The 68th annual Toy Fair returned to Olympia London last week (25-27 January), welcoming back exhibitors and visitors from around the world.
This was the first Toy Fair since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the only dedicated toy fair that has been able to take place this year. In 2022, special measures were in operation due to Covid-19 to ensure the health and safety of all exhibitors and visitors attending the show.
During the show, 260 exhibiting companies unveiled thousands of new products for the year ahead.
“Toy Fair 2022 has been even better for business than in January 2020; we have experienced a big increase in orders,” commented Richard Keel from Keel Toys. “It’s great that the trade shows are back up and running. It has been incredible, we have been non-stop writing orders.”
The top trends and themes from the show included family play, licences and STEM toys with science kits, build your own robots, and board games featuring in media coverage from the BBC, Daily Mirror and The I newspaper, plus many others.
The winners of Toy Fair’s Hero Toys promoted outside the press office were once again a popular feature with the list attracting attention of visitors and the media, making it into the national media coverage of the show. Winners included Sesame Street Talking Cookie Monster by Posh Paws International.
The Editor’s Choice award also returned this year and saw the new Talking Paddington Bear from Rainbow Designs crowned media editors’ favourite new product of the show.
“After a year away, it has been a delight to see the industry come together again at Toy Fair to kick start 2022,” commented Roland Earl, director general of the BTHA. “I would like to thank our exhibitors and contractors for the support and extra lengths gone to this year to put on a successful show.
“We are pleased to have welcomed a wider range of visitors from the UK and overseas to the show this year and wish all participants well in the year ahead.”
Applications for Toy Fair 2023 will be announced in March 2023 at www.toyfair.co.uk.
