Hornby on track for a bumper Christmas bumps up toy stocks
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Hornby heading for a super Christmas with a stock of train sets, Scalextric cars and Airfix models
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Model train maker Hornby is pinning his hopes on Christmas and has ramped up toy stocks.
Last year’s supply chain issues prevented products from arriving after the holiday season, disappointing customers desperate for train sets, Scalextric cars and Airfix model airplanes.
But Lyndon Davies, Hornby’s boss, says it is in a stronger position. He said: “Shipments from our factories are 40 percent ahead of last year.
Crunch time: Analysts say Hornby needs a good Christmas, after losing £2.9m in the six months to September 30 compared to a loss of £700,000 a year earlier
“We are still affected by late departure dates, but costs are not back to pre-Covid levels.” He warned inflation could still dampen performance and declined to forecast full-year results.
In September, he said the industry could weather the economic storm if shoppers “look for comfort.”
Sir Rod Stewart unveiled his own model railway set in 2019, which he has worked on for 26 years.
Other well-known enthusiasts are Tom Hanks, Jools Holland and broadcaster Anne Diamond.
Hornby lost £2.9 million in the six months to 30 September, compared to a loss of £700,000 a year earlier.