Many businesses are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. This includes businesses like toyshops. In England, there is an implementation of forced closures of toy shops.
The toy industry is struggling amidst the pandemic lockdown. The holidays have long been a time when toy retailers sell millions worth of toys.
A lot of revenue can be lost due to the implemented lockdown. Further, once the toy chains are allowed to reopen, social distancing rules may still constrain the industry.
However, as the toy trade moves toward Ecommerce selling, retailers and courier services began to raise concerns. Fulfillment of orders may be a challenge, with internet sales rising at an unexpected rate.
Now toy shops need to shift to selling online to keep their revenues going. However, toy traders do not expect online selling to replace their toy shop businesses completely.
Toy Rental: A New Trend During the Pandemic Lockdown
A mom of two quickly became an entrepreneur during the pandemic lockdown as the demand for her toy rental business is booming, RTE News reported.
Vicky Noble, a mom to a newborn and a 4-year-old during this pandemic lockdown, is already strapped with caring for her children. However, she saw how her kids would easily get bored of playing with their toys.
Instead of buying new toys while everyone struggles during the pandemic lockdown, the mum-of-two thought of swapping toys with other families. She began swapping wooden toys, which she believes are traditional and sustainable. Her friends and other moms in her community encouraged her to grow her business.
From there, Noble launched DluluKaloo wooden toy rental business. Her business name's cute meaning is elephant for 'Dlulu' and ball for 'kaloo,' which are the first two words of her daughter Daniela.
Noble added that she knew that big toys gathered dust as a mom because kids quickly outgrow them. So, before you buy, why is there not an option to try the toy? So she did just that.
Now, parents can rent bundles of wooden toys for up to one month and then buy the toys or send them back. Noble believes that this endeavor helps parents avoid wasting money on toys their children are not interested in.
As the mother-of-two used wood instead of plastic, she also displays green and eco-friendly efforts. Vicky ensures the wooden toys are sterilized before passing on to the next customer.
Bonding with your children during the pandemic lockdown
Meanwhile, many families take the time to choose the toys their babies will rent or play with and play the toys with them. Many parents have increased spending quality time with their children since the pandemic.
Dr. Amanda Gummer of the Good Play Guide revealed that "playing is a great distraction that gives families a chance to communicate better by doing something good together."
Additionally, children learn to entertain themselves and balance their quiet and hyper energies, the BBC reported. The long-term effects of the pandemic lockdown are said to be positive on children this way.
