The September issue of Toys n Playthings is now available to read online.
This month LeapFrog takes the cover story, giving us the lowdown on its latest tech-learning-play innovation, LeapMove. Developed with education experts and plenty of family insight, it gets kids moving as well as learning and has already been touted as a top toy for Christmas by a number of leading retailers.
Talking of Christmas, we also take a look at this year’s Q4 line-up and their marketing campaigns. Shoppers were a little late to spend last year, so all the stops are being pulled out to help parents and gift givers shop early and often. Our columnist John Ryan has some advice for retailers on that front: don’t be the first to blink when it comes to marking down prices. As he says, Christmas is the only time of year consumers will now ‘happily’ pay full price, and the new year is the time to clear through unsold stock.
We visited the Bigjigs head office as the company marks its 40th anniversary – though the team are yet to work out what, exactly, that celebration will look like! Founder Liz Ireland gives us a little insight into how she and the business have evolved over the past four decades, how often they get offers to be bought, and the future of the family-run toy supplier.
Elsewhere retail editor Clare Turner checks in on a brand-new retailer that’s just opened this summer, Sugartown Toys in Bury St Edmunds, as well as Albatross Toys and Models in Aberystwyth, as owner Delyth Jones reflects on her first year after taking over her late parents business.
Plus there’s supplier opinion with our Trade Talk feature, a spotlight on construction toys, expert insight into the media and marketing side of toys, news, views and plenty of brand-new product.
And don’t miss our autumn Garden Centre Supplement, also available to read now HERE.
