At Toy Fair, STEM category staple Luki Lab is launching five products across new toy and game categories. The Toy Book caught up with Luki Lab’s President and CEO Didier Pietri to talk about the company’s new moves and the importance of specialty retail.
The Toy Book: Let’s start by talking about this past year. What successes did Luki Lab see?
Didier Pietri: 2023 has been a phenomenal year for Luki Lab! We are excited to launch five completely new and innovative brands at Toy Fair — across a variety of toy and game categories — just in time for the upcoming holiday season. Plus, we are actively expanding our retail footprint with a dedicated focus on specialty toy retailers.
TB: Why does Luki Lab believe so strongly in the specialty toy retail market?
DP: Specialty toy retailers are keenly focused on delivering the best toys and games and providing the highest level of customer service. This is incredibly important for Luki Lab as we value and welcome their insights, which ultimately helps us to develop better toys. Specialty toy retailers have a finger on the pulse of what kids and parents are looking for, and they can customize their stores and product assortments to meet customer needs.
TB: Why do you think specialty retailers are so important for the industry as a whole?
DP: From a consumer standpoint, we all have fond memories of our favorite toys growing up, and we also remember the excitement of going to our favorite local toy store. It would be very sad for a kid to not be able to visit a local “mom and pop” toy store and have that cherished experience. From a market standpoint, specialty toy retailers offer a much greater variety of toys and games, and they seek out and take more chances on smaller toy manufacturers who are innovative and creative.
TB: Moving into the holiday season and 2024, what can we expect from Luki Lab?
DP: Our goal is to provide hours of fun and years of memories, and that’s exactly what we’re showing through the wide array of toy and game products we are launching at Toy Fair. For the 2023 holiday season alone we are launching five new brands! Plus, we are providing sneak peeks at what’s new for 2024. Retailers who want to see new and creative toys and games should stop by our Toy Fair Booth No. 6749.
TB: Can you share any of your new holiday products with us?
DP: We had an outstanding response to our new Flat2Fast Card Racers at ASTRA Marketplace & Academy, and coming from the specialty toy retail community, that is an honor! Not only is it innovative and affordable for the average family, but Flat2Fast Card Racers are also fun to race and crash into each other. We anticipate kids wanting more than one!
A version of this feature was originally published in the 2023 Toy Fair issue of The Toy Book. Click here to read the full issue! Want to receive The Toy Book in print? Click here for subscription options!
