Costume specialist Rubie’s opens digital doors of Nuremberg virtual showroom and tours

Giants of the costumes and dress up market, Rubie’s isn’t letting the postponed calendar of trade shows stop it from putting on a show early next year, as it prepares to open the digital doors of its 365 dedicated Nuremberg showroom with exclusive virtual tours and live appointments.

The new Virtual Showroom will be streamed through private viewings, providing buyers with an experiential approach to remotely research, interact and place orders from their expansive portfolio of global licensed brands.

Graham Gardiner, general manager EMEA, said: “Online retail and remote selling is one of the big growth areas for our sector. With the Virtual Showroom, we are bringing the same tailored personal showroom experience our customers are used to when they visit our Nuremberg venue, from the comfort of their home or office.

“At Rubie’s we’re keen to position ourselves at the forefront of digital excellence through our ecommerce website, HUB platform and now our virtual Showroom. We are adapting the way our business operates to respond not only to the current crisis but also to be at the forefront of long-term trends and adapt to the shifts in consumer behaviours.”

Rubie’s states that increasingly, digital viewing platforms are on the rise and quickly becoming key tools to accommodate growing expectations in the current climate. They’ve been adopted as a means of promoting brand to the marketplace in the absence of physical events.

Gardiner continued: “Last weekend over 40 Key Customers from around the world were treated to a one-on-one interactive experience by using a live broadcast demonstrations of all the new products from Marvel, Disney, Lucas, Sony, DC, Harry Potter, Universal, Looney Tunes, Power Rangers, and many others major licenses.

“By using our Nuremberg Showroom, we were able to meet and present with our key partners. Customers have appreciated the personal approach and effort we have made in bringing our inspirational showroom to their desks.”

Rubie’s is looking to repeat the event early next year in the absence of physical Trade Shows and will be expanding these events in order to accommodate access for more customers throughout the UK and rest of the world.

Spielwarenmesse postpones Nuremberg’s international toy fair until Summer 2021

Nuremberg’s annual Spielwarenmesse is to take place in the summer of 2021, a move from its usual January/February slot in response to the current measures in place regarding the persistent Covid-19 pandemic.

For the first time in the show’s long history, the large scale toy fair has been postponed until summer next year by organisers Spielwarenmesse eG. The decision was made by the supervisory board on September 24th and comes as a response to the rising infection rates of coronavirus across the world, and further restrictions on travel.

The move has been implemented as a short-term solution to the global challenge of Covid-19 is still being sought. In a release to the trade, Spielwarenmesse state that ‘the new change in circumstances and concerns over the health of all participants make it almost impossible to stage the Spielwarenmesse and guarantee the customary level of quality at the end of January.’

Many countries around the world are currently experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of Covid-19 infections, leading to new travel restrictions also in major European cities. These developments are casting doubt among exhibitors and visitors over whether they should be taking part in an international trade fair.

This uncertainty has been voiced in intensive discussions with the Spielwarenmesse team.

Ernst Kick, CEO of Spielwarenmesse eG, said: “We very much regret the decision to postpone the Spielwarenmesse 2021.”

Preparations for the 72nd event in January were already well under way. Based on the guidelines of the Bavarian State Government, the Health & Hygiene Concept drawn up in collaboration with the local health authorities and venue operator NürnbergMesse, was well received by all participants.

“I’d like to thank everyone who joined us on this path, and I feel sure that the improvements we have made will benefit all future events and appearances,” concluded Kick.

Spielwarenmesse eG is currently in talks with NürnbergMesse to find a suitable date for the Spielwarenmesse 2021. In the meantime, the website at www.spielwarenmesse.de will continue to provide exhibitors, retailers and buyers, as well as media representatives with a large offering and a plethora of information about the toy industry.

The digital platform is continually being expanded as an extra service and a complement to the physical exhibition experience.