The Bear's Market
By Marina Rusinova -- Playthings, 9/1/2007
Two important international trade fairs took place in Moscow this year—Toy & Game and Mother & Baby—both devoted to supporting and developing the domestic production of goods for children and expectant and nursing mothers. Both events traditionally enjoy a high degree of popularity with Russian and foreign industry players. Both are venues where professionals get acquainted with new products, strike contracts, plan further cooperation and strengthen their business relationships. They showcase the latest trends in infant care products, educational toys and other quality goods for children.
This year's events had 305 participants, including 265 Russian companies and 40 foreign firms from nine countries: Austria, Belarus, Belgium, China, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine. Standholders included Russia's leading distributors, such as C-Toys, Alisa and Grat-West, as well as major Russian manufacturers Tehnolog, Yolochka, Drofa Media, Ogonek, Moscow Toy Factory and Raduga.
Many companies, including foreign firms, have exhibited here for years. “Our company is located in Italy, but most of our operations are in Russia,” said Elena Ritzi, manager of A.W.E.CO, Vicenza, Italy. “This is why we have participated in this fair since 1998—it is a way to develop our business.”
Nasha Mama, a large domestic producer of baby goods, has exhibited at Mother & Baby for three years. “This exhibition gives us the opportunity to present our products, show our new developments, and meet new business partners,” said Yulia Kurenkova, Nasha Mama's training manager.
As a result of a long-term cooperation agreement made in 2006 between show organizer Maxima Inc. and the China Toy Association, the number of Chinese exhibitors at Toy & Game and Mother & Baby has increased. In addition, the fairs welcomed 102 new Russian and foreign companies this year that had never exhibited at these shows before.
“The children's goods market has a huge potential in our country, which may even be higher than that for clothes, consumer electronics or car markets,” said Igor Naydenov, Maxima's chairman of the board. “High-quality, modern toys and games will surely find their buyer here.”
Marina Rusinova is editor-in-chief of Igroprom magazine, Moscow.
