Jährliche Archive: 2016

Mit einem Umsatzplus von 6,5 Prozent beschließt BabyOne, Deutschlands größte Fachmarktkette für Baby- und Kleinkindbedarf, das Geschäftsjahr 2015. Und sofort zu Beginn des Jahres werden durch den Ausbau der Geschäftsleitung des familiengeführten Franchise-Systems die Weichen für die Zukunft gestellt.

Nach anhaltend niedrigen Geburtenraten nimmt die Geburtenziffer in den letzten Jahren wieder zu: Erstmals nach zehn Jahren wurden 2014 bundesweit wieder mehr als 700.000 Kinder geboren. Diese Entwicklung spiegelt sich auch im Wachstumskurs von BabyOne wider. Mit einem Gruppenumsatz von 243 Mio. Euro verzeichnet Deutschlands größte Fachmarktkette für Baby- und Kleinkindbedarf 2015 ein Plus von 6,5 Prozent zum Vorjahr. „Nicht nur die Geburtenzahlen steigen“, so Wilhelm Weischer, Alleingesellschafter und Geschäftsführer der BabyOne Franchise- und Systemzentrale in Münster. „Familien investieren auch zunehmend mehr Geld in ihren Nachwuchs.“ 2,13 Milliarden Euro gaben Eltern und Verwandte laut dem Institut für Handelsforschung (IfH) 2014 für Baby- und Kleinkinderausstattungen aus. Eine komplette Erstausstattung vom Wickeltisch über Stillkissen und Wiege bis hin zu Fläschchen und Strampler war jungen Eltern durchschnittlich fast 3.000 Euro wert.

Zuwachs in der Geschäftsführung

Neben den langjährigen Geschäftsführern Gabriele und Wilhelm Weischer ist Stefan Keil neu in der Geschäftsführung der BabyOne Franchise- und Systemzentrale. Stefan Keil, vorher verantwortlich für sieben BabyOne-Standorte im Raum Hamburg, freut sich darauf, das Unternehmen gemeinsam mit Gabriele und Wilhelm Weischer weiter zukunftsorientiert zu gestalten. „Wir glauben, dass durch die Erweiterung der Geschäftsführung die kundenorientierte Weiterentwicklung unseres Unternehmens noch mehr Dynamik erreichen wird und wir so die Chancen des veränderten Kaufverhaltens noch besser nutzen können“, erklären Gabriele und Wilhelm Weischer.

Seit 2010 war Stefan Keil als Geschäftsführer verantwortlich für die Leitung der sieben BabyOne-Fachmärkte im Raum Hamburg. Seitdem hat sich der Diplom-Ökonom mit langjähriger Erfahrung im Bereich Logistik und E-Commerce auch als Mitglied des BabyOne-Beirats aktiv in der Weiterentwicklung und strategischen Ausrichtung des Franchise-Systems engagiert. In enger Zusammenarbeit mit der BabyOne-Zentrale hat der 48-jährige zudem für die Hamburger Fachmärkte ein neues, kundenorientiertes Verkaufsflächenkonzept umgesetzt. „Ich freue mich sehr auf die Zusammenarbeit“, sagt Stefan Keil. „Uns drei verbindet insbesondere eine gemeinsame Werteorientierung, die für ein familiengeführtes Unternehmen wie BabyOne wesentlich ist, und wir sind sicher, für die erfolgreiche Zukunft als starkes Franchise-System gut gerüstet zu sein.“

Unternehmensinformation

1988 gegründet, ist BabyOne mit Sitz in Münster heute die größte Fachmarktkette für Baby- und Kleinkindbedarf in Deutschland. Auf einer durchschnittlichen Verkaufsfläche von 1.200 Quadratmetern bietet das Unternehmen alles, was ein Baby und Kleinkind braucht: von klassischen Bedarfsartikeln wie Schnuller und Textilien bis hin zu Kinderwagen, Autositzen, Babymöbeln und Spielzeug. Das breite Sortiment umfasst preisaktive Marken, Modemarken und Eigenmarken.

U.S. toy sales grew by 6.7 percent in 2015, according to retail sales data from global information company The NPD Group, generating $19.4 billion and marking one of the strongest performances the industry has seen in a number of years.

“The toy industry had an incredible year and, as is typically the case, there isn’t one reason; there were a number of factors coming together to grow the industry nearly 7 percent in 2015,” said Juli Lennett, U.S. toys industry analyst, The NPD Group.

Nine of the 11 super-categories posted gains in 2015. Games/Puzzles and Vehicles grew the fastest at 10.8 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively, followed by Building Sets and Outdoor & Sports Toys. Outdoor & Sports Toys and Dolls had the largest dollar gains followed by Building Sets and Infant/Toddler/Preschool Toys. Star Wars was the number-one absolute dollar growth contributor to three of the super-categories: Action Figures, Vehicles, and All Other Toys.

Content was a key driver behind the growth of the toy industry in 2015. Whether it be a movie (Star Wars, Jurassic World, Minions, and Avengers), television show (Paw Patrol), app (Minecraft), or a strong YouTube following (Shopkins), all of these properties with ties to content were top contributors to the growth. “Movies” in total outperformed the market in 2015, growing by 9.4 percent. With the early release of Star Wars toys on Force Friday, Star Wars managed to become the number-one property for the year, with over $700 million in sales. It also brought in more sales and contributed more growth than Jurassic World, Minions, and Avengers combined.

With Christmas falling on a Friday in 2015, consumers had one extra day to shop in the week compared to last year. As a result, the week of Christmas (12/20-12/26) grew 25 percent in 2015, and its growth was larger than all the other weeks in Q4 combined. The week of Christmas also represents 8 percent of all toy sales for the year, and is the second most important week of the year for the toy industry—the week before Christmas being number-one at 8.5 percent, illustrating the importance for retailers to stay well-stocked up until Christmas Eve.

NPD is also announcing the top ten selling toys for annual 2015, and the number-one selling toy is the Shopkins 12 Pack Assortment from Moose Toys. “What was especially interesting to see this year among the top ten selling items was the wide diversity of toys from simple to complex,” said Lennett. “In addition, among the top toys were evergreen properties like Hot Wheels, Barbie, Star Wars, and Ninja Turtles as well as relatively new properties like Shopkins, Paw Patrol, and Minecraft. Price points were also wide ranging, from under $1  to over $150.

VTech Holdings Ltd. and LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. on February, 5th., announced, that the two companies have entered into a merger agreement whereby VTech will acquire LeapFrog.
VTech plans to acquire 100% of the outstanding common stock of LeapFrog through an all cash tender offer followed by a second-step merger. In the tender offer, VTech will offer LeapFrog investors US$1.00 per share for LeapFrog’s Class A and Class B shares, which represents a 75.4% premium over the closing price of LeapFrog’s Class A shares on 4 February 2016. The total purchase consideration amounts to approximately US$72 million. VTech will fund the tender offer through internal resources.
The tender offer is expected to commence on or about 3 March 2016, and will be open for a minimum of 20 business days. The closing of the transaction is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. LeapFrog’s Board has agreed to unanimously recommend to its stockholders that they tender their shares of LeapFrog common stock pursuant to the tender offer.
„We are delighted to have the LeapFrog brand joining VTech, bringing together two of the great names in children’s learning and entertainment,“ said Allan Wong, Chairman and Group CEO of VTech Holdings Limited. „VTech has been a pioneer in the electronic learning toy category for 35 years. The acquisition will allow us to offer the broadest portfolio of products that enhances the education and development of children across the world, while bringing them fun and joy.“
„We believe this is a terrific opportunity for our employees, customers, and shareholders,“ said Bill Chiasson, the Chairman of LeapFrog’s Board of Directors. „The acquisition and future investment by VTech will be instrumental to helping the LeapFrog brand achieve the mission of helping each child achieve their potential. Importantly, too, this transaction also rewards our shareholders with a significant premium from recent trading levels.“

About LeapFrog
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. is the leader in innovative solutions that encourage a child’s curiosity and love of learning throughout their early developmental journey. For 20 years, LeapFrog has helped children expand their knowledge and imagination through award-winning products that combine state-of-the-art educational expertise led by the LeapFrog Learning Team, innovative technology, and engaging play – turning playtime into quality time. LeapFrog’s proprietary learning tablets and ground-breaking developmental games, learn to read and write systems, interactive learning toys and more are designed to create personalised experiences that encourage, excite and build confidence in children. LeapFrog is based in Emeryville, California, and was founded in 1995 by a father who revolutionised technology-based learning solutions to help his child learn how to read.

About VTech
VTech is the global leader in electronic learning products from infancy to preschool and the world’s largest manufacturer of cordless phones. It also provides highly sought-after contract manufacturing services. Founded in 1976, VTech has been a pioneer in the electronic learning toy category with cutting-edge and innovative products that provide fun and learning to children across the world. By leveraging the decades of success, VTech continues to provide a diverse collection of telecommunication products that elevate the consumer experience with state-of-the-art technology and design. The Group is also one of the world’s leading electronic manufacturing service providers, offering world-class, full turnkey services to customers in a number of product categories. The Group’s mission is to design, manufacture and supply innovative and high quality products in a manner that minimises any impact on the environment, while creating sustainable value for its stakeholders and the community.