Big Kids Aisle’ opens as an antidote to Blue Monday

• Research from Barclaycard reveals that 72 per cent of adults describe themselves as a ‘big kid’ and over three in 10 (31 per cent) buy children’s toys for themselves or other adults
• In response, Barclaycard and Smyths Toys Superstores are launching the ‘Big Kids Aisle’ in the London Staples Corner store in time for Blue Monday, traditionally known as the most depressing day of the year
• The ‘kidult’ toy industry is now worth over £300 million, growing three times faster than the toy sector overall
• Most popular ‘big kid’ buys are colouring books, cuddly toys and board games

Barclaycard and Smyths Toys Superstores are opening the Big Kids Aisle to beat the January blues for ‘kidults’ who love to play. The aisle of classic and modern toys was created to turn Blue Monday into Blue Funday with over half of adults (51 per cent) saying that playing with children’s toys and games is stress-relieving*.

It seems like there really is a big kid inside many of us as research from Barclaycard, which processes nearly half of the nation’s credit and debit card transactions, reveals that 49 per cent of adults currently own children’s toys. And not just one toy - adults own eight children’s toys or games on average with almost a third (31 per cent) buying kids’ toys or games for themselves or other adults to enjoy. The classics are the most popular big kid purchases with colouring books topping the list and Lego, jigsaws and Connect 4 all making an appearance in the top ten.

 Top ten ‘big kid’ buys for adults

The Big Kids Aisle at the Smyths Toys Superstore will be filled with retro classics such as Tamagotchis, Teddy Ruxpin and Lego as well as current favourites including Cozmo the Robot so that shoppers can relive their favourite childhood pastimes and play with the latest toys on offer. Specially for the aisle, life-size board games and adult versions of kids’ toys such as the increasingly popular Pony Cycle will also be available for shoppers to try.

Trip down Memory Aisle

More than four in 10 Brits (44 per cent) think more adults are buying children’s toys and games because they bring back happy memories from childhood. 56 per cent of adults say they miss playing with children’s games and toys, and 54 per cent have bought a toy for a child in their family because it was something they owned or would have liked to own when they were younger.

Nation of Playsumers

As a nation, we are very happy to buy toys and games as adults and this is reflected by the £300 million ‘kidult’ toy market growing three times faster than the toy sector overall**. And it’s not just the toys themselves but the retail experience that lifts everyone’s mood; three quarters (74 per cent) say they enjoy shopping in children’s toy shops.

We are even happy to be seen buying and playing with toys and games typically targeted at children, showing that the ‘playsumer’ trend is very much entering the mainstream. Seven in 10 adults aren’t embarrassed to buy children’s toys or games for themselves or other adults (71 per cent) and 69 per cent think that playing with children’s toys and games is socially acceptable. Only 23 per cent have pretended a toy purchase was for a child rather than for themselves.

In the future, almost three in 10 Brits (28 per cent) would like to see retailers stock more adult versions of kids’ toys and games such as scooters and remote-control cars. Additional Barclaycard research also shows that one in 10 (10 per cent) are keen to attend more in-store events in general, with the findings showing that retailers who tap into shopper demand for events and experiences could stand to boost their bottom line by an average of 14 per cent***.

George Allardice, Head of Strategy at Barclaycard Payment Solutions, said:

“It’s clear from our research that there is huge demand from adults for kids’ toys and games and the need for light relief isn’t surprising, especially as we get our heads back into the daily grind after Christmas. To help solve this, we partnered with Smyths Toys Superstores to launch the Big Kids Aisle in time for Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year. Whether it’s the classics making a comeback like the Tamagotchi, the shelf stalwarts like Lego or the trendy toys this year such as Cozmo the robot, the Big Kids Aisle will keep everyone entertained.

“With kidult spending on the increase in a sector traditionally focused on children, there is a real opportunity for retailers to tap into the popularity of playsumerism by providing ‘big kids’ style activities either in-store or at promotional events. We hope the Big Kids Aisle will encourage more shops and shoppers alike to embrace their inner child!”

Sinead Byrne, Joint Head of Marketing at Smyths Toys Superstores, said:

“We have seen a real trend for adults celebrating their ‘big kid’ status and purchasing games and toys for their enjoyment – so much so we’ve adapted our range to include a selection of toys for the big kid in all of us from robots such as Cozmo from Anki, drones, a wider range of board games, NERF rivals, key software offers and launches as well as fan favourites such as LEGO technic, Star Wars and a wide range of Pop! Vinyls.

“Those looking for the ultimate throwback this year should head down to our Staples Corner store between Monday 15th January and Wednesday 17th January to experience our ‘Big Kids Aisle’ for themselves. The first 100 people to enter the store, will also have the chance to get their hands on a free Tamagotchi – the ultimate cure for fighting those January blues!”

What is the Barclaycard Big Kids Aisle?

Adult shoppers at the Smyths Toys Superstore in Staples Corner, London can experience their very own area from Monday 15th to Wednesday 17th January, during normal store opening hours. The area can be found on the upper floor and shoppers can play to their heart’s content with the latest toys, old favourites, adult versions of popular toys such as the ponycycle and life-size board games.

The first 100 people to visit the ‘Big Kids Aisle’ will also receive a free Tamagotchi.

Notes to editors

For more information, please contact Chloe Wilkinson, Senior PR Manager, Barclaycard, on +44 (0) 20 3555 4036 or chloe.wilkinson@barclaycard.co.uk.  

*The consumer research was conducted with OnePoll, surveying 2,000 adults (18+). The research was carried out from 7th to 11th December 2017.

** Figure from retail analysts NPD Group: https://www.npdgroup.co.uk/wps/portal/npd/uk/news/press-releases/all-grown-up-from-games-puzzles-to-action-figures-and-building-sets-adults-are-spending-more-money-on-toys-for-themselves/

*** Online interviews were carried out by Opinium Research with 251 senior decision-makers in retail with an in-store presence on 15-22 September 2017, and with 2,002 consumers on 27-28 September 2017.

The Big Kids Aisle is available from Monday 15th to Wednesday 17th January at Smyths Toys Superstore, Unit 1 Staples Corner Retail Park, Staples Corner, Geron Way, London, NW2 6LW. Please click here for store opening hours  https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/store-finder Some toys in the aisle are not available for purchase.

About Barclaycard

Barclaycard, part of Barclays Bank PLC, is a leading global payment business that helps consumers, retailers and businesses to make and take payments flexibly, and to access short-term credit and point-of-sale finance. In 2016 we processed over £250bn in transactions globally. Barclaycard is a pioneer of new forms of payment and is at the forefront of developing viable contactless and mobile payment schemes for today and cutting-edge forms of payment for the future. We also partner with a wide range of organisations across the globe to offer their customers or members payment options and credit.

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About Smyths Toys

Smyths Toys Superstores has over 110 stores locations throughout the UK and Ireland. The leading toy retailer carries all the top brands and prides themselves on offering the most competitive prices on the best possible selection of products including toys, baby, outdoor and software games.