Toys n Playthings

The DreamToys top toys for Christmas list, as chosen by a panel of industry experts, will be unveiled on Tuesday, 11 November in central London. The list will be announced at an event at Noho Studios, 46 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 7QA, with festivities kicking off at 9am and running throughout the day. The DreamToys Christmas list is the most authoritative prediction of what are expected to be the hottest new toys on the high street this festive season. It is the only list selected by an independent panel of toy retailers and toy experts from small independents to large national chains. Last year’s event was hosted by DreamToys ambassador Helen Skelton, with 20 toys making the list. “With so much choice it can be a challenge to make sure you’re spending your hard earned money in the right place for the kids in our lives, which is why I’m thrilled to be helping launch this year’s DreamToys list,” Helen said of the 2024 Christmas showcase. “The list lets us all know what kids are hoping for this Christmas so we can get gifts they will play with time and time again.” The Toys n Playthings team were there last year (Claire pictured) and included Lego (for their Disney Stitch and Icons Tiny Plants which were two of the top 20 suppliers selected.

The Entertainer is partnering with Modella Capital to pilot its Toy Box Retail Solution at a limited number of Hobbycraft and TGJones stores. “The nature of our partnership, where we will be supporting the Modella team to execute their toy offer under a third-party toy retail brand, is further evidence of the versatility of the Toy Box services we are uniquely able to offer all types of multi-category retailers across the world,” said The Entertainer CEO Andrew Murphy OBE. Joseph Price ACA, CFA, MD of Modella Capital, said: “This agreement with The Entertainer is part of our strategy to broaden the ranges and categories that are on offer to customers who visit TGJones and Hobbycraft stores.” The trial will roll out to six Hobbycraft stores and six TGJones (formerly WHSmith) locations. Sean Toal, CEO of TGJones, said: “This new and exciting partnership with The Entertainer allows us to grow our existing range of toys in TGJones stores. Our customers already love our toy range and I’m sure this partnership will continue to grow the category at TGJones.” Hobbycraft chief Alex Willson added: “Working with The Entertainer allows us to bring customers something new and engaging, while staying true to our focus on inspiring creativity and delivering memorable experiences. The launch of a toy section in selected locations expands our offer in an exciting way, giving families more reasons to visit, shop, and enjoy a wider range of products designed to spark imagination across all ages.”

Ravensburger is readying Whispers in the Well, the follow-up to last month's Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game wave Fabled. Whispers in the Well is available for pre- release in game stores on November 7 and available everywhere on November 14, introducing long-awaited properties like Disney The Black Cauldron and 90s-favourite TV series Disney Gargoyles to the game for the first time. “It is a real thrill getting to work on a set of cards like Whispers in the Well with so many wonderful Disney glimmers coming to the game,” said Shane Hartley, Ravensburger VP of Creative on Disney Lorcana TCG. “We wanted to evoke the feeling of a detective searching for clues among the Whispers in the deep, and the artwork for the set really brings that to life!” “Whispers in the Well is a wonderful addition and sets up the next arc of storytelling for Disney Lorcana TCG,” said Elaine Chase, Head of the Disney Lorcana studio at Ravensburger. “I can’t wait to see how collectors respond to the amazing Enchanted cards in this set.” Looking ahead, fans can look forward to the arrival of the Winterspell set in February 2026, with character from Disney Darkwing Duck and Disney Lilo & Stitch: The Series joining the game in snow and winter sport-themed cards.

Clementoni has launched a Star Wars R2-D2 STEM Robot, a cutting-edge, Bluetooth enabled robot. Designed for children aged 8 and up, the fully buildable R2-D2 STEM Robot kit offers a unique blend of educational value, interactivity, and brand power, and is a lifelike replica of the most iconic droid in cinematic history, harbouring universal appeal for kids and adults alike. Once connected, the droid comes to life—rolling forward, spinning, lighting up, speaking, and even reacting to its surroundings. One of the app’s coolest features is its interactive character gallery which adds a rich, immersive dimension to the experience. When you tap on a Star Wars character, your droid responds in real time with movements and sounds that reflect how it would react in-universe. For example, if you select a friend like C-3PO, the droid responds with excitement and friendly behaviour. But if you choose a foe like Darth Vader, it reacts with alarm or caution, just as R2-D2 would in the films. R2-D2 STEM Robot delivers a comprehensive STEM experience, supporting development of logic, creativity, and fine motor skills through an engaging, build-it-yourself process. 

Just Play UK is celebrating higher than anticipated volume sales for its Disney Stitch master toy collection, with its most recent launch, the Disney Stitch Ultimate Stitch Interactive Plush, an early Q4 success story. The impressive early figures are indicative of a strong final quarter for the range, as the firm kicks off its marketing activations for the season. Disney Stitch Ultimate Stitch Interactive Plush launched last month as the most feature-packed toy in the range to date. With more than 100 sound and motion combinations and movie-accurate styling, the toy recreates the character with impressive realism and attention to detail. This interactive toy has seen unprecedented popularity, and Just Play UK is working closely with its retail partners to ensure more stock is available to meet the huge, anticipated demand in the run-up to Christmas. Amy Saunders, UK Country Manager at Just Play UK, said: “Our Disney Stitch toy range goes from strength to strength, and with 2025 a huge movie year for the franchise, sales have surpassed our expectations. The live-action film gave us the perfect opportunity to say aloha to exciting new additions to the collection, including Ultimate Stitch and Many Moods Stitch, which have been winning major toy awards across the UK, France, Germany, and the United States." The firm’s heavyweight marketing drive is now underway and will ensure Ultimate Stitch and Just Play’s wider Disney Stitch range gets maximum visibility throughout the season. Tess Parsons-Broome #ToysnPlaythings #ChristmasToys

The October issue of Toys n Playthings is now available to read online. This issue, Zimpli Kids showcases its brand-new Christmas collection in our cover story. Featuring much-loved festive characters, these limited-edition designs stand out from our everyday favourites, and are designed to drive excitement and sales this festive season. We caught up with the effervescent Kimberly Carcone, EVP, global experiences at The Toy Association, to discover more about this year’s LA Previews, from feedback about the association’s new permanent California hub, to how the event differs to its February fair in New York. Dave Poulter, Managing Director of MV Sports, and Chief Commercial Officer of parent company TANDEM GROUP PLC, shared his insights into the toy industry after joining the trade earlier this year, following a 25-plus year career as a buyer. And Brand Licensing Europe Event Director Ella Haynes. Ella Haynes tells us why toys are so vital to the show - and what to watch for when the show opens later this month. All that plus we grabbed a rare quiet moment with TikTok’s hottest toy retailer, Toys, Toys, Toys’ JANE HASTINGS, Jane Hastings; discovered some of the best-selling products in the Infant, Licensed, Outdoor and Wooden toy categories; and heard your opinions on everything from social media (a love-hate topic) to last-minute Christmas orders. #ToysnPlaythings #IndustryNews https://lnkd.in/eYYYz3ci

The Toy Association has announced that Jeff Snyderman, CPA, MBA will be joining as Chief Financial Officer and Maria Sierra will join as Vice President, Government Affairs. The strategic hires will strengthen the association's finance, insurance, investment, IT, and facilities operations, as well as providing a dedicated on-the-ground presence in the nation’s capital. Greg Ahearn, the association's President & CEO, said: “As we continue to increase our member offerings and address the rapidly evolving needs of the industry, we’re putting the right resources and tools in place across the organisation. We are looking forward to serving our members and supporting them to grow their businesses into the future.”

Jumbo Group has been nominated for Toy of the Year in Belgium Chick-A-Boo from Jumbo Group has just been nominated in the Toy of the Year nominations in Belgium and includes categories such as Educational Toy, Collectible Toy, Vehicle and People’s Choice culminating in a final ‘Toy of the Year’ winner. Finalists are selected, and the public is invited to vote for the winner. #ToysnPlaythings https://lnkd.in/et3WcsWi

Toymaster Ltd, the largest buying group for independent toy retailers in the UK and Ireland, has announced the addition of a new member. Phillips Hobbies, based at Thorby Avenue in the Cambridgeshire town of March, specialises in die-cast collectables, model railways, plastic kits, and jigsaw puzzles. Toymaster said: “We would like to welcome Phillips Hobbies to the Toymaster family, and we extend our best wishes to owner George Phillips for every success.” Phillips Hobbies’ story began in 2016 when George Phillips turned his passion for diecast collectables and his dream of running a model shop into an online business. Things started slowly, and George, just a teenager at the time, wondered if Phillips Hobbies would ever take off. He persevered, learning as he went and gradually building a reputation for outstanding service. In 2021, business entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis recognised Phillips Hobbies with his Small Business Sunday Award — a moment George says he will always remember. The following year, the business was named one of the UK’s most impressive small firms by the Small Business Saturday campaign. Fast forward to 2024, George was shortlisted for eBay’s Above and Beyond Award, reaching the final three. And all these exciting moments led to the big one: in September 2024, George opened the doors to the first Phillips Hobbies physical store. After years of hard work and dedication, his dream finally became a reality. Now, a year later, George is looking forward to attending his first Toymaster Members Meeting. He told Toys n Playthings: “I’m looking forward to meeting other members and suppliers in Coventry later this month. The date almost coincides with my first anniversary of trading as a bricks-and-mortar store on September 28, so the timing couldn’t be better!” #Toymaster #ToysnPlaythings #RetailNews