A Week in the Toy Business from 21st June 2009

by The Toy Detectives   Leave a Comment

The relaunch of Woolworths as an internet retailer may help fill up the order books of some UK suppliers in what the BTHA’s chairman has described as “the worst performing toy market”.

Monday 22nd June 2009

Brio is to close its UK office and has appointed Treasure Trove as exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland. [Informer: Toys 'n' Playthings]

Interplay have been named a winner at the U.K. Giftware Association Gift of the Year Awards, for The Dangerous Book for Boys science kits. [Informer: License!]

British Toy & Hobby Association chairman, Roger Dyson, names the UK as having “the worst performing toy market” in an address to visitors to the association’s Industry Day. [Informer: Toy News]

Toysmith has purchased the assets of Gemini Kaleidoscopes for an undisclosed sum, the company’s third acquisition since March. [Informer: Playthings]

Tuesday 23rd June 2009

LeapFrog has announced a retail partnership with The Entertainer. [Informer: Toys 'n' Playthings]

Top Trumps 3D has been launched at Hamleys, the first major change to the format since it was first in shops in 1977. [Informer: Toy News]

Jakks Pacific has been granted international distribution rights to Poof-Slinky’s entire portfolio, including the famous Slinky Spring. [Informer: Playthings]

Wednesday 24th June 2009

Ben 10 fans will get to meet Humungousaur at various Smyths stores, the character make appearances during July and early August weekends.  [The Toy Detectives story in full]

RC2 is gearing up to launch its Super Why range in the UK this autumn following its appointment by Nickelodeon as global master toy licensee. [Informer: Toys 'n' Playthings]

Thursday 25th June 2009

Woolworths opens up shop again but this time not on the high street. [The Toy Detectives story in full]

RTL, the makers of the Destination series of board games, has gone into administration; blaming its difficulties in the delay in releasing the movie version of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. [Informer: Licensing.biz]

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