Schleich records strong end of transformation year

Schleich returned to growth in Q4 2024 with a 3 % increase in sales compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 in a still challenging toy market, due to continued pressure on consumer spending resulting in another year of market contraction. The improvement of Schleich’s performance was driven by several successful product novelties like the Schleich HORSE CLUB Riding Arena, the Schleich ELDRADOR® CREATURES Battle Caves, and the School of Magical Animals IP. Schleich continued to demonstrate its potential in its priority markets, recording consumer sales growth in the USA, France, the UK and the Benelux, with strong contribution from online channels in the second half of the year.

According to CEO Stefan De Loecker “We are encouraged by this initial sign of momentum. This growth, during a pivotal year in our transformation journey, is the result of the hard work and dedication of our team, as well as the trust from our consumers and retail partners, and strong product innovations. This progress is the solid base to build success in 2025, the year in which we celebrate Schleich’s 90th birthday.”

A major milestone in Schleich transformation’s journey is the re-location of the corporate headquarters to Munich, Germany, bringing together consumer-centric and value-creating functions, with further invest in upgrading capabilities across the organization. Schleich is welcoming talents into the company which represent the next generation of leaders and will drive the transformation agenda ahead. Many new colleagues joined the Schleich Shared Service Center in Prague, Czech Republic, which becomes an important foundation to support the execution of the strategy going forward. Schleich is establishing market leading processes to ensure a very high standard of customer execution, both to consumers and with our customers and suppliers.

“Our transformation is about more than the physical workspace – it is about reimagining how we work together and deliver value, there’s never been a more exciting time to be working at Schleich,” says De Loecker.

Stefan De Loecker is guiding Schleich through a far-reaching transformation to successfully rejuvenate the traditional toy company with investments in product innovation, digital transformation, sustainability, and operational efficiency.

Celebrating its 90th birthday this year under the motto ‘making friends for 90 years’, marks an important milestone for Schleich and will be celebrated with a limited-edition series in ‘pattern for life’.

In 2025, Schleich will continue its path of success with the growing Schleich ELDRADOR® CREATURES franchise, introducing four new battle caves and a master cave named "Smashrador." Schleich HORSE CLUB fans can look forward to an exciting range of new products across all price points, including the portable open stable "Little Horseshoe," a premium vehicle set featuring the Lakeside Truck and Trailer, a mobile veterinary vehicle and the re-launch of the epic four HORSE CLUB protagonists with their horses.
Finally, Schleich will expand further into collectible concepts and will be launching the very first range of kidult and collector products.