Ms Wilmet Shea, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd expressed: “After overcoming many challenges to successfully hold the three shows in 2022, we are looking ahead with confidence to another productive gathering next year. This comprehensive event will be the first major trading platform for toys and related products to kick off the sourcing season in Mainland China. New products and innovative ideas from an impressive line-up of exhibitors showcasing toys, baby and maternity goods as well as licenced products can be expected at the platform in April.”
Increasing demand as ‘designer toys’ capture attention
According to data provided by the Guangdong Toy Association, in 2021 consumption of traditional toys in China was estimated at around USD 11.2 billion, and this amount reached over USD 14.4 billion if the trending toy sector is also taken into account[1]. The numbers are a strong reflection of the confidence that many industry experts have expressed about demand in the Chinese toy market.
One of the key reasons for the boost in demand is the ease of China’s fertility policy. China had a population of 263 million people aged 15 or below in 2021[2], with this number expected to take a big leap forward following the implementation of the two-child and three-child policies. With more young toy users forming a bigger market in the coming years, combined with increased spending following a nearly 8% rise in gross national income in 2021[3], the industry is expected to reach new heights.
Millennials and younger generations are no strangers to blind boxes and assembly toys. These highly entertaining designer or trending toys have become the latest craze among children, teenagers, as well as adults who are young at heart. Figures from a mainland consulting company ASKCI indicate that the size of China’s trending toys market was close to USD 5 billion in 2021, with blind boxes and assembly toys carving out the biggest shares at 28% and 23% respectively[4]. In addition to this, according to a research report from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the designer toy market is anticipated to reach RMB 47.8 billion this year[5].
A Toy & Edu China exhibitor from the 2022 show, Mr Guoyao Chen, Regional Director of the Shanghai Blocks Group, agrees with this encouraging assessment: “As blind boxes are now becoming more popular, there will be more toys made targeting adults and higher age groups. This will create a bigger market for the sector.”
2023 editions set to exemplify ‘Greater Play’ in ‘Greater Bay’ motto
Nearly 1,400 exhibitors from nine countries and regions exhibited at Toy & Edu China, Baby & Stroller China and Licensing China in 2022, with the fairground welcoming 50,437 buyers from a total of 28 regions during the three-day show period from 18 to 20 August.
With the concurrent fairs returning to the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center next year, and under the theme “Greater Bay, Greater Play”, they will once again enjoy great geographical advantages in attracting cross-border e-commerce businesses and buyers from the city to source for export products.
A Shenzhen based cross-border e-commerce retailer, Mr Zhang Binbin, General Manager of Shenzhen Xiaofan E-commercial Co Ltd, visited the 2022 show and shared his sourcing experience: "Many leading toy companies in the Greater Bay Area as well as international toy brands are gathered here at Toy & Edu China. It’s easy for us to select toy products at the physical fair with the price points and quality that meet our requirements."
Exhibitors and buyers who were unable to attend the 2022 shows were still able to participate through the digital E-connect 360 platform, where they could match and network with global suppliers and clients at or away from the shows. Here are some key figures:
- A total interaction rate of more than 121,000 (including website, photo impression and click rate).
- Over 2,900 logins on the platform, with a response rate of 90%.
- More than 350 meetings and online chat connections between buyers and exhibitors.
- Users from 24 countries and regions, with Hong Kong, Malaysia and the USA having the most active users.
- A 90% attendance rate at the business matching service onsite.
The next editions of Toy & Edu China, Baby & Stroller China and Licensing China fairs will take place at the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center from 7 to 9 April 2023.
Toy & Edu China, Baby & Stroller China and Licensing China are organised by Guangdong Toy Association, Guangzhou Li Tong Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. For more information, please visit:
Notes to editors:
Further press information and picture material:
https://shenzhen-international-toy-and-education-fair.hk.messefrankfurt.com/shenzhen/en/press.html
Follow the fairs on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/SZToyFair/
https://twitter.com/SZToyFair
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sztoyfair/
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
The Messe Frankfurt Group is one of the world’s leading trade fair, congress and event organisers with their own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,200 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 28 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. As in the previous year, annual sales for 2021 were significantly lower owing to the COVID-19 pandemic: approximately €154 million compared with Group sales as high as €736 million in pre-pandemic 2019. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. Sustainable business practices are a central pillar of our corporate strategy and strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity. Another of Messe Frankfurt’s strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
[1] Chinanews.com: China's toy industry stays positive in the long run as it is actively maintaining stability and improving quality. https://www.chinanews.com.cn/cj/2022/07-20/9808197.shtml.
[2] National Bureau of Statistics: Statistical Communiqué of the People's Republic of China on the 2021 National Economic and Social Development.http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/zxfb/202202/t20220227_1827960.html.
[3] Same as above.
[4] HKTDC Research: China’s Toy Market. https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MzA3ODUwOTUx.
[5] China Economic Network: CASS’s designer toy market’s development report: the market size of the designer toys will reach 47.8 billion in 2022. http://www.ce.cn/culture/gd/202112/29/t20211229_37212312.shtml.
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- SZTF23-PR1-EN (pdf, 294 KB)