Latest news with #ToyFairNewYork
New York Times
03-03-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Toy Companies Say Added Tariffs on China ‘Tipped the Domino'
At the biggest toy industry trade show in the Western Hemisphere this weekend, toy makers, as usual, displayed seemingly endless rows of stuffed animals, action figures and puzzles, hoping to entice retailers to pick their products. But this year, the chatter at Toy Fair New York was dominated not by the next Barbie, but a larger game, one of global tactics, that could make most toys more expensive for U.S. consumers. Almost 80 percent of toys sold in the United States are made in China. Last week, just as toy vendors from across the United States and dozens of other countries started to flock to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for the annual toy fair, President Trump announced a 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods that would come on top of the 10 percent he already imposed a month ago. Companies big and small — from family-owned brands to household names — are trying to figure out how to manage the new costs related to tariffs. Stationed at a booth lined with plush stuffed animals, Linda Colson, the vice president of sales at Mary Meyer Corporation, said her company, based in Vermont, was in a state of paralysis over pricing. 'We don't know what to do,' she said. 'I think a lot of people in this building are just waiting to see what everybody else is doing.' Jay Foreman, the chief executive of Basic Fun, a toy manufacturer and distributor in Florida, sells to retailers including Walmart and Target. After Mr. Trump ordered the 10 percent tariff on China in February, Mr. Foreman started thinking of ways to avoid passing those costs onto his customers. So last Wednesday, he met with his company's board of directors to devise a plan that would split the burden: the company, its factories in China and its retail customers would each absorb 3.5 percent of the added cost. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Associated Press
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Blokees exhibits at the 2025 Toy Fair New York: World Premieres of New IPs Products on Minions
SHANGHAI, March 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After its attendance at the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany this January, Blokees, a Chinese brand specializing in building block figure toys, made another major move in March by unveiling its latest products at the 2025 Toy Fair New York. At this year's event, Blokees hosted the world premiere of its first edition of the Minion Magic Series, based upon the hit Minions franchise, while the second edition of the Sesame Street Friends Magic Series made its debut as new releases. Moreover, Blokees will entice fans to the booth with our other popular building block figures based on international IPs like Ultraman, Transformers and Hero Infinity. A highlight at the Toy fair New York was Blokees's new product—Blokees Minions Magical Series: Jelly Factory. The series features four iconic Minions—Bob, Otto, Stuart, and Kevin—with exclusive accessories and actions, like Bob getting a jam jar stuck on his head and Otto carrying fruit. The product recreates a humorous miniature Jelly Factory, capturing the fun of the jam-making process. At the Singapore Comic Con in December 2024, Blokees captured attention with its Sesame Street Partners Magical Series 01-04. Building on that momentum, the company expanded the Sesame Street family at the Toy Fair New York with four additional beloved characters: Ernie, Bert, Oscar, and Count Von Count. Additionally, Blokees launched an exclusive item at the Toy Fair—the chrome-plated Bumblebee, which drew significant attention for its unique electroplating technique and intricate detail. Blokees' success can be attributed to years of dedicated research and development. The company has continuously innovated in areas such as its gameplay system, production technology, and processes, establishing a distinctive product matrix with over 500 patents. Meanwhile, Blokees encourages global fans to engage in its BFC (Blokees Figures Creator) community, where they can express themselves through fan-made creations. As its global expansion accelerates, the BFC community is poised to become an international hub for creators. With its strong R&D capabilities and Innovative product lineup, Blokees is implementing a 'Universally appealing, Stepwise pricing, Globally promoting' strategy. From the Singapore Comic Con to the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair to the Toy Fair New York, Blokees has been making steady progress toward its internationalization.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blokees exhibits at the 2025 Toy Fair New York: World Premieres of New IPs Products on Minions
SHANGHAI, March 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After its attendance at the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany this January, Blokees, a Chinese brand specializing in building block figure toys, made another major move in March by unveiling its latest products at the 2025 Toy Fair New York. At this year's event, Blokees hosted the world premiere of its first edition of the Minion Magic Series, based upon the hit Minions franchise, while the second edition of the Sesame Street Friends Magic Series made its debut as new releases. Moreover, Blokees will entice fans to the booth with our other popular building block figures based on international IPs like Ultraman, Transformers and Hero Infinity. A highlight at the Toy fair New York was Blokees's new product—Blokees Minions Magical Series: Jelly Factory. The series features four iconic Minions—Bob, Otto, Stuart, and Kevin—with exclusive accessories and actions, like Bob getting a jam jar stuck on his head and Otto carrying fruit. The product recreates a humorous miniature Jelly Factory, capturing the fun of the jam-making process. At the Singapore Comic Con in December 2024, Blokees captured attention with its Sesame Street Partners Magical Series 01-04. Building on that momentum, the company expanded the Sesame Street family at the Toy Fair New York with four additional beloved characters: Ernie, Bert, Oscar, and Count Von Count. Additionally, Blokees launched an exclusive item at the Toy Fair—the chrome-plated Bumblebee, which drew significant attention for its unique electroplating technique and intricate detail. Blokees' success can be attributed to years of dedicated research and development. The company has continuously innovated in areas such as its gameplay system, production technology, and processes, establishing a distinctive product matrix with over 500 patents. Meanwhile, Blokees encourages global fans to engage in its BFC (Blokees Figures Creator) community, where they can express themselves through fan-made creations. As its global expansion accelerates, the BFC community is poised to become an international hub for creators. With its strong R&D capabilities and Innovative product lineup, Blokees is implementing a "Universally appealing, Stepwise pricing, Globally promoting" strategy. From the Singapore Comic Con to the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair to the Toy Fair New York, Blokees has been making steady progress toward its internationalization. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Blokees
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Imagination Meets Innovation at Iconic 119th Toy Fair® in NYC
Largest Toy Show in Western Hemisphere Brings Global Industry to Javits Center from March 1-4 NEW YORK, March 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Toy Fair® 2025 opened its doors this morning, unveiling the future of play in the heart of New York City. Tens of thousands of global play professionals will walk through the doors of the Javits Center over the next four days to preview the hottest new toys, games, and youth entertainment products – many of which will only launch later this year in time for the holiday season. Produced by The Toy Association™, the industry- and media-only trade show offers unparalleled access to the lucrative $42 billion U.S. toy marketplace and key markets around the globe. Taking place Saturday, March 1 through Tuesday, March 4, the largest toy show in the Western Hemisphere will feature the equivalent of nearly eight football fields filled with toys and games – as well as unique brand experiences, business insights, hands-on and experiential activities, and innovations in play. Retail buyers from all 50 states and 75 countries and territories will walk the expansive show floor in search of the latest dolls and plush, STEM toys, outdoor playthings, action figures, arts & crafts, specialty toys, retro, nostalgic and innovative games, toy vehicles, collectibles, licensed toys, and everything in between. In total, representatives from 96 countries are expected at Toy Fair. "Toy Fair New York is known throughout the global play community as the place to forge partnerships, strike deals, and witness the creative talents of the toy industry come to life," said Greg Ahearn, president & CEO of The Toy Association. "For the past 119 years, it has been a vital marketplace for toy manufacturers, retailers, licensors, inventors, wholesalers, and distributors – essentially, everyone who has a stake in the business is in town for Toy Fair week. It's also a pivotal moment for toy professionals to connect, collaborate, and inspire the future of play worldwide. We can't wait to see what's in store over the next four days!" With nearly 850 exhibiting toy companies, including both established and emerging players, Toy Fair highlights the industry's dedication to creating products that deliver social, emotional, cognitive, and physical benefits of play to children. Attendees can browse distinct product zones to find what they are looking for; members of the media are invited to visit the Press Center on the show floor (Level 3, booth 3145), where the Toy Fair PR team can help them find specific products and where they can charge devices, hang their coats, and find a quiet place to work. Among the standout moments of the first day, Toy Fair opened with a parade of costumed characters and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Toy Fair University – which runs throughout the show, offering free educational seminars for all attendees – opened with sessions covering gaming and the metaverse, artificial intelligence, toy packaging design, IP in the industry, and more. The Toy Association's team of trend experts presented its Toy Trends Briefing, featuring products from exhibitors' booths to illustrate each of the hottest trends of the upcoming year. After-hours events include the Young Professionals Networking Party, hosted by The Toy Association, and Canada Night, hosted by the Canadian Toy Association, as well as upcoming events hosted by Women in Toys, Licensing and Entertainment (WiT), The Toy Association's People of Play™, and Licensing International. More details can be found at and on the free Toy Fair mobile app. Registration is mandatory for access to Toy Fair 2025; verification of media and buyer credentials is required. Those who cannot attend the show can follow along on Instagram (#ToyFairLife), LinkedIn, and X and visit the Toy Fair Online Press Room for up-to-the-minute show information. About Toy Fair® Toy Fair® is the largest and most comprehensive play-focused experience unifying the toy industry's entire ecosystem with key players to help with business development and sourcing the latest products from across all forms and stages of play. Featuring thousands of new and unique toys, games, edutainment, entertainment-driven experiences, and more from around the world, Toy Fair offers attendees a competitive edge no other trade event can match. About The Toy Association™ / / / / Founded in 1916, The Toy Association™, Inc. is the business trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $157.5 billion, and its roughly 900 members drive the annual $42 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Toy Association serves as the industry's voice on the developmental benefits of play and promotes play's positive impact on childhood development. The organization has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, governments, consumers, and the industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play. As a global leader, The Toy Association produces the world-renowned Toy Fair™ in New York City; hosts marketplace activities in Los Angeles; engages in state, federal, and international advocacy on behalf of its members; supports the inventor and design community through People of Play™ and its numerous assets and events, including the consumer-facing Chicago Toy & Game Fair; sustains the Canadian Toy Association; acts as secretariat for the International Council of Toy Industries and International Toy Industry CEO Roundtable; and chairs the committee that reviews and revises America's widely emulated ASTM F963 toy safety standard. The Toy Association's philanthropic arm is The Toy Foundation™, a 501 (c)(3) children's charity that acts as the uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry. To date, The Toy Foundation has delivered the joy of play to 33 million children in need worldwide. Contact: Litzky Public RelationsToy Fair PR TeamToyFair@ Visit the Toy Fair Online Press Room View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Toy Association Sign in to access your portfolio
