Page 12 - Toy & Hobby Dec-Jan 2020

LICENSING NEWS
FROM INSIDE THE LICENCE
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MOST LIKED POSTS ON @TOYHOBBYRETAILER INSTAGRAM DURING THE PAST MONTH
1"Sales are currently up 42 per cent on last year indicating that this Halloween is set to be the biggest in Australian history." @ thepartypeopleshop has partnered with @halloweenalley to open a giant Halloween pop-up store at Westfield Knox. The site which is located at the former Toys R Us site houses over 15,000 Halloween items.
Halloween Alley Australia team L to R: Dean Salakas, Amy Murdoch, Rebecca Gillin and Peter Salakas.
2The @spielwarenmesse Trend Committee has revealed
the three key toy trends for 2020. By the committee's projections, sustainability, digital play and inclusivity are the key trends to capitalise on next year.
3"Melbourne is such a viable market for the toy industry and we are looking to fill a gap that is needed for parents and kids in the city." @Toymate is set to open its first Victorian store in October. It will also open a new flagship concept store in Queensland in November.
Harry Potter pops-up in Myer
MYER, in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, unveiled Australia’s largest Harry Potter concept store on 18 October. The store, located on the basement level of Myer’s Bourke St store in Melbourne, spans 500sqm and features Harry Potter toys, gifts, stationery, costumes, homewares and apparel.
The store also contains Australia’s only official Platform 93⁄4 photo opportunity, as well as a dedicated ticket booth for fans to purchase tickets to the Melbourne-exclusive Harry Potter & The Cursed Child stage show.
A look inside the Harry Potter pop-up store.
Myer chief customer officer Geoff Ikin said that department store was thrilled to welcome the activation.
“We are so excited to welcome one of the world’s biggest phenomenas, Harry Potter into Myer
“The Harry Potter concept store at Myer Melbourne will create a unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else in Australia, delivering an exciting world of exploration for fans to discover.
“We know our customers are some of the most enthusiastic and devoted Harry Potter fans in the
world, so we are thrilled to bring them the largest Harry Potter concept store.
“Working with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on this unique opportunity means we can bring the most sought after and coveted products to our customers.
“Harry Potter fans of all ages will now have access to the most extensive product ranges,
as well as some of the most iconic photo opportunities they would normally need to travel around the world to see and experience,” he said.
The Harry Potter concept store will be open until the end of 2020. ❉
Cluedo Mansion undergoes reno
HASBRO’S Cluedo Mansion underwent a renovation in October in celebration of its 70th anniversary. In partnership with renovation and design platform Houzz, Hasbro opened a voting portal to consumers allowing them to vote for which room they’d like to see on the board. After thousands
of votes came in from Australia, the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Singapore, New Zealand and India, the bathroom won out over the
other options: a guest room, drawing room or an updated version of the hall. The design for the new bathroom is inspired by US-based
Ann Lowengart Interiors and is the first bathroom to be included in the game’s mansion. The updated Cluedo game complete with the new bathroom will be available to purchase from 2020. ❉
The Cluedo hall has been transformed into a bathroom.
12 TOY & HOBBY RETAILER NOVEMBER / DECEMBER / JANUARY 2020