The trade-fair year in Hong Kong enjoyed a strong launch this week, as buyers from across the world visited to the three child-focused events, with the HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair celebrating 50 years.
The 50th Toys & Games Fair, 15th HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair and 22nd Hong Kong International Stationery & School Supplies Fair attracted 83,000 buyers from 135 countries and regions to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The return of international buyers signalled a promising start for Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) trade shows this year.
The Toys & Games Fair drew 42,000 buyers, while more than 26,600 buyers attended the Baby Products Fair and some 13,900 came to the Stationery & School Supplies Fair.
Asian buyers came from Mainland China, ASEAN, Japan, Korea and India, and European buyers flew in from United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Russia. The fairs also welcomed buyers from South Africa, Brazil and the UAE. Buyer numbers from Mainland China, India and ASEAN countries, such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, grew significantly.
Themed Innovative Play: A Legend Across Time, the fairs attracted over 2,600 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions, including pavilions from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Asia and Europe.
A long-term supporter of the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, Kintoy Die-Casting Manufactory Limited has developed worldwide market exposure by exhibiting at the fair through the years. Managing Director Pax Lam said the event was a well-established and large-scale fair that attracted buyers from all over the world, adding that buyer traffic at this year’s Fair was back to pre-pandemic levels.
A STEM and learning toys wholesaler from the US, Toy Box, returned this year and CEO Richard Toth described the fairs as the best platforms to find products and suppliers “The Click2Match platform helped me identify five potential suppliers. The two fairs showcase a wide range of new and innovative learning toys and STEM toys. I plan to spend US$3-4 million on purchasing products from the two fairs.”
The ODM Strollers and Gear zone debuted at the Baby Products Fair. The event also launched the Selection of Europe group pavilion and a Huzhou pavilion. UK exhibitor, Euro Stock Traders Ltd, announced the official launch of their Mercedes-Benz and the Mercedes-AMG collection at this year’s fair.
CEO Harry Jhamat said: “Responses from buyers are amazing. More than 20 new contacts from Israel, Russia, South Africa, South America and Southeast Asia who are distributors and retailers are very interested in developing exclusive partnerships with us.”
The Hong Kong International Stationery & School Supplies Fair featured the latest in school and office supplies, creative art supplies and gift stationery.
Marketing Director Ada Lee of Accutone Technologies Limited, a Hong Kong exhibitor was pleased with the response. “We have met with about 10 prospective customers hailing from diverse countries, such as Mexico, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore and India on the first day of the exhibition.”
The Asian Toys & Games Forum’s panel discussion was moderated by Bryant Chan, Chairman of Hong Kong Toys Council, and the four speakers shared insights on key topics, including changing demographics, sustainability, as well as potential collaboration with franchises and digital platforms.
