109th Toy Fair: Big Uptick in Buyers, Business and Buys

New York City played host to nearly 27,000 industry professionals from more than 100 countries when the four-day 109th American International Toy Fair showed off more than 100,000 products at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA), Toy Fair 2012 welcomed increased attendance across nearly all categories, including a 3% increase in buyers, a 5% increase in international participants, a 14% jump in licensors and a 23% surge in entertainment executives. Total attendance during the four-day show was 26,730, a 2% increase over the previous year.

The top five countries with the highest attendance numbers at the show were Canada, the U.K., Japan, Mexico and Australia as well as an increase in visitors from Colombia, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Canada and Panama. Twenty-four of the nation’s Top 25 Toy Sellers were represented by buyers and some big retailers including Target, Toys R Us and Walmart reported large increases.

Attendees included traditional toy sellers ranging in size from specialty toy stores to big box and warehouse retailers to drugstores, supermarkets and hypermarkets, as well as alternative toy and game distribution channels such as book and clothing stores, pet shops and travel-themed retailers.

More than 1,000 members of the press, representing national and specialized media, came to report on this year’s top toy trends and help pave the way for sellers to see their merchandise hit it big.

“Toy Fair has evolved into one of the greatest shows on earth, attracting powerful players from the $83 billion global toy industry,” said Carter Keithley, TIA President. “Our show is proven to be a critical stop on the global toy circuit and a magical, exciting experience for all who come.”

The 110th American International Toy Fair will be held February 10-13, 2013, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Here are a few of the showstoppers discovered by The Giggle Guide’s Leesa Valentino at the latest Toy Fair: Greenzys, Follow Me Fairies, Joi Dolls and Dazzu.

Greenzys Help Keep Our Planet Green

Retailers: Show customers you care about the environment when you offer them toys from Greenzys. A portion of each toy sold goes towards planting trees by the Arbor Day Foundation and another portion benefits the Environmental Media Association.

Cuddly Greenzys plush toys are made from natural cotton and non-toxic dyes and are packaged with recycled paperboard. The toys are eight inches tall and packed with personality. Mango is a gorilla from Africa with a big smile on his face. The panda, Yew-Yew, hails from China. Violet, a giraffe; Peat, a penguin; Poppy, a lioness; and elephant Willow complete the merry menagerie.

The whole group figures in a book, The Greenzys, that teaches the concept of environmental conservation, or “green” living. In the introductory story, the Greenzys meet Orinda, the world’s oldest living tree. When they discover she’s in trouble, they agree to help her –– but not before they learn the importance of being green. The book is written by acclaimed children’s writer Danielle Mentzer and illustrated in full color by award-winning artist Cris De Lara.

For more information, visit www.greenzys.com

Follow Me Fairies Pack On-the-Go Fun

Here’s a way to make playtime for little girls age three and up an enchanting experience. The patented Follow Me Fairies Activity Pack is a multi-part toy that lends itself to varied uses, all centering on the activities of fairies. Three different models: Madison, with a purple backpack; African-American Tomar with a blue pack and Alexandra who comes with a pink pack. Each character includes a storybook detailing the special activities of the fairy. The fairy doll is removable for hours of play and comes with magic fairy glasses and a magic wand.

Building on the fairy story in the book and a convenient way to draw when traveling, the pack includes an erasable whiteboard with four colored markers as well as an extra storage pocket where a child’s own favorite play items can be tucked away. When it’s time to drift off to fairy dreamland, the soft, cushioned backpack can double as a travel pillow.

Follow Me Fairies creator Holly Gerchen is a mother of two who understands the value of imaginative play and also appreciates the needs of busy mothers always looking for solutions for playtime on the go. As portable as a child’s imagination, this creative, well-designed item will be a hit with anyone looking to enrich the life of a little miss and will also help children in need with the company’s commitment to Generations of Hope, an organization supporting intergenerational community living.

Find out how to get in on the fun by way of www.followmefairies.com

Joi to a World of Diversity

Joi Dolls can be found in an array of shapes and sizes, with a number of looks, ethnicities and nationalities. There’s one for a bi-racial girl; a doll with either a light or dark-skinned African-American look; a Caucasian doll with a choice of blonde, brunette, auburn or strawberry blonde hair; and dolls for kids who are Latina, Asian, Indian or Middle Eastern.

These dolls don’t just look pretty, although they are with hair ribbons and pretty-as-a-picture outfits. They also speak twelve different motivational phrases like “always be a leader, never a follower”, as well as twelve inspiring phrases from the Bible that identify the scripture passage. The Joi doll can teach Spanish and versions that teach French, Mandarin and Arabic are coming soon.

These dolls have interchangeable voice boxes so other topics including manners (“don’t talk when you have food in your mouth“), healthy eating, the alphabet, numbers, geography, reading and science are available. Joi dolls are not only motivational and educational — they’re fun to play with. Girls love having “conversations” with a doll who looks like them and offers her own opinion. They are affirmed by their play pal that says, “No matter where you come from you can always be successful.”

Do as the doll says: www.joidoll.com

Dazzu Crafts with Techie Twinkle

In an oh-so-012 approach, beguile your customers with a product that combines always-popular crafting with interactive programming that can be done via a computer, tablet or smartphone. Dazzu offers kits that give kids the materials with which to compose projects such as a door sign, photo album, journal, mirror or bracelet. But that’s not all. Already sparkly creations can then be programmed and shared online with friends and, best of all, there’s no software to install or wires to connect.

The Bright Light Journal is spiral bound with seventy-five sheets for recording personal thoughts and a bookmark. It can be embellished with ribbon, three charms, a jumbo gem stone and a feather. Five programmable lights make it twinkle and shine.

The Dazzlin’ Door Sign provides the basics for a child to create a highly personal look to announce her room and decorate it with ribbon, flowers and mirror gems, set to glow with lights.

Jazz up a butterfly laden locker mirror with programmed lights and attach it with a sturdy magnet or make a Flashy Frame to encase a special photo and light up a room. Each project is one-of-a-kind as it is programmed by the young designer and features his or her very own photos. Dazzu Light Craft Studio’s patent-pending technology, and simplicity, let users sparkle and shine.

Brighten your craft sales at www.mydazzu.com