Meet with QVC & HSN: Toy Association Rolls Out New Opportunities to Reach Influential Buyers
January 28, 2021 | With the ongoing absence of live events and in-person meetings, The Toy Association continues to offer toy professionals new opportunities to connect with key retailers. On March 4, the Association will host another virtual product preview day, this time with buyers from QxH, the parent division of retail brands QVC and HSN under the Qurate Retail Group. Companies who have never previously sold to the retailer are invited to apply to participate by Monday, February 8. As with previous product preview days, priority will be given to Toy Association members.
“With 450+ applicants for our past nine virtual product previews, it is clear that these opportunities to connect with key retailers are resonating and helping our members move forward while in-person meetings are limited,” said Kimberly Carcone, vice president of market events at The Toy Association. “Paired with our now year-round Toy Fair Everywhere platform and live events in Dallas this fall and New York in 2022, these virtual events are providing companies with a 360 approach to sales and marketing for the 21st century. Toy professionals should be on the lookout for more opportunities in the weeks ahead!”
Selected toy suppliers will have the opportunity to tap into QxH’s successful model for experiential retail, which shipped 135 million packages to 10.6 million customers in 2019. QxH buyers are seeking products for their seasonal on-air programming, including Outdoor Backyard Fun, Christmas in July, and holiday segments. They are looking to meet with sellers who have domestic, import, and drop ship options with products across multiple categories including outdoor toys, arts and crafts, dolls, educational toys, puzzles and games, and more.
Based on criteria provided by QxH, toy companies applying must have inventory ready to ship and receive by early May, with additional opportunities each month through November.
The submission period will close Monday, February 8, at which time QxH will review all applicants. Selected companies will be notified by The Toy Association on or before February 19 and will be required to pay a participation fee. Live Zoom pitch sessions will be held on March 4; additional details will be shared with selected participants.
The Toy Association is committed to providing members with access and opportunities to help them grow in the U.S. and abroad. Past Toy Association virtual product previews included Claire’s, Family Dollar, Meijer, Spencer’s, Target, TRU Canada, and Urban Outfitters. For more information about The Toy Association’s marketplace activities, contact Tim Knock, The Toy Association’s director of event marketing.