AsaNet 84472

NUREMBERG, Germany, June 22, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- Current mood among visitors and exhibitors

- Creating new work models and communication channels

The Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg attracts around 65,000 buyers and retailers

and 2,800 manufacturers every year. To gauge how they are dealing with the

global Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences, Spielwarenmesse eG, who

organises the leading industry event, has conducted a representative survey

among both visitors and exhibitors. 1,810 trade visitors from 42 countries and

548 companies from 48 countries took part in the survey which was carried out

in spring.

Spielwarenmesse eG has conducted a survey among visitors and exhibitors who

attend the annual Spielwarenmesse on how they are dealing with the global

crisis. The creation of innovative working models and new communication

channels are just two of the significant findings.

On the visitor side, the questionnaire was completed by the management of

various trading formats, the majority of whom operate both a bricks-and-mortar

shop and an online store. Many of them have succeeded in creating new sales

channels, ensuring continued access for their customers despite the Covid-19

pandemic. These include existing online stores (43.9%), newly created online

stores (9.1%), delivery services (22.8%), collection from the store (14.4%),

initiatives by local shops (7.1%) and new forms of customer communication

(18.3%), such as telephone and email, Messenger services, social media and

online advertising.

Despite the ingenuity and creativity of the retail trade, the crisis has had a

significantly negative impact on business. The current situation has forced

45.6% of shop owners to implement reduced working hours, whilst 18.6% have had

to make staff redundant.

The toy manufacturers participating in the survey are likewise feeling the

effects of the crisis, with 52.6% enforcing reduced working hours, 43.4% asking

employees to work from home and 22.7% having to let staff go. At the same time,

the companies are supporting their retail partners by extending payment

deadlines and granting discounts, or by helping them to set up an online store

or by sending products directly to their customers.

The measures introduced to soften the impact of the crisis are also giving rise

to positive aspects. Manufacturers and retailers have created new methods of

customer communication, launched digital offerings earlier than originally

planned or discovered them for the first time. They have seized the opportunity

to modify their business models, trialed new working models, improved in-house

crisis management, or strengthened team spirit. Respondents are consequently

relatively optimistic about the year ahead: 25.8% of retailers and 32% of

manufacturers expect to make up for the dramatic fall in sales through new

sales channels, whereas 49.7% and 45.5% respectively believe their businesses

will recover.

Analysing the situation, Ernst Kick, CEO of Spielwarenmesse eG, states: "The

findings of the survey reflect the current mood in the toy industry. While the

crisis is posing a huge challenge for trade and industry, it is also

accelerating the implementation of new, forward-looking measures."

Note for editors:

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Spielwarenmesse eG

Spielwarenmesse eG is the fair organizer and marketing services provider for

the toy sector and other consumer goods markets. The Nuremberg company

organizes the world-leading Spielwarenmesse(R) in Nuremberg, Kids India in

Mumbai and Insights-X in Nuremberg. The range of services provided by the

cooperative also includes industry campaigns and the international fair

programme, World of Toys by Spielwarenmesse eG, which enables manufacturers to

exhibit at pavilions featured at trade fairs in Asia and Russia.

Spielwarenmesse eG operates a worldwide network of representatives in over 90

countries. It also has several subsidiaries, including Spielwarenmesse Shanghai

Co., Ltd., responsible for the People's Republic of China and Spielwarenmesse

India Pvt. Ltd., covering the Indian market. The cooperative holds a majority

stake in the Russian exhibition company Grand Expo, which organizes Kids Russia

in Moscow. Die roten Reiter GmbH subsidiary with headquarters in Nuremberg

works as communication agency for the consumer and capital goods industry. The

complete company profile of Spielwarenmesse eG can be seen on the Internet at

www.spielwarenmesse-eg.com.

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Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1193745/Survey_Visitors_3.jpg  

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1193743/Survey_Exhibitors_4.jpg  

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1167105/Spielwarenmesse_eG_Logo.jpg  

Source: Spielwarenmesse eG