Toy retailer Learning Express takes advantage of Tik Tok and sees sales surge 145%

Speaking of Learning Express, you may feel a little unfamiliar, but when it comes to the popular toys such as Pop Its, Squishmallow plush toys and fidget spinners, almost every Amazon seller is familiar with these popular toy products. It is reported that these popular toys are the products of this toy retail store.

Meghan Thompson, marketing manager at Learning Express , said while the three toys were popular, their popularity in 2020 and 2021 was unprecedented - as evidenced by children sharing videos of the popular items on the TikTok app.

Thompson said TikTok trends have played an integral role in Learning Express' growth since the pandemic began. But the toy retailer does not track visits to its website as a direct result of TikTok traffic, nor does it track how TikTok directly affects its web sales.

Learning Express’s online sales are reportedly up 25% in 2021 compared to 2020’s already huge growth, and the toy chain’s online sales are up 233% compared to 2019. In addition, total sales are up 145% compared to 2020 and 86% compared to 2019 before the pandemic.

Regarding product inventory, Learning Express also ordered inventory earlier than usual in 2021. Thompson said that Learning Express had ordered inventory in June 2021, which would give them enough time to ship holiday orders.

Thompson said its stores began promoting available inventory on TikTok once it arrived and had time to spare, allowing the popularity of its franchise videos in 2020 to continue into 2021.

Thompson said she’s excited to see how TikTok will evolve to make it easier for viewers to shop directly in the app by tapping on tagged products on other social platforms like Instagram. “We’re still waiting for TikTok to roll out the interactive shopping ad experience to all retailer accounts,” she said.

As online sales surge as kids share popular toys on TikTok and the pandemic fuels the power of social media, toy retail chain Learning Express is riding the wave while keeping an eye on the next big social platform opportunity.

Toy

USA

Sales surge