Not a Christmas morning goes by without legions of parents exclaiming expletives of frustration when it comes to unpacking toys for their impatient children.
Toys are often secured into boxes by all sorts of devious methods: string, cable ties, twisted plastic wire, extra lumps of cardboard, sticky tape, moulded plastic thingamajigs and (most perversely of all) some manufacturers even think it’s a good idea to clamp things down with screws.
The reasons for this include: allowing the toy to be displayed effectively while still in the box, to prevent parts of the product getting lost or so it be can examined and tried without being removed from the packaging. Alternative reasons may well be simply spite or an anti-theft measure imposed by someone with a very pessimistic view of humanity.
Well, Tesco wanted to change all that with the launch of Carousel, its new pre-school brand. The supermarket chain hired Less Packaging to develop “a new concept of toy packaging”.
Greg Lawson, Managing partner at Less Packaging, said: “Tesco wanted to answer a real customer need by offering quick and easy access to their Carousel toys…” With toys typically taking over 4 minutes to remove from all their packaging, Lawson explained: “We were very careful to take time at the development stage, perfecting the balance between customer appeal and performance as well as reducing unpacking times to around 45 seconds across the range.”
Twisty metal ties were abolished from the range, with corrugated (cardboard) fittings used instead. Whilst this led to an overall increase in raw materials used and extra time spent on the assembly line, overall there were net benefits provided by manufacturing, supply chain and other cost savings.
So, no doubt we can all look forward to an extra 3 minutes and 15 seconds (per toy) of frustration-free festivities each time Christmas or a child’s birthday is celebrated.
Carousel is an own brand range available exclusively from Tesco.
Informer: Packaging Europe
Selected Chuggington toys are now HALF PRICE at The Entertainer. Offers include items from both the die-cast metal range of trains and the interactive locomotives that can actually talk to each other. Accessories and track are also included among these deals.
Half Price Chuggington Interactive Railway
Steam Around Old Town Set (NOW ONLY £24.99, was £59.99)
Chugger Champion Deluxe Playset (NOW ONLY £24.99,was £49.99)
Rock Quarry (NOW ONLY £12.50, was £25)
Chug Wash (NOW ONLY £11, was £22)
Repair Shed (NOW ONLY £11, was £22)
Zephie and Passenger Car (NOW ONLY £16, was £8)
Emery (NOW ONLY £6.50, was £13)
Half Price Die-cast Trains & Accessories
Wilson Carry Case (NOW ONLY £8, was £16)
Wilson Paint Wagn 3 Pack (NOW ONLY £6.50, was £13)
Let It Snow 3 Pack (NOW ONLY 6.50, was £13)
Bridge and Tunnel Accessory Pack (NOW ONLY £6.50, was £13)
Koko’s Repair Shop (NOW ONLY £6.50, was £13)
Brewster’s Weigh Station (NOW ONLY £6.50, was £13)
Straight & Curved Track Pack (NOW ONLY £6, was £12)
Cross and Switch Track Pack (NOW ONLY £6, was £12)
Irving’s Rubbish & Recycling Cars 2 Pack (NOW ONLY £5, was £10)
Calley with Box Car 2 Pack (NOW ONLY £5, was £10)
Hodge with Popcorn 2 Pack (NOW ONLY £5, was £10)
Frostini’s Ice Cream Cars 2 Pack (NOW ONLY £5, was £10)
Calley’s Fire & Rescue Cars 2 Pack (NOW ONLY £5, was £10)
Emery (NOW ONLY £5, was £10)
Jet Pack Action Chugger Light and Sound (NOW ONLY £4, was £8)
Toot (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Hoot (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Speedy McAllister (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Harrison (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Chatsworth (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Irving (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Mtambo (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Zephie (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Frostini (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Action Chugger (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Koko (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Brewster (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Old Puffer Pete (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Wilson (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Olwin (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Muddy Wilson (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Soap Suds Koko (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Leafy Brewster (NOW ONLY £3.50, was £7)
Morgan and Peckham Car (NOW ONLY £2.50, was £5)
50% OFF selected Chuggington toys
at The Entertainer
Offer ends: unknown
Bandai – Catcha Beast
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£19.99
Description
This device incorporates a special digital compass where you must rotate your body until you hook a beast, then reel it in and let the battle commence! Once you’ve caught a beast, train it and connect with friends for interactive battles. Over 100 beasts to find, catch, train, battle and exchange.
Bandai – Catcha Beast
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£19.99
Check availability and search for cheaper prices on:
By our best endeavours, all prices correct at the time of publishing. Please check retailer for latest prices, availability and delivery information.
]]>
Crayola – Beginnings Tadoodles 1st Markers
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£5.5
Description
TaDoodles Washable First Marks are the right size and shape for a child’s first palm grasp to help in developing gross to fine motor skills. With their unique design, First Marks won’t dry out and can be reactivated by simply dabbing them on a piece of paper several times. Worry-free! No caps needed! With each scribble, dab, and wiggle, your child’s imagination will grow!
Crayola – Beginnings Tadoodles 1st Markers
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£5.5
Check availability and search for cheaper prices on:
By our best endeavours, all prices correct at the time of publishing. Please check retailer for latest prices, availability and delivery information.
]]>
Crayola – Art Framers
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£2.5
Description
30 framed designs to draw, doodle and paint! Create a variety of fun activities. Art Framers can be used for party invitations, signs and creating fun pictures. Draw and hang your pictures! Includes 30 sheets (30.5cm x 23cm)
Crayola – Art Framers
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£2.5
Check availability and search for cheaper prices on:
By our best endeavours, all prices correct at the time of publishing. Please check retailer for latest prices, availability and delivery information.
]]>
Crayola – 8 Washable Dry Erase Crayons
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£3.5
Description
No weird odours, no caps to lose and no drying out – Crayola’s Dry Erase Washable Crayons solve all the problems of traditional dry-erase tools. With bold colours and a smooth lay down, that easily wash from skin and fabrics, these are perfect for any dry-erase surface! Also includes a sharpener and a E-Z Erase Mitt.
Crayola – 8 Washable Dry Erase Crayons
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£3.5
Check availability and search for cheaper prices on:
By our best endeavours, all prices correct at the time of publishing. Please check retailer for latest prices, availability and delivery information.
]]>
Crayola – 10 Erasable Pencils
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£2.99
Description
A colouring pencil that you can erase! No more frustrating mistakes, smudges or ripped paper. Includes 10 bright coloured pencils each with their own erasers. Now you can make changes anytime with Crayola’s Erasable Pencils!
Crayola – 10 Erasable Pencils
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£2.99
Check availability and search for cheaper prices on:
By our best endeavours, all prices correct at the time of publishing. Please check retailer for latest prices, availability and delivery information.
]]>
Crayola – Colour Explosions White – Twisted Tropicals
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£5.99
Description
Now kids can create amazing multi coloured designs on white paper! Draw your favourite design and watch as the colours magically appear, then add outlines using the black marker included. Pack includes a 12 page mini colour explosion tablet, 2 colour explosion markers and a black outline marker.
Crayola – Colour Explosions White – Twisted Tropicals
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£5.99
Check availability and search for cheaper prices on:
By our best endeavours, all prices correct at the time of publishing. Please check retailer for latest prices, availability and delivery information.
]]>
Crayola – Colour Explosion – Rainbow
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£5.99
Description
The unique clear ink marker works only with Colour Explosion black paper, revealing hidden colours behind for amazing designs! Pack includes 3 colour reveal markers, a 20 page black tablet with rainbow colour reveal, a stencil sheet and a resealable storage bag.
Crayola – Colour Explosion – Rainbow
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£5.99
Check availability and search for cheaper prices on:
By our best endeavours, all prices correct at the time of publishing. Please check retailer for latest prices, availability and delivery information.
]]>
Crayola – Winnie The Pooh Colour Wonder
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£5.99
Description
Color Wonder is a magical way of colouring in as the special markers only show up on the special Color Wonder paper. Colour in your favourite Winnie the Pooh characters with Color Wonder, where the colour only appears within the lines!
Crayola – Winnie The Pooh Colour Wonder
Available to buy from Mail Order Express
£5.99
Check availability and search for cheaper prices on:
By our best endeavours, all prices correct at the time of publishing. Please check retailer for latest prices, availability and delivery information.
]]>