Suzie Sparkes

Gifts and gadgets retailer, Gift Universe has embraced employee ownership, putting its future success in the hands of its employees. The company says its decision to transition to an employee owner business decision was based on careful consideration of several factors as the founder, Paul Kraftman,

Rick Derr from Learning Express explains how to keep consumers shopping local by following the principles of 'Teams, Products and Wow'. In his last column, Rick told us that the last 10 days of trading in 2022 went from sales of woe to sales are GO. In this month's column, he tells us

The 69th annual Toy Fair returned to Olympia London last week, welcoming back more than 250 exhibiting companies and thousands of visitors from around the world. The organisers report that the sold-out show welcomed just under 60 new exhibitors and increased its footprint by maximising the full spac

Vivid Goliath is excited to take its first steps into the nursery market with Modimi; a future focused range of infant toys that grows with baby to toddlers. With sustainability at its core, the new range from Vivid Goliath is made from durable, recycled materials and offers a wide variety of sensor

Giochi Preziosi Group has acquired the doll and accessories business of Muñecas Arias, the Spanish doll brand created more than 45 years ago in Castalla. The acquisition is in line with the strategy of the Group to create a solid, broad baseline of own property brands that will allow the business of

Schleich closes the 2022 financial year with an 8% increase in turnover, marking the eighth consecutive year of strong growth. Schleich's figurines and playsets, which are available in over 60 countries, generated €275m in turnover in 2022 versus €255m in the previous year. The company successf

The Barbie brand continues to make strides to further inclusivity in the doll line by introducing a Chelsea doll with Scoliosis. Mattel's Barbie brand continually strives to offer one of the most inclusive doll portfolios on the market and this year, the brand continues to make strides to furth

The winners of the 2023 ToyAwards were unveiled during the Press Preview for the 72nd Spielwarenmesse, with six outstanding new product ideas honoured with the prize for innovation. For six exhibitors, it has been an especially successful start to the 72nd Spielwarenmesse. One day before the officia

The new Squishmallow collection is the latest range to join Moonbug’s line of CoComelon merchandise and will be unveiled in Nuremberg. Moonbug Entertainment, a subsidiary of Candle Media, has announced the global launch of CoComelon HugMees, a new collection from leading plush brand Squishmallows by

Nickelodeon’s nationwide activity, Paw Patrol on a Stroll, will raise funds for Dogs Trust as well as celebrating the 10th anniversary of the animated series. This spring, Nickelodeon will rollout a nationwide activity plan, inspired by the popular pre-school animated series, Paw Patrol, created by