Page 25 - Toy & Hobby Retailers Magazine Feb-Apr 2020

The interest in educational toys continues to get bigger each year and we’ll be heavily investing in this category.
WHICH TOYS WERE HIGHLIGHTS FOR BIG W IN 2019?
This year it really has been a case of the 3 ‘B’s’. Barbie, Bluey and Building Sets (Lego).
WHAT TOY TRENDS DID BIG W
WITNESS IN 2019?
Online sensations making their way into tangible toys are on the rise. Seven-year-old YouTube Sensation, Ryan’s World is a great example of this as he continues to expand his toy range in Big W.
We’ve also started to see a cooling off
of girl’s collectables with a bigger focus on blockbuster inspired toys such as Frozen 2.
WHAT WILL BIG W TOY BUYERS
LOOK FOR IN 2020 AND WHY?
We feel it’s very much a back to basics year with a strong rise in non-licensed products as well as a softer movie slate for 2020. Toys revolving around the blockbuster movies such as Toy Story 4, Star Wars and Frozen
2 are predicted to drop with many other licensed products.
Our team is very much focused on the core children play patterns of construction, vehicle and doll role play in 2020. These simple play patterns have lasted the test of time whether they are licensed or non-licensed.
ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR CATEGORIES THAT YOU THINK WILL BE POPULAR IN 2020?
Parents are increasingly wanting to get their children away from screens and we see this as a big opportunity for educational based toys. Ranges that focus on STEM are continually growing in popularity and we predict this to continue.
WHAT TRENDS DO YOU PREDICT WILL BE BIG IN 2020?
• Retro – Toys that parents enjoyed as kids
such as Tamagotchis and Polly Pockets are making their way back for the younger generations to discover.
• TradingCards–Alwaysabighitandtheyare available in a number of different designs with the most popular ones being Pokémon.
• Puzzles - Families are looking for ways to bring everyone together and puzzles provide the perfect opportunity.
• Construction - Building sets like Lego fly off our shelves and will remain a strong trend.
ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR MOTIFS YOU THINK WILL BE POPULAR IN 2020? WHY?
You can never go wrong with Unicorns and Llamas. They continue to be big hits across many categories including toys.
ARE THERE ANY PLAY PATTERNS
THAT ARE LOOKING TO BE
POPULAR IN 2020? WHY?
Construction is always a fan favourite and with Lego Masters back for a second year this will only further push the popularity of this category.
Games and Puzzles have really had a resurgence in our stores, this again relates back to families wanting to spend more time together, not on screens, away from screens.
products, sensory stimulating items, healthy eating and environmental education (especially in line with recent climatechangeconversations),building and construction, robotics and collectables are still strong.
WHAT WILL KIDSTUFF TOY BUYERS LOOK FOR IN 2020 AND WHY? ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR CATEGORIES THAT YOU THINK WILL BE POPULAR IN 2020?
We feel that toys that will extend and enhance learning, or are STEAM orientated will continue to grow. Categories like outdoor toys, games and puzzles and quality art and craft kits/activity sets will remain steady through 2020.
WHAT TRENDS DO YOU PREDICT
WILL BE BIG IN 2020?
Toys and books encouraging self- awareness/building emotional intelligence.
From a business point of view, we like to think toy retailers and brands will also put more focus on reducing their footprint and move more towards recyclable packaging and plastics – in line with current global narrative.
ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR MOTIFS YOU THINK WILL BE POPULAR IN 2020? WHY?
Dinosaurs and unicorns continue to be popular motifs. However sloths and seahorses seem to be appearing more across different categories.
ARE THERE ANY PLAY PATTERNS THAT ARE LOOKING TO BE POPULAR IN 2020? WHY?
AR and VR capabilities are extending into more toys and apps. Appealing to both children and parents as they encourage discovery and creativity.
Coding is also being introduced to younger age groups.
OTHER COMMENTS?
Kidstuff is keen to see global trends at the upcoming fairs in Hong Kong and Nuremberg.
CHRISTINE FAULKNER
BIG W – Head of Toys and Leisure
JODIE KELLEHER, FLORA LAWRENCE AND HOLLY STEELE KIDSTUFF – Buying team
WHICH TOYS WERE HIGHLIGHTS
FOR KIDSTUFF IN 2019?
Our highlights were preschool wooden toys, science kits, scooters, educational games and puzzles. All the key toys that align with our brand. ABC character Bluey has also certainly made a strong entrance.
WHAT TOY TRENDS DID KIDSTUFF WITNESS IN 2019? We’ve seen growth in STEAM based
FEBRUARY / MARCH / APRIL 2020 TOY & HOBBY RETAILER 25