30 Years of idee+spiel

idee+spiel - October 2007

Europe’s Largest Toy Retailing Association – A Continuing Success

On 9 October 2007 idee+spiel celebrated their 30th anniversary. The specialty toy retail association based in Hildesheim, Germany, looks back on years of ongoing successful development: Founded on 9 October 1977 by 33 individual toy retailers, the former "Fördergemeinschaft Spielwaren" today is the largest and best selling retail association in Europe. More than 1,000 specialty retailers for the segments toys, leisure time and games in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands now benefit from the various services of a strong retail association: idee+spiel.

After 30 years idee+spiel now give a more than positive review: All major business segments have achieved steady growth and sales since 1977. Sales figures of affiliated shops have risen from 50 million euros in 1978 to 460 million euros in 2006. idee+spiel reach a total share of 17 percent on the toy market and about 38 percent on the specialty toy market. idee+spiel also take the lead in annual bonuses: They have increased the annual bonus earned for their members from 0.6 million euros in 1978 to more than seven million euros 2006. For years now the association has been distributing the highest profits of the industry – not only in terms of percentage, but also in absolute terms. And the rising number of members speaks for itself: With more than 861 associates and over 1,000 specialty shops idee+spiel is the largest association in Europe. idee+spiel love to celebrate their anniversary together with their members and all their young and not-so-young toy fans. On 9 October they launched a large anniversary campaign with numerous appealing exclusive product offers. Customers will save at least 30 percent with all 30th anniversary products at affiliated idee+spiel shops.

idee+spiel promote their jubilee products with six to nine advertising pages in more than 20 high-circulation magazines. Thus idee+spiel encourage customer frequency and boost sales and revenues for the Christmas season 2007. idee+spiel managers Otto E. Umbach and Jochen Martens are thrilled by the successful development of “their” association and can’t wait for future challenges: “During the last 30 years idee+spiel have continuously re-designed themselves and by this become toy industry’s largest retail association. We a clearly determined to enhance our leading position and provide our members with even more advantages. It is our declared aim to strengthen the competitiveness of our medium-sized members. Today idee+spiel is an independent association and well-positioned within the market. We are positive about continuing our success story – together with our highly motivated members.”