Inside Out
By Tina Benitez, Tom Sosnowski and Maria Weiskott -- Playthings, 6/1/2005
TIA's annual ToyCon took place last month in Phoenix and attendees were welcomed by temperatures in excess of 110 degrees. The conference addressed many of the challenges facing the toy industry and also announced that the American International Toy Fair will remain in New York through 2007, with an option for 2008 possible (see page 8). Response to the decision ranged from lukewarm to extremely enthusiastic. One manufacturer, who stated his opinion under the condition of anonymity, said “It's an interesting decision…I think it's a bit of a hedge. We already knew we were in Javits in '06 and now telling us that we are going to be there in '07…big deal.”
Others, like David Kort of Imperial Toy, Los Angeles, said “I like it because of the changing nature of the industry. A constant like keeping everyone together in New York is a good thing.”
Yes, times are still changing in the industry for specialty toy retailers. At ASTRA's (American Specialty Toy Retailing Association) annual meeting, members appeared generally upbeat, noting that overall the niche is doing better than it was five years ago, when the bottom started falling out of the mid-tier level toy stores.
However, pure specialty retailers need some “special” handling from manufacturers.
During a panel discussion, “State of the Industry: where are we today, where are we going tomorrow,” that kicked off the event, retailers discussed what it is they need to do to thrive in the ever-evolving market.
Panel member Joe Diaz, CEO, Learning Express, Devins, Mass., noted that retailers are aware of what Wal-Mart and Target have to offer, and it's essential to move toward the kinds of toys that mass retailers don't offer. “You need [toys] venturing away from best sellers,” he said. “You want to have something new when the customer walks in—'wow' items.”
Playthings had the opportunity to visit Spring Giftionery Taipei '05 in Taiwan. The event for the first time in 20 years combined gift items and toys. The melding of two industries might be a trend spotted soon at other trade shows.
