Will the end-of-year celebrations smell like a tree?
In one year, the price of 70% of toys has increased, on average by 4.97 euros, according to a recent RTL survey which scrutinized 6000 references and around 1200 pages of specialized catalogs.
Should we then rush into stores or on the Internet now for fear of further price increases and shortages?
To discover
Energy check: all you need to know about the aid scheme which concerns nearly 5.8 million households
SIMULATOR - Are you getting paid well?
"Consumers should start shopping earlier"
"
In a context where the fear of breakages due to delivery delays is mixed with the excitement of finally being able to plan an almost normal Christmas, consumers should start their purchases earlier in the season
", advises Christophe Drevet, general manager of the Federation of toys and childcare. Getting there in advance means first of all saving money in the event of future inflation, as catalog prices are frozen throughout their period of validity: until November 25 at La Grande Récré and on the 1st December at King Jouet.
However, according to Patrick Jocteur-Monrozier, the director of the customer center at King Jouet, certain references could be more expensive in the future, the explosion in the price of containers chartered from Asia requires. “
15% of the cost of toys is attributable to transport. Of the 150 best-selling toys, the price acceleration is contained to 3%.
", However relativizes the specialist. Whatever happens, buying in advance helps protect against price increases. “
The aim of the stores is to smooth out purchases over time,”
continues Patrick Jocteur-Monrozier.
So at the moment the flyers are full of promotions to encourage parents to do it as soon as possible.
"
In addition to inflation, there is the risk of stockouts.
“
We launched our catalog last week and 15% of the models presented are not yet available to date, against 10% at the same period last year
,” continues Patrick Jocteur-Monrozier.
Read alsoHasbro toy merchant affected by supply problems
If it seems more judicious to do it in advance, there is nothing to panic either for those who prefer to take their time, repeat the two experts.
“
There will be toys until December 24!
»
,
Assures Christophe Drevet.
A good start to the season
So far, the 2021 season has been pretty good for professionals in the sector.
“
In-store sales among toy specialists are growing by + 7% compared to 2020,”
reports the Toy and Child Care Federation
.
And internet sales are growing year by year (+ 22% this year compared to 2020).
However, expectations for the end of the year are colossal for professionals: the last quarter represents more than 50% of sales for the whole year.
To read also Foie gras, turkeys and capons at the Christmas meeting despite the avian flu
“
If some toys are missing at Christmas, there will be no death of a man.
We will give different gifts
, ”summarized Michel-Edouard Leclerc, president of the strategic committee of the group founded by his father on BFMTV on October 24.
Creativity and ingenuity may be in the spotlight this year.
A real Christmas miracle!
