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113th Toy Fair Reports a 16% Increase in Overall Attendance
First Play Fair Also A Success...
The best new toys, games and youth entertainment products made their New York City showing last week at the 113th North American International Toy Fair. From February 13-16, the largest toy marketplace in the Western Hemisphere opened its doors to more than 30,600 global play professionals, a 16 percent increase from 2015. Owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA), Toy Fair 2016 boasted an expansive 415,000 net square feet of exhibit space at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, filled with hundreds of thousands of exciting, innovative new toys and games.
Despite frosty temperatures and snowfall in the Big Apple, Toy Fair was a hotbed of activity. Buyers, exhibitors, entertainment executives, members of the press, and trade guests from across the U.S. and 92 countries arrived in Manhattan for the international toy and game event.
More than 1,200 exhibitors, importers, distributors and sales agents showcased their latest product lines and key drivers for holiday '16 in front of 10,040 mass and specialty retail buyers, a 12 percent increase from a year ago. This included delegations from 24 of the nation's top 25 toy sellers, such as Amazon, Walgreens, Kohl's, Costco, CVS, Target, Toys"R"Us, Walmart, and more. More than 5,200 unique retail outlets were represented, with increased participation from 61 countries and 2,166 total international attendees. The top five countries represented by the most buyers were Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Japan and Australia.
"From total attendance to the volume of international buyers to news media attention, our exhibitors consistently reported Toy Fair 2016 was a success and one of the very best shows they attend," said Steve Pasierb, TIA president and CEO. "The innovative and fun products displayed underscore the vitality of the toy industry and over the coming months through the holiday season will bring joy to the lives of millions of children and families. We expect the positivity, momentum and great range of products we saw on Toy Fair's show floors to build upon the outstanding 6.7 percent sales growth the industry experienced in 2015."
This year also featured the debut of Play Fair, which was co-hosted by TIA and LeftField Media in the Javits Center's North hall on February 13 and 14. Capacity crowds of more than 20,000 attendees warmed up at the public celebration of play, which was presented by Nickelodeon and LEGO. Play Fair served as an arena for families to try out new toys, interact with popular characters like PJ Masks and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, play games, take photos and purchase new products.
"In its debut year, Play Fair was a success beyond all expectations that now provides the basis for a much larger show with more expansive play experiences in the future," noted Pasierb. "Families braved cold temperatures to see, play, learn and enjoy time together. It's clear that we've tapped into the passion that families and the general public have for great toys and play."
The global toy industry will converge once again next year at the 114th North American International Toy Fair, taking place Saturday, February 18 through Tuesday, February 21 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Source: Edited TIA press release
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