Gary Wakeman, MD of Gift Universe, the retail and wholesale group behind Menkind, on the growth of kidult spend, top licences, and the strength of bricks and mortar retail
In the September issue of TnP, Gary Wakeman, Managing Director at Gift Universe, the retail and wholesale group behind Menkind, reveals how the business is staying ahead of fast-moving trends and building on the continued growth of the kidult category.
“Collectibles, retro and nostalgia have always been a core part of Menkind’s DNA. A big part of our brand is giving customers something new to discover every time they visit, and the collectibles category perfectly supports tha,” he said.
“We’re seeing new products launch almost daily, whereas in the past ranges would remain relatively consistent for much longer. Today, they’re constantly evolving, driven by fast-moving social media trends and the latest must-have licences, all of which continue to fuel demand.
“At the same time, there’s a strong emotional connection behind the category. Many of us grew up with brands like Lego, and that same sense of nostalgia now extends to anime, construction sets, trading cards and other collectible ranges.
“The quality of today’s products has also improved significantly, with many figurines becoming genuine display pieces that people are proud to showcase in their homes. It’s that combination of nostalgia, collectibility and constant newness that continues to make the category such a major growth driver for us.”
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