Tag Archives: China

China Shipping Crisis | Toy retailer The Entertainer is urging consumers to get their Christmas shopping early

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With shipping from China reaching a crisis point that has seen costs skyrocket to all time highs amid a shortage of containers within the global supply chain, the UK’s independent toy retailer, The Entertainer is making its message to the consumer clear.

Costs, shortages, and delays have hamstrung companies across the industries worldwide in recent months, and analysts suggest that the crisis is likely to continue into 2023, with rumbles of legal redress against shipping companies, and allegations of ‘cartel action regarding freight rates’ thrown in.

And while the world reels from the activity – brought on by a pandemic that saw shipping ports operating at reduced staff levels, causing delays on shipments, coupled with a buying boom from consumers spending online – the high street toy retailer The Entertainer is urging its customers to complete their Christmas shopping early once again this year, in order to avoid disappointment.

The call echoes those made by the retailer at the mid point of 2020, when online shopping surged in the midst of lockdowns and restrictions. Now, however, with all remaining restrictions due to be lifted across England by next week and as The Entertainer encourages families to make Christmas 2021 ‘better than ever’, it issues the warning to get those orders in early, as the toy industry navigates its latest logistical headache.

Gary Grant, founder and executive chairman of The Entertainment issued the call out to shoppers this week.

“There are lots of brands that we’re excited about for Christmas 2021, including PAW Patrol, following the movie this summer, and CoComelon, Super Mario, LOL Surprise, Barbie, and Bluey,” he said.

“But the shipping crisis in China is causing uncertainty as to what will be available and when. So above all, we urge our customers to shop early for Christmas this year to avoid disappointment.”

Earlier this month, the vice president of the Taiwanese branch of DB Schenker, a major player in supply chain management and logistics solutions said that global shipping reliability was at an ‘historic low.’

Antoine Bouin of Schenker Taiwan, said: “Empty container shortages are worsened by port congestion in Europe and the US, and recently, by China’s Yantian port backlog. Port congestion, berthing delays, flow imbalances and the slow return of empty containers have caused shipping lines to skip some of their regular trips and pushed global shipping reliability to an historic low.”

China Shipping Crisis | Toy retailer The Entertainer is urging consumers to get their Christmas shopping early

Posted on by

With shipping from China reaching a crisis point that has seen costs skyrocket to all time highs amid a shortage of containers within the global supply chain, the UK’s independent toy retailer, The Entertainer is making its message to the consumer clear.

Costs, shortages, and delays have hamstrung companies across the industries worldwide in recent months, and analysts suggest that the crisis is likely to continue into 2023, with rumbles of legal redress against shipping companies, and allegations of ‘cartel action regarding freight rates’ thrown in.

And while the world reels from the activity – brought on by a pandemic that saw shipping ports operating at reduced staff levels, causing delays on shipments, coupled with a buying boom from consumers spending online – the high street toy retailer The Entertainer is urging its customers to complete their Christmas shopping early once again this year, in order to avoid disappointment.

The call echoes those made by the retailer at the mid point of 2020, when online shopping surged in the midst of lockdowns and restrictions. Now, however, with all remaining restrictions due to be lifted across England by next week and as The Entertainer encourages families to make Christmas 2021 ‘better than ever’, it issues the warning to get those orders in early, as the toy industry navigates its latest logistical headache.

Gary Grant, founder and executive chairman of The Entertainment issued the call out to shoppers this week.

“There are lots of brands that we’re excited about for Christmas 2021, including PAW Patrol, following the movie this summer, and CoComelon, Super Mario, LOL Surprise, Barbie, and Bluey,” he said.

“But the shipping crisis in China is causing uncertainty as to what will be available and when. So above all, we urge our customers to shop early for Christmas this year to avoid disappointment.”

Earlier this month, the vice president of the Taiwanese branch of DB Schenker, a major player in supply chain management and logistics solutions said that global shipping reliability was at an ‘historic low.’

Antoine Bouin of Schenker Taiwan, said: “Empty container shortages are worsened by port congestion in Europe and the US, and recently, by China’s Yantian port backlog. Port congestion, berthing delays, flow imbalances and the slow return of empty containers have caused shipping lines to skip some of their regular trips and pushed global shipping reliability to an historic low.”

Paddington embarks on new adventure in China in Langham Hotels experiential partnership

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The Copyrights Group is launching a new partnership with The Langham Hotels in China’s Shanghai and Guangzhou that will bring an exclusive and immersive Paddington experience to guests of the luxury hotels.

The activity will span a stay in Paddington themed rooms, Paddington afternoon tea with Paddington Bear cupcakes and themed pastries, as well as a selection of specially curated and limited edition Paddington souvenirs available to purchase at the hotel shops.

Langham has a history with serving afternoon tea, being the first hotel to offer the service from its London hotel when it opened in 1865. Since then, Langham Hotels around the world have become renowned for serving ‘the best afternoon tea experiences.’ In Shanghai, the Paddington afternoon tea has already been awarded ‘most popular themed afternoon tea’ in the 2021 Fifth Hotel Discovery Awards.

The two hotel locations will use different Paddington artwork to showcase the diversity of the Paddington brand.

The partnership is one of several key strategic activations for Paddington across China and aims to strengthen the awareness and the brand’s engagement with consumers. These latest activations have been launched in conjunction with the arrival of the new TV series, The Adventures of Paddington in China.

“The renewed partnership with Paddington at our hotel reflects and reinforces The Langham’s British heritage and legacy,” said Cindy Ying, director of sales and marketing, The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi.

“The fun and whimsical never stops at The Langham. Our guests can now have a full Paddington experience right in the heart of Shanghai, from a meet and greet with Paddington, to taking a picture with the adorable British icon as a keepsake to experiencing a full epicurean Paddington themed afternoon tea delight.”

Polly Emery, SVP brand and international licensing, The Copyrights Group, added: “This new collaboration for Paddington with The Langham Hotels is a wonderful opportunity for fans of all ages to engage with the brand in a different way and we hope they will enjoy these fun experiences in both Shanghai and Guangzhou.”

The partnership was brokered by CAA-GBG, Copyrights’ agent for Paddington in China.

Condé Nast opens it first branded property in China with the launch of Vogue Cafe Beijing

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Condé Nast has opened its first branded property venture in China with the launch of the Vogue Cafe Beijing. Opened under a licensing agreement between Beijing Sycamore Seed Advertising and Media, the new cafe marks the first of a sweep of planned branded cafes for China.

The second Vogue Cafe will open in Shanghai in 2021.

Located at the iconic China World Mall in the Chaoyang District in central Beijing, the Café sits among the city’s leading luxury flagship stores. The area brings together local and international visitors, with a mixture of retail, office spaces, hotels and residential.

The Café is positioned as the ‘ultimate destination for shoppers seeking a unique dining experience’, as well as office workers looking to grab a takeaway lunch.

“Beijing’s rich culture and long history paired with the constantly evolving restaurant scene makes it one of the most enticing cities in China, which is why Condé Nast is thrilled to open the country’s first Vogue Café in the capital,” said Markus Grindel, managing director, global brand licensing, Condé Nast.

“Vogue Café Beijing will bring luxury fashion and high-end cuisine together – an experience sure to enchant both local and visiting epicures.”

Vogue Café Beijing, spread over 400 sq. metres, features two elegant dining rooms and a feature cocktail bar. In keeping with Vogue Cafés globally, striking images and covers from the archives of Vogue adorn the walls, including iconic shots featuring some of the world’s most renowned models and photographers.

Joining Vogue Café Beijing as head chef is Jack Yao, whose career spans over 14 years. Having formally trained in Italy and Singapore, Yao’s exclusive menu blends influences from Italian and Asian cuisine for an alluring mix of flavors. Vogue Café Beijing will be open seven days a week, between 10am and 10pm. The Café also operates a full home delivery service.

Vogue Café Beijing joins Condé Nast’s portfolio of branded property under its global licensing division. Other Condé Nast restaurants around the world include Vogue Cafés in Kiev, Moscow, Porto and Riyadh, Vogue Lounge Kuala Lumpur, Vogue Restaurant Istanbul and GQ Bar Berlin.

Condé Nast has published its media titles in China for nearly 15 years, having launched Vogue China in 2005, which today ranks as the country’s most influential fashion authority.

Today, Condé Nast China publishes titles including Vogue, Vogue Film, Vogue Me, GQ, GQ Lab, GQ Style, Condé Nast Traveler and Architectural Digest, under copyright cooperation with partners.

Flossy and Jim lands on photo-editing app Meitu as activity in China beings to pick up

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Flossy and Jim is making new headwinds in China having landed a new partnership with the global mobile app, Meitu. The deals arrives as life in China slowly begins to return to normal following a two-month period of lockdown across the region.

With partner in the region now back in the office and activity picking back up in the country, Edutainment Licensing has confirmed the new partnership that now brings Flossy and Jim to the popular photo editing app.

Available on Google Play and in the App store, and endorsed by celebrities and key influencers, the Meitu app was selected as one of iTunes top 10 apps of the year.

It has become one of the most popular photo editing apps of all time giving users access to an incredible suite of professional filters, frames, effects, stickers and other tools to turn their smartphone photos into works of art.

Launched in 2008, Meitu is a global innovator in mobile technology with its apps being used by more than 450 million monthly active users worldwide, generating more than 6 billion photos and videos each month.