Toys & Games

The year opened with a flurry of activity for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) as the first events held after the reopening of the border with Mainland China and easing of COVID-19 restrictions on overseas travel drew heavy traffic.

Like many parents of young children, Australian expatriates Jade Poon and Natalie Chow found their Hong Kong homes were becoming cluttered with toys – many of which their toddlers no longer even played with. Friends since their schooldays and keen to live more sustainably, the pair decided this was wasteful. So in April 2019, Ms Poon, a human resources executive, and Ms Chow, a marketing executive-turned-entrepreneur, came up with the idea to establish Happy Baton, Hong Kong’s first toy rental subscription service.

Making good use of intellectual property (IP) licensing can help companies boost their brand promotion as well as expand their customer base. Some trendy brands, including tea companies, have developed crossover cooperation with other brands, to increase brand awareness and sales by leveraging both online and offline promotions.