Every year, buyers from around the world descend upon their nearest toy fair to meet with suppliers and see the new toys and designs for the forthcoming year. New toys are the lifeblood of the industry, and manufacturers are always keen to show off their latest product ranges.
Most fairs are strictly trade-only events and many buyers will attend more than one fair to get a broad global picture of how the inventors and innovators are shaping future trends and fashions. The huge cost to the suppliers of exhibiting at these fairs, means that some are concentrating on just three or four events, and relying on the buyers to travel to them.
Many UK toy buyers will travel to the Nuremberg Toy Fair in Germany, which is a truly European event with fantastic facilities and great German hospitality. Coupled with New York, Hong Kong and Australia, these four can be regarded as the premier venues for serious toy buying. The buyers are usually keen to replenish stocks, exchange views on trading conditions and meet important company executives that always attend these events. Each fair also tends to have their own award ceremonies that recognise excellence within the industry.
Held at the end of January, the major British Toy Fair is held at London's Olympia Exhibition Centre and is an important place for retailers to gather after the Christmas rush has subsided.
This annual event is the only toy-specific press preview of the summer and gives journalists the chance to collect all the information they need to write their Christmas toy features.
With so many exhibitors showing their products in one place, The Baby Show provides a great shopping experience for new parents and parents-to-be.
Held in March and October each year, the Harrogate Nursery Fair is the primary trade show in the UK for the nursery industry.
This trade show provides an opportunity for suppliers to meet face-to-face with major and independent nursery buyers.
This specialist trade-only show enables model and hobby retailers to meet with some of the biggest suppliers in the industry.
Held at the popular Cranmore Park venue, Associated Independent Stores (AIS) has hosted the Play-Room at the Park show since 2008.
Online toy shop specialising in carefully selected children's toys.
Collectables ranges including figures, stickers and trading cards.
Genuine eco-friendly wooden toys for kids up to 12 years old.
