After a temporary hiatus, the Friday Blog returns to its traditional slot. The good news is that my operation went ahead as scheduled this time, and I am now in the process of recuperating. It won’t necessarily be a ‘speedy’ recovery, but I am certainly on the right path and feeling a little better each day. I am still a little tender in places, with lots of checks and tests ahead to make sure the operation did what it set out to do. But the surgeon seemed hopeful, and I feel I am going in the right direction. Onwards. A huge thank you for all the very kind messages, thoughts and gifts – it’s nice to know that people are thinking about me.
So, what has been going on while I have been indisposed? Half term was a scorcher, but it didn’t seem to stifle toy sales as it sometimes can – I have been hearing positive reports that the momentum that has built up in recent weeks continued throughout last week’s hot spell. And it wasn’t a bad way to start my convalescence – sitting in the garden in my robe and sunglasses, it felt like I was at a nice spa (or rehab, as someone put it – they tried to make me go to rehab and I said “Oh, go on then.”).
Elsewhere, registration has opened for BLE – you can get your free tickets for the event by clicking here. After a very positive Licensing Expo, I am sure BLE will continue in the same vein in October, and with no clashes with LA to worry about this year, attendance from the toy community should be high.
I was pleased to hear that Brian McLaughlin has taken on a new role as buyer at Just Williams Toys – good to see him staying within the toy fold and being able to call on his experience and contacts. Another stalwart looking to stay within toys is Alf Blohm, who is currently looking for his next senior commercial role. As we so often see in the toy market, as one door closes, another opens…
I was also pleased to see that the EU has fined Temu the princely sum of 200m Euros for failing to properly assess and reduce the risk of illegal and dangerous products being sold through its marketplace. Echoing the previous findings of BTHA and TIE investigations, baby toys purchased during a ‘mystery shopper’ exercise were found to present medium to high safety risks, including chemicals such as phthalates above EU legal limits, as well as small detachable parts posing a potential suffocation hazard. Temu has until 28th August to submit an action plan to the commission, explaining how it will address the failings and comply with the rules in future. More than just a slap on the wrist (as is so often the case), it shows that the EU means business when it comes to tacking the scourge of online platforms selling counterfeit and potentially dangerous products. Hopefully other territories will follow suit, including the UK.
Of course, there hasn’t just been a relentless cavalcade of good news while I have been away. Only this week, reports have emerged on social media that Sainsbury’s has reduced the price of all Toy Story 5 products by 25%.
Read the rest here.
