From the Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers (AEFJ) they inform us that the Spanish toy is an upward sector in Europe and that crosses borders. Thus, Spain is one of the main countries producing traditional toys in Europe, only behind Germany and Italy. In addition, national sales have been stabilized, which makes the forecasts more optimistic before Christmas 2013 and the future 2014. Exports also increase 3.78% until August 2013.
The Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers (AEFJ) has presented the latest developments in the Spanish toy market in commercial action the Star Toys of the next Christmas. The objective is that consumers know the toys that the Spanish industry will sell during the holidays.
As we have anticipated, sales forecasts for the sector are optimistic about the next Christmas campaign. Besides, the good progress of exports, which have remained favorable in the recent past, adds to the good performance of national sales in 2013. And, although there has been no increase in sales, the 2% decrease experienced in 2013 It is less than in previous years. In 2012, sales decreased 11% and around 10% in 2011.
As reported Jose Antonio Pastor, president of AEFJ, there is no destruction of employment in this industry, officials recover the extra Christmas pay and distribution data also point to a slight recovery. Nor are VAT increases or tax increases expected in the remainder of the year. Since most of the toy sector sales are seasonal, they are confident that 2013 sales will not be negative and even increase.
The exports, become the main support of the toy sector during these years, continue to increase. Until August, exports in 2013 have increased almost 4% in relation to the previous year, with figures that exceed 222 million euros. Dolls exports have grown, reflecting the success of these toys in foreign markets such as Russian, which grows by 20% as a destination for exports from Spain. In other countries the growths have been: France (+ 13.45%), Portugal (+11.19) and Italy (+ 10.11%) and Mexico (17.34%).
The Spanish toy, a traditional sector in our country, is well known outside our borders for its quality, safety, design and innovation. In Spain there are eight of the one hundred largest toy manufacturing companies in Europe.
Spain is one of the main countries producing traditional toys in Europe, only behind Germany and Italy, and in terms of employment represents 7.5% of the total employees in the sector throughout the continent.
About Internet, and although it has not established itself as a toy sales channel, It has a 4% share of purchases made. In Spain it is still bought in traditional channels although the Internet is the leading means to obtain information about the toy that is finally acquired.
In the AEFJ they have also renewed and improved Ludomecum.com, the reference toy search engine in the network, incorporating more product information and offering greater search possibilities.
We hope, like the AEFJ, that the 2013 Christmas campaign will be a success, that the toys fill the homes of millions of children in Spain with enthusiasm and that the workers of this industry make a sufficient number of exports to keep jobs and remain positioned. as one of the references in Europe and in the rest of the world.
