Schools closed, school holidays, teleworking… All the elements were in place to convince parents to buy new toys for their children, while they still could.
Not belonging to the list of essential shops, the toy stores had to close their doors this Saturday at 7 p.m.
The home stretch was profitable for them.
Read also: Toy sales fell only slightly in 2020, despite lockdowns
The essential role of the toy
The closure of toy stores remains a blow to the entire sector.
Three toy and gaming federations have published a forum asking to be considered essential businesses.
"
It is requested that the essential role of the toy be officially recognized and better taken into account in future decisions of the Government,"
they put forward in their forum
.
Toys are as essential to the development of the child, to his acquisition of cognitive, physical, emotional and social skills, as books, records, or other cultural products
”.
Bookstores and record stores have in fact integrated the list of essential businesses and can remain open.
Read also: School at home, canceled holidays: parents to the test
The purchase of toys can also be done via the internet on the various retailer sites, but the service is not the same as in the store.
“
Internet sales are progressing, but to a lesser extent.
Parents are less advised, delivery costs can be high with a relatively long waiting period
, ”admits a spokesperson for JouéClub.
When there is an urgent need for toys to entertain their children, ordering online will be the only possible solution for parents.
