MGA’s L.O.L. Surprise, Spinmaster and Toytown triumph at the 53rd Toy Industry Awards

Toy Fair, 23-25 January 2018, Olympia, London

Toy Industry Awards, 23 January 2018, Apex Room, Olympia London

23 January 2018: MGA’s L.O.L. Surprise, Spinmaster and Toytown triumphed at this evening’s annual Toy Industry Awards winning Toy of the Year, Supplier of the Year and Toy Retailer of the Year, respectively. A BTHA Golden Teddy Award was also presented to Colin Rossiter of Character Options for outstanding achievement and a career in the toy industry which has spanned 40 years.

Organised by the British Toy & Hobby Association with the Toy Retailers Association (TRA) – the awards were presented at the gala event held in Olympia’s Apex Room following the first day of the 65th annual Toy Fair, which is currently taking place at Olympia in West London.

BTHA Chairman, Jon Diver, announced the winners of the Toy Retailer of the Year Awards, and TRA Chairman, Alan Simpson, unveiled the Toy and Supplier of the Year Awards. The full line up of winners follows:

TOY RETAILER OF THE YEAR WINNERS:

Small Independent Toy Retailer of the Year Just Williams Toys

Large Independent Toy Retailer of the Year Toymaster Cavan

Specialist Multiple Toy Retailer of the Year (up to 5 stores) Toy Galaxy

Specialist Multiple Toy Retailer of the Year (up to 25 stores) Kids Stuff Toys

Specialist Multiple Toy Retailer of the Year (over 25 stores) Toytown

General Multiple Toy Retailer of the Year Argos

Department Store Toy Retailer of the Year Jarrold

Online Toy Retailer of the Year Smyths

Overall Toy Retailer of the Year Toytown

TOY AND SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARDS:

Action Toy of the Year Stretch Armstrong, Character Options

Pocket Money Toy of The Year Pokémon Cards, Esdevium

Interactive Toy of The Year Fingerlings, Jazwares

Craze of The Year L.O.L., MGA

Collectable Range of The Year Hatchimals Collegtables, Spinmaster

Retro Toy of the Year Rubik's Cube, John Adams

Game of The Year Dobble Esdevium

Doll of The Year Luvabella Spinmaster

Creative Toy of The Year L.O.L. Fizz Maker, MGA

Pre-School Toy of The Year Paw Patrol Vehicles, Spinmaster

Electronic Toy of The Year Laser X, Character Options

Licensor of The Year Nickelodeon

Special Recognition Award Playmobil

Supplier of The Year Spinmaster

Toy of the Year L.O.L. Surprise, MGA

Jon Diver, Chairman of the BTHA: “Congratulations on behalf of the BTHA to all the winners of this year’s Toy Retailer Awards – as always, it is a great pleasure to see such a high standard of entry and judges debated long and hard to determine this year’s winners. Recognition must also go to our worthy runners-up and big thanks must go to everyone for taking part.”

Alan Simpson, Chairman of the TRA, added: “On behalf of the TRA, our congratulations to all the Award winners, and those with shortlisted products too. It wasn't an easy task selecting winners for categories which stood out in 2017. We can now all look forward to a successful 2018. I have no doubt it will be challenging, but together we can make it a success.”