With the help of newly appointed UK and Ireland managing director Richard Collins, Ravensburger aims to make 2024 its best year yet.
Toy World spoke with Richard Collins, who has spent pretty much his whole career in retail. His approach to the ‘Theatre of Retail’ – wowing consumers through storytelling, meeting them in different areas of the marketplace and gaining first-hand insight into their product wants and needs – has run like a seam throughout his varied roles and he’s brought it with him to Ravensburger.
Looking ahead to this year, perhaps the biggest news for Ravensburger is the 50th anniversary of the company’s iconic Blue Triangle logo. To mark the occasion, Ravensburger is developing anniversary products that will be launched throughout 2024. The company’s puzzle boxes are also being redesigned and adapted, and will help Ravensburger’s push to further improve its sustainability credentials; by the end of 2023, Ravensburger’s internal operations were C02 neutral, and the footprint of its end-to-end supply chain will be reduced by -40% by 2030. This year, the company is moving to Rhenus Logistics’ sustainable warehouses in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, which is certified BREEAM Outstanding.
2024 also sees Ravensburger introduce a new category with the launch of its Play+ Infant and Toddler range. The offering will encompass both books and toys, focused on child-led learning and be educational, rewarding and fun – all under the Ravensburger brand that is already recognised and trusted by parents. The Play+ range makes its debut at London Toy Fair.
At the show, the company is also looking forward to strengthening its existing partnerships and forging new ones, something Richard prides himself on. He tells Toy World: “We work collaboratively with our partners and have regular meetings which are a fundamental part of our approach to business. We’re always upskilling our data analysis but all roads lead back to the relationships we have with our partners, having that connection with our consumers and understanding their needs. Only then can we really deliver.”
Explore the full article, which appears in the January edition of Toy World, here to discover more about Ravensburger’s advancements for 2024.
