Review of Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair 2014, China
The Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair 2014, the largest of its kind in Asia and second-largest in the world, turned 40 this year. Fair highlights included two new zones: Smart-Tech Toys and Therapy Toys.
Nearly 2,000 exhibitors from 39 countries and regions are on hand for the show. These include new participants from Belarus, the Philippines and Portugal. Indonesia has organised a group pavilion for the first time, alongside the Chinese mainland, Chinese Taiwan, Korea, Spain, Thailand and World of Toys.
The entire spectrum of the world of toys and games, from traditional, time-honoured toys to the latest trends, from simple ideas to high-tech gadgets and games, be covered in this comprehensive show. The fair highlight “Brand Name Gallery” is geared towards the needs of buyers seeking top-notch branded toys from quality names. Renowned brands include B, Beleduc, B Kids, CMC, Color Rich, Daniel & Co, Dragon, Ein-O-Science, Enesco, Hape, Intex, Moulin Roty, Plan Toys, Welly, Viking Toys, and Vtech, etc.
Market intelligence is vital in today’s competitive toys & games industry, and the show incorporates features and activities designed to keep buyers abreast of market developments. Product Demo and Launch Pad is a platform for buyers to know more about the new products shown in the fair.
With the trend of combining traditional toys and modern smart devices plus app functions, a wide range of innovative toys and games is now available for kids, teenagers and even adults in “Smart-Tech Toys”, the 2014 new zone. Exhibitors joining exhibitors include Calm Island Co Ltd, Maksco Toy Ltd, and Roam & Wander Limited, etc.
The Toy Fair turns 40 with a special display area, at Hall 3E concourse, dedicated to Hong Kong toys over the past decades; an exhibition of vintage toy-fair photographs has also been arranged. This is a very special occasion as the Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair celebrates its 40th edition in 2014. A display gallery of toys and photographs retrace the evolution of Hong Kong toys in the past decades. It is a vivid illustration of how the Hong Kong toy industry and the fair itself have grown, and of what we can expect to see in the coming years.
Fair highlights include the new Smart-Tech Toys zone, presenting toys and games that combine traditional design with smart devices and apps for children, as well as teenagers and adults. They include augmented-reality story books, soft toys with handheld games and an app for keeping virtual pet rabbits. Also new, the Therapy Toys area showcases products to help children and the elderly with their coordination and other challenges.
Kidult World, launched last year, is back with more than 80 exhibitors displaying toys designed for grown-ups, including hobby goods, magic items, model vehicles, mechanical toys and collectible action figures. Brand Name Gallery has also returned, featuring nearly 80 exhibitors. These include Eastcolight, Hape, Intex, Moulin Roty, Plan Creations and Vtech. Other theme zones include Candy Toys, Educational Toys, Electronic & Remote Control Toys, Festive & Party Items, Toy Parts & Accessories, Outdoor & Sporting, Paper Products & Toy Packaging, Soft Toys & Dolls, Testing, Inspection & Certification, and Video Games.
Highlights
The Toys & Games Fair is the largest toy show in Asia and the second largest in the world. Nearly 2,000 exhibitors from 39 countries and regions will be presenting a vast array of products. Joining the fair for the first time are exhibitors from Belarus, Philippines and Portugal. Also making its first time is the Indonesia Pavilion. Other established pavilions include the Chinese mainland, Chinese Taiwan, Korea, Spain and Thailand as well as the World of Toys Pavilion.
The show has all sectors covered, from tweenies and teens, to adults and seniors. “Kidult World” was launched with great success in last edition; it specialises in sophisticated toys created for grown-ups, including hobby goods, magic items, vehicles, mechanical toys and collectible action figures.
The new Therapy Toys display area focus on products that help children and the elderly with their coordination and other issues and problems. Brand Name Gallery feature 78 exhibitors, including Beleduc, B Kids, CMC, Color Rich, Daniel & Co, Dragon, Ein-O-Science, Enesco, Hape, Intex, Moulin Roty, Plan Toys, Welly, Viking Toys and Vtech.
Other theme zones include Candy Toys, Educational Toys & Games, Electronic & Remote Control Toys, Festive & Party Items, Toy Parts & Accessories, Multiple Toy Products/General Merchandise, Outdoor & Sporting Items, Paper Products & Toy Packaging, Soft Toys & Dolls, Testing, Inspection & Certification, Trade Services and Video Games.
Response to the Smart-Tech Toys zone was strong. One of the zone’s exhibitors, Roam & Wander Ltd, presented TuTu, a rabbit powered by an iPhone app. Marketing Manager Casper Chen said that TuTu was popular among buyers. The product was awarded this year’s “Best of the Fair: Electronic & Remote Control Toys,” at the Hong Kong Toys and Baby Products Awards.
APPS1010 (APPS1010 LIMITED, Hong Kong) integrates augmented reality (AR) and 3D technology into traditional toys and forms a new collection.
“Kidult World” returns with products for the young and the old, including hobby goods, magic items as well as vehicles, mechanical toys and action figures. The zone will also feature an Airsoft Gun Experience Area and a Vehicle Model display. A new exhibitor from Italy, B.B.R. Exclusive Car Models SRL, will present the new 1:12 LaFerrari model, which is one of the first cars which incorporating the HY- KERS system, that facilitates resuming energy during braking and cornering.
On the other hand, the IP Factory Services Limited from Hong Kong will showcase the 18 Inch Tomb Raider Lara Croft Statue. The statue is limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide.
The ever-popular “Brand Name Gallery” is again a highlight, bringing along with it an array of premium quality offerings, such as the Weplay Rocking Bowl (Weplay Kiddie’s Paradise Inc, Taiwan). The bottom of the rocking bowl is designed with the smooth curve to prevent children from getting hurt when they sit in it and rock it from side to side. It enhances the development of vestibular balance and can improve motor co-ordination.
InnoTab® 3S (VTech Electronics Limited (HK), Hong Kong) is a new Wi-Fi learning tablet, which is installed educational games to teach reading, maths, social studies, science and much more. It can also be connected to other InnoTab® 3S tablets and smart phones to share messages.
Another new feature of the fair is the “Therapy Toys Display”. Highlight products include Tangle Therapy, presented by USA’s TANGLE INC. The product has 20 interconnected twistable pieces, taking an entirely new ergonomic approach to stress and pain relief.
Also from the USA, Kinetic Sand by WABA Fun, LLC is an easy-to-shape sand. Sand play stimulates and develops children’s fine motor and creative playing skills. It leaves no sand or residue on users’ hands and is suitable for kids with allergies as it is wheat, gluten and casein free and non-toxic.
Russia’s Begemott, with 88 outlets in the country, sells baby toys and games and owns nine brands. The company’s Project Manager, Evstratova Xenia, said she found the scale of the fair impressive. She added that she had found two quality suppliers through the fair’s business-matching service, and was pleased with the outcome.
Activities
The fair’s seminar series begins with “Therapy Toys for Kids.” Other seminars include spotlight on mainland distribution channels, as well as an afternoon session on the future of play. The Hong Kong Toy Industry Conference runs under the theme of “Global Challenges & Opportunities.”
Hong Kong Toys and Baby Products Awards
Hong Kong Toys and Baby Products Award is a competition which highlights innovative, creative, eco-friendly toys and baby products. A number of seminars on market trends, market development and safety directives be held to keep participants updated on the latest industry news, while enhancing the fair’s role as a platform for the exchange of market intelligence.
The 40th Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair and the 5th Hong Kong Baby Products Fair held from January 6 to 9. The winners of “Hong Kong Toys and Baby Products Award” have been announced on Jan 6 2014, in recognition of their unique design, creativity and high-quality. Winning products were introduced onsite to the visiting buyers.
“Hong Kong Toys and Baby Products Award” received nearly 130 entries. The judging panel included local industry players such as representatives from Toys “R”Us (China) Ltd, Hasbro Far East Ltd, Baby-Kingdom.com Limited, Hong Kong Designers Association, Hong Kong Productivity Council, Toys Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Toys Council. The nine award categories, namely, Best of the Fair of “Educational Toys & Games”, “Electronic and Remote Control Toys”, “Kidult Toys”, “Outdoor & Sporting Items”, “Baby Toys & Activity”, “Baby Wear and Footwear”, “Feeding, Maternity and Baby Care Products”, “Nursery Electrical Appliances” and ” Stroller & Gears”. There were also the “Hong Kong Design Award” and the “ECO Award”.
HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels.