$BIGG 2014 "Big Tree Group, Inc. (BIGG) Remains Ah
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As an adult you may not give toys much thought, but as an investor, you might want to take a closer look. In its January 2014 trends report, the Toy Industry Association highlighted the Top six toy and game trends: larger-than-life; science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM); remote-controlled vehicles; zombies, monsters, goth; retro and back-to-basics; and custom built. Collectively, the global toy industry, headed by these key trends, is valued at more than $84 billion.
An excerpt from the Toy Industry Association’s trend report reads:
“Building on the construction trend TIA named last year, 2014 takes building to a whole new level. In addition to building and construction toys, this trend includes toys that allow kids to create and customize their playthings to reflect their unique tastes, styles and imaginations. The trend extends way beyond the construction toy aisle and crosses into action figures, puzzles, arts and crafts, etc.
“Two sub-categories exist within the overarching Custom Built trend:
“Mash-Up:
This trend speaks to toys that have been “custom built” in unique ways and incorporate many uses or ways to play in one. These toys engage kids by allowing them to choose how they’d like to play; they also appeal to value-conscious parents because they continue to engage kids at different ages and stages. (Think: role play and game in one, collectible and building set in one, a puzzle that is also an arts and crafts item, combining two types of games in one, etc.)
“Fashion Forward:
This trend focuses on all fashion-related items, from DIY sets that let kids make their own accessories to fashion dolls that can be styled in a personalized way. This trend can also include realistic-looking building sets, dollhouses, and playsets with fashionable interiors.”
The relevance of this report speaks volumes for China-based Big Tree Group, an authorized sales agent for thousands of toy manufacturers in China and a provider of multiple procurement services for international toy distributors and wholesalers. Big Tree is headquartered in Shantou City, dubbed the Toy Capital of the world, where the company operates a 21,000-square-foot showroom displaying more than 300,000 toy products to thousands of international toy purchasers.
Big Tree is also a toy proprietor. In 2011, the company introduced its Big Tree Magic Puzzles (3D), which consists of plastic pieces that “plug” together to create infinite number different objects, such as horses or battle ships. The number and variety of creations is restrained only by a child’s imagination. The goal in producing this toy was to create a tool to increase critical and imaginative thinking for kids. As a result, Big Tree unknowingly positioned itself three years ahead of the current trend for custom-built toys.
Big Tree has registered the patents for the Magic Puzzles (3D) utility model and appearance design in Hong Kong and mainland China, and is currently promoting and distributing product in the Chinese domestic market through Big Tree Shantou’s online store and at several retail locations. The company has amassed a large customer base in Asia and Europe and is currently seeking distribution throughout North and South America.