There is a huge market in childhood nostalgia. You could choose to specialise in childhood favourites, including children’s books and annuals such as Noddy or Rupert the Bear. This is a good area either for a specialist or general dealer.
What is a childhood favourite? These include any items from your childhood, whether you are 8 or 80. They could be characters from your favourite books, films, TV, cartoons or comic strips. These are just few of the firm favourites worth stocking:
The Magic Roundabout
Noddy and Friends
Rupert
Alice in Wonderland
Beatrix Potter
Winnie the Pooh (original and Disney)
Mabel Lucy Attwel
Mr. Ben
Bonzo
Disney (especially Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Bambi, Dumbo & Donald Duck)
Muffin the Mule
Pinky and Perky
Snoopy
Sooty
Wind in The Willows/Toad of Toad Hall
Barbie/Sindy and Action Man
Paddington Bear
Steiff Bears and Animals
Merrythought Ltd.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Thomas the Tank Engine
A-Team
Dr. Who
The list goes on and on. A look around the shops will tell you that it’s the 30-something generation that currently benefits the most from the nostalgia. The real children’s favourites are those made at the time which capture the innocence of childhood.