Suppliers

It looks like it. I went to an online b2b trading portal on the weekend and was able to view product, add it to a cart and pay. I didn’t;t pay, of course – I was interested to see how far the transaction might go.

The page from which I can access 3,164 For Arts Sake products looks and feels like the For Arts Sake that sold to newsagents for years before being wound up in August this year following a creditor petition.

From that same page I could access more about the business.

Now, it could be that the listing at the b2b portal is old, but that would be out of character for the proactive portal, especially given that the For Arts Sake business was liquidated months ago.

If the listing is current, and stock available under this brand, it’s a resurrection to match that of Lazarus.

The New York Toy Fair has been, for many years, a key event for Australian Toy suppliers. It is one of the best toy fairs to attend to see trends and to benefit from supplier investment in launches.

I have been many times and found it to be valuable for early viewing of products yet to hit Australia, to meet US suppliers and to meet with Australian suppliers at the Fair.

There will be an impact in Australia with the cancellation of this year’s New York Toy Fair.

TOY FAIR NEW YORK 2022 CANCELLED

New York, NY | January 11, 2022 – The Toy Association, producer of Toy Fair New York, the largest toy, play, and youth entertainment marketplace in the Western Hemisphere, has announced the cancellation of Toy Fair New York, originally set to take place, February 19 to 22, 2022 at the Javits Center in New York City.

“Key to our efforts these past two weeks has been the balance of some 700 remaining committed toy manufacturers saying they need and want Toy Fair 2022 to build their businesses, weighing that against those departing and seriously on the fence, and needing to provide a sufficient quantity and quality across the retail buying community necessary to deliver a positive experience,” said Steve Pasierb, President & CEO of The Toy Association. “As that balance has shifted, we are obligated to make the best decision in everyone’s interest no matter how heartbreaking for so many and potentially damaging some business’ future prospects. The wide range of other events that occur across New York City during Toy Fair week are now also impacted.”

Toy Fair New York has a 117-year unparalleled track record of success. It remains The Toy Association’s responsibility to protect business rights, promote toy companies, advocate for members, and help members sell more product – which includes delivering a worthwhile investment in a quality, essential trade event.

“Certainly, there are legitimate concerns around the pandemic that has guided thinking,” added Pasierb. “Many are saying they are very comfortable with being at the Javits Center and at the show given strict health and safety protocols in place, while travel concerns and for some, staff absences due to illness at home, rightfully weigh on their minds.”

With about 700 toy manufacturers who remained committed to exhibiting at Toy Fair, “constant, unfounded rumors” on social media and elsewhere defied The Toy Association’s best efforts to sustain the show amid global uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.

Pasierb concluded: “Delivering a best-in-class next Toy Fair for all the varied audiences it serves so well is now our focus. We will be working with all exhibitors on next steps to unwind February 2022 and build a solid base for visitors from across the world to again experience Toy Fair.”

Universal Magazines has a range of journals under the brand of Signature. I was sent a pack recently. I like the product as do others in the office.

The model is a challenge. 33% GP is insufficient. GP should be 50%+. Calling what we make commission demonstrates a disconnect with our model today.

Sale or return does not help. nor does delayed billing in that it is easy to get terms like 60 days or close to without much difficulty.

At the Hong Kong Gift fair a few weeks ago I saw journals like these with a similar look and a matching quality. If I was bringing in a container I could land them for around 20% of the suggested retail price. There are wholesalers doing this and knocking on newsagent doors. Making tough competition a challenge for Universal too.

The final issue is the story. Many of us want stationery related items that fall into a broader category story. While I like the two stands Universal has for this product, it is the the size story I am looking for.

I applaud Universal for trying. next time they should listen more carefully before sourcing products.

Calendar and card company Andrews McMeel is to close their Australian office as announced today. Many newsagents sell their quality and sought-after products. Here is the announcement including a further update:

ANDREWS MCMEEL PUBLISHING OFFICE CLOSING

US Publisher Andrews McMeel is closing their Australian office.

Local Managing Director, Deborah McQuoid will manage the transition of the business until the end of March, 2016.  All AMP staff member positions have been made redundant.

”Andrews McMeel Publishing US will maintain an ongoing direct book distribution arrangement with Hardie Grant Books and they are currently looking at potential ways to support AMP calendar customers in Australia and New Zealand “stated Deborah MCQuoid. “The business however will no longer be served by a local office”.

Paperblanks, which has been managed through the AMP office, will continue independently with no changes to sales or distribution. All contact details remain the same. Tel 02 9904 5200.

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Update:

With regards the Calendar program for 2017, the US are setting up a couple of alternative arrangements. Stores will be able to purchase AMP calendars via Ingram and the US

has confirmed a deal with Brown Trout for local distribution of selected AMP lines including licenses and the popular Day to Day formats.

Gallery Collection issues the following statement, announcing the imminent closure of the business, to customers earlier today:

Dear Customers,

It is with deep regret that we write to inform you that we have decided to close the business of Gallery Collection Pty Ltd.

The decision to cease trading has not been taken lightly as we have enjoyed our relationship with all of our customers and friends throughout Australia. Over the past period I have been having some health issues making it very difficult to continue into the future and due to the nature of these issues we feel we have no option but to cease trading.

We are having a massive WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE sale where all stocks will be at a 50% discount, firm sale with payment prior to despatching. No other existing discounts apply. We suggest you look at our website, call us or speak to your sales representative as the stocks are moving quickly. This is an opportunity for you to stock up on many good selling products and gain a large margin. Once the stocks are sold, the prices will not be repeated.

We thank you for your business over the many years and for the efforts you have made in selling our products.

Thanking you for having the confidence to deal with us over past years and we wish you success for the future.

A supplier of circulation products to newsagency businesses was heard recently to say that newsagents were wrong to chase sales of cheap gifts. This supplier is ignorant of what many newsagents are actually doing in the gift space. Sure, some newsagents offer cheap gifts. Many, however, are playing a different gift space altogether. Indeed, I know of newsagents enjoying excellent success selling gift and homewares products  priced at $50, $75, $100, $200 and more.

Take the Disney characters (from Jasnor) in the photo. They’ll retail for close to $300. Are newsagents selling these? Yes!

Just as I say newsagents need to break free from the history of their shingle, so too do newsagency suppliers need to break free from what they think newsagents should do. Our businesses are not their business – unless we negotiate commercial terms.

The days of newsagents focussing only on cheap gifts are over.