Q1 Ranges - a round-up of releases planned for the New Year

Wilton Bradley

On your marks, get set...go!

Retailers might enjoy having a bit of a breather after a (hopefully) busy Q4, but this Q1 may pan out slightly differently, as TnP discovers...

Once the excitement of the festivities is out of the way, toy retailers usually hope to see kids coming into store in Q1 to spend their Christmas cash and add to the big play sets and collections they found under the tree.

But with consumers reportedly starting Christmas shopping early in case of shortages, and some people still nervous about big family gatherings, Thames & Kosmos sales director Jo Drage thinks the usual dynamic may change somewhat.

“Consumers have been urged to start Christmas shopping early, but I suspect there are a huge amount of consumers (me included) that will not, and will end up giving money for Christmas as there will be no toys left,’’ she says. “There will also be lots of relatives that would normally meet up for Christmas that won’t due to still being nervous about Covid. I think that any retailers with stock left on their shelves will have a busy January with all that Christmas money burning a hole in children’s pockets!’’

Meanwhile, Joeri Hoste, general manager international of Exploding Kittens, thinks there’s good and bad news ahead, especially for indoor entertainment and games: “Consumers are likely to buy their Christmas gifts earlier this year, due to many factors including shipping delays, shortages, and general festive buying pressure. This shift in buying habits could have a significant impact on Q1 sales and create larger demand than usual for indoor entertainment and games purchases during the winter months. However, this could be negated by supply chain issues affecting all shipping routes.’’

And it’s games that do well for Thames & Kosmos in Q1, as Jo Drage explains: “Our board games sell well at Christmas, particularly the cooperative ranges, but so do our science kits, as there are lots of parents and grandparents that value the educational aspect, and want to aid learning.’’

Over at Little Tikes, head of marketing Michelle Lilley says: “Our Fountain Factory Water Table is a key product for Q1. Historically we tend to see consumers making key summer purchases in Q1 ready for the summer ahead, so we’re widening our offering and ensuring we offer ways for little ones to play in as many ways as possible.’’

So what can retailers expect to fly off the shelves? In true post-Christmas fashion, many suppliers release new ranges of collectables, and additions to larger sets, which are traditionally picked up by kids with their Christmas money.

For instance, there’s all-new plush in the Care Bears collection from Basic Fun! And with the brand’s 40th anniversary in 2022, there’s going to be plenty of focus on this nostalgic collection. Look out for

I suspect there’s a huge amount of consumers that will end up giving money for Christmas as there will be no toys left

Jo Drage, Thames & Kosmos

the I Care Bear - made from recyclable materials, including plant-based inks.

The ever-popular Sylvanian Families from Epoch making toys extends its core range in Q1 with two new families. The Husky Family is welcomed into the range and will be the first set to be released with triplets included alongside parent figures. The Sheep Family is also joining the village.

CoComelon fans can also add to their collection, thanks to Bandai, which is introducing a new set of character figures, plush, playsets, and vehicles. Exploding Kittens, meanwhile, is launching an expansion pack for Poetry For Neanderthals in February.

We asked suppliers how retailers should approach ordering stock for Q1. Thames & Kosmos’ Jo Drage says: “As always, forward selections early so that we can manage the stock situation. We have stock of many of our SKUs stored in Germany to keep costs down, as warehousing is cheaper there. We will ship more to the UK, if we have a lot of demand for a product.’’

And finally...

Joeri Host, general manager international, Exploding Kittens has this advice: “Buy inventory yesterday! From ports being clogged, to shipping container shortages, the supply chain is going to be stressed for the foreseeable future. Plan accordingly and order as soon as possible for a more manageable first quarter and beyond.’’

Fresh arrivals

EPOCH making toys

0208 049 1377 sylvanianfamilies.net/uk

Sylvanian Families is extending its core range in Q1 with the introduction of two new families. The Husky Family are welcomed into the range after the father, Vincent Husky, was elected mayor of Sylvanian Village in 2021 by global fans of the brand. The Husky Family will be the first set to be released with triplets included alongside parent figures - a new move for Sylvanian Families. The Sheep Family are also joining the village, with complementary baby and twin sets.

In Spring, the Ready to Play lines will be expanded. Additions include sets with figures and accessories or furniture that allow you to start playing straight away. These lines will build on Sylvanian Families’ success in reaching fresh audiences, by helping newcomers to the brand grow their collection immediately. The Ready to Play sets include the Tandem Cycling Set, the BBQ Picnic Set, the Weekend Travel Set, Party Time Tea Set and the Princess Dress Up Set.

EPOCH’s crafting brand Aquabeads will kick Spring 2022 off with an update to popular products in the core range. The Beginners Carry Case will replace the existing Beginners Studio with updated features and beads, all contained in a secure, portable case, ready to be taken on the move. This set serves as a great starter kit for new Aquabeads fans, as everything needed to get going is included.

The Mystic Unicorn Set also releases in Spring. A revamp on the popular Magical Unicorn Set, this all-inone kit will be fully updated with the addition of star beads, design pegs and a creation display. The set allows children to make enchanting scenes with dynamic, movable unicorns.

A vivacious selection

Vivid

01483 449944 vividtoysandgames.co.uk

Vivid Goliath will launch products for S/S22 across both new and existing brands - and carry forward its construction and domino brand ReaXion. Featuring the latest innovation in domino construction, the tiles are an X shape, which allows them to connect.

Crayola Colour Wonder, meanwhile, introduces the muchanticipated licence Bluey from Q1, and making a splash in ’22, Colour ‘n’ Style Friends will dive under the sea with a range of magical mermaids.

A range with cat-titude!

TWO IN 1 DIRECT

Paul@allin1products.com catsvpickles.com

The success of Cats vs Pickles is set to continue into S/S22, with new characters and the addition of 6in Chonks Chunky Size Plushies and 7in Reversibles. For fans struggling to pick a side - Team Cat or Team Pickle - the 7in Reversibles offer the best of both. Tapping into the reversible trend, these two-in-one collectable plush characters can be flipped from Cat to Pickle by turning them inside out. Available in a selection of themes, each featuring embroidered details, there are nine to collect in the initial wave.

Meanwhile, the Cats vs Pickles Chonks 6in Collectable Plushies deliver the fun of the original Collectable Plushies but on a larger, chunkier scale.

A plethora of puzzles

RAVENSBURGER

01869 363800 www.ravensburger.co.uk

Adult puzzles will be a key focus during Q1 for Ravensburger, linking to the everpopular Puzzle Month and International Puzzle Day in January.

Since the pandemic, consumers have turned to puzzles like never before. This mindful pastime has become a go-to source of relaxation, safety and comfort - and a fantastic way to spend some quality time, whether you puzzle alone or with family and friends.

There is no sign of this trend declining, and Ravensburger will introduce 70 new designs in Spring 2022. The company’s extensive range offers something to suit all tastes, with more than 50% of the range developed by the UK team, working alongside British artists and illustrators.

Key themes include nostalgia, hobbies, and the beauty of the world around us. New designs include Around the UK & Ireland: a debut piece by Yorkshire-based artist Sven Shaw. Sven’s artwork shows famous buildings and sites of interest from 5,000 years of history, and the 1,000-piece puzzle includes a key for added interest.

Another special commission is by Cornish artist Steve Cummins, with the 1,000-piece A Fisherman’s Life puzzle that captures some of the quieter moments of a fisherman’s day. This hand-painted scene reflects the strong sense of community and is a fantastic reflection of British nostalgia.

Ravensburger will continue to support its adult puzzle range by highlighting its Positively Puzzling initiative, backed by heavyweight marketing and PR campaigns.

A showcase from Skyrocket

SKYROCKET

01489 668442 salesuk@skyrockettoys.com

From crystal-powered fairy dolls to interactive plush, Skyrocket has plenty of lines on offer for Q1. A collectable doll line for S/S22 is Crystalina. These 4in dolls, with brushable hair, light up to embody a crystal element with magical properties. There are four characters to collect that represent the crystal powers of love, healing, wisdom, and luck. Shake them to change their colour and focus their power. All Crystalina fairies share an enchanted connection: they can pass colours back and forth, creating a display of lights. The dolls each come with a wearable, crystal-shaped amulet that can pass ‘crystal powers’ in the form of light patterns to the doll and back to the amulet, allowing kids to collect their crystal powers. Each doll comes with a moon-shaped stand, which also collects the crystal energies, making for a glowing room display when a Crystalina doll is placed upon it.

A Bandai bundle

BANDAI UK

0208 3246160 sales@bandai.co.uk

Q1 brings a collection of new SKUs to the CoComelon licensed toy range including the Musical Family Car and Yes Yes Vegetable Basket, plus a new wave of character figures, plush, playsets, and vehicles.

The CoComelon Musical Vegetable Basket allows youngsters aged two-plus to engage with toy versions of their favourite foods. Press on the basket’s nose to hear the CoComelon song Yes Yes Vegetables, and other fun sounds. For preschoolers aged three-plus, the Family Car is a brightly coloured, interactive, push-along vehicle. Featuring sounds and music from the show, children can push the CoComelon logo on the side of the car to hear fan favourites, such as Are We There Yet? plus real car sounds. A JJ figure is also included.

Meanwhile, with Miraculous due to make its feature film debut in Q2, Bandai UK is introducing movierelated lines for Spring including fashion dolls, playsets, roleplay, plush, and collectables.

Finally, Tamagotchi is back and celebrating 25 years since its introduction to the UK market. Tapping into the retro toys trend, two new styles will be unveiled for the latest Tamagotchi inception - Tamagotchi Pix - while the original lines will be refreshed with new Spring designs.

Dolls encourage kids to B-Kind

SIMBA SMOBY TOYS UK

01620 674 778 sales@sisotoysuk.com

Simba Smoby Toys UK will continue to drive momentum in 2021, with a wave of Q1 releases across all categories. First, there’s a line-up of dolls to introduce. The B-Kind collection has been designed to not only be eco-conscious but also to promote positive messages of kindness, creativity, and compassion. Available from January, the dolls are made from recycled materials and dressed in eco-fashions. The packaging is environmentally friendly too: the dolls come boxed in reusable packaging, and a ribbon that serves as a box handle can later be used as a bracelet. Families can use the packaging to construct their own Kindness Board - a space to share kindness goals through drawings, photos, and more.

The range launches with five characters: Brianna, Koral, Ivy, Nora, and Daisy (B.K.I.N.D.). Each encourages creativity through DIY play that reflects the dolls’ passions for going green, saving the oceans, ending bullying, and more. Each B-Kind doll features a DIY craft activity, such as making an upcycled outfit for the doll or creating a set of BFF bracelets.

S/S22 will also bring a new brand to adopt: Pamper Petz. The cute Pamper Petz baby pets are looking for someone to adopt them. These poseable babies, with soft touch skin and sparkling eyes, can drink water from their bottle and will pee in their diaper. Kids will know when it’s time for a change when the nappy changes colour! With their endless play and repeat features, and the ‘magic paw’ colour gender reveal, Pamper Petz are sure to win a place in the hearts of their new adoptive parents. Pamper Petz come packaged in a plastic-free pack, with an adoption certificate and three accessories. The collection launches with three pets to collect: a rabbit, kitten and puppy.

Retailers and buyers can also race into the New Year with Simba Smoby Toys UK’s collection of Majorette diecast vehicles. Small in size but big on detail, this premium range of 3in scale cars boasts opening doors, suspension, transparent front lights, and interiors. The collection already comprises licensed cars to collect, including Mercedes, Lamborghini, Audi, BMW, Porsche, and Volvo construction vehicles. Fresh die-cast themes and ranges will be added in 2022, including gift box sets such as Limited Edition Camouflage, Italian Dream Cars, and a Best of British Collection.

Say hello to SEAsters!

FLAIR

0208 643 0320 sales@flairplc.co.uk

This spring sees the arrival of a new world of collectable dolls called SEAsters. Children will be amazed as their doll transforms into a mermaid when she’s immersed in water and can watch her outfit disappear to reveal her glitter effect mermaid tail and colour-change hair. Once the transformation is complete, kids can unlock the secret case to discover the pet charm bracelet hidden within.

The first wave comprises 12 party-themed SEAsters to collect. Also launching are two SEAsters playsets, which each come with an exclusive doll: the SEAsters Ocean Bubbles Playset and the SEAsters Castle Playset.

Another new dolls range is Unique Eyes. The eyes of these dolls follow the gaze of anyone observing them. The brand launches with three core characters - Amy, Sophia and Rebecca - who not only feature big and beautiful eyes but soft brushable hair and articulated bodies that will stand alone. Inspired by fashion trends, each character is available to purchase individually, styled in one removable outfit. Alternatively, the characters can be bought as ‘Total Look’ sets, which come with an additional outfit option.

Mattel reveals Barbie fun

MATTEL

01628 500000 www.mattel.com

Barbie will kick off Q1 with a new Color Reveal Mermaid series for Barbie & Chelsea. New in the Careers segment is the Bakery Playset and Ice Cream Shop Playset, and adding magic is the Twinkle Lights Mermaid doll.

Fisher-Price will offer new solutions in Baby Gear, including the 2-in-1 Travel Potty and the Simple Support Tub. The newborn range will introduce new sleep solutions with the Rainbow Showers Bassinet to Bedside Mobile and the 3-in-1 Music, Glow & Grow Gym. New to the Infant range is the 123 Crawl with Me Puppy, plus the new Let’s Connect Laptop, while Little People introduces the Little People Big ABC Animal Train.

New products from Thomas & Friends include the Race for the Sodor Cup Playset, which is inspired by the movie. Thomas fans can also create adventures with the Fix’em Up Friends Playset.

Finally, the Hot Wheels City range will feature a new but backwards compatible system of play, allowing kids to connect the new tile pieces and track together to create their own personal Hot Wheels City.

Pretend play

WILTON BRADLEY

01626 835400 www.wiltonbradley.com

It’s no secret that when it comes to outdoor play, kids need no help in creating their own, imaginary worlds. Wilton Bradley’s Playhouse products complement this desire to imagine and dream, thanks to the range of kids’ garden play furniture. The new Playhouse Woodwork Station is a workbench with a pre-drilled peg board for fitting tools, which encourages roleplay and will keep children busy for many hours of DIY fun. It’s the perfect workstation for little craftsmen and women - and it’s also great for developing dexterity and hand/eye co-ordination. Meanwhile, the new Ice Cream Van enables kids to step inside, take control and pretend to drive to their next destination. They can then park up and go into the back, where an onboard kitchen awaits, which features a chest freezer with sliding door. Little ones can act and play as they pretend to scoop ice cream, before handing out their creations from the serving hatch. Along with a blackboard menu for them to write on, they’ll have plenty of fun in this mini food van that provides a platform to fuel kids’ imagination,

All-new plush pals

BASIC FUN!

0118 925 3270 Tim.Ives@basicfun.com

Buyers can bank on Basic Fun!’s best-selling brands for a strong start to 2022.

With the brand set to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2022, the Care Bears collection invites fans to take a trip down memory lane, with a host of favourite characters available in a variety of sizes. Following the sell-out success of Togetherness Bear comes the all-new plush pal for S/S22: Dream Bright Bear. This is the most optimistic bear in Care-A-Lot, encouraging all to follow their dreams! Available as 9in and 14in plush, she has a belly badge that depicts a heart taking flight that is powered by a rainbow. The New Year will also bring the arrival of I Care Bear, who is made from recyclable materials, including plant-based inks.

Next, there’s a truckload of fun on its way from Basic Fun!’s Tonka collection, with a new offering of Monster Metal Movers available from February as single and combo packs, with playsets to come in the autumn. These combine the thrill of Monster Trucks with Tonka Tough styling and construction and service vehicles, for the ultimate Tonka diecast.

Jiggle into spring

CHARACTER OPTIONS

0161 633 9800 sales@charactergroup.plc.uk

Character Options will be filling the toy aisles in Q1 with a string of brands to get 2022 off to a flying start.

First, from the world of Jiggly Pets, comes Jiggly Pets Elephant. He features full body movement, music and sound effects (watch him walk and lift his trunk to the beat of his tunes), plus head and rear sensors reacting to the touch of his new friend. He joins Tan-Tan the Orangutan and the Jiggly Pets Pups and Koalas, which launched this year.

The Heroes of Goo Jit Zu brand remains a top priority for Character Options next year, with continued investment and new themes to drive collectability. The latest in the collection is the Dino X-Ray Series, which sees the existing Heroes go X-Ray following the discovery of a new meteor. These seven Dino Heroes are super gooey and feature an X-Ray bone filling you can see. Stretch them, squish them, and see their X-Ray bones bulge out! Included in this wave is Smashadon: the exclusive, ultrarare character with a translucent, glow-in-the-dark X-Ray finish.

There are also two Heroes of Goo Jit Zu Dino X-Ray Versus Packs to collect in the Series: Fossil Faceoff in which X-Ray Thrash takes on Chomp-Attack Verapz, and Stone Age Rampage that sees Tritops go head-tohead with Chomp-Attack Shredz. Exclusive figures and special finishes are only available in these packs. Also not to be missed is Supagoo Dino. Dinogoo Tyro has evolved into the ultimate Goo Jit Zu fighter with chomp attack jaws; stretch him for attack lights and sounds.

Spring will also see Character extend its licensed collection of Eco Plush with characters from the preschool worlds of CoComelon, Blippi, Barney, Teletubbies and My Little Pony, as well as Peppa Pig.