We see on average two or three new pocket money lines a week. Every one of them 'will be the next massive craze', we are told. Usually I take them with a pinch of salt - no big orders, etc - just a small experiment. The thing is that it's only the kids that decide what the next big pocket money craze will be, and throwing vast sums of cash at a product is no guarantee of success when it comes to the lower priced end of the market.
There is one name though that will make us prick up our ears, and that's Magic Box International - the people who brought us Gogos Crazy Bones. MBI is back this autumn with a new product called Heroes: Legend of the Battle Disks. Not there's one that will be worth watching.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Well We Moved It All Around
Entirely changing the store layout wasn't something I decided to do lightly, but the time had come. With the hobby market now making up 50% of our business, it had long since gone past the stage of being a nice little bolt on and turned into something significant.
And so now we have a dedicated gaming area and we've cramped up the toys a little. What difference will it make? Of course the gaming fans are delighted that they now get to play in more comfort. Will that lead to more revenue? Not sure, but we'll find out over time - I hope so and I think it will. How will the toy customers react? That's a bit more difficult to judge.
On the one hand, when we're running in store gaming, we'll now be able to keep the players out the way of other customers (previously on big Sunday tournaments, there was no way for anyone else to get inside the place). On the other, will they see it as geeky? Will they think there's less toy choice because it takes up a slightly smaller space? Hmm. We'll find out. Initial reaction seems OK, but time will tell.
And so now we have a dedicated gaming area and we've cramped up the toys a little. What difference will it make? Of course the gaming fans are delighted that they now get to play in more comfort. Will that lead to more revenue? Not sure, but we'll find out over time - I hope so and I think it will. How will the toy customers react? That's a bit more difficult to judge.
On the one hand, when we're running in store gaming, we'll now be able to keep the players out the way of other customers (previously on big Sunday tournaments, there was no way for anyone else to get inside the place). On the other, will they see it as geeky? Will they think there's less toy choice because it takes up a slightly smaller space? Hmm. We'll find out. Initial reaction seems OK, but time will tell.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
It's Good To Give Something Back
As avid readers will know - you are out there aren't you ;) - we're as much a hobby store as a toy store, and it's fair to say that in tough times, our hobby community has been keeping the wolf from the door. Next weekend, we're taking the opportunity to give something back to them, when we embark on Free Roleplaying Game day.
It's a great concept - all the major publishers in the industry create something for free, the retailers then give all the free stuff away to players, and at the same time run lots of good stuff in store. Result - lots of goodwill hopefully generated towards the stores and publishers, that brings customers back all year round.
Of course, I'm a little nervous - we started out as a purely toy shop, and the hobby side has kind of bolted itself on by accident - in that strange journey, this is the grandest event we've attempted and the butterflies will be the same as during our first forays into YuGiOh! organised play. Of course many of the faces that'll be around support us week in, week out, but there'll be a significant number of new faces about too that we need to create a good impression for. We'll also be making some changes to the store layout ahead of the weekend, to provide a permanent gaming area - how will it all work out? Not sure. Wish us luck :)
It's a great concept - all the major publishers in the industry create something for free, the retailers then give all the free stuff away to players, and at the same time run lots of good stuff in store. Result - lots of goodwill hopefully generated towards the stores and publishers, that brings customers back all year round.
Of course, I'm a little nervous - we started out as a purely toy shop, and the hobby side has kind of bolted itself on by accident - in that strange journey, this is the grandest event we've attempted and the butterflies will be the same as during our first forays into YuGiOh! organised play. Of course many of the faces that'll be around support us week in, week out, but there'll be a significant number of new faces about too that we need to create a good impression for. We'll also be making some changes to the store layout ahead of the weekend, to provide a permanent gaming area - how will it all work out? Not sure. Wish us luck :)
Monday, 23 May 2011
It's That Time of Year Again
To pay the insurance bill :( Hey though - Unfortunately it's been worth every penny in our five years of existence so far, so I can't complain too loudly.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Positive Play
Around three years ago, I fell out with a local headteacher, when she chose to ban Gogos Crazy Bones from the playground. There'd been fights and thefts apparently. I wrote her a lengthy (perhaps too lengthy) letter explaining my point of view.
Children's collectibles play a hugely important role in Positive Play, teaching children sharing, fair play and organisational skills to name just three. I pointed out the opportunities that bringing collectibles like these into the classroom could offer to engage children in their lessons and directed her to a number of media stories where more enlightened educators had done just that with high levels of success. I finally pointed out that if there were fights and thefts, the problem was with discipline, not with Crazy Bones. But no. According to her reply, she was an expert in Positive Play and her playground was a paradise for children. To paraphrase, Crazy Bones were a blight on this nirvana.
Fast forward three years and my daughter is now a pupil at the school. Each morning I stand and watch before the bell rings, and I've seen hundreds of examples of very un-positive play taking place in the playground - enough to make my hair stand on end at times. This morning though, I saw two girls, sat quietly in a corner, negotiating their swaps of Moshi Monsters cards. It was the most positive piece of play I've seen happen at the school. I'll expect my daughter to come home with a letter telling us they are banned too in the near future. Just sayin'.
Children's collectibles play a hugely important role in Positive Play, teaching children sharing, fair play and organisational skills to name just three. I pointed out the opportunities that bringing collectibles like these into the classroom could offer to engage children in their lessons and directed her to a number of media stories where more enlightened educators had done just that with high levels of success. I finally pointed out that if there were fights and thefts, the problem was with discipline, not with Crazy Bones. But no. According to her reply, she was an expert in Positive Play and her playground was a paradise for children. To paraphrase, Crazy Bones were a blight on this nirvana.
Fast forward three years and my daughter is now a pupil at the school. Each morning I stand and watch before the bell rings, and I've seen hundreds of examples of very un-positive play taking place in the playground - enough to make my hair stand on end at times. This morning though, I saw two girls, sat quietly in a corner, negotiating their swaps of Moshi Monsters cards. It was the most positive piece of play I've seen happen at the school. I'll expect my daughter to come home with a letter telling us they are banned too in the near future. Just sayin'.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
It's Not Just the Finances That Hurt in a Tough Economy
Once upon a time, it feels like a million years ago, I was (in most parents eyes) the kindly man that provided their children with enjoyable things to play with. They trusted that I knew what I was talking about and that I only sold toys I genuinely thought were good.
Now (in some parents eyes), I'm a rogue, vagabond and thief, desperate to pick the pockets of their darling offspring. I'm cunningly luring the kids into asking mum or dad for a pound for a pocket money toy that's bound to be rubbish.
Amazing how the economy can change people's perspectives. Kinda hurts.
Now (in some parents eyes), I'm a rogue, vagabond and thief, desperate to pick the pockets of their darling offspring. I'm cunningly luring the kids into asking mum or dad for a pound for a pocket money toy that's bound to be rubbish.
Amazing how the economy can change people's perspectives. Kinda hurts.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
MGA Beats Mattel or Something Like That
Apparently something happened today in the "most tedious courtroom drama" winner each year for the last, what feels like, decade. As the MGA vs Mattel lawsuit continues to head towards Jarndyce vs Jarndyce proportions, it seems there was some sort of result which will be no doubt be overturned in due course.
In case you don't follow toy industry litigation particularly closely, the whole thing is about the date on which a toy I really don't like was designed. Will there be retrials, mistrials, recriminations, counter-recriminations, more lawsuits and lawsuits about the lawsuits? Of course. Will any of it interest me? Nope.
In case you don't follow toy industry litigation particularly closely, the whole thing is about the date on which a toy I really don't like was designed. Will there be retrials, mistrials, recriminations, counter-recriminations, more lawsuits and lawsuits about the lawsuits? Of course. Will any of it interest me? Nope.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
High Street Sales Fall
Nestled into a quiet corner of today's Toy News email was the particularly unsurprising news that High Street sales have plummeted in March. Hmm. I'm no Economics Professor but with inflation outstripping wage rises, it's a natural consequence. Retail needs people with money in their pockets and quickly. We've seen big and small name casualties and there'll be many more. Of course all this reduces tax revenue and the words 'downward spiral' spring to mind.
As I said, I'm no Economics Professor but someone who is, recently told his 3rd Year Economics class, only half in jest, that the quickest way to kick start the economy would be to treble the student grant - the one group of people that would immediately take the money and pump it straight back into circulation. Someone needs a good idea fast and its the best I've heard so far ;)
As I said, I'm no Economics Professor but someone who is, recently told his 3rd Year Economics class, only half in jest, that the quickest way to kick start the economy would be to treble the student grant - the one group of people that would immediately take the money and pump it straight back into circulation. Someone needs a good idea fast and its the best I've heard so far ;)
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
The Sad Loss of Corinthian
Sad news in the toy industry today, with the announcement that Corinthian has gone into administration. They've blamed a number of things - particularly the bad weather in the run up to Christmas. Maybe another day, I'll have a rant about some of the other reasons I think toy distributors are struggling, but today all I'll say is that I'm sorry to see them go.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Zoobles and The Craze Track Record
We haven't been able to get them for a while. We have people asking for them every day. Demand is out-stripping supply everywhere. Even Amazon don't seem to have them in stock themsleves - all the ones on offer are being sold by third-parties.
I could either be talking about Zoobles right now, or Silly Bandz six months ago. Silly Bandz have meanwhile dropped off the tween radar completely. Very quickly. Two-and-a-half years ago, a product called Gogos Crazy Bones arrived. And they started to sell. And then they sold loads. And kept going and kept going and kept going. OK, so nowadays we only keep a couple of boxes tucked away in a corner, but it would still be a pretty rare day if none sold.
So why did Crazy Bones achieve longevity when Bandz (and quite a few other 'definitely gonna be long term crazes' of last year) failed? Economy? That pretty certainly has something to do with it. Parents are noticeably reticent to allow their children to start a new 'collection' or at best will allow them to buy one or two, but wont allow it to become a bedroom full. The overtly negative comments made by parents about collectibles are rapidly on the rise.
There's also the price point to consider. Back to Zoobles - 150 to collect and £7 a pop. Maybe two years ago, parents didn't do the maths on things like that, but they do now. Zoobles are fantastic. I love them. My kids love them. Will they be still in huge demand this time next year? Not sure.
Crazy Bones at a pound? Yep - that works, and things only went wrong when they lost that price point. For that very reason, if I could take a bet for this year, it'd be on Iwako. If they ever arrive - a whole other story :)
I could either be talking about Zoobles right now, or Silly Bandz six months ago. Silly Bandz have meanwhile dropped off the tween radar completely. Very quickly. Two-and-a-half years ago, a product called Gogos Crazy Bones arrived. And they started to sell. And then they sold loads. And kept going and kept going and kept going. OK, so nowadays we only keep a couple of boxes tucked away in a corner, but it would still be a pretty rare day if none sold.
So why did Crazy Bones achieve longevity when Bandz (and quite a few other 'definitely gonna be long term crazes' of last year) failed? Economy? That pretty certainly has something to do with it. Parents are noticeably reticent to allow their children to start a new 'collection' or at best will allow them to buy one or two, but wont allow it to become a bedroom full. The overtly negative comments made by parents about collectibles are rapidly on the rise.
There's also the price point to consider. Back to Zoobles - 150 to collect and £7 a pop. Maybe two years ago, parents didn't do the maths on things like that, but they do now. Zoobles are fantastic. I love them. My kids love them. Will they be still in huge demand this time next year? Not sure.
Crazy Bones at a pound? Yep - that works, and things only went wrong when they lost that price point. For that very reason, if I could take a bet for this year, it'd be on Iwako. If they ever arrive - a whole other story :)
Friday, 25 February 2011
Monday, 21 February 2011
Best of the Rest at Toy Fair
To go back to what I said a few posts ago - Toy Fair 2011 was the best one I've been at. Here's a few other things that deserve honourable mentions this year.
DKL Marketing are always one of my favourite suppliers (Hama, Wonderworld and Corolle) - this year they bring us Velcro Kids products which look fantastic and the quite frankly sensational looking Mic-o-Mic Construction range - can't wait to have that one in.
Playmobil's Secret Agent range raises their considerably high bar another few notches. What I love about the range is the added play value that comes with every set - working web cams, motion sensors and much more besides that can be detached from their original playsets and played with in their own right. Looks like another good year from them.
Esdevium is where I get geeky - I'd love to stock just about everything in their mammoth catalogue - highlights this year include the new Discworld Boardgame, more Cobi Construction, Iwako Erasers, Pokemon Black & White and a hundred others besides. I could go on.
Meccano risk upsetting the purists with Space Chaos - I love it though - they've also got distribution on a couple of fantastic robots in the UK - Blazor, Mechatars and Penbo all look great - there's also super new stuff for the fan of good old-fashioned Meccano too.
It's going to be a fun year!
DKL Marketing are always one of my favourite suppliers (Hama, Wonderworld and Corolle) - this year they bring us Velcro Kids products which look fantastic and the quite frankly sensational looking Mic-o-Mic Construction range - can't wait to have that one in.
Playmobil's Secret Agent range raises their considerably high bar another few notches. What I love about the range is the added play value that comes with every set - working web cams, motion sensors and much more besides that can be detached from their original playsets and played with in their own right. Looks like another good year from them.
Esdevium is where I get geeky - I'd love to stock just about everything in their mammoth catalogue - highlights this year include the new Discworld Boardgame, more Cobi Construction, Iwako Erasers, Pokemon Black & White and a hundred others besides. I could go on.
Meccano risk upsetting the purists with Space Chaos - I love it though - they've also got distribution on a couple of fantastic robots in the UK - Blazor, Mechatars and Penbo all look great - there's also super new stuff for the fan of good old-fashioned Meccano too.
It's going to be a fun year!
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Continuing the Toy Fair Round-Up - Flair
The third installment of my round-up from this Year's Toy Fair at Olympia sees me look at Flair - another star of the show for me.
Grabbing Geomag from Trove is an interesting move on Flair's part - Geomag want TV exposure and Flair can deliver it. The new range looks excellent and the TV ads are good too, but it remains to be seen whether Geomag can successfully re-establish itself in the competitive construction toy arena. In the jostle for slotting in behind the 'L' word that is not spoken at Bus Stop Towers, KNex and Meccano have excellent looking plans for 2011, so it's going to be tough.
Morbs though. Now there's a product I loved. Even the prototypes on display were superb and I can't wait to see the finished article. Real Steel could be a smart license to win if the film is anything like as good as it promises to be. The toy range is excellent and it's another to look forward to.
Two more of our old favourites are rolling out again this year, in the shape of Filly and Bionic Putty. Gormiti too continues to plod along - I don't think it's ever done quite what any of us hoped in this country, so we'll see what another year brings.
The highlight always though at the Flair stand is Sylvanian Families, and the display was no less impressive than it always is, this time around. Too many good new products to mention them all, but to name a few: the Cottage Hospital, Berry Grove School and the Ambulance are all lovely.
That's my three stars of the show then - Spinmaster, Flair and Tomy. Next week, the best of the rest.
Grabbing Geomag from Trove is an interesting move on Flair's part - Geomag want TV exposure and Flair can deliver it. The new range looks excellent and the TV ads are good too, but it remains to be seen whether Geomag can successfully re-establish itself in the competitive construction toy arena. In the jostle for slotting in behind the 'L' word that is not spoken at Bus Stop Towers, KNex and Meccano have excellent looking plans for 2011, so it's going to be tough.
Morbs though. Now there's a product I loved. Even the prototypes on display were superb and I can't wait to see the finished article. Real Steel could be a smart license to win if the film is anything like as good as it promises to be. The toy range is excellent and it's another to look forward to.
Two more of our old favourites are rolling out again this year, in the shape of Filly and Bionic Putty. Gormiti too continues to plod along - I don't think it's ever done quite what any of us hoped in this country, so we'll see what another year brings.
The highlight always though at the Flair stand is Sylvanian Families, and the display was no less impressive than it always is, this time around. Too many good new products to mention them all, but to name a few: the Cottage Hospital, Berry Grove School and the Ambulance are all lovely.
That's my three stars of the show then - Spinmaster, Flair and Tomy. Next week, the best of the rest.
Thursday, 3 February 2011
More Toy Fair Highlights
Continuing my run through, next on our list of this year's Toy Fair stars is Spinmaster. Once again, Spinmaster look like having a superb year, and there was plenty to love on their stand at Olympia this time around.
Bakugan continues its march towards global domination with Gundalian Invaders - new in the UK this year is a particularly impressive kit - Dragonoid Colossus - every bit as huge as the name suggests and I'm betting it'll be scarce. Other Spinmaster favourites, Tech Deck and Flick Trix have good offerings too, and Mighty Beanz landing a Cars 2 license looks promising.
Arts & Crafts continue to be a strong area too, but most of all I'm looking out for Zoobles being big. "Bakugan for Girls" is an easy throwaway line, but the pets that 'spring to life' look fantastic. I can see them being this year's biggest craze of all, depsite some tough competition.
Bakugan continues its march towards global domination with Gundalian Invaders - new in the UK this year is a particularly impressive kit - Dragonoid Colossus - every bit as huge as the name suggests and I'm betting it'll be scarce. Other Spinmaster favourites, Tech Deck and Flick Trix have good offerings too, and Mighty Beanz landing a Cars 2 license looks promising.
Arts & Crafts continue to be a strong area too, but most of all I'm looking out for Zoobles being big. "Bakugan for Girls" is an easy throwaway line, but the pets that 'spring to life' look fantastic. I can see them being this year's biggest craze of all, depsite some tough competition.
Monday, 31 January 2011
The Aftermath of Toy Fair
Well! What a show this year - it was truly inspiring to see the industry in such a positive frame of mind. It seems that many manufacturers are responding to tough economic times by upping their game, and there are some simply outstanding new products hitting the shelves this year.
As the manufacturers circus moves on, first to Birmingham then Nuremburg, it's time for me to take stock of everything I saw, and come up with a hit list for what goes on the shelves, at little old Bus Stop Towers this year. Space in a blog doesn't allow me to mention everything I saw, so I'll limit myself to the three manufacturers that I thought were the stars of the show. My criteria for deciding was quite simple - I went around with a notepad all day, and these three far outstripped the others in terms of the notes I took. I'll cover them over the next few weeks, then round up the 'best of the rest' for you too.
First up, for today's post is Tomy. They were the stars of the year last year for me, and are looking pretty good for 2011. The biggest news is probably in their K'Nex range, which has landed a couple of simply massive licenses - Top Gear and Mario Kart.
We all know that construction toys are as much about Dads as kids, so the Top Gear license is a massive coup for K'Nex - whilst the models are only at early prototype stage so far, we're promised that the sets, due out in the latter part of the year will feature some of the most famous stunts from the TV show - superb.
The Mario Kart K'Nex kits look like being a hot, hot product later on this year too. With no drop in the popularity of the Wii game, the kits will allow kids (and big kids) to recreate all the best of the action in K'Nex format. Another outstanding product.
Meanwhile, on the collectibles front, Pinypon are a range of collectible, anime-style dolls with customisable accessories that look a sure-fire hit. There's also Teacup Piggies Glam Stars, which look adorable and a sensational RC hit-to-be called the GX Buggy. Well done, Tomy - looks like another great year.
As the manufacturers circus moves on, first to Birmingham then Nuremburg, it's time for me to take stock of everything I saw, and come up with a hit list for what goes on the shelves, at little old Bus Stop Towers this year. Space in a blog doesn't allow me to mention everything I saw, so I'll limit myself to the three manufacturers that I thought were the stars of the show. My criteria for deciding was quite simple - I went around with a notepad all day, and these three far outstripped the others in terms of the notes I took. I'll cover them over the next few weeks, then round up the 'best of the rest' for you too.
First up, for today's post is Tomy. They were the stars of the year last year for me, and are looking pretty good for 2011. The biggest news is probably in their K'Nex range, which has landed a couple of simply massive licenses - Top Gear and Mario Kart.
We all know that construction toys are as much about Dads as kids, so the Top Gear license is a massive coup for K'Nex - whilst the models are only at early prototype stage so far, we're promised that the sets, due out in the latter part of the year will feature some of the most famous stunts from the TV show - superb.
The Mario Kart K'Nex kits look like being a hot, hot product later on this year too. With no drop in the popularity of the Wii game, the kits will allow kids (and big kids) to recreate all the best of the action in K'Nex format. Another outstanding product.
Meanwhile, on the collectibles front, Pinypon are a range of collectible, anime-style dolls with customisable accessories that look a sure-fire hit. There's also Teacup Piggies Glam Stars, which look adorable and a sensational RC hit-to-be called the GX Buggy. Well done, Tomy - looks like another great year.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Preparing for Toy Fair 2011
A week to go, and I'm still trying to figure out when exactly I'm getting there. Hmm. Still - it'll all work out in the end. 2011 sees the Toy Industry in a defiant mood. Analysts keep telling us how well/badly/indifferently the Toy Sector is doing, but judging by the people I speak to, 2010 was tough for most of us. Toy Fair though is our chance to come together and show off how good we are as an industry. I thought this week I'd take a quick run through of the things I'm looking forward to the most at Toy Fair this year. (With an unashamed bias towards suppliers we stock!) Lets plough on...
Tomy were the stars of the show last year for me, with Tomica, A-Team and Harry Potter. Three words - KNex Mariokart Wii. That could swing it for me, again this year. There's more Tomica too, so its one stand I can't wait to see.
Meanwhile, a supplier that just gets better and better, it's all about Pokemon this year for Esdevium. Pokemon Black & White became the fastest ever selling launch for the DS in Japan, and signs are that the Pokemon TCG will be back in a huge way in 2011. The excellent Cobi range has further additions due too. Can't wait.
Meccano risk offending the purists by heading off into outer space with their new 2011 ranges. I don't care - I think they look great. Trove have further expansion to the Breyer range, which is definitely one I want to get established this year.
The In Thing stand always excites me - there's always a pile of new Pocket Money ideas and I can't wait to see what this year has in store. Aurora also has a stand, and I can't wait to see more additions to our current chart-topper, Yoohoo & Friends. Above all else though - highlighting the big kid I am, I can't wait to see Playmobil Secret Agents. It just sounds too good to be true.
I'll let you know all about it next week.
Tomy were the stars of the show last year for me, with Tomica, A-Team and Harry Potter. Three words - KNex Mariokart Wii. That could swing it for me, again this year. There's more Tomica too, so its one stand I can't wait to see.
Meanwhile, a supplier that just gets better and better, it's all about Pokemon this year for Esdevium. Pokemon Black & White became the fastest ever selling launch for the DS in Japan, and signs are that the Pokemon TCG will be back in a huge way in 2011. The excellent Cobi range has further additions due too. Can't wait.
Meccano risk offending the purists by heading off into outer space with their new 2011 ranges. I don't care - I think they look great. Trove have further expansion to the Breyer range, which is definitely one I want to get established this year.
The In Thing stand always excites me - there's always a pile of new Pocket Money ideas and I can't wait to see what this year has in store. Aurora also has a stand, and I can't wait to see more additions to our current chart-topper, Yoohoo & Friends. Above all else though - highlighting the big kid I am, I can't wait to see Playmobil Secret Agents. It just sounds too good to be true.
I'll let you know all about it next week.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Another New Blog From Me
This is just an introduction post to another new blog from Duncan at Bus Stop Toy Shop. The 2011 New Year's resolution was to get more serious about blogging, and so here we are.
Of course there's already the main Bus Stop blog, where we talk about the new releases in store, there's a new YuGiOh! blog, all about the card game, and there's one more to come, which you'll see soon. Why all the blogs? Well they're all aimed at different audiences and the aim this year is to post to each of them, at the very least weekly.
So what's this one about then? Well I've been selling toys and hobbies for a few years now. I love what I do and I love the industry I work in. Toys and the Toy Industry continue to provide things that amaze me and also, from time to time, things that irk me. So that's what this blog is for. Next week, I'll give my thoughts ahead of the UK's 2011 Toy Fair. Stay tuned.
Of course there's already the main Bus Stop blog, where we talk about the new releases in store, there's a new YuGiOh! blog, all about the card game, and there's one more to come, which you'll see soon. Why all the blogs? Well they're all aimed at different audiences and the aim this year is to post to each of them, at the very least weekly.
So what's this one about then? Well I've been selling toys and hobbies for a few years now. I love what I do and I love the industry I work in. Toys and the Toy Industry continue to provide things that amaze me and also, from time to time, things that irk me. So that's what this blog is for. Next week, I'll give my thoughts ahead of the UK's 2011 Toy Fair. Stay tuned.
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