Last month, toy industry representatives from more than 100 countries gathered at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for the 117th annual Toy Fair New York.
In its annual recap, The Toy Association says that exhibitors from more than 30 countries showcased more than 100,000 toys and games across a sold-out show floor that was the equivalent of nearly eight football fields. The global influence of the North American show continues to grow, with retail visitors from Bolivia, Finland, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, New Zealand, Thailand, Turkey, and Ukraine returning following an absence last year.
“Over the past 117 years Toy Fair New York has evolved from business meetings in New York City’s iconic Toy Building to a crucial global hub for play professionals seeking the hottest new trends, new business opportunities, access to New York’s finance and media communities, and unrivaled educational programming,” says Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of The Toy Association. “This year’s marketplace unveiled fresh product lines, innovative twists on classics, exciting new tech and interactive playthings, and licensed toys driven by digital and traditional media IP — all competing to top kids’ wish lists and vital to driving the $27 billion U.S. toy market and U.S. toymakers’ integral role in the $90 billion global toy industry.”
This year’s show offered more programming than ever with dozens of daily educational seminars, panel presentations, and demos covering every toy and play topic imaginable, including safety, compliance, sustainability, toy invention, design, entrepreneurship, top trends, global trade and market expansion, licensing, and more. The expanded Creative Factor program, inaugural Student Congress, and the second annual CF@TF Inventor Day were cited as highlights.
Toymakers also had the opportunity to share their new products with more than 1,000 members of the media and a growing number of family content creators and influencers.
Retail buyers from the top 25 toy retailers in the U.S. were joined by buyers from specialty retailers, independent toy stores, and international outlets. Companies on hand included Amazon, Target, Walmart, Big Lots, Dollar General, Best Buy, eBay, Disney Store, Learning Express, BJ’s Wholesale, Pilot Flying J, Hobby Lobby, Six Flags, Dave & Busters, The Entertainer (UK), Smyths Toys (UK), Hudson’s Bay (Canada), A.S. Watson Group (Hong Kong), and more.
Additionally, entertainment companies including Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products, Lionsgate Entertainment, Netflix, Sesame Workshop, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Universal Brand Development, and ViacomCBS were in attendance to make new licensing deals for their owned IP.
The 118th Toy Fair New York will take place from Feb. 13-16, 2021 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Toy Fair Dallas, The Toy Association’s long-lead marketplace, will take place from Oct. 6-8.