Exhibitions in UK for Toys

The toy industry in the UK continues to thrive, propelled by a combination of digital innovation and increasing consumer demand. Even through the pandemic, revenue has been solid as brands are able to meet evolving consumer preferences. From 2015 to 2021, the revenue of the toys and games market in the UK experienced significant growth, surpassing four billion British pounds to reach just over 4.7 billion. Projections indicate further growth, with expectations of exceeding five and a half billion by 2027. This growth is driven by diverse segments catering to different target markets, ranging from children's toys to complex games tailored for adults, such as card games and board games. Notably, in 2021, toys for toddlers and kids emerged as the most lucrative segment as it generated revenues exceeding 1.4 billion British pounds. A key trend shaping the UK toy industry is the rise of e-commerce. The digitalization of the economy has accelerated with online sales channels experiencing a steady increase in revenue share since 2017. It is anticipated that online sales will surpass offline channels by 2024. Leading toy retailers such as Smyths Toys, Waterstones, and LEGO have capitalized on this trend, boasting high online visibility scores. Despite the seeming dominance of e-commerce, brick-and-mortar stores for toy retail have also seen growth in the past decade. Consumer spending on toys in the UK has more than doubled between 2005 and 2021, which was in no small part driven by adult interest in board games and hobby goods. In 2021 alone, nearly 13 billion British pounds were spent on toys and related items, compared to around 6.2 billion in 2005. Household expenditure on games, toys, and hobbies varied across income groups with the highest decile group spending an average of six British pounds per week compared to one British pound spent by the lowest decile.

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