Online shopping could be less painful… Perhaps, we all asked ourselves before at least once: who is supposed to regulate online shopping and better structure the product search through guidelines or something similar, in order to help facilitate it for the final consumer – the buyer?! Actually, there are several organisations trying to do that, but it looks like none of them are being very strict in a way that could transform the market through innovation.

Final Consumer

So far, products are being tested and validated for safety and further reasons via certification. Typically, the responsibility of finding the quality has always ended up at the side of the final consumer or buyer. But, there are so many brands, certificates, shops and even more products purchasable not only locally but worldwide. Shouldn’t this be better supported? Is this really something to be individual dependent? We probably can all agree that taste and quality are not exactly the same thing. Still you may not know what to buy.

Businesses

Looking around, not only in Germany itself, one may perceive that the innovations are being brought up mainly due to massive corporation activities, which are purely based on self profit – the very company’s own interests, nothing else. Entering as many markets as possible through stakeholder networking, as aggressively as possible. However, where do the local market and economic interests stay in front of that? One word: forgotten.

Digital transformation, innovation or marketing?

Some may not know it, but digital transformation is a term with roots in the 1940s and yet… Wait, why isn’t it “done” already? That’s a good question with so many possible reasons, better to dig it another time. Understanding the market is such a huge expertise, especially considering the effects of globalisation everywhere. Some countries or even systems do require more resources and will need more time than others. It’s definitely dependent not only on one person, but culture and local politics do influence a huge piece of that.

A Robust Path to Fulfilment

Given all players involved in the market, Product Cluster offers a free portal, where the product search is neither underestimated nor overcomplicated. Quality is not synonymous with price, if all toys have so many possibilities, why should the joy they bring be based and defined exclusively on that? Some people call the product quest actually as product research, due to how expensive and costly it can get and not that seldom! However, the word search itself suggests: it shouldn’t be like that, but way more easier.

Collecting and aligning so many different interests of multiple parties is surely not a simple task. Networking is a solution for that, whether it happens at fairs, streets or at Product Cluster.

Go check on us right away to start supporting and improving your experience with online shopping, the local market and everybody’s daily routines.

The post Another Minute Goes By first appeared on Product Cluster Blog.

Whether you’re a child, a parent or how old you are, it’s always a good choice to look at the options. We hope to hereby engage and promote all similar local events, supporting the community.

Be sure to check if both places and dates suit your own schedule, some of them may still be following strict mask guidelines for visitation. Go ahead and enjoy them by yourself! Here we listed flea markets for toys and children in Köln and surroundings.

Flea Markets in Köln for Toys & Children

• Kinderflohmarkt/Familienflohmarkt im “Tante Astrid”
  Moltkestraße 79, 50674 Köln
  

• Modellspielzeug-Markt
  Wiener Platz, 51065 Köln
  

• Kita St. Maria Königin Frankenforst
  Im Hain 31, 51427 Bergisch Gladbach
  

• AWO Kita Wirbelwind Vingst
  Waldstr. 71, 51107 Köln
  

• Fröbel Kiga Regenbogen Ehrenfeld
  Subbelrather Str. 462, 50825 Köln

• Ev. Gemeindezentrum zum Heilsbrunnen
  Im Kleefeld 23, 51467 Berg. Gladbach-Hebborn
  

• Kita Wilde Wiese Berg. Gladbach
  Jägerstr. 50, 51465 Bergisch Gladbach
  

• Kita St. Johann Baptist Höhenhaus
  Honschaftsstr. 339, 51061 Köln
  

• KiTa an St. Rochus Bickendorf
  Rochusstr. 143, 50827 Köln

• Kita Herkenrather Farbkleckse
  Asselborner Weg 44, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach

• Brüder-Grimm-Grundschule Sürth
  Sürther Hauptstr. 149, 50999 Köln

• Elterninitiative Kinderparadies Poll
  Müllergasse 21, 51105 Köln

• Kita Brunnenkinder Bickendorf
  Venloer Str. 725a, 50827 Köln

• Gemeindehaus Emmauskirche Vogelsang
  Birkhuhnweg 2b, 50829 Köln

• Kita Stüttgerhofweg Junkersdorf
  Stüttgerhofweg 50, 50858 Köln

• Stepke Kita Niehler Pänz e.V.
  Pastor-Wolff-Str. 2, 50739 Köln

• Gemeindezentrum der Kirchengemeinde St. Johann Baptist in Refrath
  Kirchplatz 12, 51427 Bergisch Gladbach

• Heideportal/ Umweltbildungszentrum Gut Leidenhausen
  Gut Leidenhausen 1, 51147 Köln

• Fröbel-Kindergarten An St. Matthias
  Bernhardstraße 101-103, 50968 Köln

If you’re interested in local alternatives for shopping, you could have a look in our series.

Not just there, this post will be updated from time to time. Please, let us know in case something changed suddenly! Also feel welcome to write to us about other events of flea markets for toys and children, so we can update this series and others get to know about it.

Have you been to any of those flea markets listed? Share your experience with us, we’re sure that others will enjoy to know about it too!

Help others by telling them about this post, they’ll surely be happy to get this piece of information. Who doesn’t like to save some time? Hours in research for valid options would be spent!

The post Köln : Children Flea Market first appeared on Product Cluster Blog.

A trip tip in Berlin! Do you like social and board games? Since 2014 there’s a very interesting shop to visit there while avoiding big corporations… We’re sure that you should check it out someday.

Brettspielgeschäft.Berlin

Tired of playing the same board games again and again? Who never felt like that? What if somebody had told you that there’s a place with more than 3.000 different board game options to be bought…? At Brettspielgeschäft.Berlin you will find that huge variety. Within their 200 m², we can even find more than 1.000 options in english (great way to learn languages, by playing).

Following the tradition of board games in integrating and engaging people together, their store workers give advices and tips in several languages! Whether in German, English or Spanish, there is not space for confusion or doubts in what to purchase. However, they do have a lot a space as their shop is about 150 m². Where would all the numbers fit in otherwise?…

What is your favorite genre? Their sortiment is very diversified: child games, dice games, travel games, strategy games, role-playing games, many other themes for board games, etc. For all ages! They focus on two main groups: complex strategy games and games for children from 3 to 7 years old. If you purchase online, the delivery costs are free starting from € 49,01 orders.

Please, go to their website to get more information such as address and what is currently available to be ordered online.

We checked briefly thei their online shop and it’s huge. They also offer many different filtering options to help you browse their products! Check it out and have some fun. There are categories based on age, product, language…

Even though they are a not so old store, they offer advices in purchasing products, something which is becoming more and more rare today. Between the “old times” toy stores and the newest ones, click here to understand it better. One sample of them, which doesn’t exist anymore: here.

Did you like this tip? Is it in your to-do list already? Let us know when are you planing to go there or the last time you have been there… By sending this post to someone who would love to find it out you help them and us at the same time.

The post Brettspielgeschäft Berlin: Local Alternatives to Shop Better first appeared on Product Cluster Blog.

Independently if you are a new parent or how old your child is, it’s definitely worth it to have a look. We like not only to promote but engage such local events. With less strict rules, it’s easier to find the right price for you. Specially, if your budget is child-size.

With some opportunities laying around, be sure to check the dates before driving to the event, as they may change regularly. Get ready, drive safe and enjoy the unique shop experience which is a flea market. Hereby we listed flea markets for toys and children in Hamburg and surroundings.

Flea Markets in Hamburg for Toys & Children

© Renate Messing

• Flohmarkt Eppendorf – Marie-Jonas-Platz
  Marie-Jonas-Platz 20249 Hamburg
  

• Modellbahn- und Spielzeugbörse Burg Seevetal Hittfeld
  Am Göhlenbach 11, 21218 Seevetal
  

• Kinderflohmarkt auf dem Tibarg
  Tibarg 21, 22459 Hamburg
  

• Kinderflohmarkt
  Bult 8, 21029 Hamburg
  

• Kids-Flohmarkt
  Schulhof der Schulen Am Heidberg, Tangstedter Landstr. 300, 22417 Hamburg

• Flohmarkt für Kinderkleidung und Spielzeug
  Loogepl. 14-16, 20249 Hamburg
  

• „Baby-Floh“ Baby- und Kinder-Ausstattungs-Flohmarkt
  2. Parkebene, Alte Holstenstraße 30, 21031 Hamburg
  

• Sortierter Kinderkleider- und Spielzeugmarkt
  Paul-Gerhardt-Kinderhaus, Friedrichsgaber Weg 319, 22846 Norderstedt
  

If you’re interested in local alternatives for shopping, you could have a look in our series.

Not just there, this post will be updated from time to time. Please, let us know in case something changed suddenly! Also feel welcome to write to us about other events of flea markets for toys and children, so we can update this series and others get to know about it.

Have you been to any of those flea markets listed? Share your experience with us, we’re sure that others will enjoy to know about it too!

Help others by telling them about this post, they’ll surely be happy to get this piece of information. Who doesn’t like to save some time? Hours in research for valid options would be spent!

The post Hamburg : Children Flea Market first appeared on Product Cluster Blog.

Let’s go to another trip? This time we may even go back in time! There’s a cute and quite unique store to visit in Berlin, which we recommend you to come by for local shopping while avoiding big corporations. Older than 70 years old, this store has been selling special items… Did you go there before? Keep on reading to find out more.

Heinsohn Spielwaren

Where to find special toys in a world full of trends and seasonal consumption, have you ever wondered? Perhaps you asked yourself at least once, if one could find something special, which not everyone is currently tired of seeing. Maybe you thought: what would the toys bought by parents decades ago look like?

Started on year 1951, Heinsohn Spielwaren focus has been on collector pieces since then. Countless treasures (toys) were presented and offered at the store. The store front passed to the owner’s children, so many years went by and yet there they stand.

Variety is also not a problem: model cars, locomotives, teddys, building sets, dolls, baby toys, etc. We’re certain that there is something for everyone! Collectors, babies, children and even parents! If you purchase online, the delivery costs are free starting from 30€ orders.

Please, go to their website to get more information such as address and what is currently available to be ordered online.

Several unique options are offered on their online shop. Due to the limited editions, some items may never come back. Feel free to try it out and have some fun.

The majority of their articles are offered in-person at their store; packed full with many items, just like the “old times” toy stores, click here to understand it better. One sample of them, which doesn’t exist anymore: here.

A view of the front, just in case, so we don’t miss it when walking by.

When are you planing to visit there? Have you been there already? Please help us by sending this post to someone who would love to find it out too…

The post Heinsohn Spielwaren : Local Alternatives to Shop Better first appeared on Product Cluster Blog.

Another day, another trip! What about visiting a local toy shop in München? Today’s recommendation for local shopping while avoiding big corporations has existed for a long time… Maybe you have even been there before? Without further speculations, let’s dive into it.

Kunst und Spiel

Focusing on sustainability and going on a path as far from toxic and cheap materials as possible, Kunst und Spiel sells exclusively german brands. On the other hand, they are very cautious to not sell anything containing plasticizers to customers.

Following a tradition, they cultivate the same values since their opening, on 1956, in München-Schwabing. It’s been a long time and they have not only always provided a special service but also constantly investing on and developing it. Currently the shop has 3 floors and many different spaces. They offer: custom advice, in-store product try-it before purchasing, several playground corners, birthday basket, creativity section, reading room and more!

The sortiment is very diversified: ball tracks, dolls, plushies, building blocks, board games, books, wood toys, etc. For all ages! Babies, toddlers, children and even adults! If you purchase online, the delivery costs are free starting from 50€ orders.

Please, go to their website to get more information such as address and what is currently available to be ordered online.

Their online shop is huge. Many different products, very nicely organized! Feel free to try it out and have some fun. There are categories based on age, product, hobby…

Between the “old times” toy stores and the newest ones, click here to understand it better. One sample of them, which doesn’t exist anymore: here.

Did you visit this shop already? If so, how was it? If not, when are you planing to go there? Please share it with us and help us by sending this post to someone who would love to find it out…

The post Kunst und Spiel : Local Alternatives to Shop Better first appeared on Product Cluster Blog.

Still not enough excuses? What about sustainability? Every single time you go for a product which isn’t brand new you force production to be reduced, especially if that is a habit of yours. Multiple it by the amount of people gathering in as many flea markets as possible and we get even more impact on industry yearly production rate.

Don’t forget to check their websites at least one day earlier to be sure that the event isn’t being cancelled due to the current restrictions of 2G rules and related issues. Thus, we shared each flea market name, website, address and location link on google maps.

Flea Markets in Stuttgart for Toys & Children

© Klaus-Peter Huschka

• Gemeindehalle Altbach (DLRG Ortsgruppe Altbach)
  Esslinger Straße 108, 73776 Altbach
  

• Kinderschutzbund Ortsverband Stuttgart
  Christophstraße 8, 70178 Stuttgart
  

• Kaltentaler Kinderkleider- und Spielzeugmarkt
  Schwarzwaldstraße 7, 70569 Stuttgart
  

• Kindersachenbasar Waldheim Stuttgart Möhringen
  Gewann im Weidach 8, 70567 Degerloch
  

• Sortierte Kinderbedarfsbörse
  Freiburgstraße 85, 73614 Schorndorf
  

• Kinderbasar Stuttgart – Weilimdorf
  Petershöfe 2, 74369 Löchgau
  

If you haven’t seen our series about local alternatives for shopping, we really recommend you to check it out too.

Not forgotten, we will be updating this post from time to time. Let us know whether something changed out of the sudden! Also be welcome to write to us about other flea markets for toys and children, so we can update this series and others get to know about it.

When are you going to any of those flea markets hereby listed? Please, let us know and whether you went there or not, share your experience with us.

We spent some hours researching valid options, please share this post with others so they can save some time as you just did!

The post Stuttgart : Children Flea Market first appeared on Product Cluster Blog.

Do you have a free day? You will certainly enjoy spending many hours inside today’s recommendation for shopping local while avoiding big corportations. Have you ever got lost indoors? Well, if you forget to pay attention at the directions you turn, while exploring the shop due to the huge variety of products, you may manage to get lost at the Spielzeug-Paradies Wagner. One of the biggest toy shops old fashioned style still existing in Germany.

Spielzeug-Paradies Wagner

Since 1983 and already beginning with the great area of 100 m², Spielzeug-Paradies Wagner has been bringing many options for toys. Meanwhile, it grew 10 times and its total area is 1000m², distributed over 2 floors.

Located in Bochum, their mission focuses on inspiring their customers through good advice, large variety, high-quality at affordable prices and local economy support. Let’s not forget… It is one of the last large family-run toy stores in NRW, maintaining the tradition of real stationary trade.

Between models and other toys, their variety really shows off with the many available product types such as: dolls, puzzles, books, audio, cars, plushies, adventure, outdoor, saison, etc. They offer free delivery costs starting from 50€ orders.

Please, go to their website to get more information such as address and what is currently available to be ordered online.

Yes, they have an online shop too! Feel free to check and have fun. It is very nicely organized by categories as well as departments (Toys, Models, Trains). 

Between the “old times” toy stores and the newest ones, click here to understand it better. One sample of them, which doesn’t exist anymore: here.

Tell us, did you go there already? If so, how was it? If not, when are you planing to go there? Please share it with us and help us by sending this post to someone who would love to discover it.

The post Spielzeug-Paradies Wagner : Local Alternatives to Shop Better first appeared on Product Cluster Blog.

Although those events don’t take place as often as one could wish for, it doesn’t get more sustainable than buying there. On the other hand, it’s always good to go local. Please, be aware that some events may be skipped or cancelled due to the current restrictions of 2G rules and related issues. That’s why we listed each flea market name, address, website and location link on google maps.

Flea Markets in Essen for Toys & Children

• Zeche Carl Kinderflohmarkt
  Wilhelm-Nieswandt-Allee 100, 45326 Essen

• Allbau Kinderflohmarkt
  Altenessener Markt, 45329 Essen

• Kinderflohmarkt des Fördervereins am grünen Turm in Essen
  Heisinger Straße 480, 45259 Essen

• Kinderflohmarkt Spielplatz Hattingswiese
  Hattingswiese, 45277 Essen

• Flohmarkt rund ums Kind
  Pfarrheim St. Josef, Heidbergweg 18b, 45257 Essen, Ruhr

If you haven’t seen our series about local alternatives for shopping, we really recommend you to check it out too.

This post will be kept updated, let us know if something changed out of our sight! Feel free to write to us about new flea markets for toys and children, so we can update this series and others get to know about it.

Have you been to any of those flea markets listed here before? Please, share your experience.

We spent some hours researching valid options, please share this post with others so they can save some time as you just did!

The post Essen : Children Flea Market first appeared on Product Cluster Blog.

Interesting to see the rising amount of imports towards Christmas time. Having the lowest amount in February to June, starting to double until November. Considering that due to Christmas Days the December is shortened by about 20%, we can estimate that December is a strong month, too. The January is usually used to exchange the money presents and vouchers under the Christmas Tree into goods.

The IT.NRW investigated the costs for the toys compared with the total consumer prices in 2021. It can be seen that the consumer prices had risen in a continuous manner, probably because the consumption of daily products is more or less constant over time, too. But it is interesting to see the old known economic correlation between supply and demand when looking at the toy market. Did you also feel this year that the news about a potential lack of toys for Christmas was with a bit of drama? We will see in the coming months whether it was justified and really some areas of the sales racks became or remained empty. In my mind, we did not suffer from quantities, but we suffered from the purchase price point of view. The correlation between the two graphs shows that in the time of low sales the products got cheaper by about 4%, but just in time for Christmas shopping, there we are at a plus of 4%. So there was a dynamic of 8% over the year. Sure, also 2021 was due to the pandemic an irregular year. Nevertheless, within Christmas time, some shops probably achieved profit.

Also interesting to see, where the Bavarian imports of the toys came from. Almost ¾ of imports were from the EU, 17.6% from China and 5.3% from the UK. Czechia and Poland had been the biggest importers. If you have ever visited Malta, you may be surprised that 6.8%, so 129 Mill. € were imported from that little island. It is somehow owed to Playmobil, which has a facility over there. When you have that little figure of Playmobil in your hand, it is quite sure it traveled from Malta into your home.

Imports of toys to Bavaria 2020 by country in percent

The Christmas tree informs which kind of toys had been imported to Bavaria. Please, feel invited to check below, whether your favorite toys may be mainly imported or not.

Could you imagine that one of the smallest members of the EU has such a big share in toy exports?
Could you find your favorite toy in our Christmas tree?
Please feel free to leave your comments.

The post Toys for Bavaria, A Short Delineation first appeared on Product Cluster Blog.