Mattel welcomes Oxford Vaccine professor Dame Sarah Gilbert to its Barbie Role Model line-up

Vaccinologist and a member of the team behind the development of the Oxford vaccine, Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert has been welcomed into the ranks of Barbie Role Model by Mattel, who has honoured the scientist with the production of a Barbie in her own likeness.

Professor Gilbert is the Saϊd Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford and Project Leader for ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 which is now in use in many countries around the world.

In recognition of her achievements, Mattel has not only produced a Barbie in her own likeness to be a part of the Barbie Role Model line-up, but is to make a donation to Professor Gilbert’s chosen STEM-focused organisation, WISE (Women in Science & Engineering) in the UK. The organisation supports the outreach resource, My Skills My Life; created to inspire girls to consider a career in STEM.

The programme allows girls to explore personality types and matches them with relatable role models who have rewarding and successful careers in STEM, ultimately, opening eyes and minds to the endless possibilities in STEM.

Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert said: “I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of girls into STEM careers and hope that children who see my Barbie will realise how vital careers in science are to help the world around us. My wish is that my doll will show children careers they may not be aware of, like a Vaccinologist.”

WISE analysis highlights that just 24 per cent of the STEM roles across the UK are taken up by women and highlights the wide recognition that women are underrepresented globally in STEM fields.

The Barbie brand has detailed its own commitment to the cause, recognising Professor Gilber among five other STEM and healthcare professionals around the world who have worked tirelessly in the fight against Covid-19 since the pandemic began.

The all-female line-up are experts in their fields, who have shown unprecedented courage and tenacity against the virus and achieved greatness in their chosen careers.

“Barbie recognises that all frontline workers have made tremendous sacrifices when confronting the pandemic and the challenges it heightened,” said Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel.

“To shine a light on their efforts, we are sharing their stories and leveraging Barbie’s platform to inspire the next generation to take after these heroes and give back. Our hope is to nurture and ignite the imaginations of children playing out their own storyline as heroes.”

Professor Gilbert leads the line up that also features Amy O’Sullivan, RN (US), an emergency room nurse who treated the first Covid-19 patient at the Wycoff Hospital in Brooklyn, Dr Audey Cruz (US), a frontline worker from Las Vegas who joined forces with other Asian-American physicians to fight racial bias and discrimination, and Dr Chika Stacy Oriuwa (Canada), a psychiatry resident at the University of Toronto, Canada, who advocated against systemic racism in healthcare.

The line is made complete with Brazil’s Dr Jaqueline Goes de Jesus, a biomedical researcher credited for leading the sequencing of the genome of a Covid-19 variant in Brazil, and Australia’s Dr Kirby White, a general practitioner who co-founded Gowns for Doctors, a gown that could be laundered and re-used, allowing frontline workers to continue seeing patients during the pandemic.

In the UK, previous Role Models recipients include Broadcaster Clara Amfo, Fastest Woman in British History, Dina Asher-Smith, Champion Skateboarder Sky Brown, Activist & Model Adwoa Aboah, and Boxer Nicola Adams.

Covid status checks will be in place at Autumn Fair as the show readies to open its doors in September

Autumn Fair has introduced Covid-19 status checks for all attendees on arrival at the show this year, as it prepares to open its doors for the first time in 18 months since the pandemic hit, this September 5th to 8th.

The show’s organiser has also updated its Safe & Secure Guidelines to deliver new health and safety measures to put the show community at ease this year. September’s Autumn Fair will ask all attendees, including visitors, exhibitors, contractors, venue and organiser staff to verify their Covid-19 status on arrival.

The move is in adherence to the latest government guidance, working in consultation with the Association of Event Organisers and means that all attendees will need to demonstrate proof of Covid-19 status for entry to the event.

This can be in the form of a  proof of completion of a full course of vaccination two weeks prior to arrival, proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test taken within 48 hours of arrival, or proof of natural immunity show by a positive PCR test result for Covid-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test.

Further details on how to prove your COVID-19 status and FAQs can be found at https://www.autumnfair.com/contact-us/visit-faqs and further information for international exhibitors and visitors will be provided very soon.

Ian Solomon, operations director, Hyve Group plc, said: “The health and safety of our customers and community have been, and continues to be, a top priority as we return to delivering events and facilitating trade again. As such, it was imperative for Autumn Fair and Moda to verify attendees’ COVID-19 status on arrival.

“We have made the decision to implement COVID-19 status checks, even though this is not currently mandated within government guidelines, as the evidence suggests that this is the best way for us to reduce the risk of transmission within the event itself. Putting these checks in place adds an additional layer of reassurance for all attendees once they are inside the event.

“Furthermore, our risk assessment is substantial, and the updated Safe & Secure guidelines are designed to deliver industry-leading health and safety standards and procedures that will help put the minds of our community at ease.”

Other key features of the updated guidelines include a reduced contact registration system, a Code of Conduct, and exhibitors have been given advice on exhibition stands, including on stand layout, data capture, staffing and displaying product effectively.

While it is no longer mandatory to wear masks, the show’s organisers will be encouraging all attendees to consider wearing them, especially when in enclosed or crowded spaces.

Julie Driscoll, managing director, Retail and Fashion, Hyve Group plc, said: “Autumn Fair is a curated show for a new era of retail, designed to reinvigorate the industry and provide the essential networking and product inspiration that the industry has missed during the pandemic.

“All the measures being put in place are to help exhibitors and visitors feel confident about attending events once again. There is huge pent-up interest, but quite rightly we need to provide clear information and the correct procedures. The new guidelines enable exhibitors and visitors to understand what to expect on site. With our long-standing heritage and experience, we can confidently deliver a trusted platform and marketplace for physical business to take place again and give buyers the chance to discover a whole host of inspirational products and collections from returning favourites, as well as new, sustainable, made in Britain, and a huge number of ‘exclusive to the Autumn Fair’ brands.”

The full updated Safe and Secure Guidelines can be viewed at https://www.autumnfair.com/safe-secure with a dedicated section for exhibitors at https://www.autumnfair.com/safe-secure/guidelines-for-exhibitors.

 

Up to 70 of the UK’s shopping centres face closure and redevelopment due to shifting consumer habits

Around 70 shopping centres across the UK are facing the threat of closure owing to the longer lasting impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the lean into online shopping over the past year.

Reports suggest that over-expansion of retail space must also be factored in when assessing the current health of the UK’s shopping centre sector, with the future of some ten per cent of the UK’s 700 shopping centres now in the balance. It is believed that a number of the centre built in the 1970s and ’80s will be at least partly redeveloped into homes, offices, or for other uses.

According to a Local Data Company (LDC) analysis of centres in England, Scotland, and Wales, at least 30 shopping centres in the UK are now at a minimum half empty, including five that are now more than 80 per cent vacant. A further 34 have between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of their shops vacant, with at least 10 shops in them.

Shopping centres across the UK have been dealt a blow by the coronavirus pandemic that has not only seen forced lockdowns shut major retail destinations like themselves, but has also driven consumers to online shopping, as well as a new preference for staying local in the midst of social restrictions.

“There’s no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of the challenges we were seeing across the physical retail environment, with shopping centres having been particularly exposed to categories in decline, such as fashion and casual dining,” LDC commercial director Lucy Stainton said.

It’s according to the head of retail research at Knight Frank, Stephen Springham, that 10 per cent of the UK’s shopping centres are no longer viable. Springham also believes that a further 20 to 30 per cent will need a ‘significant overhaul’, with shops retained, but large portions of each given up for homes, offices, and other uses.

A number of the UK’s shopping centres already set for development include the likes of Nottingham’s Broadmarsh, where demolition starts this month, Stockton’s Castlegate, the Riverside Centre in Shrewsbury, the Chilterns Centre in High Wycombe, and Nicholsons in Maidenhead.

Spielwarenmesse Summer Edition cancelled over prolonged pandemic problems

Organisers of the Nuremberg toy fair, Spielwarenmesse have confirmed the cancellation of the show’s first Summer Edition, a postponed edition of this year’s show that was scheduled to take place this July.

The fair had been moved from its traditional January slot in order to beat the restrictions in place at the hands of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Spielwarenmesse eG had pulled out all the stops to provide the industry with a suitable networking platform this year.

However, following the unrelenting uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic both on a national and international level, the organisers have decided to pull the plug on the event to to focus on Spielwarenmesse’s 2022 show.

The resolution was passed at the supervisory board meeting on March 25th.

Ernst Kick, CEO Spielwarenmesse eG, stated: “Initially, we received excellent feedback about the Summer Edition from both exhibitors and visitors. In recent weeks, however, the disappointingly slow improvement in the pandemic has been fuelling uncertainty across the industry.

“Our top priority remains the health and safety of all our participants.”

The lack of political perspective with regard to trade fairs has had a considerable impact on the ability of exhibition organisers to make firm plans and for international manufacturers and buyers to schedule and book their travel and accommodation.

‘Despite the measures already set in motion, it would be impossible to stage the Spielwarenmesse Summer Edition successfully without having the all-important run-up to the fair clearly mapped out,’ read a statement from the organisation.

The group has stated that from now on, all energy will be channeled into the regular Spielwarenmesse which is scheduled to run from February 2nd to 6th next year and will take place in conjunction with Spielwarenmesse Digital, a platform that – for the first time in the show’s history – will link the experience of the live show in Nuremberg with the virtual world.

“We’re receiving such a positive response from across the board. The market players cannot wait to get together again in February. And we’re very much looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Nuremberg for the 72nd Spielwarenmesse,” concluded Kick.

Book of Beasties embarks on mission to provide 500 London schools with children’s mental health support

The Book of Beasties, a London-based start-up and team behind the mental wellness card game of the same name, has committed to providing up to 500 schools with free mental health support to better help children through the current coronavirus crisis.

The move follows research conducted by the children’s mental wellness game developer that found that 86 per cent of teachers and parents felt the Government wasn’t doing enough to support them in addressing mental health with their children.

The survey uncovered that 78 per cent agreed that children’s mental health had been neglected in the Government’s resopnse to the pandemic and the lockdown restrictions it had implemented through school closures.

In response to these findings, Book of Beasties is aiming to reach over 141,000 children by donating games and training worth over £30,000 to some of the city’s most underfunded areas. 

This new incentive, which has been dubbed the 500 Smiles Crusade is part of the Playful Minds campaign, which is calling on the Government to increase funding for playful mental health provision for schools and parents, and launched to coincide with children’s return to school last week. 

The social distancing measures and tier 4 restrictions have put children under immense amounts of pressure, which is taking its toll on their mental wellbeing. A Young Minds study found that 83 per cent of young people had said the pandemic made their mental health worse. 

Playful Minds has raised concerns that the length of time that the restrictions have been in place will likely result in ‘a mental health crisis that could last for years to come.’

Book of Beasties has said it is focused on improving the wellbeing of children through the use of playful and creative learning to raise emotional literacy, teach empathy and encourage open conversation about mental health. 

The survey also found that more than 95 per cent of respondents agreed that children’s mental health would greatly benefit from the increased use of playful learning methods. 

Following the successful launch of a new platform to provide teachers and parents with easier access to digital mindfulness and mental wellness learning materials, Book of Beasties partnered with Great Ormond Street Children’s Charity to help support the hospital’s play team. 

Phil Tottman, CEO and co-founder of Book of Beasties, said: “While our crusade is a drop in the ocean, we hope it will highlight the dire need for better mental health support in schools and put pressure on those who can make a difference to do so. 

“We are a small company, but our primary focus is to improve the wellbeing of children nationwide, especially following such an adverse year. If that means giving away our resources for free so people can benefit from them then so be it. We couldn’t be more honoured to be helping in such a way.” 

Toymaster cancels Harrogate May Show 2021 and looks towards its 2022 return

Toymaster has confirmed that its annual Harrogate May show will not take place this year, but instead return for 2022 when it will take up its usual residence at the Majestic Hotel from May 17th to 19th.

The buying group has said that following the recent Government announcement setting out the roadmap out of lockdown, it was  clear that the Toymaster Show would not be able to take place on the original dates in May this year.

As a result, a survey was sent out to all Members and Suppliers regarding a potential alternative date at the end of August, asking if they would attend with any feedback.

The results of this survey showed that while there were still Members and Suppliers who would like the show to go ahead and be able to meet up, many were unable to commit at the date change at this stage, citing reasons related to safety, potential travel restrictions, the proposed dates plus the added “complication of the uncertainty regarding future Covid waves.”

Subsequently, the Toymaster Board has decided that the May Show will not take place in 2021,  and the next show will be at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate May 17-19th 2022.

“While it is a huge disappointment to have to cancel the show, we believe it is the right decision for all  involved,” said the group in a statement issued earlier today.

“The Toymaster May Show is renowned within the industry, and we feel the show will be a much better success when we know all our Members and Suppliers are able to attend safely once again.

“We look forward to welcoming Toymaster Members, Independent Retailers and Suppliers back to a  spectacular show in Harrogate in May 2022, and invitations for next year’s show will be sent out at  the beginning of January as normal. Let’s look forward to making the 2022 show the best we possibly can.”

Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown lays out non-essential retail’s spring time reopening

Boris Johnson’s roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions across England have offered the light at the end of a long tunnel for non-essential retailers, and the suggestion that doors will be reopening from no sooner than April 12th this year.

The plans were detailed amid a roadmap out of lockdown delivered by the Prime Minister to MPs this afternoon. Johnson is expected to give a televised broadcast to the public at 7pm this evening.

It follows what has been many weeks of a third national lockdown with the earmarked date signifying the end of what will have been at least 14 weeks of closed doors amid the non-essential retail landscape, longer than the closures of the country’s first lockdown in March last year.

Taking priority, however, as talk turns to the country’s easing out of lockdown restrictions, is the return of all pupils to classrooms, followed by relaxed rules around socialising and the eventual reopening of non-essential shops and businesses.

During the course of the third national lockdown, food shops, supermarkets, off-licences, pharmacies, and garden centres have all been categorised as essential retailers.

Market stalls selling essential goods, petrol stations, medial providers, vets, launderettes, banks, post offices and building societies have also been permitted to remain open throughout the lockdown.

Non-essential shops include everything from clothing, books, department stores and technology stores, and of course, toy shops.

Mr Johnson said that from 12 April, under step two of lockdown easing, non-essential retail will reopen. This is along with hairdressers and nail salons.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) has said that retail has a low impact on the transmission of the virus.

Prior to the last lockdown, Sage recommended that “opening non-essential retail safely would require a significant effort to ensure that environments are appropriate to minimise transmission (for example social distancing and hygiene measures, ventilation)”.

This means that rules relating to social distancing, the wearing of face masks and a limit on the number of people allowed inside a shop are likely to continue when shops do eventually reopen.

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “We welcome the additional clarity provided by the Prime Minister. While we are encouraged by a plan for non-essential stores to reopen, the heavy impact of the pandemic means some may never be able to.

“The cost of lost sales to non-food stores during lockdown is now over £22bn and counting. Every day that a shop remains closed increases the chances that it will never open again – costing jobs and damaging local communities.

“Non-essential shops are ready to reopen and have been investing hundreds of millions on making themselves Covid-secure. Government should remain flexible and allow non-essential retail to reopen as soon as the data suggests it is safe to do so. Until it is permitted, retailers will need continued support from Government.

“We welcome the PM’s call ‘not to pull the rug out’ from under businesses. To this end, the Government must act on three vital issues – rents, rates and grants.

“To avoid further job losses and permanent job closures, the Chancellor must announce a targeted business rates relief from April and extend the moratorium on debt enforcement, as well as removing state aid caps on Covid business grants. This would relieve struggling businesses of bills they cannot currently pay and allow them to trade their way to recovery.”

British children ‘unafraid to challenge adults’ for a better society, says latest Beano Brain report

A Beano Brain report on the acts of rebellion carried out daily by children has uncovered some hard hitting figures, including those stating that 48 per cent of young people today think they can be better trusted to stand against racism than their parents, teachers, or politicians, and that 59 per cent believe saving the planet should be top-priority in a post-Covid-19 world.

The results have emerged from a New Rebellion report conducted by the Beano’s specialist kids’ insight consultancy Beano Brain, into how kids and teens today feel about topics such as climate change, racial inequality, the family unit and the future of technology.

Its findings suggest that youngsters are becoming increasingly frustrated and disillusioned with the adults in charge, and are now taking matters in to their own hands by carrying out ‘small daily acts of rebellion and activism to instigate societal change.’

Their acts appear to be in contrast to the large-scale protests undertaken by previous younger generations, instead committing smaller, more frequent acts of rebellion to positively impact society, suggests the report.

 80 per cent of kids report carrying out small acts of rebellion, challenging the adults around them each week, resulting in a total of 4.9 million mini acts of rebellion weekly. 24 per cent of kids regularly remind adults to take care of the planet, with 27 per cent stepping in to tell someone to pick up their litter.

The report has also found that more than a quarter (26 per cent) of young people frequently directly challenge racist behaviour, with 44 per cent saying they’ve called out adults for inappropriate comments in the past.

The research was conducted with more than 35,000 kids and teens aged seven to 14 across the UK over the last ten months.

 The report also reveals that despite the spirit of rebellion present in today’s kids, they are more likely to get along with their families than previous generations. Three quarters (75 per cent) of Gen Alpha report they regularly listen to their parents’ advice and over half (55 per cent) have their parents as ‘friends’ on social platforms.  

 Gen Alpha put huge value on family time, which has become more important than ever during the pandemic. Six out of 10 kids (62 per cent) want to spend more time with their family, with well over two-thirds (70 per cent) wishing their parents would spend less time on their mobile devices.

Helenor Gilmour, director of insight, Beano Brain, said: “This exploration of rebellion in 2021 was born from our assertion last year that Gen Alpha were young activists. Now we can see that although 20 per cent have already attended a protest they are in fact, changing the world by stealth, carrying out millions of acts of rebellion each week.

Supported by their Millennial parents they are gradually changing society through small actions and living by example. This is hugely powerful. Gen Alpha’s “constructive” rebellion is even now catalysing societal change, an impact that could be greater than any generation before them.”

 The New Rebellion Report also examines the tech divide between Generation Alpha and their parents. Nearly half of kids (49 per cent) believe that technology can solve some of the world’s biggest problems, but 32 per cent think adults are scared of new tech.

When it comes to using tech on a day-to-day basis 44 per cent of kids and teens think that they’re more responsible than adults give them credit for, and 46 per cent find themselves helping an adult use technology at least once a week.

Beano Brain is a specialist insights consultancy from Beano Studios. Born from decades of experience with kids through the iconic Beano comic, it now helps companies build their own connections with families using its knowledge of Gen Alpha, Gen Z and their Millennial parents.

A summary of the research is available to read at beanobrain.com

Disney content and licensing hit hard by Covid-19 but consumer products offer glimmer of hope

Content sales and licensing revenues at the Walt Disney Company have suffered big losses at the hands of the pandemic with dramatic decreases of 56 per cent and an operating income decrease of 78 per cent driven primarily by the closure of theatres, parks and experiences over the course of last year.

Lockdown restrictions and social distancing measures played a major role in significantly reduced theatrical distribution from the studio with many theatres across the globe either closed or operating at reduced capacity in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus.

As a result, Disney content sales, licensing and other revenues dropped by over half to $1.7 billion, while segment operating income decreased 76 per cent to $188 million.

Meanwhile, lower TV and SVOD distribution results were driven by the shift from Disney’s licensing of content to third parties to distribution via its own direct-to-consumer services like Disney+.

The studio has attributed the decrease in home entertainment results to lower unit sales, partially offset by lower marketing costs. The prior-year quarter reflected the performance of Toy Story 4, The Lion King and Aladdin compared to no significant titles in the current quarter.

The negative impact of Covid-19 continued to be felt across Disney’s Parks, Experience, and Products segment which saw Q1 2021 revenues plunge 53 per cent to £3.6 billion, with segment operating results dropping $2.6 billion to a loss of $119 million.

As a result of the pandemic, Disneyland Resort was closed and the company’s cruise business was suspended in the current quarter. Disneyland Paris closed on October 30, 2020 and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort closed on December 2, 2020. Walt Disney World Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort were open in the current quarter, but were operating at significantly reduced capacities.

Disney’s consumer products business has however offered the firm a glimmer of light, with operating income growth driven by an increase in games licensing revenue, reflected in the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

‘The most significant impact on operating income in the current quarter from COVID-19 was an estimated detriment of approximately $2.6 billion at the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment due to revenue lost as a result of the closures and reduced operating capacities,’ explained Disney in its Q1 2021 financial  statement.

‘The impacts of Covid-19 on our Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution segment were less significant. Lower revenues due to the deferral or cancellation of significant film releases as a result of theater closures were largely offset by the related reduction in film cost amortization, marketing and distribution costs.’

Bob Chapek, chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company, said: “We believe the strategic actions we’re taking to transform our Company will fuel our growth and enhance shareholder value, as demonstrated by the incredible strides we’ve made in our DTC business, reaching more than 146 million total paid subscriptions across our streaming services at the end of the quarter.

“We’re confident that, with our robust pipeline of exceptional, high-quality content and the upcoming launch of our new Star-branded international general entertainment offering, we are well-positioned to achieve even greater success going forward.”

Chancellor ‘considering tax on online giants’ to help payback Government’s Covid spending

Amazon and other major online retailers could be facing a new online sales tax to help the UK pay its debts following extensive borrowing during the pandemic.

Treasury sources have confirmed that Chancellor Rishi Sunak is considering initiating a tax that will target companies who have done well out of the coronavirus crisis in order to help pay back UK government debts.

The new tax is being considered as part of a business rates review after a consultation was held last year. It also emerges following calls from business leaders of 18 companies, including Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Waterstones, and more, for a fundamental overhaul of how retailers are taxed in the UK.

Amazon saw sales in the UK increase by 51 per cent to nearly £20bn in 2020 as lockdown restrictions forced people to shop online. A report last week however, has suggested that the online behemoth paid just £71 million in business rates on its entire UK estate, including fulfilment centres, research and development centres, corporate offices in London, Amazon Lockers, Whole Foods Market stores, and delivery stations.

Furthermore, and according to real estate advisor Altus Group, who conducted the research, this represented a tax to turnover ratio of just 0.37 per cent.

Tesco’s chief executive Ken Murphy has now pushed for a one per cent levy on online sales, a move which could drastically alter the UK’s retail landscape, and a move that is now being considered by the Chancellor as attention turns to plans to help the UK’s high streets survive the pandemic.

Leaked emails showed Treasury officials had summoned tech firms and retailers to a meeting this month to discuss the online sales tax. The Sunday Times reported that Downing Street is also looking at introducing an ‘excessive profits tax’ on companies that have seen profits surge due to Covid-19.

“We want to see thriving high streets, which is why we’ve spent tens of billions of pounds supporting shops throughout the pandemic and are supporting town centres through the changes online shopping brings,” said a Treasury spokesman.

“Our business rates review call for evidence included questions on whether we should shift the balance between online and physical shops by introducing an online sales tax. We’re considering responses now.”

The Centre for Retail Research said that high street retailers paid around 2.3 per cent of annual retail sales in business rates before the pandemic.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said that ministers should not prevent businesses’ ability to recover from the pandemic.

“The key to reviving our high streets is fundamental reform of the business rates system and we oppose any new taxes that increase the cost burden on the industry which is already too high,” she said. “Economic recovery after Covid will be powered by consumer demand – the Chancellor should ensure he doesn’t introduce any new taxes that stifle this.”

Amazon has said that it will not comment on the online sales tax reports.