Picaflor, organiser of the kids’ fashion and lifestyle trade shows Playtime Paris, Playtime Shanghai and Playtime New York, will conduct itself as a non-profit business this season to help support the industry’s survival during the Covid-19 crisis.

In a statement, the event organiser says: “We are aware that this choice is placing us at risk, but aren’t we all at risk at the moment?” We are living in exceptional times. We have never experienced anything like this in the past – and no one can say exactly what the results will be.

“At this point, we know that almost all businesses will suffer from it; that many retailers will have to face at least two months without business; and that some brands will not be paid for deliveries already made, nor will they be able to pay their suppliers. It is evident from this point onward that almost all sectors of the economy will be impacted.

Numerous brands have already signed up for the trade shows’ next editions.

“We have decided after much deliberating that in good conscience, we cannot accept that a business would profit from the losses being felt by everyone else as we suffer through these exceptional times.

“Playtime is a small family business that has always been devoted to all the individuals in this profession – and a small business has a soul. Perhaps this is the time to reach out even further to each other? Engage in a new type of relationship in which we don’t just work as individual entities, but rather all together as parts of a whole?

“For all these reasons, we have decided to conduct ourselves this season as a non-profit business. We are making this choice so that everyone can survive through this period; and we will continue to support it until the economy is stable again.”

The strategy

Picaflor is offering a discount of 20-25% on all booths at Playtime Paris and New York. For Shanghai, it is working on financial help for international exhibitors who must travel. There is also a 50% discount on a subscription to the Playtime digital platform.

Furthermore, there will be a redirection of all of the company’s financial efforts to the promotion of brands; before, during and after the shows. This includes products sold on Playtime’s digital platform. Finally, Picaflor is also negotiating for lower prices from its suppliers that offer their services at the shows.

In a closing statement, the company says; “We are determined to do our part. We hope that you will all work with us to maintain this industry in a truly ‘collective survival mode’.”

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