Hi Fraser, how are things at Morph Towers?
Things are very busy as we finalise and place our orders with our major retail customers. As the orders have been so good, everyone in the team has a real buzz about them. Once that part of the year is behind us we will take a deep breath, have the spring summer office party before getting on with 2019 NPD and 2018 Halloween preperations.
You recently launched the Disney Princess Pony Range, how has that gone down with consumers?
The response from consumers has been great. Kids have really loved them and sales volumes have reflected this. We are excited to see what the rest of the year holds for the Princess Ponies.
In terms of retailers, are we to see that range in indies, majors, the etailers?
We are, after the strong test launch online and in the Disney Store, Princess Ponies are now available to all our customers in the trade. If you haven’t ordered some already you can contact our sales team on the usual number 0330 088 2510. However, I would urge you to be quick as we don’t have many left from the first production run.
Moving internationally, how are you seeing your business develop in terms of export?
Export continues to be a real focus for us and has been going very well in 2018. We have opened major new accounts in the US and in several European countries.
During January and February, you were at both H&P Expo in New Orleans, and Spielwarenmesse (Toy Fair) in Nuremberg. Do these shows still perform for you?
They do perform for us, although, as an established business, what we get out of them has changed over the years. The main function of the shows for us now is to meet with and build relationships our existing customers. Beyond that we find it really valuable to be able to meet the other suppliers and discuss industry issues. And finally, even though you think you know every potential customer, there are always still a few big new opportunities that can just appear on your booth.
Talking of New Orleans, PartyWorldwide.net was unlucky enough to share an airport armchair with you (and Gregor) for 24 hours as our flights were cancelled. What advice would you give to travelling costume trade folk who become stranded?
With exports going so well, I travel a lot and so I consider myself an expert on this subject. Here are my top tips:
1. Good company – Being stranded with good people helps you stay positive and makes the time go faster. I got this half right in New Orleans with Jacqui Parr but unfortunately Rob Willis was also there.
2. Seat formation – I find a ‘herringbone’ bed of wooden restaurant chairs strikes a great balance between comfort and security.
3. Leadership – you need this in a crisis. In this case we were lucky enough to be traveling with the fictional first lady of the United States of America so we had leadership in spades.
Thanks Fraser!
