The May issue of Toy World is available to read online now.
The 76-page May issue of Toy World is now available to read online, and will shortly be landing on doorsteps across the nation (if it hasn’t already).
Featuring a host of fresh content that has not appeared online before, this issue is the result of the team’s hard work to bring readers an accurate, no-nonsense and unbiased reflection of the challenges and opportunities facing the toy industry as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We spoke to a wide range of players – from indie retailers to major suppliers – to present you with a healthy cross-section of opinion, news and views.
The nationwide lockdown has meant that consumers have turned to online retailers in their droves. We spoke to the specialist online toys and games retailer BargainMax.co.uk about its experiences so far, while Nouman Qureshi, category manager – Toys & Games, eBay UK, explains what the online marketplace can offer retailers in these testing times. Lisa Currie also spoke to the co-founder and CEO of Down Your High Street, Daniel Whytock, to discuss how independent retailers can utilise this online platform to sell their products.
Carmel Giblin, president and CEO of the ICTI Ethical Toy Program, offers insight into the current status of toy factories in China, and encourages those who rely on external manufacturers to think now about how they can help them. We also bring you the latest from Isaac Larian’s Operation Pac-Man initiative, which is providing PPE and ventilators to frontline workers and patients in need across the USA.
With Mattel’s Thomas & Friends celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Pauline de la Riviere, marketing director, outlines what plans are in place throughout 2020 for this classic children’s brand. Meanwhile, Adrian Whyles, Interplay’s managing director, spoke exclusively to Toy World about how the company’s new Play Together with Interplay initiative and portfolio of creative products are helping families stuck at home.
And if that’s not enough, the May issue also contains in-depth articles on social media marketing and stealth learning, as well as a comprehensive feature on dolls and girls collectibles and a look at what’s new in licensing. This month’s Talking Shop feature asked indie retailers how they’re faring during the lockdown, while Etopia’s Asha Bhalsod, MTW’s Darren Garnham, Azure Media’s Tristan Brooks and Mattel’s Richard Dickson offer their Viewpoints for this month.
To read the May issue of Toy World online, click here.
The team is already working on the June issue, which will again be filled to the brim with the latest and most relevant insight, news, views and opinion from across the toy industry. If you’d like to be involved, or have a story you’d like to share with us, contact John Baulch (publisher – john@toyworldmag.co.uk) or Rachael Simpson-Jones (editor – rachael@toyworldmag.co.uk). If you’d like to advertise in the June issue, contact sales director Mark Austin (mark@toyworldmag.co.uk).
