Toys

“We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to write the next chapter of Toys R Us by launching a newly imagined omni channel retail experience for our beloved brands here in the US,” said Tru Kids’ Richard Barry

We caught up Rope to learn more about his journey to date with JUNKO, and what’s next for his eco-friendly toy brand.

Bananagrams’ Rena Nathanson, Storyball’s Meir Biton and Fundamentally Children’s Amanda Gummer will shed light on the various paths that companies and designers can take in getting their product to market; be it doing it themselves or finding an unusual marketplace tactic.

In the SchoolKids category, the Magical Mermaid World from PLAYMOBIL emerged as the winner, while the quiz game kNOW! from Ravensburger won the accolade in the Teenager & Adults segment.

The decrease has been attributed to the closure of Toys R Us; a poor year for licensed products and a difficult year for the High Street.

You can grab a physical copy of the book at London Toy Fair, Spielwarenmesse and US Toy Fair.

Collabsco’s Val Vacante takes a look at three up and coming figures in the Connected Play space, and looks at where you should go to find those bringing new perspectives to the world of toys and games.

“The acquisition of Vivid by Goliath represents a bold new chapter in our company’s story,” said Tony Hicks, Chief Executive of Vivid Toy Group.

A conversation about coding toy Cubetto leads MURO founder Jeremy Bond to consider how great toys make adults more playful, as well as their kids.

Start Licensing’s Ian Downes takes a look at how toy and game brands have become their own force in the world of licensing, and how both companies and designers should be aiming for innovation when it comes to creating ranges based on existing IP.