Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has updated staff on the company’s operating plan and outlined additional role eliminations. Amazon is to cut around another 9,000 jobs across its global business, chief executive officer Andy Jassy has told workers in a message shared with Amazon employees on Monday. The statement began: “As we’ve just concluded the second phase of our operating plan (“OP2”) this past week, I’m writing to share that we intend to eliminate about 9,000 more positions in the next few weeks—mostly in AWS, PXT, Advertising and Twitch. This was a difficult decision, but one that we think is be ..read more

MGA’s Miniverse is available on pre-sale and will launch in all major toy retailers at the beginning of April, expanding into grocers later the same month. April sees the launch of MGA’s exciting, innovative and kidult-targeted brand, MGA’s Miniverse. Launching with two food themed collections – MGA’s Miniverse Make it Mini Food Diner Edition and Make it Mini Food Café Edition – the brand will deliver hands-on fun and bring a new twist to the ever-growing mini collectible trend for all ages of collectors. Fuelled by a surge in popularity on social platforms such as TikTok, the trend for mini e ..read more

Having secured the support of high-profile personalities for its range of Playhouses, Smoby is once again proving a must-have outdoor brand. Simba Smoby Toys UK is ramping up its spring/summer marketing ahead of the seasonal outdoor toy months. Kicking off the company’s latest marketing efforts is a new ambassadorship with presenter Ashley Louise James, who will be publicising her affiliation with the brand at the end of March. Ashley will be promoting key lines from within the Smoby and AquaPlay ranges over the coming months. The brand is also in high demand with other household names such as ..read more

The 50th Teddy Simmonds Fence Club Golf Day is to be held at Oakdale Golf Club in Harrogate on Thursday 15th June. At the popular annual Fence Club Golf Day, golfers of all abilities are welcome, from those who only play a couple of times a year to others that play on a regular basis. Players do not have to be Fence Club members, or invited by a member, everyone is welcome to enter either as a team or as an individual – all individuals will be allocated to a team. Those who don’t wish to play golf can just turn up for the evening and enjoy a three course dinner in convivial company. As well as ..read more

David has considerable experience and many high-level contacts in the toy market, which he has built up over decades of working in the industry. Due to a restructure at Toynamics, well-known toy industry stalwart David Allan will be leaving his position of MD Toynamics UK and Ireland on March 31st 2023. In his current role David was responsible for transferring Marbel to Toynamics and moving the company to a central UK home. During his tenure, he also grew Toynamics (a wholly owned subsidiary of Hape Holdings) into a leading distributor of many key brands across a variety of market sectors. Ex ..read more

Last week, Bluey joined Gethin Jones for his Red Nose Day Keep Dancing challenge, which raised over £1m for the charity. BBC One’s Morning Live host Gethin Jones put his best foot forward on Friday for Comic Relief as he undertook a 24-hour Keep Dancing challenge. Gethin was joined by the BBC’s Bluey costume character during the dance marathon. Inspired by Strictly Come Dancing’s hugely popular Strictly Fitness segment, Gethin spent his entire day, continuing through until Friday morning, showing off his moves to raise money for worthy causes this Red Nose Day. Over the course of the challenge ..read more

Now in its fourth year, the Play for Change Awards recognises toys and initiatives that help children navigate issues such as inclusivity. Toy Industries of Europe (TIE) is now accepting entries for its Play for Change Awards 2023. The awards recognises toys and initiatives that help children navigate big issues. Those issues include how to become an inclusive society, how to live more sustainably and how to have the right skills to achieve your potential. This year marks the fourth edition of the awards which were launched in 2020. Catherine Van Reeth, director general of TIE, said: “I almost ..read more

John Lewis has suggested it may move away from its 100% employee ownership model in a bid to reinvent the company and to raise investment. Last week, John Lewis warned of job cuts and informed staff that they would not be receiving a bonus for only the second time since 1953, after posting an annual loss of £234m. In a letter to staff, chairman Dame Sharon White raised the possibility of job losses as part of efforts “to become more efficient and productive”. Changing the partnership model would signal a major departure for John Lewis, which runs the department store chain, Waitrose supermark ..read more

Building on its success in the arts and crafts category, Hey Clay will be launching in Germany and Austria from summer 2023. Since its UK launch last May, sales of Hey Clay, from Tomy, have been growing steadily with the air-dry clay winning numerous awards. Hey Clay, which offers a mix of clay and digital modelling experiences, initially launched in Ukraine in 2017 and has already received a multitude of award wins and nominations in the interactive and game applications industries, including Best Kids App and Best Game Design, as well as Best Arts and Crafts Toy at the Made for Mums Awards a ..read more

Ahead of World Autism Acceptance Week, Tonies has partnered with the National Autistic Society to build awareness and understanding. Tonies has announced a partnership with the National Autistic Society to help amplify the incredible work it does to support autistic children in the UK. In celebration of the partnership, Tonies will be donating £10 from every sale of a Toniebox Starter Set and Toniebox Bundle to the charity during World Autism Acceptance Week, which runs from 27th March to 2nd April. Pinky Laing, Tonies Partnerships and PR manager, commented: “We feel extremely privileged to pa ..read more