Page 28 - Toy & Hobby Magazine NovDec20Jan21_Mag

2020 IN REVIEW
Headline makers
Toy & Hobby Retailer takes a walk down memory lane to see what made news this year.
NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER/ JANUARY 2019/20
COVER: GOLIATH
INSIDE TOYMATE’S NEWEST CONCEPT STORE IN QUEENSLAND Australian toy retailer Toymate revealed its newest concept store in Loganholme Queensland in November. Located at the Hyperdome, the concept store stands at 2,500sqm and opened stocked with over 12,000 toys ready for purchase. The concept store houses a children’s play area, a movie room, a learning and education space, a refreshment area including Yogur-Berry, confectionery and coffee, a parents room and an arcade area for older children.
UNIVERSITY CO-OP CALLS IN ADMINISTRATORS PricewaterhouseCoopers was appointed as voluntary administrators of the University Co- Operative Bookshop Limited in November. The announcement followed Australian Geographic’s termination of its licence agreement with the Co-op for the use of the Australian Geographic brand for retail and online stores. The Co-op ran 34 bookshop stores on university campuses, as well as the retail network of the Curious Planet scientific stores (formerly Australian Geographic). The University Co-Op was then purchased by Booktopia, while all 63 Curious Planet stores closed, as no buyer could be found.
LEGO AUSTRALIA TAKES OUT SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AWARD Lego Australia was recognised for its sustainable packaging design at the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) Awards. Recognising innovation in the packaging
sector, Lego took out the APCO award in the Homewares category, beating out other finalists including 3M Australia and Asko Australia.
U. Games Australia welcomed national sales manager Andrew McCosker as its second-only managing director in January, as John Herbert stepped aside from the position to become chairman of the U. Games Australia Board. The news followed U. Games’ announcement of a new logo and brand direction which aligned with the global strategy. The business then went on to be named as the Australian distributor of Hape after Educational Experience’s exit from the market.
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
TO CEASE OPERATIONS BY END OFMAY
Educational Experience’s (Edex) parent company Winc announced in February that
it would cease to operate the Edex business
by the end of May 2020. As part of Winc’s ongoing transformation, the Edex business was exited as Winc streamlined and consolidated its offer in education under one brand –
Winc. Edex did not continue as a stand-alone business. The business’ space at the Melbourne Toy Fair was converted to a lounge area.
BIG W: “THESE ARE CURRENTLY TWO OF THE MOST SEARCHED TERMS ON OUR WEBSITE”
As Australia’s social distancing policies gradually became tighter, and more parents chose to keep their kids home from school, retailers experienced strong sales in family entertainment categories such as games and puzzles. Retailer Big W is no exception, with the business telling Toy & Hobby Retailer it experienced a 30% rise in the board games and puzzles category compared to 2019.
HOME GROWN BRANDS RALLIES BEHIND INDUSTRY WITH FREE SOLUTION
As social distancing measures increased, Home Grown Brands Australia rallied behind the industry and provided retailers with a personalised order form and link they could use to stay connected to their customers. The solution was devised to help retailers continue to trade while customers weren’t physically coming into the store. The retailer was able to use the personalised form across social media and emails to allow customers to order from them - without the retailer needing to have
an ordering or payment system on their website. Customers filled out the form with
HEADSTART DONATES $90,000 TO RED NOSE AUSTRALIA Headstart donated a total of $90,922.68 to Red Nose Australia off the back of a successful partnership with The Wiggles and Big W. “Everyone worked very hard to make this promotion happen, particularly Paul Field, Alan Ngov and Ryan Paterson,” Headstart owner Andrew Hendy commented on LinkedIn. “Our whole industry is about kids and it’s great to give something back. What a great cause,” he said.
U. GAMES AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES NEW MD
FEBRUARY/ MARCH/APRIL 2020
COVER: HASBRO
28 TOY & HOBBY RETAILER NOVEMBER / DECEMBER / JANUARY 2021