Kids India will take place from 15 - 17 September 2022 at the JIO World Convention Center in Mumbai. Toy retailers and buyers will be able to meet toy manufacturers and make successful business transactions, formulate joint ventures and deliberate on new ideas and new technologies. All this would be possible due to the hard work of the team Kids India.
Priya Sharma, who is spearheading the project, is looking forward to India’s biggest international B2B fair for toys, children’s products, and sporting goods. In the interview, she provides insights into the upcoming Kids India.
Kids India Magazine: What is the current market scenario in India, especially post-pandemic? What is the mood of the industry in India with regard to investments in exhibitions?
Priya Sharma: After a tumultuous two years owing to the covid pandemic, India’s core economic fundamentals are robust and displaying a growth trajectory. India’s economy is projected to grow at 7.5% in 2022 and 8% in 2023, supported by increased public investment in infrastructure and a pickup in private investment. Additionally, India’s focus on manufacturing and increased services exports as a result of a greater digitisation and technology transformation drive around the world are key drivers of faster economic growth.
Exhibitions and events are important facilitators and catalysts for the economy. With India emerging as one of the fastest-growing economies, the government has invested heavily in developing exhibition and convention centres. With the rise of the exhibition industry in mind, India’s private sector exhibition infrastructure has been developing as well, with new state-of-the-art venues being launched and the capacity of existing ones being enhanced and renovated. As a result, India is offering an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to invest and expand. Such advancements are expected to positively impact the industry’s overall push to improve communication via numerous trade exhibitions and events.
Although many e-retail and online platforms are available to sell toys, the importance and need for human connection and networking have been reinforced by the lockdowns of the past two years. The industry today is looking forward to exhibitions for face-to-face interactions and new business connections.
Kids India Magazine: What kind of developments do you see for the toy industry in the future?
Priya Sharma: According to a FICCI-KPMG analysis, the Indian toy market, which is now valued at $1 billion, has the potential to treble by 2025. Toys have long been a part of Indian culture and heritage. The global toy sector has progressed significantly with the rapidly changing nature and practises of play to keep up with technological advancements and market demands. Dolls, soft toys, wooden toys, baby and infant toys, and pre-school toys are all labour-intensive categories with significant manufacturing potential in India and huge export possibilities. 2022. While states across the country are leading initiatives to nurture toy manufacturing ecosystems and develop and market new toy clusters, signalling a significant shift in domestic toy manufacturing, India’s preferred model is to incentivise global and domestic players to build end-to-end, integrated manufacturing facilities.
Kids India Magazine: What is new in this year’s edition of Kids India? What are the highlights of the show?
Priya Sharma: Over the years, “Kids India” has cemented its position as the key meeting point for the toy industry annually. The 8th edition of Kids India is back with a bang and ready for business at a world-class venue with state-of-the-art infrastructure.
India’s largest international B2B fair for toys, children’s products and sports goods are poised to bring on board eminent decision makers at a common networking platform. This edition of Kids India promises:
- Networking opportunities with well-known global brands showcasing a wide array of attractive products. From soft toys, board games, educational and learning toys, outdoor equipment and much more, Kids India has something on offer for all industry groups.
- New innovative entrants present cutting-edge products and unveil top toy trends.
- “Sustainability” as a focal theme with toy manufacturers presenting environmentally friendly hand-made products using renewable and natural materials.
- Buyers of major chains, independent retailers, distributors, licensors and prominent media representatives searching for the “toy story” of the year, congregating at a common platform, combine to make Kids India a must-attend event for all players in the toys and games market.
Kids India Magazine: What tip do you have for the participants of Kids India so they can participate successfully at the show?
Priya Sharma: Successful trade show participation begins long before the doors open and continues after the stands are dismantled.
- The stand design at any trade fair represents the face of the company. Plan well in advance for the appropriate booth size and overall aesthetics to make an attractive presentation showcasing the company profile and brand identity.
- Ensure relevant product presentation and sufficient material for display purpose.
- Stand should always be manned by a professional team well-versed in handling of trade enquiries.
- Advertise your attendance at the show by engaging in extensive marketing promotional activities. Create a curated social media engagement plan for increased visibility.
- Pre-plan business appointments and meetings well in advance for productive results and effective time management.
- Invite all your clients to the show, set targets for your sales teams and ensure that your customers visit your stand at the fair.
- Set a schedule for follow-up leads after the fair.
Kids India Magazine: Which are the associations supporting Kids India?
Priya Sharma: Kids India is organised jointly by Spielwarenmesse India Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Spielwarenmesse eG, the organiser of the world’s leading toy fair in Nuremberg, and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce – with the support of the leading industry associations, the Sports Goods Export Promotion Council (SGEPC) and The All-India Toy Manufacturers’ Association (TAITMA).
Kids India Magazine: What are other concurrent events which a visitors and exhibitors should keep in mind while planning for Kids India?
Priya Sharma: Insightful conference sessions by eminent speakers, educational workshops, interactive panel discussions and toy awards for the most innovative launches are some of the concurrent events planned parallel to the exhibition.
Kids India Magazine: What do you wish for fair participants?
Priya Sharma: A lively personal exchange at the fair, worthwhile discussions, good business prospects and contacts over three days are on the Kids India team’s wish list for all fair participants.
