Page 17 - Toy & Hobby Retailer Magazine Mar-Apr 2019

the fidget spinner blurred the lines between
a kid's toy and an adult's tool. Kids were entertained for hours, learning new tricks and filming them, while adults soothed a buzzing, worrying mind with the toy.
It may be suggested too, that because of a heightened awareness and diagnosis of mental health issues, toys for adults have boomed.
Colouring books for adults, the resurgence in puzzles as well as the mesmerising feel
of kinetic sand, can all be used by adults
(and kids) to achieve mindfulness, better concentration and lengthen attention span, something that many adults are actively seeking out, to not only help with mental health issues, but to counteract screen over-exposure.
Or, it may just be that toy manufacturers have recognised a new market and are pumping out toys for adults.
Regardless, the Trend Committee says that it's something to watch in 2019.
Euromonitor International is an independent provider of strategic market research across many industries, sectors and countries. In its most recent report, Euromonitor’s analysts identify the top 10 global consumer trends set to influence consumer behaviour, priorities and values. Toy & Hobby Retailer has selected the most relevant consumer trends that you should be aware of in 2019.
BACK TO BASICS FOR STATUS – LESS IS MORE
Euromonitor forecasts that in 2019, there will be a shift away from mass-produced, generic products and consumers will instead look for those that are positioned as, “simplified, back to basics and of better quality, with an implied level of status.”
Consumers in developed economies have taken stock of their spending habits and are moving away from materialism to simplicity, authenticity and individuality.
EUROMONITOR INTERNATIONAL
– TOP 10 GLOBAL CONSUMER TRENDS
THE SPIELWARENMESSE TREND COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE:
• John Baulch (Publisher and Managing Editor, Toy World Magazine, UK)
• Daniele Caroli (Journalist, Il Giornale dell’Infanzia, Italy)
• Dr. Maria Costa (Market Researcher, AIJU Toy Research Institute, Spain)
• Axel Dammler (Market Researcher, iconkids & youth international research GmbH, Germany)
• Richa Dikshit (Blogger, Toy Tasting, India)
• Steven Ekstract
(Journalist, License! Global, USA) • Philippe Guinaudeau
(Market Researcher, Kidz Global, France) • Marek Jankowski (Journalist, Branza
Dziecieca, Poland)
• Gabriela Kaiser (Trend Consultant,
Trendagentur, Germany) • Reyne Rice
(Journalist and Trend Expert, USA) • Jane Wong
(Journalist, Toy Industry, China)
MARCH / APRIL 2019 TOY & HOBBY RETAILER 17