Golden Bear Toys will be exhibiting from the 13th-21st April in LA and is looking for best-in-class partners and distributors worldwide.

Golden Bear Toys is looking forward to showcasing its product ranges in LA across the company’s portfolio of Girls, Infant and Pre-School Licences, Soccer and Games.

Barry Hughes, Golden Bear’s MD, reveals why he feels it is so important to be at the show: “LA certainly seems to have become the new Hong Kong and where the international toy trade meet up to strike deals on a regular basis. We are excited to be exhibiting again in April on the 11th floor of the 1960 Building and catching up with partners old and new.”

Among the opportunities being presented are:

• Smart Ball’s Soccer Bot was a huge success in Q4 of 2023, and Golden Bear has onboarded distribution partners in 17 countries, and will be working with its partner Two Skies to bring Soccer Bot to the US. The team is now looking for distribution partners in India, Asia & Central Eastern Europe. Brand new for 2024,  the Smartball Kick Tracker uses smart sensor technology to count kicks; helping players master their kick-ups, toe kicks and side foot passes.
• After a successful 2023 launching into the UK games arena with Farty Freddie and Mind Meld, Golden Bear is set to launch five new games in 2024, with a variety of family, party, and tabletop games to be demonstrated at the LA show. These include addictive race game Hyper Dash, Fart Yoga and The Psychopath Test. Golden Bear Toys is looking for best-in-class partners and distributors worldwide to join them on its games venture.
• Expanding further on its range of own IP products, new girls’ property, TattooMeez, gives children the chance to create their very own plushie pal.
• Joining the interactive plush Curlimals range in AW24 are bunnies Luna & Flora, with a brand-new curl up feature that makes their ears curl under their feet when they’re sleepy. This year’s hero product, Mummy & Mimi, combines imagination, nurturing and cuteness: Mummy uncurls to reveal a baby hedgehog nestled on her tummy. With eight new ways to play, there are lots of nurturing and magical moments to be experienced.
• Finally, the Windy Bums collection has a host of unique personalities and playful sounds, jiggling along the floor as they giggle and trump.

Central to Golden Bear’s ongoing business growth, the company continues its long-term licensing partnerships with Acamar, WildBrain and the BBC, securing the master toy licence for Supertato, as well as launching a range of Hide & Seek toys with Hasbro, Paramount and Moonbug.

Building on its international success with Bing, 2024 sees Golden Bear launching into France and Greece, adding to the growing portfolio of countries that are bringing a range of toys to Europe and beyond.

Visitors to LA are invited to make an appointment with Claire Vernon: c.vernon@goldenbeartoys.co.uk.

Golden Bear Toys will be exhibiting from the 13th-21st April in Suite 1180, Office 6, 1960 Building on Grand, El Segundo.

For more information on Golden Bear products, contact customerservices@goldenbeartoys.co.uk.

Distoy is looking forward to welcoming its band of faithful followers from every corner of the world to London between May 28^th – 31st.

During the four-day show, toy suppliers and distributors from across the world will travel to London to view a selection of new ranges for which toy companies will be hoping to secure distribution deals.

Distoy features showrooms across two hotels in London – St James’ Court and St Ermin’s – and the show largely works on a ‘by appointment only’ basis, with meetings taking place in a confidential environment behind closed doors.

A full list of exhibitors can be found at Distoy.com, where visitors should also register to attend. Show organisers David and Madeleine Potter can be contacted at david@distoy.com or madpot@distoy.com.

David Potter told Toy World: “Distoy is a fixture on the international toy community’s calendar. With the exception of two dreadful Covid years, Distoy has continued to run every year and we’re open for business as usual again this year.”

Richard North, president of exhibitor Wow! Stuff is a big fan of the event: “I love Distoy – the event is so different to anything else,” he explained. “Every year, we hear rumours that there will be fewer people coming to the show and then when it happens, it’s packed. It often ends up as our most productive show of the year.”

Toy World will be visiting the show, so if you would like to arrange a meeting with the team during the event, you can email john@toyworldmag.co.uk or mark@toyworldmag.co.uk.

Toy World is sad to report that Pamela Osborne, owner of Osborne’s Sports and Toys in Rushden’s High Street, has passed away at the age of 91.

Pamela Osborne worked for 60 years at the family run Osborne’s Sports and Toys, which she owned, in Rushden. She died peacefully on March 25th at the age of 91, with her family noting that ‘her smile and witty personality has always lit up our little corner of the High Street.’

Osborne’s is a proud Toymaster member, and Will Osborne, Pamela’s son, who currently runs the toy store with his partner, Libby, said: “She had a good life, she had 91 good years. The family has  been overwhelmed by the positive response of love, stories and best wishes that we’ve had. A response like that is a great comfort for the family. We knew her and loved her, but it’s nice to know the customers did too, and the response has just re-enforced what we knew about her, and that so many people felt the same.”

Pamela came to the area initially to take a job at Chichele College as a PE teacher in 1954. She married Will’s father, Jim in 1960, and became a partner at the toy shop some time later, holding this position right through until 2024.

Her family report that she was a mainstay in the shop well into later life. They recount that, while Jim was seen as the face of the business, Pamela was the brains behind it, taking a more behind the scenes role, although she could often be found making herself available to chat to customers.

Osborne’s Sports and Toys celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2020, when special 65th anniversary jigsaws were commissioned. Other noteable moments in the business’s history include when Lego thanked the Osbornes for their brand loyalty by cladding the entire shop front with 277,500 Lego bricks for a weekend, and Playmobil selecting Osbornes’s as the launch pad for Playmobil: Star Trek’s USS Enterprise playset, supplying a 5ft Mr Spock and a model of the USS Enterprise.

The local community has responded to the news of Pamela’s passing with condolences, happy memories and high praise for what many described as a ‘lovely lady’, a ‘local celebrity’, and ‘an integral part of many of our childhoods.’

Pamela’s funeral will take place on April 15th at St Mary’s Church in Higham Ferrers (NN10 8BT). All are welcome, and the family is asking that attendees wear colourful attire to lift the atmosphere, marking a celebration of her life.

Osbornes has become a staple of Rushden town centre, and Will reiterates that the running of the shop will continue uninterrupted, per Pamela’s instructions.

The social gathering of a group of Scottish toy trade reps and agents took place on April 4th at Blanco restaurant in Glasgow.

Mike Wares of Toys in Scotland, a sales agent since 1984, got in touch with Toy World to share details of the event.

“Yesterday we had a luncheon gathering of current and past members of the Scottish Toy Trade,” he told us. “This was held in the wonderful Italian restaurant Blanco in Glasgow. Fifteen of us gathered, with ages ranging from 42 to 92 years old and bringing over 540 years of experience and service to the toy trade within Scotland and the UK in general.”

During the luncheon, there was much talk of great British companies past and present, as those in attendance swapped anecdotes about their wide and varied experiences working with a whole host of companies, from Chad Valley and Palitoy to Brainstorm and Epoch. As all the guests shared the attributes of wisdom and experience, talk naturally turned to the huge changes that have taken place within the retail landscape.

“A most enjoyable lunch ended with a general consensus to make it an annual event,” added Mike.

Pictured enjoying the lunch date are, from left to right:

Bryan Slaven (retired)

Doug Wares (retired)

Chris Burt (retired)

Graham Burnett (Agent for Tomy, Bandai, Peterkin, Global Journey Gifts, PlayMonster)

Martin Keane (retired)

Martin Grossman (retired)

Monty Cowan (92 yrs old and definitely retired)

Eric Greene (retired)

Lewis Keane (now out of toy trade)

Graeme Mackenzie (ex Junners of Elgin)

Graham Crawford (Agent for Epoch, MV Sports, VTech, Leapfrog)

Mike Wares (Agent for Mattel UK, Basic Fun, Brainstorm)

Dave Soutar (retired)

Colin Fisher (retired)

George Rodgers (retired)

PMI will be introducing a new line of Minecraft themed collectibles, stationery, plush and impulse lines this summer.

PMI Kids’ World, renowned for its popular gaming and licensed collectibles, has signed a worldwide licensing agreement with the iconic gaming phenomenon, Minecraft. This strategic partnership aims to bring a new dimension to the collectibles industry, offering fans an immersive experience through a range of Minecraft themed impulse, plush, collectibles and stationery products launching this summer.

Minecraft, crafted by the talented team at Mojang Studios, began its journey as a video game, quickly evolving into a cultural sensation. This immersive sandbox experience transcended its gaming roots to become a timeless media franchise, giving rise to a myriad of books, merchandise, events and even an eagerly anticipated film. Captivating a diverse and enthusiastic fan base, the Minecraft community has cultivated a fervour that extends beyond the digital realm, turning a pixelated adventure into a multi-dimensional phenomenon.

In the past year, PMI Kids’ World has emerged as one of the world’s leaders in the gaming space and licensed collectibles, consistently delivering must-have items from major IPs. Notable successes include turning Sonic Prime fans into collectors, and bringing the popular multiplayer online games Stumble Guys and Among Us beyond the screen, two viral games with over 160m monthly players collectively.

PMI’s achievements also extend to the company’s launch of the Web3-born brand Pudgy Penguins, an instant Amazon hotlist topper, which sold over half a million units within days at the Pudgy Penguins storefront.

“Minecraft has evolved into an unparalleled evergreen media franchise, and we are excited to see the boundless possibilities this partnership holds,” said Omer Dekel, COO of PMI Kids’ World. “Our track record of providing communities with fresh and inventive ways to engage with their fandoms aligns seamlessly with Minecraft’s imaginative play options.”

This summer, fans can immerse themselves in the enchanting world of Minecraft with PMI’s latest collection of premium stationery and irresistible collectibles. Designed to captivate fans across the globe, this innovative line invites enthusiasts to elevate their collections and proudly display their fandom in a new way.

A Q&A session in London with former England player Joe Cole heralded the launch of the new Topps collection.

Joe Cole and Jacqui Oatley chat all things football at the official Topps Q&A session and UEFA Euro 2024 Sticker Collection launch

Just before the Easter weekend, Toy World joined a select group of hand-picked sports journalists at the prestigious Ivy restaurant in London to witness a Q&A session with former England player Joe Cole, to promote the launch of the first ever Official UEFA Euro 2024 Sticker Collection from Topps. The collection comprises more than 700 stickers, including all the teams at the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament, featuring players to watch, star players, captain and artist holofoil stickers, as well as famous legends from previous UEFA Euro competitions and rare stickers.

Interviewed by Sky Sports commentator Jacqui Oatley, Joe Cole admitted to being an avid football sticker collector in his youth, telling the audience: “You are not a football fan unless you collect stickers. There is a real nostalgia about them, it’s an essential part of growing up. It taps into our psyche as fans – we love football and we love collecting.”

Asked how he felt when he first saw himself on a football sticker, Joe described it as “an incredible moment”, and says he has been asked numerous times by fans to sign their stickers of him.

Fielding questions from Jacqui Oatley as well as gathered journalists including Toy World’s John Baulch, Joe defended Gareth Southgate and told attendees he believes England has what it takes to ‘go all the way’ in the Euros

Turning attention to the 2024 UEFA Euro tournament, Joe was bullish about England’s chances of success: “We have as good a chance as we have ever had to win the Euros…we just need a little bit of luck. We’ve had so much bad luck over the years, so many near misses – now we have the technicians, and an abundance of attacking talent, we could finally be in a position to go all the way.”

Pressed by Jacqui Oatley on whether the current manager has what it takes to take England to the final of a major tournament, Joe robustly defended Gareth Southgate and his record, but conceded that “we need to play on the front foot” (not, it has to be said, Gareth Southgate’s traditional modus operandum). Joe cited France and Germany as our main competition for the title, and also said he expects Jude Bellingham to be one of the players of the tournament. He closed by saying that he believes Gareth Southgate will move on after the Euros, regardless of whether England wins or loses (so there is hope yet…), and caused plenty of post-session debate when he suggested the next manager “has to be English.”

All in all, it was a fascinating session, and journalists left with lots of interesting quotes, as well as plenty of stickers to give to young relatives to start their own collections.

The new Reydon Sports catalogue, in conjunction with the company’s B2B portal, offers retailers of all types the opportunity to buy at discounted trade pricing.

Reydon Sport’s latest product catalogue for 2024/25 is now available. At just under 500 pages, the new trade catalogue is the company’s biggest edition yet and showcases the full A-Z of Sports, Leisure, Toy & Outdoor goods available.

Over the last 12 months, Reydon’s brand offering has continued to grow, as the company has developed its relationship with new retail sectors, expanding rapidly into toy retailers. Reydon has been a Toymaster supplier since 2022, and has described becoming accredited as ‘a move that makes total sense’.

“Reydon gives retailers, whatever sector, the opportunity to buy at discounted trade pricing through our B2B portal,” explained Marketing director, Andy Griffin. “We are experts in sourcing and stockholding and have the infrastructure to fulfil the significantly bigger quantities all thriving retailers need.

“We continue to realise the importance of hard copy catalogues acting as a ‘bible’ for our retailers who shop day in day out,” he added.

As Reydon’s customer base continues to expand, the team says physically sending a key marketing tool (AKA the catalogue) is still something it is very keen to continue exercising going forward.

This year, once again, the company has chosen to eliminate pricing from the catalogue to avoid any confusion with fluctuation and to also focus further on encouraging customers to shop through Reydon’s effective and easy-to-use B2B web portal.

Logging in allows customers to see prices, stock quantities and the latest ranges, at the click of a button. With brands such as Puma, Nike, Mitre, Speedo, Nerf, Adidas, Waboba, Trespass and hundreds more available, Reydon also has own brands in high demand such as Precision Training, Urban Fitness, Swimtech, Midwest American Sports, Six Peaks Outdoor and many others. The company has pledged to keep all of its 140+ brands, 15+ exclusives and 9,000+ individual SKUs available and in stock.

To view the catalogue, click here.

A Desi Doll branded expanded pop up is underway within Selfridges FAO Schwarz toy department to coincide with Ramadan and Eid. 

The Desi Doll brand is currently featured in the main toy promotion area in Selfridges in London, Manchester and Birmingham and founder, Farzana Rahman, says it is making quite an impact.

“We’re super grateful to the toy leadership team at Selfridges for offering us this amazing opportunity that spotlights our Desi Doll brand during this key gifting season,” she told Toy World. “Sales have been excellent and the numbers speak for themselves.”

Desi Doll will be celebrating two years of being stocked in Selfridges this summer. Buyers there originally contacted the company in what Farzana describes as a ‘dream transaction’, and the range appeared on shelf in the FAO Schwarz concession in under two months from the first meeting between the buying team and The Desi Doll Company.

The dedicated pop up will draw focus on the range during Ramadan and in Eid. Desi Doll company’s fun, interactive and unique toy designs teach children about the Islamic faith and make great gifts all year round. They are also suitable for pre-schools and nurseries looking to add diverse and inclusive toys to their settings.

“Selfridges is really leading the way in diversity and inclusivity especially in its toy department,” Farzana added. “And the feedback from customers has been amazing.”

The collection has been designed to help promote respect and understanding amongst Muslim children and peer groups who may not share the same faith. It aims to teach young children that having different faiths does not matter in friendship, and that people have plenty in common regardless of faith.

Desi Doll has also been invited to hold brand training sessions/workshops within all three stores, where staff enjoyed getting hands on with the toys and were intrigued to learn the key features and benefits that the interactive and educational range offers, enabling them to better serve their customers.

The range can be viewed on the company website here, and readers can get in touch with Farzana at farzana@desidollcompany.com.