News Archive

Spring Fair International exhibitor Charlie Bears is enjoying an exceptionally successful show, having quadrupled on day one the number of orders taken throughout the whole of SFI 2008.

Established four years ago by Charlotte Morris and her husband William, the company has grown into a £4mn turnover business. "Without question," William told Marketplace News, "we have been helped tremendously through our involvement with SFI. This is our springboard for the rest of the year.

"Since moving into Toy Hall 5 we've had a massive boost. This is the best place by far to meet both new and existing customers. A variety of people have been visiting the show, from multiples and independents to department stores and they've been interested in our products across the board.

Charlotte said that: "Everyone at SFI has been really helpful and approachable, they're all lovely. The booking team for this hall has been great. The orders we took on the first day were just exceptional, we're over the moon," and indeed, everyone on the Charlie Bear stand appeared to be giggling with delight by the time Marketplace got around to visiting!

"We've opened loads of different accounts," Charlotte continued saying, "there are a lot of new customers and some of the accounts we've opened are really exciting." Charlie Bears made the most of the marketing facilities offered by SFI, by targetting potential customers with mailshots and personalised invitations. "We found the system really worked for us, we've even managed to bring buyers in from overseas."

The company offered 12 'Show Specials' especially for SFI, which can't be bought anywhere else but at the show. Sell through has been exceptional. "They've all sold through very well," Charlotte added, "and we've even over sold on four of them they've been so popular. As far as we're concerned there is no recession, we've found the gift market to be extremely buoyant."

Charlie Bears' bears are designed by a team of 8 award-winning teddy bear artists from around the world and made by hand in Thailand. "We really are the bear specialists!" Charlotte said.