Page 10 - Toy & Hobby Retailers Magazine Feb-Apr 2020
P. 10

EDITORIAL
BY IMOGEN BAILEY
Soldiering on
IT’S January 2020 as I’m writing this and it’s hard to think past the bushfire crisis that Australia has endured these past months.
The destruction, devastation and loss of life, wildlife and livelihood remains in the back of not only my mind, but the minds of all Australians.
However, it seems that the conditions have improved, with the current 88 fires burning in NSW sitting at advice level – I’m hopeful that this afternoon’s predicted severe thunderstorm will bring the sweet relief of rain to the fire grounds.
It’s also been brilliant to see
the way the nation has rallied
to fundraise and support the
impacted communities, with
the ATA launching its own bushfire appeal specifically for the toy industry. Your toy business can donate products to the Save The Children in partnership with the ATA, which will see products distributed to the Child Safe Spaces that have been set up in the wake of the crisis.
Big Balloon and Ty have also pledged to donate 100% of profits from the sale of the Katy Koala Beanie Boo to WIRES to help those that are rescuing sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.
These are just two examples of many I expect to come from the industry in the coming weeks.
On another more upbeat note, this is our annual Bumper Toy Fair edition and we are certainly not skimping on the ‘Bumper’ part!
This edition houses the finalists for the ATA’s Rising Star Award and Toy & Hobby Retailer would like to extend a warm congratulations to the five outstanding toy industry
legends who have made the list. I’m not going to spoil who they are; you’ll have to flip to page 30 to find out!
There’s also features on Hasbro, Zimbler and Outliving as well as a comprehensive trend update featuring ‘what buyers want’ interviews with buyers from Big W, Catch and Kidstuff.
And of course, we bring you the Toy Fair section which is filled with hundreds of new and exciting products from leading Australian businesses. The floorplan and exhibitor list are in there too, as well as a warm welcome to Toy Fair from ATA executive manager Alice Sanderson.
I look forward to seeing you all at the fair and catching up on what’s making news for you in 2020.
Imogen Bailey – Editor
EDITOR
Imogen Bailey imogenbailey@yaffa.com.au
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10 TOY & HOBBY RETAILER FEBRUARY / MARCH / APRIL 2020


































































































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