Zapf Creations, Mookie Toys, Robovision, Moose Toys, Muddleit, Naylor Activity Tunnel, One For Fun, Orchard Toys, Papo, Peterkin, Playmobil, Playmonster, Rainbow Designs, Ravensburger, Redlands Distribution, Royal Brush, Schleich, Sequin Art, Simba, Canal, Hexbug, Smart Toys, Spin Master, Thames & Kosmos, Toynamics, Ty, United Wheels, University Games, Vivid Goliath, VR Distribution, VTech, Yotoplay.

*Correct at the time of going to press

AIS head of toys & children’s gifts Rosie Marshall said she is “looking forward to unveiling a fantastic show” and introducing visitors to a new category for the event: nursery gifts.

She commented: “We are very excited to be joining the INDX shows. The Independent Toy & Gift ethos has a lot of similarities with the key values that the INDX brand stands for, such as providing a business and buyerfocused approach to shows and a commitment to meeting the diverse requirements of today’s retailers. We are therefore delighted to be joining the INDX family and welcoming everyone to the launch show in April.

“Rebranding to INDX Toys & Nursery has given us the perfect opportunity to explore new product categories and we believe that adding nursery gift suppliers to our existing exhibitor mix will evolve the show. Introducing brands that specialise in nursery gift products, including accessories and soft furnishings, will provide visiting buyers with Buyer’s eye a more inclusive presentation.” Next month’s “ I attend a lot of shows, edition of INDX Toys & from toy to Nursery has secured an impressive exhibitor attendance featuring gift, stationery, nursery, beauty, global suppliers book fairs such as LEGO, Mattel, and more - in MGA, Character Options, Hasbro, Spin Master, Playmobil and 2019, I visited a record 27 Moose Toys. shows! Without

And following the doubt this is my increased consumer demand for products made using green favourite by far - I’m a big fan. methods and created Smoothly run, from alternative with easy access, materials, the theme of this year’s show will shine a spotlight comfortable and welcoming, this is on sustainability, and visitors can enjoy focused merchandise displays featuring examples of these “ the show of the year for me. Liam O’Shea, Buying Director, Wicked Uncle innovative eco-ranges.

INDX Toys & Nursery is open

Did you know?

The theme of the show will shine a spotlight on sustainability and visitors can enjoy focused merchandise displays featuring examples of innovative eco-ranges

to all retailers, and offers free admission, free on-site parking, and complimentary refreshments to all visitors. AIS says attendees can expect a friendly, relaxed, and professional buying environment in which to network and connect with the toy industry.

Visitor registration can be completed via the INDX website at www.indxshows.co.uk/indxhome/toys-nursery/registration. Further show updates and news can be found on the INDX website and by following @INDXHome on social media.