Cadillac Fairview’s Post

I may get killed for this, but...is Hong Kong back? Well, did it ever actually leave? Yes and No! There are actually 2 Hong Kong Toy Fairs happening at the same time in the month of January. There is the big convention centre on the Island (#HKTF) where primarily Chinese suppliers show product and then at the other side of the harbour there is TST/Kowloon where most international toy companies gather around Mody Road for what I call the #ModyRoadShow (aka #MRS). This is an example how the LA Show and the American Toy Fair could actually function along each other in the same city during the same time. More about this in a next post. And what about you, #NicoBlauw with your big mouth; what made you go to HK in January? Well personal circumstances made me cancel my November/December factory trip to China & HK and therefore forced me to be here in January. To my surprise I was welcomed by HK customs and received with open arms in TST...I did not try to hide in HK last week and I was positively surprised with the outcome. Now to be very honest: here at BOTI Global Ltd. we do have some fantastic new products to show, so this was a good test before the upcoming London and Nurnberg Toy Fair. So, yes I have attended Hong Kong last week against my initial principles...this post is therefore my (partial) mea culpa. To be honest...HK is not back, but it is still there...till a certain degree. And the craziness hasn't left either. In the time the world is looking for durable and safe products, one (Italian) company in the industry lives by the slogan "Plastic is Fantastic"...of course their livelihood is selling dolls...but somehow for them the durable message didn't come across. For sure there were less visitors than before covid. The North Americans were missing, very few Australians wandered around and some Latam countries showed up. We saw mainly Asian, Middle East and European customers and in all fairness: less is more. Less people, means more time to meet. Pure quality time. This was the major plus for last's weeks fair.. Yes, there was excitement and enthusiasm. After a dark year for many, being in HK at the start of the new year was an enlightenment. Was this enthusiasm driven by the "come back" to HK and leaving a difficult year behind? Or was it the new innovations people saw that made them excited?.... I believe it was a little bit of both.

Having been involved in CE Accessories for nearly 40 years, I have seen the rise and often the fall of many brands here in the UK and more generally in Europe. The arrival of American brands in the mid 1980's, like Monster Cable and Recoton, the dominance of German brands in the 1990's like Hama and Vivanco. Then the millenium brought a new wave of American brands such as Belkin and Kensington into the mix. Now the trend is for chinese brands with little or no knowledge of marketing and support bringing product but no experience to the table, and helped along the way by Amazon and Royal Mail! With the influx of these Chinese brands into the market, it's becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of the latest players. That's why I'm turning to you, my LinkedIn network, to ask: who are today's up and coming UK multi-brand distributors and what sets them apart?   As we navigate a rapidly changing industry, it's important to identify the distributors who are making a difference. Who is bringing fresh ideas and a new perspective to the table? Let's start a conversation and share our insights. Even well established businesses that are excelling are to be championed. I'm keen to hear your thoughts and opinions.   #CEDistributors #IndustryInsights #UpAndComing #CEAccessories #outdooractivities #GlobalBrands #Camping #officeessentials

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What is the world’s best job? 🧸Working with toys!🧸 You may not be surprised to learn that China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of toys. 🎮 In fact, China produces over 70% of the global market. Most of these toys come from just one city: Chenghai, Shantou. 🇨🇳 In Shantou, there are over 12,000 toy manufacturers and supporting enterprises that are responsible for making $7 billion worth of toys annually. And MU Group is proud to be a small part of this industry, helping to sell toys worldwide. But the toy industry, like other types of industries, is always changing… ⏳ Through strategic incentives aimed at fostering digital transformation and technological upgrading, Shantou is setting a benchmark for the future of toy manufacturing. Since 2023, over 100 toy manufacturers in Shantou have adopted intelligent and automated facilities, dramatically enhancing their production capabilities and efficiency. This shift not only optimizes operations but also improves product quality, ensuring that Shantou city remains at the cutting edge of the global toy market. If you are in the toy industry let’s connect and perhaps, we can collaborate, and I can show you what we are doing to be on the cutting edge of the industry based on my two decades' experience. If you are coming to attend the Canton Fair phase 3, please stop by and say hi. ✋ #toys #blocks #shantou #cantonfair #collaboration

Bought more shares in Canada Goose. Continuing to periodically add shares to average out position. Currently even on the position. Part of my playbook to have exposure to luxury retail space. Stock has been treading water, but I think there is some runway for a pop. Like fact company has not diluted brand and kept an exclusivity factor which should serve it well in the medium/long term. Slowly building up the position.

Retailers are calling for more brands, and brands are seeking greater retail participation at the trade fair. This initiative aims to facilitate proactive exchanges, forge new business contacts, and collaboratively advance the industry. The European Outdoor Group (EOG) and Messe München have established the Retail Advisory Council to directly gather feedback from international retailers on their needs and requirements for the trade fair concept. The council will play a crucial role in shaping OutDoor 2025, ensuring closer retailer involvement in its development. The overarching objective is to enhance industry support, evolve the trade fair concept, and solidify OutDoor’s position as a global platform for business, inspiration, and growth. The new OutDoor concept was unveiled at the European Outdoor Summit, 18-19 September 2024 in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Extensive feedback from retailers indicates a strong consensus that trade shows must evolve into more inclusive, https://lnkd.in/eAg4P-vg #News

Traversing the Retail storefronts (on Corfu Island, Greece) a UNESCO World Heritage site! This week's video adventure took me to the enchanting Greek island of Corfu, specifically the historic Old Town, which dates back to the 8th century BC. Imagine the ancient world buzzing with activity, and now, juxtapose that with today’s vibrant yet quaint community—it's a fascinating contrast. Walking through Corfu's cobblestone streets and discovering partially intact church walls was like a live history lesson. These hidden gems, often tucked between narrow pedestrian walkways (where even a Smart car would struggle), are flanked by shops that seem as ancient as the island itself. In a delightful twist, I stumbled upon a few corporate retail brands among the predominantly family-owned stores (my estimate: 80% are family-run). Even more surprising was the scarcity of major supermarkets—90% seemed locally owned (organic) blended with a few Asian retail styles. It’s a stark reminder of how retail diversity thrives here. A standout from my visit was the Olive Wood Workshop by Tom. Picture your handy uncle or grandfather, and you get Tom, who’s been crafting exquisite products from fallen olive trees since 1969. Talk about sustainable and local business practices! On the flip side, the Old School Sneaker Club was a refreshing contrast. With its modern finishes and luxury millwork, this store has clearly undergone recent renovations. Their sleek decor effectively targets the skate demographic, blending modern retail strategies with classic charm. As I wrap up this video journey, I can’t help but recommend adding Corfu to your travel itinerary. It's a perfect blend of history and modern retail touchpoints—a testament to how timeless retail principles endure through the ages. Thank you, Corfu, for the unforgettable memories and invaluable retail insights. #RetailInnovation #SustainableOrganic #GreekOliveOil #CorfuAdventures #RetailStorefronts #CoporateRetailBrands #Sephora #RetailTrends #FamilyOwnedBusinesses #UNESCOWorldHeritage

Top 7 Must-Have Items to Purchase in Naples, Italy: A Shopper’s Guide

The best performer in Europe so far this year, and the only country in growth, is the Netherlands. This territory is growing in value terms by +6% compared to last year, though it is also the third smallest country in value size and makes up around 6% of the European of the European toy market. When looking at supercategory trends, there are many smilarities with other European countries. But also two big differences - The Netherlands is the only country where the Action Figures and Infant /Toddler & Pre-School Toys categories are growing. The top property in Action Figures - growing at +16% -is Funko Pop! There is also strong growth from Super Mario Bros, Pokemon and Smashers, and the growth from these properties is outperforming other European countries. In Infand/Toddler & Pre -School Toys, Little Dutch wooden toys are one of the top performers. The Netherlands is the key market for this brand, and it is adding value versus last year, outperforming many of the properties around it in this category. Paw Patrol is growing with double digit value growth too. And although there is growth in other countries , the trend in the Netherlands is the strongest across Europe. The other countries are all in decline, with Germany and the UK in the strongest decline at -7% for Germany and -5% for the UK. These two countries represent the largest the third largest markets, so these numbers are a significant contributor to the overall -4% figure for Europe. It will be interesting to keep an eye on the country trends as the year progresses, and there are potential factors that could influence some countries more than others. How will the Olympics in Paris impact sales in France? And could we see a new product arrive out of the blue to boost sales in one particular country? #toys #toyindustry #toynews

✈️ Internationalization journeys: episode 04 Havaianas' journey from a local Brazilian brand to a global fashion icon is a testament to the power of a strong trademark, innovative marketing, and a quality product. It's internationalization process began in the 1990s when the brand started exporting its products. The companie's popularity quickly spread, and by the 2000s, Havaianas had established a strong presence in Europe and North America. In order to do that, between 2000 and 2010, Havaianas took part in at least 70 trade fairs in the United States in the country's main markets: Orlando, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, San Diego and New York. Two catalogs were created with special products for export. One of them contained super-exclusive collections, such as the slipper whose straps were covered in small Swarovsky crystals, a model that is still known today. In 2007, after all the legal, tax and operational steps had been taken, the office was opened in New York, and GMI, which had already been in Miami for four years, moved to this new branch in order to be the facilitator of this process and to continue coordinating various important actions for the company under this new model. This was the beginning of not just a new business model, but a major change in what had been established since the beginning of the decade. Today, Havaianas are sold in over 100 countries worldwide. The brand has opened flagship stores in major cities and has collaborated with renowned designers and brands to create limited-edition collections. #Havaianas #Brazil #Internationalization