Page 21 - Toy & Hobby Retailers Magazine Feb-Apr 2020

WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME CHALLENGES THE ZIMBLER BUSINESS HAS HAD TO FACE OVER THE YEARS AND HOW DID IT OVERCOME THEM?
I had to think hard about this question as
I cannot remember a day when I did not want to go to work. The recession of the late 1980s was stressful with mammoth interest rates and the closure of 1000s of retail stores, however this was good time for the business as many took to a hobby to keep their sanity and thus sales did improve. The Tariff Concession system was initiated and thus huge import duties of 20, 30 and 40% were being slashed to near zero over a period
of three years, which both reduced selling prices and improved margins – a very rare position to be in.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO
SEE THE ZIMBLER BUSINESS ACHIEVE IN 2020?
The recent move to put the office within the warehouse has been a dream for both Joel
and myself for some years. This move has reduced travel times and allows us to focus more on customer service and bringing new and amazing product to the retail market in toys and other categories.
WHAT ARE SOME LONG-TERM GOALS YOU’D LIKE TO SEE ZIMBLER ACHIEVE IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?
This should really be answered by Joel as he is the future
of the business! However,
I am sure the prime aim of
any family business that has made it to 90 years is to look forward to another 90 years. Succession from the third to fourth generation is always a challenge and with our ever- changing retail landscape it will be a very interesting ride for the generations
to come. ❉
SPONSORED CONTENT
MAIN: L to R: Jonathan and Joel Zimbler and Glenn McLean
OPPOSITE: Bruder product.
BELOW: Bruder and Carrera product.
See the Zimbler range at stand B06 at the Melbourne Toy Fair!
FEBRUARY / MARCH / APRIL 2020 TOY & HOBBY RETAILER 21