A real-life version of the saying “a blessing in disguise”: a Year of the Horse plush toy with its mouth sewn the wrong way around unexpectedly became the internet-sensational “Crying Horse,” with related topics topping trending charts.Recently, a netizen in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, shared photos online, saying that the mouth of a Year of the Horse plush toy they purchased had been sewn incorrectly, turning a “Smiling Horse” into a “Crying Horse.” After contacting the seller, both the merchant and the factory found the design amusing and promised a replacement.Reporters found that after the plush toy unexpectedly went viral, many consumers began contacting the seller to purchase the “Crying Horse.” The seller said they never expected it to become a hit due to customer sharing and that production is now being rushed, with a promise that prices will not increase. It is understood that the small horse plush is about 20 cm tall and priced at 25 yuan.It is reported that during production, workers mistakenly sewed the originally upturned mouth corners downward, resulting in a drooping mouth, downward-facing blush and nostrils, and a “wronged” expression. Originally considered a defective product, the pitiful look of the “Crying Horse” struck a chord with netizens—perfect for venting frustrations and healing moments of emo—turning an ordinary plush into a new social favorite.Many netizens fell in love with the unique cuteness of the “Crying Horse” and flocked to sellers seeking the misprinted version. What was initially a production line meant for correction was urgently redesigned overnight, with sewing workers working non-stop to produce the “Crying Horse.”Netizens also created a variety of memes around the “Crying Horse”: unhappy at work? Let the “Crying Horse” keep you company—allow yourself to be unhappy in the new year. Some joked, “This really is a case of the horse ‘failing’ its way to success.”On January 9, Ms. Zhang, a business owner at Yiwu International Trade City, said with a smile: “It was simply a worker’s oversight—the mouth was sewn the wrong way.” From defective product to blockbuster, she said orders are coming in faster than they can be produced. “We’ve opened more than ten production lines, but it’s still not enough.” Orders have already been scheduled through March 2026.From “defective product” to “hidden edition,” the sudden popularity of the “Crying Horse” is inseparable from the rapid response known as “Yiwu Speed.”Some netizens commented that in Yiwu, even mistakes can turn into business opportunities—but not everyone can seize such fleeting chances. Capturing opportunities requires swift action. From discovering its popularity to launching urgent production, Yiwu merchants completed the entire decision-making chain in just 48 hours, decisively opening more than ten production lines and working overtime. A complete supply chain combined with rapid responsiveness helped the “Crying Horse” transform into a market dark horse.“Yiwu Speed” turned a worker’s small mistake into a business miracle. At its core, it reflects how Chinese manufacturing uses “second-level responses” from its supply chains to meet diverse consumer demands. The rise of the “Crying Horse” mirrors Chinese manufacturing itself: finding opportunity in crisis, nurturing innovation within tradition, and pursuing warmth alongside efficiency. This little horse found fortune through error—and behind it lies the solid foundation of “Made in China.”Declaration: This article comes from the Xinhua News Agency WeChat, China National Radio, CCTV News, Shangyou News, Xinhua Daily, Jimu News, Dushi Express, and others.If copyright issues are involved, please contact us to delete.

In recent years, Chinese trendy toys have surged in popularity worldwide. In the first three quarters of 2025, China’s exports of festive goods, dolls, and animal-shaped toys exceeded RMB 50 billion, reaching more than 200 countries and regions. Many of these products belong to emerging domestic trendy brands.Why are Chinese trendy toys gaining favor among overseas consumers? Reporters visited Guangdong, a major province for toy manufacturing and exports, and found that from Dongguan—the “Capital of Chinese Trendy Toys”—to Chenghai in Shantou—the “Capital of Chinese Toy Gifts”—China’s strong manufacturing capabilities, the creativity of foreign trade enterprises, the influence of traditional culture, and unwavering policy support have resonated in unison, propelling trendy toys onto the global stage.Building IPWalking into the showroom of Dongguan Kangda Toys & Gifts Co., Ltd., figures from Tom and Jerry and the Harry Potter series stand alongside Chinese trendy toys such as Pleasant Goat and the “Auspicious Dragon.” “It took us 20 years to move from ‘making brands for others’ to ‘creating our own culture,’” said Wen Guoxiong, Chairman of Kangda Toys. The company started out as an OEM manufacturer and has now successfully transformed into a branded enterprise with multiple proprietary trendy toy IPs.In Kangda’s workshops, reporters saw laser cutting machines, computerized embroidery machines, and other advanced equipment neatly arranged, while hundreds of skilled workers rushed to complete products at their respective stations. In recent years, Kangda has obtained licenses from international IP owners such as Warner Bros., accumulating technological advantages through stringent OEM requirements for leading global brands. Building on this foundation, the company has developed a range of original trendy toy products. In 2024, the “Auspicious Dragon” trendy toy developed by Kangda accompanied the Shenzhou-18 mission into China’s space station. Its materials and craftsmanship passed aerospace-grade testing, showcasing the hard power of Chinese manufacturing in space. Through cooperation with cultural and tourism authorities, the company has also delivered zodiac-themed trendy toys to 176 countries and regions, supporting the global dissemination of Chinese culture through trendy toys.It is understood that one quarter of the world’s animation-derived products are manufactured in Dongguan, and nearly 85% of China’s trendy toys are produced there. As one of the earliest regions to undertake the international transfer of the toy industry after China’s reform and opening-up, Dongguan has built a massive toy industry ecosystem, comprising over 4,000 manufacturing enterprises and nearly 1,500 supporting companies, making it the largest toy export base in China. In recent years, more and more enterprises have been unwilling to remain mere OEM producers and have embarked on an overseas expansion path driven by both contract manufacturing and independent branding. By the end of 2024, Dongguan had 160 above-scale enterprises involved in trendy toy production, giving rise to popular overseas brands such as Blokees (MoDongHe). In the first three quarters of 2025, Dongguan’s toy exports reached RMB 17.52 billion.Another toy manufacturing hub opening international markets through a combination of strong manufacturing and originality is Chenghai, Shantou. At the 24th Shantou Chenghai International Toy & Gift Expo, buyers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries gathered to source products, with intended contract values reaching RMB 15.8 billion. The spark generated by the integration of “Guochao” (China-chic) culture with the Chenghai toy industry cluster was particularly eye-catching.In the first three quarters of 2025, Shantou’s toy exports to the European Union reached RMB 2.81 billion, up 11.4% year-on-year. Each day, Chenghai sees the launch of more than 1,000 new toy products, nearly half of which are related to Guochao IPs. Trendy figurines inspired by The Classic of Mountains and Seas, construction blocks featuring landmarks such as the Temple of Heaven, and trendy toys derived from traditional folk arts like Peking Opera and lion dances are frequent items on foreign buyers’ procurement lists. “European consumers are very interested in Chinese culture, and these types of toys are very popular in our market,” said Daniel, an Italian buyer.“Chinese manufacturing remains irreplaceable,” overseas brand owners and buyers working with local trendy toy enterprises from Dongguan to Shantou unanimously remarked. “We have maintained long-term cooperation with factories in Dongguan, where nearly 80% of our blind-box products are produced. From design to manufacturing, the quality is excellent. We will continue to work with Dongguan’s trendy toy industry to expand global markets,” said Getruaning, Chief Marketing Officer of Berli Jucker International Holdings PCL of Thailand.“International industry leaders still hold significant advantages in IP recognition and brand operation, but Chinese trendy toys are catching up rapidly,” said Xiao Senlin, Chairman of Guangdong HAYI Toys Co., Ltd., a key national cultural export enterprise. “We have clear advantages in supply chain efficiency, flexibility, and cost performance. From design and prototyping to mold manufacturing, mass production, and export logistics, almost the entire process can be completed within Dongguan. Younger generations of consumers are more receptive to diverse cultures, creating new opportunities for original Chinese designs to resonate globally.”Policy SupportSince 2025, many trendy toy enterprises have clearly felt intensified competition in overseas markets. From building proprietary IPs to expanding abroad, every step of “going global” involves uncertainties and risks.One major risk lies in the uncertainty of creating blockbuster IPs. “Trends are hard to predict, and it is extremely difficult to make a trendy toy IP popular,” Wen Guoxiong admitted. Over the past year, Kangda has invested RMB 1–2 million in developing new IPs, yet only one series has gained widespread market recognition so far.Differences in certification standards across countries and regions pose another risk. Xiong Mao, General Manager of Dongguan Weishi Culture Co., Ltd., noted that in order to meet foreign testing standards, companies often have to modify raw materials and production processes, increasing both costs and lead times. Dongguan Playtime Fairy Tale Baby Products Co., Ltd. has encountered similar challenges. When exhibiting in Southeast Asia, discrepancies between local mandatory certification requirements and domestic standards resulted in certification processing periods ranging from several weeks to over a year, at one point affecting business expansion.Many enterprises transitioning from OEM manufacturing to original brands have stated that government departments such as taxation and customs authorities have introduced supportive policies to help address challenges related to R&D funding shortages, intellectual property risks, and technical trade barriers encountered during overseas expansion.“Tax and fee reduction policies provide tangible financial support for our own IP R&D,” Wen Guoxiong said. “For example, the export tax exemption, credit, and refund policy has helped us better activate cash flow, efficiently fulfill overseas orders, and carry out R&D. From January to August 2025, the company processed approximately RMB 5.01 million in export tax exemptions and refunds. In addition, tax incentives for key groups’ entrepreneurship over the past three years reduced our tax burden by more than RMB 100,000.”Customs authorities have also leveraged their professional expertise to provide comprehensive technical and trade services for trendy toy enterprises going global. In August 2025, China’s first trendy toy service station—jointly established by Huangpu Customs, relevant Dongguan government departments, and trendy toy associations—was officially launched. Technical experts from the station conducted on-site visits to key trendy toy enterprises in Dongguan, offering technical and trade consultations, helping companies such as Playtime Fairy Tale resolve certification issues in destination markets, and guiding enterprises to improve production processes and craftsmanship in a timely manner to enhance product quality and source compliance.For Chinese trendy toys to succeed globally, efforts in standardization are also essential. Following the release of China’s first group standard named after “trendy toys,” General Technical Requirements for Trendy Toy Products, in 2024, another group standard—Consumer Products: Chemical Safety Level Evaluation for Toys—jointly developed in October 2025 by the trendy toy service station and 16 institutions including Alpha Group Co., Ltd., was officially issued. Meanwhile, an industry standard for the inspection procedures of imported and exported blind-box trendy toys is currently under application. These standards provide strong support for the standardized development and market expansion of the trendy toy industry.“Customs support in areas such as intellectual property protection and technical and trade standard formulation has enabled us to grasp technical standards in target export markets and integrate them into product development and design at an early stage, effectively mitigating technical trade barriers and significantly enhancing product compliance and international competitiveness,” said Wang Zhen, Chairman of Playtime Fairy Tale.Ecosystem-Driven DevelopmentHow long will the trendy toy wave last? While enterprises reflect on this question, industrial hubs are also proactively planning ahead. “For manufacturing-based companies like HAYI, the shortage of high-end design and sales talent puts considerable pressure on our ability to continuously lead trends,” Xiao Senlin observed. Trendy toys are essentially cultural carriers, and industry competition has extended beyond manufacturing capacity to higher levels such as original design, cultural storytelling, and global operations. Huang Yixian, President of the Chenghai Toy Association, believes that overseas expansion should move beyond the old model of merely “selling products” and evolve toward “exporting culture, brands, and ecosystems,” requiring coordinated efforts across the entire industry ecosystem.To ensure the long-term vitality of Chinese trendy toys in international markets, production hubs such as Dongguan and Shantou are making all-out efforts to build platforms, foster ecosystems, and drive the industry’s transition from “product-driven” to “ecosystem-driven” development.Dongguan uses exhibitions as a platform to showcase the “aesthetics of manufacturing” behind trendy toys to the world. In October 2025, the “Guangdong New Dimension” Anime & Trendy Toy Exhibition was held in Tokyo, Japan. Trendy toy IPs from Dongguan infused with traditional Chinese cultural elements—such as the metallic assembly Nezha and the soothing “Dream-Eating Tapir”—received enthusiastic responses overseas. “In the past, young Chinese consumers bought Japanese trendy toys. Now, many young Japanese consumers are buying Chinese trendy toys. After seeing the exhibition, I was surprised by Dongguan’s strategic布局 in original IP development,” said Japanese director Takeuchi Ryo.This marked the third overseas appearance of Dongguan’s “Manufacturing Aesthetics · Trendy Toys Going Global” initiative. As early as 2024, the “Rising Guochao · Guangdong in Motion” trendy toy exhibition was held in San Francisco, USA, featuring Dongguan-style trendy toys such as lion dances and thousand-horn lanterns. In June 2025, the exhibition traveled overseas again, attracting nearly 1,000 visitors at the “Joyful Guangdong” Innovation Exhibition held at Rio de Janeiro State University in Brazil, becoming a new medium for interpreting Lingnan culture.In Chenghai, Shantou, forward-looking projects including the Global Toy Intelligent Manufacturing Center, Trade Center, Headquarters Base, and Trendy Toy Art Theme Park—collectively known as the “Five Major Projects”—are under accelerated construction. These initiatives aim to transform Chenghai from a “world toy OEM factory” into a “source of original brands.” At the Global Toy Intelligent Manufacturing Center, new production scenarios such as “dark factories” empower trendy toy manufacturing. An industry ecosystem characterized by “full-domain perception, digital-intelligent management, and second-level coordination” can reduce operating costs for intelligent manufacturing enterprises by over 30%. Meanwhile, the trendy toy creative industry base integrates classic literature, intangible cultural heritage, animation, and gaming elements to launch a series of original IPs featuring “cultural genes + creative reconstruction + modern aesthetics,” fostering specialized industrial clusters.From “products going global” to “culture going global,” Chinese trendy toys have set sail. According to statistics, the total output value of Dongguan’s trendy toy industry cluster increased from RMB 12.622 billion in 2022 to RMB 15.506 billion in 2024. R&D investment by trendy toy enterprises has grown at an average annual rate of 31%, with the number of original IPs exceeding 100. Among them, the Chinese-style metallic assembly brand “Piececool” has had its products translated into seven languages and sold in more than 100 countries and regions. “The successive overseas expansion of trendy toy brands is both a display of industrial strength and an expression of cultural confidence,” said Ye Zufeng, President of the Dongguan Trendy Toy Association. (Reporter: Zheng Yang)Declaration: This article comes from the Economic Daily. If copyright issues are involved, please contact us to delete.

Against the backdrop of sluggish household consumption, the French toy market has shown surprising vitality, recording a strong increase in sales described as “rare in the past 25 years.” Supporting this counter‑trend growth is a group of financially capable “big kids” who are willing to pay for their own hobbies.Toy industry professionals refer to this emerging consumer group as “kidults” — teenagers and adults aged 12 and above. According to market research firm Circana, toy sales targeting consumers aged 12 and over surged by 22% this year. Baudouin, President of the JouéClub toy retail group, said this represents “a level of growth rarely seen in 25 years.”These “older players” began to emerge during the COVID‑19 pandemic. During lockdowns, activities such as puzzles and coloring books became legitimate reasons for adults to buy toys for themselves. They include collectors of Pokémon cards, Star Wars or Marvel figurines, as well as social players who enjoy board games and puzzles with family and friends.A recent survey released by research institute JuniorCity shows that 47% of people aged 13 to 55 either buy toys for themselves or have received toys as gifts, with an average ownership of 12 toys per person. Among kidults aged 20 to 55, annual spending on toys for personal enjoyment is close to €200, with men aged 26 to 35 being particularly willing to spend.The primary motivation for “big kids” to buy toys is “relaxation.” Circana’s global toy industry expert Frédérique Tutt explained that amid widespread anxiety, French consumers seek moments of ease and comfort through toys. The fact that the average viewer age of children’s TV channel Gulli is 33.6 years also indirectly confirms this trend.As the number of adult customers grows, traditional occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day are gradually becoming new peak seasons for toy retailers. Mattel France has expanded its product lines for adults: in early September, its Hot Wheels brand launched a Mercedes model on Amazon, which sold out in less than three hours. Meanwhile, the “BookNook” miniature scene models that recently went viral on social media have become highly popular for combining hands‑on enjoyment with home décor appeal.Retail chains are also actively targeting “big kids.” In July this year, King Jouet opened three King’Dultes pop‑up stores in Marseille, Paris, and Nantes. Originally scheduled to close at the end of the year, the pop‑ups have been extended until April next year due to performance “exceeding expectations.” La Grande Récré is renovating its stores by creating adult‑only zones near the entrance, displaying construction toys, board games, and popular IP “fan corners,” allowing adult customers to enter toy stores more confidently.Declaration: This article comes from Shanghai Observer News.If copyright issues are involved, please contact us to delete.

In recent years, brand collaborations have become a common strategy in the consumer market. From Luckin Coffee partnering with Kweichow Moutai to launch the Sauce Aroma Latte, to Lao Feng Xiang Jewelry collaborating across sectors with the mobile game Eggy Party, the co-branding economy has continued to heat up. Research data shows that in 2023, the market size of China’s co-branding economy exceeded one trillion yuan, and it is expected to grow to 3 trillion yuan by 2025. Through cross-industry integration between brands and IPs, the co-branding economy leverages scarcity and personalization to meet young consumers’ pursuit of emotional resonance and identity recognition, becoming a new driving force for consumption upgrading. However, behind this prosperity, issues such as excessive consumption and resource waste are gradually emerging. In particular, the phenomenon of teenagers blindly chasing co-branded giveaways reflects underlying concerns about the urgent need for regulation in the co-branding economy.The rapid development of the co-branding economy benefits from its precise grasp of consumer psychology. The consumption philosophy of the younger generation has shifted from functional satisfaction to emotional connection. Co-branded products provide carriers for personalized expression through storytelling and cultural connotations. Successful collaborations can achieve a “1 + 1 > 2” effect, enhancing brand influence while meeting consumers’ emotional needs.However, the booming co-branding economy also hides many problems. On the one hand, aggressive marketing strategies by businesses fuel irrational consumption. To obtain co-branded merchandise, consumers are often required to meet high purchase thresholds, such as buying multiple drinks or set meals to receive gifts, or being lured by “hunger marketing” that creates a sense of scarcity. While this model may boost sales in the short term, it easily causes consumption behavior to deviate from its essence. The phenomenon of middle school students buying ten hamburgers just to collect toys and discarding most of the food is a vivid example of such distortion. On the other hand, overly frequent co-branding campaigns may lead to aesthetic fatigue among consumers. Data shows that in early January 2025 alone, more than 70 co-branding campaigns were launched simultaneously, with some leading brands even introducing new collaborations weekly. An oversaturated market ultimately weakens the unique value of co-branding.Teenagers have become the main force in co-branded consumption, with social motivations playing a particularly prominent role. Co-branded products are regarded as “social currency,” and owning scarce merchandise symbolizes recognition and a sense of belonging among peers. One junior high school student admitted that purchasing co-branded products was not driven by genuine fondness for the IP, but because “everyone else has it, and without it, there’s nothing to talk about.” This comparison-driven mentality turns consumption from a means of meeting needs into a tool for gaining identity recognition. However, teenagers have yet to form mature financial values and often struggle to distinguish between “needs” and “wants,” making them susceptible to marketing tactics. More alarmingly, excessive consumption directly leads to food waste, which not only violates the virtue of frugality but also exposes value deviations within the co-branding economy.In addition, the long-term development of the co-branding economy faces challenges in cultural integration and quality control. Some brands, in their pursuit of traffic and attention, neglect product substance, causing collaborations to degenerate into short-lived marketing gimmicks. Data indicates that over 60% of consumers prefer designer or IP co-branded products, yet only a small portion of collaborations truly generate sustained purchase intention. This shows that for the co-branding economy to grow sustainably, it must shift from a “traffic-driven mindset” to a “value-driven mindset,” placing greater emphasis on product quality and cultural depth.To guide the co-branding economy back onto a healthy path, coordinated efforts from multiple parties are required. Businesses should abandon excessive marketing strategies and explore sustainable cooperation models. For example, peripheral products could be sold separately or exchanged through point systems to reduce forced bundled consumption. Co-branding designs should also emphasize cultural substance rather than simple logo placement. Cultural and museum collaborations that integrate historical elements with practical functions can avoid homogenization while enhancing long-term value. Parents and schools should strengthen education on consumption values through pocket money management and social practice activities, helping teenagers develop rational consumption awareness. In addition, regulatory authorities can establish standards for marketing practices that induce waste, promoting industry self-discipline.The essence of the co-branding economy should be a win-win of creativity and culture, rather than a short-term traffic carnival. Only when co-branding shifts from chasing symbols back to creating real value can it become a sustainable source of vitality for the consumer market, rather than a burden on social resources.Declaration: This article comes from the China Economic Herald. If copyright issues are involved, please contact us to delete.

The complex spans 1,500 square meters and brings together tens of thousands of stationery items. IP collaborations and innovative “black‑tech” products appear side by side—this is what a Securities Times reporter witnessed at Deli’s newly opened flagship store, deli world.On November 29, the Deli Shanghai flagship store, deli world, opened in Joy City, Jing’an District, Shanghai. According to the Securities Times, the flagship store covers a total area of 1,500 square meters, making it currently the largest stationery complex in China. The store houses tens of thousands of products across categories such as student stationery, premium stationery, IP stationery, and IP-themed cultural merchandise, offering one-stop solutions for study, office, and lifestyle scenarios.Founded in 1981, Deli Group has grown over more than four decades into a global cultural and creative technology conglomerate integrating office supplies, stationery, tools, furniture, printers, children's educational products, and B2B solutions. The company holds leading positions in several market segments.In August this year, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce released the “2025 Top 500 Chinese Private Enterprises” list. Deli Group entered the ranking with revenue of 46.01 billion yuan, placing 270th—33 spots higher than in 2024. The company also made the list of the “2025 Top 500 Chinese Private Manufacturing Enterprises,” ranking 193rd.Joy City in Jing’an District, Shanghai, is known as one of the city’s “ACG (anime–comic–game) landmarks.” Traditionally, stationery shops are perceived as “small but refined.” So why did Deli Group choose to open a 1,500‑square‑meter store here?At the opening ceremony on November 29, Deli Group Executive President Chen Xueqiang said that opening this unprecedentedly large stationery experience store in Joy City was not merely a channel expansion, but a key step in the company’s brand‑upgrade strategy.“This is a crucial move for deepening our connection with users and building emotional resonance in the era of new retail. This place is not just a sales venue—it will be an immersive stationery experience space, a direct communication window between the brand and users, and a central showcase for Deli’s innovations,” Chen said.The Securities Times reporter noted that IP collaboration products are everywhere inside the store. Among them, the popular ‘Ne Zha’ IP is especially prominent. In August this year, Deli Group announced its collaboration with the film Ne Zha: The Devil’s Rebirth. The company also became the exclusive authorized stationery partner of the film.In addition, IPs such as Link Click and Mr. Self-Deprecating Bear have attracted strong attention. According to the Securities Times, new releases of Link Click products were restocked multiple times on opening day, with most buyers being young consumers.Beyond IP partnerships, Deli also showcased its technologically advanced stationery lines, including writing instruments, notebooks, art supplies, correction tapes, and sharpeners. Products such as the “Hexagonal Warrior” gel pen and the liquid silicone gel pen drew particular attention.Declaration: This article comes from  Securities Times.If copyright issues are involved, please contact us to delete.

Recently, at Yiwu International Trade Market in Zhejiang, a new batch of smart “gadgets” equipped with cutting-edge technology has attracted the attention of many foreign buyers.The cute doll with big round eyes in front of us is an interactive smart companion toy. It not only supports multilingual interaction, but can also accurately recognize the user’s tone and respond to complex questions. Ilol, a buyer from Türkiye who is visiting China for the first time, was fascinated by this smart toy. He immediately purchased one as a sample to bring home and evaluate market potential.In fact, the toy that Ilol fell in love with was originally an ordinary plush doll. After continuous version upgrades, it not only became more adorable in appearance, but was also embedded with a large language model and emotional recognition features. It has evolved from a simple “plush toy” into an intelligent “emotional companion,” and is now popular in global markets.In recent years, many traditional Chinese commodities have undergone intelligent upgrades. Many seemingly ordinary “small items” actually contain sophisticated smart design inside, drawing strong interest from international buyers. A ring that looks completely ordinary, for example, integrates full smartwatch functions and can monitor health data in real time—earning a large number of overseas orders.Wang Xingguo, Operator at Yiwu Global Digital Trade Center, said:“Our sales this year will reach 100 million USD — five times that of last year. Next year, we expect two- to three-fold growth.”According to China Customs, in the first three quarters of this year, China exported over 50 billion yuan worth of holiday products, dolls, and animal-shaped toys to more than 200 countries and regions worldwide. Many of these smart Chinese trendy products have become overseas hits. Last month, Yiwu opened its 6th-generation market — the Global Digital Trade Center. The wide array of smart products covers various sectors including home living, entertainment, and health monitoring, attracting buyers from all over the world.Declaration: This article comes from CCTV Finance. If copyright issues are involved, please contact us to delete.

In the context of the integrated development of the digital economy and cultural consumption, toys are no longer exclusive to children—they have gradually become a carrier of emotional consumption across multiple age groups.Trend toys represented by Labubu are gaining fans worldwide. From blind-box collecting to cross‑industry IP collaborations, trend toys attract enthusiasts with unique designs and social attributes. Data shows that among the top five toy categories by transaction share are trend blind boxes, plush dolls, and cartoon merchandise.The development of AI technology has brought innovative changes to toy product forms. Toys are no longer static companions but interactive communication devices. Q&A encyclopedias, story playback, talking books… AI toys can achieve intelligent interaction and provide personalized experiences through deep learning, language processing, emotion computing, and other technologies. Data shows that the transaction growth rate of AI toys has increased more than tenfold recently. Children's drones, smart dolls, and other toys are also popular among consumers.As new toy products and new business models continue to emerge, new requirements are also being placed on industry development. Trend toys are not merely goods—they are a lifestyle for young consumers to express their attitudes. The design, production, and marketing of related toy products must better meet consumers’ emotional needs for individuality. Efforts should be made to improve product quality and cultural value to avoid homogeneous products flooding the market. Through integration with the cultural and tourism industries, the IP value chain of trend toys can be extended by creating theme parks, restaurants, markets, and more to expand consumption scenarios. Meanwhile, it is necessary to protect innovation achievements and improve the intellectual property protection system.Given the application of new technologies such as AI, while embracing innovation, safety supervision must also be strengthened. For toys designed for minors in particular, the reliability of AI‑generated content must be ensured. During data collection and processing, user privacy must be protected from leakage. In addition to producing AI toys, relevant manufacturers should extend service chains by ensuring continuous system updates and iterations, thereby enhancing consumer stickiness and increasing product added value.Declaration: This article comes from Economic Daily.If copyright issues are involved, please contact us to delete.

At around 5 p.m. on November 3, with less than an hour left before closing, numerous overseas buyers were still lingering at the booth of Wenzhou Kaiwen Stationery Manufacturing Co., Ltd., making the large special-designed booth feel somewhat crowded.As a stationery company that has grown together with the Canton Fair for over 20 years, Wenzhou Kaiwen has gradually stepped onto the world stage from “China’s No.1 Trade Fair.” Its sales network now spans the globe, and its signature watercolor pens boast an annual sales volume of more than 800 million units.How can a single watercolor pen enhance the reputation of “Made in China”? Huang Kailun, deputy general manager of the company, revealed the answer: “Since our establishment, we have benchmarked against international standards. Driven by new quality productive forces, we continue to strengthen R&D and improve product quality.” He provided an example: “In the past, certain additives used in ink production were not environmentally friendly. So we innovatively developed a new formula, replacing them with harmless components. This has won recognition from many domestic and overseas clients.”Huang also mentioned that, to better meet the needs of different overseas markets, the company has developed a number of customized products. For example, in high-altitude countries such as Peru, watercolor pens tend to leak ink due to air pressure differences. To address this, the R&D team tackled technical challenges and significantly improved the pens’ airtightness, enabling them to perform better in these geographic and climatic conditions.“Rooted in the present and looking toward the future, we will continue to uphold our brand, empower our team, develop new products, explore new markets, and pursue sustainable development.” Huang spoke with firm confidence regarding future goals.While watercolor pens stride confidently into global markets and paint visions of a bright future, notebooks and office books also faithfully chronicle the remarkable journey of China’s stationery industry as it expands overseas and contributes to building a strong trading nation.“Our company was founded in 1995, and this year marks its 30th anniversary,” said Jia Weihao, general manager of Zhejiang Deli Jia Stationery Co., Ltd. The company specializes in producing various office notebooks, student notebooks, and wooden stationery. With the help of the Canton Fair, it has gradually expanded into international markets, exporting to over 60 countries and regions. Since the start of Phase III of this Canton Fair, the company has received numerous overseas buyers—meeting long-term partners face-to-face and welcoming many new clients drawn by its growing reputation.Currently, green transformation is a major global trend and a key driver of economic growth. Against this backdrop, developing green trade has become an important initiative for China to upgrade its trade structure, achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, and accelerate the building of a strong trading nation. Jia believes that the company’s practical exploration in green manufacturing has enabled it to thrive amid fierce international competition.“To comply with internationally recognized green standards, the company has obtained FSC forest certification, the EU Deforestation Regulation certification, and more. To meet the global demand for eco-friendly products, we use recyclable paper as raw materials. To strengthen carbon management, we are increasing the use of clean, green energy…” Jia proudly listed the company’s recent achievements in the field of green trade.Innovation in China’s stationery industry is not limited to watercolor pens and notebooks—rather, it permeates a rich and diverse product ecosystem. Inside the expansive Canton Fair exhibition halls, a dazzling array of stationery products is helping write a new chapter for Chinese stationery as it expands overseas.Approaching 6 p.m., as the closing music played, several overseas buyers engaged in discussions at the booth of Shantou Yuansheng Industrial Co., Ltd. reluctantly left their contact information and arranged their next step—a factory visit.The company’s principal, Zhou Hangyuan, explained that it is an office supplies manufacturer integrating product R&D, production, sales, and service, specializing in file cabinets, document racks, folders, and other office items. Its products are mainly marketed in Europe, South America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East—over 30 countries and regions.Asked how a simple folder could achieve such extensive overseas market penetration, Zhou, a long-time Canton Fair participant, explained that the company’s experience attending more than 40 sessions of the fair has taught them which products fit which markets. Their R&D team develops products tailored to the consumption habits and aesthetic preferences of each market, increasing product value through localization.“Innovation is crucial. Only through innovation can we create more added value and help companies stand out amid intense global competition.” Zhou’s heartfelt remarks reveal not only the company’s survival strategy but also the broader answer to how China’s stationery industry continues to gain global market share—an answer demonstrated vividly by the innovative, forward-moving companies across the Canton Fair exhibition halls.Declaration: This article comes from the International Business Daily.If copyright issues are involved, please contact us to delete.

With more than half a year to go before the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, Yiwu, Zhejiang—known as the “world’s supermarket”—has already entered the World Cup economic fast track. Merchants are busy preparing for the global event.“Sports events, especially large-scale international ones, mean opportunities with almost no risk for us,” said one trader.Argentina’s sky blue, Canada’s maple red, and Brazil’s forest green have been turned into flags, fan apparel, scarves, and trophies. Walking through Yiwu International Trade City’s sports goods section, the World Cup atmosphere is increasingly vibrant.Although the World Cup is still nine months away, Yiwu’s sports goods exports have already “kicked off.” Lin Daolai, a sports wristband seller, is busy sending sample photos to clients. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, he received an order for one million official wristbands, which significantly expanded his business circle. Now, he has already secured several orders for the 2026 World Cup.Recently, Lin has also been developing new World Cup-themed products to offer more options for clients.Another sports goods manufacturer, Shang Yabing, is rushing to produce samples of cheering towels customized for the upcoming World Cup. “This order includes nearly one million towels,” he told reporters. “If cooperation is confirmed, our factory will dedicate the next four months entirely to producing these cheering products.”For many Yiwu sports goods merchants, aligning with major event cycles is a key business strategy. Product diversification is another secret to their success. In one shop, sports goods are creatively combined with different materials to expand their range of applications.Yiwu International Trade City merchant Yang Hang said, “Whenever the World Cup approaches, our orders increase by about 50% compared with normal times. Our early products were mainly basic sports goods like balls, but now we also develop themed products for major foreign holidays such as Halloween and Christmas.”Not only merchants but also logistics companies in Yiwu Port are seeing growth. Logistics manager Zeng Xibao said his company’s shipment volume of sports goods has increased significantly this year, and preparations are underway for next year’s World Cup orders.Zhejiang Yiwu Logistics Company Manager Zeng Xibao: “From late September until now, we’ve been continuously shipping sports goods—mainly footballs and national flags. Orders for single categories of sports goods have risen by over 30%. For global events, logistics preparations usually start more than six months in advance. Next year, our warehouse capacity will need to increase by at least 50%.”CCTV correspondent Le Rongrong reported: “The event-driven economy is like a match that ignites Yiwu’s sports goods industry chain. With flexible supply chains and diversified layouts, Yiwu merchants are seizing the opportunity.”Latest data shows that in the first three quarters of this year, Yiwu’s exports of sports goods reached RMB 8.955 billion, up 20.5% year-on-year. Despite global economic fluctuations, Yiwu’s sports goods exports continue to grow, demonstrating remarkable resilience.Declaration: This article comes from CCTV Finance.If copyright issues are involved, please contact us to delete.

In the 2025 consumer market, AI toys are reshaping the industry landscape at an astonishing pace. They have become a new consumption hotspot across all age groups and are ushering in a “golden era” for the AI toy sector. Products that satisfy children’s dual needs for education and entertainment, emotional companion collectibles favored by Generation Z, and memory-assistant devices serving older adults—powered by multimodal interaction and affective computing—are breaking the traditional boundaries of toy usage and laying a solid product and technology foundation for this new era.Since the start of this year, Securities Daily reporters have frequently encountered AI toys in supermarkets, retail outlets and at industry conferences. These devices, resembling “tech sprites,” not only engage children in lively conversations and tell stories vividly, but also possess powerful memory capabilities—accurately remembering a speaker’s voice and preferences and transforming into thoughtful intelligent companions. Today, they have firmly claimed premium shelf space in many toy stores and become the undisputed ‘new favorites’ among children.AI toys not only provide unprecedented novelty for users but also create fresh development opportunities for the toy industry. According to consultancy IMARC, the global AI toy market is projected to grow from USD 18.1 billion in 2024 to USD 60 billion by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate of roughly 14% from 2024 to 2033. For a sector traditionally viewed as mature, this paints a promising ‘blue ocean.’Market BoomAll-Age Appeal Fuels a New Wave of ConsumptionFor parents born in the mid-1980s and 1990s, AI toys have rightly earned the reputation of ‘screen-free educational wonders’—they can practice English with children in an engaging way, set puzzles and challenges that encourage logical reasoning, and respond quickly to children's questions. These toys, which combine technological sophistication with edutainment attributes, help children acquire knowledge in a relaxed atmosphere while quietly opening parents’ wallets. Data from JD.com corroborates this trend: in the first half of 2025, sales of AI toy products surged sixfold quarter-on-quarter, with year-on-year growth exceeding 200%, demonstrating explosive market momentum.The audience for AI toys is not limited to children; it also covers today's main consumption cohort—Generation Z. Office worker Zhang Qingyu (pseudonym) carefully selected an AI toy priced at RMB 499 on an e‑commerce platform. Although pricier than ordinary toys, she felt it represented excellent value. “It feels soft and comfortable to the touch and has a pair of lively, playful eyes as if it could really speak. Sometimes when work stress builds up and I don’t want to talk to people but feel lonely, I’ll chat with it. It tells all kinds of funny jokes to cheer me up; it feels like having a ‘soulmate’ who understands me,” she said.This ‘warm’ experience allows AI toys to transcend traditional entertainment boundaries. Psychologist Zhang Rongxin told Securities Daily that, under the deep penetration of digital technologies, AI toys not only provide emotional solace for young people but also serve as important carriers of emotional companionship, health management and cognitive maintenance for middle-aged and elderly groups. Their value lies not only in technological innovation but also in human-centered design that reshapes intergenerational relationships—creating solutions that deeply integrate technology and humanity, and bringing more warmth and care into people’s lives.At present, AI toys have expanded their market positioning from children to all-age groups, and e-commerce platforms have become important sales channels. During this year’s “618” shopping festival, one AI toy new release sold out rapidly after launch.The product’s success stemmed from its precise capture of Generation Z's companionship needs. It uses multi-affective models to sensitively perceive emotional fluctuations in a user’s tone, employs a “delayed response that simulates human thinking rhythm” to avoid mechanical impressions, and can remember key information mentioned by users to proactively respond in subsequent interactions.Hong Tao, vice chairman of the China Consumer Economics Society and director of the Business Economics Research Institute at Beijing Technology and Business University, told Securities Daily that current AI toy development focuses on core scenarios such as child education and emotional companionship, and is advancing the development of high cost‑performance products. Examples include tactile-feedback interactive toys designed for very young children so that they can experience the charm of technology through touch, or companion robots for older adults with health-monitoring functions that keep constant watch over their physical well-being and quickly capture niche markets.“AI toys achieve more realistic interactive experiences through advanced technologies such as voice recognition and emotional computing,” Hong said. “Although R&D for AI toys has high technical thresholds, once produced at scale the cost advantages become significant, and prospects are very promising.”Capital DeploymentMultiple Forces Collaborate to Build an Industry EcosystemThe rise of AI toys relies on improving intelligence modules and falling application costs as technology matures, is propelled by robust market demand, and is also heavily driven by capital. Since the sector emerged in 2024, the number of related enterprises has surged: Tianyancha data show toy-related company registrations climbed year by year over the past five years and peaked in 2024. Analysts at the China Business Industry Research Institute predict China’s AI toy market will expand to RMB 29 billion in 2025 and reach RMB 85 billion by 2030.On the capital side, both deal volumes and financing amounts in the AI toy space have grown substantially this year, with nearly a hundred investment institutions entering the market and many startups successfully closing multiple financing rounds.Yan Xianbiao, CTO of Shenzhen Liangxu HuanYou Technology Co., Ltd., told reporters that domestic investment and financing activity in the AI toy field has become increasingly active since last year, and several leading companies secured large financings this year—greatly encouraging entrepreneurs to deepen their efforts. Unlike traditional toys, AI toys place greater emphasis on experiential content and scenario development, offering consumers emotional value and continuous services.Corporate deployment shows marked cross-industry trends. For example, publicly listed company Outfit7 launched an AI emotional companion robot in late December 2024, entering the AI companionship market from mobile applications and gaming. Its 2025 interim report indicates the company is building an integrated “hardware + content + service” ecosystem based on its proprietary emotional companion model, cutting-edge MoE (Mixture of Experts) architecture, embedded software and intelligent hardware. At present, Outfit7’s AI companion robot primarily generates revenue through hardware sales.Zhang Cuixia, chief investment advisor at Jufeng Investment, told Securities Daily that, to seize market opportunities, companies beyond device manufacturers and IP operators—including listed firms engaged in localized AI processing and multimodal interaction technology—have announced projects to apply their products to AI toys. Upstream and downstream firms are pushing toward deeper technology, product IPization and emotionalization, industry collaboration and global market expansion to further enhance product appeal.International markets are also active. Recently, Bondu, an AI toy startup based in San Francisco, announced the completion of a USD 5.3 million seed round.Behind the capital frenzy lies a deep bet on the commercialization of “emotional value.” Traditional toy industry gross margins typically hover between 20% and 30%, but AI toys have achieved value upgrades through technological empowerment; some mid- to high-end AI toy manufacturers report gross margins exceeding 70%.On industry competition and supply chain dynamics, the Qianzhan Industry Research Institute’s report “China Intelligent Toy Industry Market Outlook and Investment Strategy” states that the domestic AI toy track currently has relatively few participants, low industry concentration and a diversified competitive landscape, with technology iteration and IP competition dominating the market.Chen Xiaohua, executive director of the Education and Science & Technology Research Institute at the China Mobile Communications Association, told Securities Daily that while the traditional toy market—with its mature supply chain and classic IPs—still holds major market share, it is accelerating its shift toward intelligence. For example, Alpha Group and other firms are integrating AI technology into their own IP products. AI toy companies are speeding up product R&D and market expansion, moving beyond basic entertainment functions to emphasize emotional companionship and personalized growth advising, and exploring viable “hardware + subscription” service models to extend product lifecycle value.Facing ChallengesBreaking Homogeneity to Find Upgrade PathsAI toys have expanded into multiple product categories—some focusing on IP operations and emotional services, others precisely targeting educational scenarios. This diversified exploration is driving the industry toward higher value‑added segments. Nevertheless, the sector also faces a homogeneity dilemma: product designs are converging, many AI features depend on the same service providers, and interaction modalities often lack natural fluidity.Technology is the core foundation for AI toys, and competitiveness largely depends on the ability to achieve human‑like natural conversation and accurately interpret language and emotions—capabilities that heavily rely on large language models and interaction technologies. Securities Daily’s reporting found that although most AI toys claim to be equipped with advanced large models capable of fluent dialogue, actual question-and-answer interactions are often formulaic, lack emotional warmth, and generally fall short in continuous learning and personalization capabilities.Huadong, an AI engineer at Dong Qipeng Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., told reporters that connecting traditional toys to large AI models is just a baseline. On the software side, products need visual and video recognition, voiceprint recognition, long-term memory functions (able to remember users’ statements) and a repertoire of expressions for feedback; on the hardware side, they require eye-contact interactions, radar perception, greeting mechanisms, touch points and tactile feedback. All these AI features are crucial. Future competition will not be just a battle of hardware versus software but a contest in social AI—where AI toys integrate speech recognition, computer vision and haptic feedback to achieve environmental awareness and natural interaction.Beyond technological hurdles, AI toys also face a trust crisis concerning information security and privacy protection. These toys often collect children’s voiceprints, facial images, behavior trajectories, and even household environmental data through cameras, microphones and other sensors. The covert collection and potential misuse of such data urgently require strict privacy safeguards. Moreover, excessive reliance on AI toys by minors may impair social skills and emotional cognition development—reducing real interpersonal interaction, creating difficulties adapting to delayed human feedback, or being misled by anthropomorphized emotional expressions.“Solving the homogeneity problem in AI toys hinges on innovation,” said Fu Yifu, a special researcher at Suzhou Commercial Bank. He suggested that companies increase R&D investment, deeply explore latent user needs and develop products with unique functions and characteristics—such as AI toys tailored to specific age groups or scenarios. At the same time, attention must be paid to user‑experience design to improve ease of use and stability, reducing lag and malfunctions. Strengthening brand building to craft distinct brand images and values is also necessary; brand differentiation can enhance a product’s core competitiveness. In short, AI toys’ core competitive advantages should concentrate on technological innovation, content innovation, user experience and brand value to meet consumer demand for high‑quality, personalized products.The rise of AI toys is a model of deep integration between technology and the humanities and a natural outcome of industrial upgrading. From explosive market growth and all‑age user coverage to capital market enthusiasm and continuous technological breakthroughs, AI toys are reshaping the toy industry landscape with unstoppable momentum and ushering in the industry’s “golden era.” They are not only a new ‘blue ocean’ for the toy sector but also a social pressure‑release valve for emotional needs. This golden era will make AI toys a bridge connecting technology and humanity, commerce and emotions, and will bring more surprises to people’s lives.Declaration: This article comes from Securities Daily.If copyright issues are involved, please contact us to delete.