Rick Derr from Learning Express talks through 2022, discusses the endless discounting in the US during the busiest season and gives his outlook for 2023. 

After 20 years working at A.C. Nielsen/D&B Research Company, Rick opened the first Learning Express Toys franchise in the Chicago area in 1996, and then became a sub-franchiser, opening nine more stores. Although leaving the corporate environment behind, he has combined his expertise in data and numbers with a passion for the toy retail space. As his popular column returns, Rick questions why the toy industry persists with extensive discounting during its busiest season.

“It all started in October and has been relentless,” Rick tells us. ” I heard Black Friday mentioned so much throughout October and November that I ‘blacked’ out!”

Rick admits that he is pointing his frustration straight at the big box and online retailers – Walmart, Target and Amazon and the constant deals they are all offering, many with free shipping, and how as an independent he has had no choice but to partake in the frenzy.

Rick tells us which have been his top categories this year and how he continues to be both optimistic and frustrated by the US market and then explains why he anticipates 2023 to see an decrease in year on year sales during the first six months.

“In the end, we have had a really stellar year – my third best of all time – and feel blessed to have been able to donate to charitable causes this year, more so than any time in our company history,” Rick concludes.

In 2023 Rick is looking forward to meeting colleagues at the Toymaster May show, the Learning Express and ASTRA summer shows and the Toy Fair in New York City in September.

To read the full article, which featured in the January issue on Toy World Magazine, click here