Author: Debra Tiffany

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BREXIT

The uncertainty about BREXIT continues to feed the media frenzy. At Brainstorm we are trying to be pragmatic about how we prepare for the unknown. In the first place we have ensured that we will have healthy stocks, in the UK, of all our current and new lines throughout this period in case of delays at port. Our supply chain is almost 100% outside of the EU so will not be affected in terms of trading restrictions with the EU whatever happens.

We have many valued customers in the EU and with the advice of the British Toy and Hobby Association we have formulated a contingency that will enable us to continue to trade and honour these long-standing arrangements. In the case of a no deal Brexit, we will immediately appoint an Authorised Representative based in the EU.  This means that , in the terminology of the Toy Safety Directive, our retail and distribution customers would retain their status as a “Distributor” and not have the additional burden of being an “Importer”.

We are liaising with our Freight forwarders and have instructed them to act as our customs representatives. This will enable them to move our shipments across the customs boundary if Brexit occurs in late March 2019.

Customers are advised to find out their state of readiness to undertake import customs clearance. If needed we can organise our Freight forwarders in the EU to contact you and provide any specific support and guidance which may be required. At this stage, it is not possible to pre-empt what the future trading relationship between the UK and EU will be. Both parties have however expressed their desire to minimize the impact of BREXIT on business and trade. This forms a good foundation to work towards an eventual agreement on tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers.

Any customers with specific queries should email sales@brainstormltd.co.uk or your normal Brainstorm contact. We will do our very best to answer your questions or concerns.

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Brainstorm commits to more marketing for 2019/2020

The Brainstorm year end is 31st of March and we expect sales to fall in line with our previous record year despite the challenging retail environment in the UK and ROI.

Our aggressive consumer marketing, great products and plenty of hard work has been at the centre of our success in recent years and we will be keeping up this momentum in 2019/2020. Read more about it here as published in Toy World.

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StikBot Monsters nominated for US Toy of the Year Award

StikBot, which is distributed exclusively in the UK by Brainstorm, is ending the year on a high following the announcement of the US Toy of the Year finalists. The Toy Association revealed their annual TOTY Awards programme this week and StikBot was shortlisted in the Action Figure of the Year category with their brand-new collection StikBot Monsters.

This new breed of StikBot is already creating a buzz online with a groundswell of demand from StikBot fans in the UK. While scheduled for an official launch at London Toy Fair 2019, Brainstorm are hoping to make some stock available pre-Christmas and the sales team urge retailers to order as soon as possible. In fact, the retail launch will be supported with a TV campaign commencing Boxing Day and continuing through to back to school.

There are three StikBot Mega Monsters and six Monster Capsules to collect with some rarer than others. Using the StikBot app and its unique green screen capabilities, children will now be able to create stop-frame animations featuring these brand-new characters.

Debra Tiffany, Marketing Manager said:

‘StikBot is a huge line for us and we have seen double digit growth this year. Its pleasing to see demand for the new Monsters, from retailers and consumers alike and since Monsters will be arriving mid-December we have stocks to release pre-Olympia and some customers will be able to capitalise on that.’