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OPINION
Talking retail
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TnP loves to hear your views. This month we ask retailers about their plans for in-store events and their predictions for the Next Big Thing
Jade Oliver-Deacon Owner, The Toy Shop Okehampton, Devon With Covid restrictions relaxed, are you planning any in-store events? Not yet. In my opinion, it's still too early to consider doing those sorts of things. Hopefully, Covid case numbers will continue to fall and we can start to look at in-store demos in the summer. What do you think is the next big thing for 2022? Dinosaurs are ‘in’. They are always popular, but everyone I spoke to at Toy Fair mentioned the new Jurassic Park film that is due out later this year.
Jennie Hogg
“Dinosaurs are ‘in’... everyone I spoke to at Toy Fair mentioned the new Jurassic Park film that is due out later this year”
Owner, Cachao Toys Muswell Hill , London With Covid restrictions relaxed, are you planning any in-store events? If I’m completely honest, I’m struggling to think too far ahead! Business has been pretty good recently. I have days that are terrible and days that are great - but overall turnover is good, which puts a lot more pressure on me. I like to be physically in the shop as much as possible to get a feel for what’s going on. But I’m also trying to stay on top of paperwork, orders and deleting annoying emails - my time gets used up very quickly. So, the short answer is: yes, I'd love to do some in-store events, but I haven't gone any further with planning any.
What do you think is the next big thing for 2022?
“I'm always
open to I'm not too bothered about the next big thing. Usually, the crazes that go around are made of something unsustainable materials, which inevitably end up new but in landfill. I'm done with it. I like to stick with good I’m very old tried-and-tested classics, or variations of them: conscious of toys that have long-lasting play value and can be the effect it’s passed on rather than chucked out. having on the I'm always open to something new but I’m very conscious of the effect it’s having on the planet planet and and I’m trying to do what I can to minimise the I’m trying to impact. I’m not perfect and don’t claim to be do what I can totally sustainable. But I do what I can. to minimise I get excited when I find a small business that the impact” has made a go of creating a new product that you don't see everywhere. So often I hear from my customers that the child they are buying for 'has everything'. So, I need to find different products that they don't have. Of course, I have to have staple products too, but it's the little guys that get me passionate about selling again. At Toy Fair I found a really cute company called Button and Squirt. Owner Ria Painter-Coates has a really clever collection of Amazing Animals flash cards and colouring books - beautifully illustrated and educational. I also found amazing (handmade in Guatemala) flying discs from Buena Onda Games. And at Top Drawer I saw some lovely crafty products (not necessarily for kids), which I’m really excited to get in. I like to think outside the box! 26
Julia Wingate Owner, The Trading Post Kingsbridge, Devon With Covid restrictions relaxed, are you planning any in-store events? We have reintroduced our Saturday offers, where each week we offer a free goodie bag linked with a brand or supplier. This has been well received by our local customers, who are venturing back instore more regularly.
What do you think is the next big thing for 2022? All the toys with true 'green' credentials. We particularly like the Green Toys range from Bigjigs Toys and Adoptables from Keel Toys.
Debbie Maloney Senior Manager, Austins Department Store Newton Abbot, Devon With Covid restrictions relaxed, are you planning any in-store events? Not at present due to staffing levels, but we hope to plan for second-half trading. But we will participate in the Sylvanian Families loyalty scheme and the Schleich 3-for-2 offer.
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