TOTAL LICENSING
the toy market in the UK saw a strong Kevin Jones, Chairman of the British
performance in 2006, growing by 5% in Toy & Hobby Association, commenting
value (NPD EpoS Retail Tracking Serv- on the toy market said: “It is great to
ice) in 2006 and is now estimated to be able to report five percent growth
be worth over £2.2 billion (NPD Con- in 2006 for our sector. The industry in
sumer Panel). The UK toy market (al- the UK is highly competitive and each
ready the largest in Europe) grew fast- year an array of exciting new toys is
er than other toy markets across the launched from both long-established
EU. The French and German markets companies and new players. Com-
have been predicted a flat perform- panies of all sizes and specialities are
ance, and Spain and Italy are expected working hard to provide great play
to grow by 3%. value for customers of all ages. And
The British
The industry enjoyed a 4.5% growth many of the ranges available for 2007
during December compared to the can be seen at this year’s Toy Fair.”
Toy Fair
previous year, despite the reports “We’re delighted with the success of
that footfall was down. Following the this year’s Toy Fair and the support it
The London Toy Fair at ExCeL took
place from the 24
th
– 27
th
January this
year and saw 235 exhibitors, ranging
from large international companies to
new start-up companies.
The show exhibited thousands of
new toys, games, gifts and hobbies
as well as exclusive product launch-
es with personal appearances from
Gary Lineker (Underground Ernie)
and Jamie Redknapp (Match Mas-
ter), as well as record breaking at-
tempts (Bedlam), birthday celebrations
(Brookite, Scalextric, Teletubbies and
VTech) and a Las Vegas magic show.
Retailers of all types came to see the
latest toy trends and what toys will be
hot for Summer and Christmas 2007.
received from the UK industry. The
show was actually sold out by Novem-
ber, which is testament to how impor-
tant an event it is for our exhibitors.
We are very much looking forward to
welcoming them back in 2008,” said
Kevin Jones.
UK TOY FACTS
• In 2007, more than half of the 500 toys in the UK market
were new products.
• Of the top 500 best-sellers in 2006, 291 were new
products.
• The average price of a toy in the UK in 2006 remained at
around £7.60.
There was also wide representation
recent trend, Christmas toy sales oc-
• 51% of toy sales occurred between October and
from all types of media, including the
curred later in the month. The final
December 2006.
national press. The press briefing and
week before Christmas saw the high-
breakfast was hosted in association
est turnover, with toy sales of over
• December 2006 represented 25% of annual sales.
with NPD Group. Figures announced
£100 million. The final quarter of the
• British children receive £2 billion worth of toys each
by NPD Group on behalf of the Brit-
year accounted for just over half of to-
Christmas.
ish Toy & Hobby Association show that
tal annual toy sales.
63
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