Non Regulatory Announcement

RNS Number : 3684S

Character Group PLC

06 November 2013

 

Date: Wednesday, 6 November 2013

The Character Group plc

('Character' or 'Group')

Designers, developers and international distributors of toys, games and giftware

"5 toys listed in Top 50 with Character's Teksta in Top 10

of children's Christmas wish lists"

The Directors of the Character are very pleased to announce that the Company has seen five of the toys from its current portfolio featured by the Toy Retailers Association in its listings at the industry's annual Christmas Dream Toys event this morning. The Dream Toys list is independent and widely viewed as the most accurate prediction of the toys that will be in most demand this Christmas.

Richard King, Executive Chairman at Character Group, commented:

"We are delighted to have done so well in this year's Dream Toy Listings; Teksta has already achieved a lot of attention since its launch in August, having been named by many major retailers in their own personal top toy lists.  Already, it has been selling fast and we expect demand will far outstrip supply as the consumer public start buying for Christmas."

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/3684S_-2013-11-6.pdf

Teksta, an electronic puppy, distributed exclusively in the UK by Character Options Limited (the Group's principal trading subsidiary), was also unveiled today as one of this year's official Dream Toys and acknowledged as 'one of the most wished for' toys in the official Top 10 Dream Toys listings under the category 'Take off for Tech'.

The four other products from the Group's portfolio also included in the top 50 toys are Ø The Zelfs  - a top girls' collectible range Ø Peppa Pig's Theme Park Balloon Ride Ø Fireman's Sam's remote Control Drive and Steer Jupiter Fire Engine  and Ø ChillFactor Squeeze Cup Slushy Maker already a best seller (having already sold 500,000+ units this year) also made the Dream Toys list as one of the most sought after gadgets.

Jon Diver, Joint Managing Director at Character Group, added:

"10% of all toys in the Dream Toys top 50 were from Character Options' portfolio, which is a clear indication of the strength of our current ranges.  Teksta's position as an official Dream Toy also echoes what is happening to it on the high street and, with only eight weeks to go before Christmas, this great electronic pet is already in high demand across all our retail partners."

Enquiries:
The Character Group plc	Charles Stanley Securities (Nominated Adviser)
Richard King,  Executive Chairman	Russell Cook
Kiran Shah, Group Finance Director & Joint Managing Director	Carl Holmes
Tel: [phone]	Tel: [phone]
TooleyStreet Communications (IR & media relations)
Fiona Tooley - Tel: [phone]

Notes to Editors:

The Character Group plc

www.thecharacter.com

Ticker: AIM: CCT

The Dream Toy Event  -each year a committee of toy industry professionals, including many retailers, create a list of what they consider to be the year's Dream Toys.  The result is a closely guarded secret until the day of the Dream Toys event, which took place this morning (Wednesday, 6 November 2013).  This year only 50 toys were selected to make the "favourites" lists, with just 10 of these being given the 'Dream Toy' status.  Being named a Dream Toy is clear indication of what is likely to be a best seller for Christmas. 

Twitter.com/dreamtoysuk

Press releases and images can be downloaded at https://app.box.com/dreamtoys2013

The Toy Retailers Association is the voice of toy retailers in the UK.  Founded in 1950, the organisation promotes the role of the toy retailer and the value of toys to the consumer.  It represents more than 80% of the toy trade, informing and advising members on current and future legislation, as well as ethical practices in respect of toy safety, requirements of the Health and Safety Executive, consumer and employment rights.  It acts as both a watchdog and persuader to ensure fair play for toy retailers and represents the toy retail sector on government panels and safety organisations in the UK.  In association with The British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA), all Association members are Approved Lion Mark Retailers - that is they adhere to a strict Code of Practice on selling toys.  www.toyretailersassociation.co.uk/press/background-infomation

 

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