The biggest event in pop culture happens this week, and for the first time ever, I will be making the trip to Comic-Con International in San Diego. After “covering from home” for the better part of a decade across several sites, I’ll be appearing as a program participant for a special panel on Saturday, July 21, 2018. I’m a late addition to the lineup for Living in a Post-Toys ‘R’ Us World: Navigating the Future of Toy Retail. Having written at length about the collapse of Toys ‘R’ Us, this will be an exciting chance to take part in a discussion about what the future might hold! Details below…
PANEL DETAILS: Room 8, 7:30pm-8:30pm – The bankruptcy and liquidation of “the world’s biggest toy store,” Toys ‘R’ Us, earlier this year has sent shockwaves through the toy industry. Many toys and smaller toy companies are left without a brick-and-mortar store presence. Is there a retailer that could rise to take the place of the fallen retail giant? Do you truly need a retail presence to launch a toy line? Panelists will take the temperature of the toy and collectibles industry and find the light in the darkness. They include Steven Anne (category manager, toys/licensing at Walgreens), Richard Gottlieb (principal and founder, Global Toy Group), Jason Labowitz (co-founder, Entertainment Earth and BifBangPow!) and James Zahn (The Rock Father™, The Toy Insider, The Pop Insider). Moderated by Daniel Pickett (founder, Action Figure Insider).
RSVP for the panel here. As I was a late addition to the lineup, I may not be listed on the site or app, but I will be there and I hope that many of you will be too!
