2011 ? ~ Schleich Company ~ Masters of Suspense ~

Schleichzoo wrote:

Thanks for your message, it is well written and clear and logical to understand. I totally agree with you. In regards to the Safari Indian Rhino for 2011 where did you hear this? I would like to see what they bring about?..

Thanks for appreciation, Numaan!
As to the new Safari stuff, it's been discussed [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] - haven't you seen it?

Sincerely,Safari ltd. didn't impress me too much this year.We are all hoping that Papo and Schleich will come out with something GREAT!

PS:I have a vague feeling that we will see 3 Indian rhinos next year! :)

Wildheart wrote:

Sincerely,Safari ltd. didn't impress me too much this year.

Really? I thought the Safari Kudu and Indian Rhino were fantastic!

Wildheart wrote:

Sincerely,Safari ltd. didn't impress me too much this year.We are all hoping that Papo and Schleich will come out with something GREAT!

PS:I have a vague feeling that we will see 3 Indian rhinos next year! :)

Of course we are hoping good things from Schleich and Papo in 2011.

As far as I am concerned, I hope they will be able to reach the quality of the 2011 Safari models which already impressed me a lot

Maybe we will see three Indian rhino, and maybe, like the 2010 tapirs, Safari will win the race

Kiryuha wrote:

Hi, everyone!
As I’ve already mentioned earlier, I’ve got a hypothesis about Schleich production plans that doesn’t come out of my mind. Of course, I may be totally wrong, but I’d like to discuss my guesswork with you. There’s pretty much of text, but the topic is very interesting. :)
This is what is boiling in my head. Needless to say that my thoughts might be misguided, but I find my guesses quite rational :) Nevertheless, only a few months or even weeks are left until we know the truth.
I’d appreciate your opinions about my hypothesis, friends.

Well Kiryl, we just have to wait a few months, weeks and we will see...

Your idea is logic, IMHO, for a collector mind but I'm not sure Schleich will follow this. I don't know.

The african animals are the children favourite and It matters for every company.

Schleich had already the asian elephants, the tigers, the tapir, the yak and the pandas.

I agree they could produce an Indian rhino, because they need a new model. I understand the black panther choice because it is a very appealing animal. And of course, they need a good orang-utan to compete with the new Papo. The tapir cub ? Why not ! Schleich is on a mom-dad-baby mood.

Ok... But it is not a wave. What Asian model they could produce with a great chance to sold a lot ? I don't know... Asian fauna is more risky than African or even European fauna. I'm not sure Schleich is on a "risky" strategy now like in the late 1990's and early 2000's.

About the 2011 tapirs, I still don't know. This kind of coïncidence often happens in real life : When you choose a first name for your baby, you are often sure you found the most sweet and original first name. After a couple of years, you suddenly discover that a lot of people chose the same name at the same moment, just a mood.
Ok, in a companies competition, it's probably more than a mood.

About the African line, there are big holes in the Schleich's production.

You are right about the lack of gorilla. Papo, Safari and CollectA have their own. Will Schleich let the market place for the other companies ? Not sure... I guess gorillas are a good investment :) .
But it's the same with the Cape buffalo, Schleich is the only Major which can't sold one now...
And what about a Kudu (or maybe a bongo ). The only one on the place is the Papo but we already know Safari will compete next year with his lesser kudu. What will do Schleich ? If striped antelopes are a hit, they could make one.
Let's talk about the hippo. It is an old and very small model. maybe they will make a better one ?

Well, here are a few things I got in mind. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe you are wrong... And maybe we are wrong

It doesn't matter, because thinking about new things are always very good.

Schleichzoo wrote:

Kiryuha wrote:

Hi, everyone!

This is what is boiling in my head. Needless to say that my thoughts might be misguided, but I find my guesses quite rational :) Nevertheless, only a few months or even weeks are left until we know the truth.
I’d appreciate your opinions about my hypothesis, friends.

Thanks for your message, it is well written and clear and logical to understand. I totally agree with you. In regards to the Safari Indian Rhino for 2011 where did you hear this? I would like to see what they bring about?

Perhaps Schleich is going to move towards more Asian and Australasian/South American animals and Papo and Safari will continue with their African ranges?

It seems Papo has already made some Asiatic animals. Maybe we could see some elephants, or will they let the market for Safari and Schleich ?

About Safari they have the widest range of Asian and Australasian/South American animals of the four SSPC.

Thanks for your comment, Kiki!

Kikimalou wrote:

Schleich had already the asian elephants, the tigers, the tapir, the yak and the pandas.
I agree they could produce an Indian rhino, because they need a new model. I understand the black panther choice because it is a very appealing animal. And of course, they need a good orang-utan to compete with the new Papo...
Ok... But it is not a wave. What Asian model they could produce with a great chance to sold a lot ? I don't know...

Currently Schleich is offering only 13 Asian animals (or 17 if we count the white tigers). That's incomparable to the vast African line-up (there are 44, not 41 African figures, as I wrote above, - I forgot the older ostrich and the dromedars).
So there's a place for at least 5 new Asian figures, or maybe even up to ten. And additional shelf space could be made if Schleich retired some outdated African figures (older rhino and ostrich, for example).
As to the Asian species that could become best-sellers, I'm sure there are worthy candidates: gaur, reticulated python (world's longest reptile!), blackbuck, gibbons, orangutans, axis deer, nilgai, great hornbill... Don't you agree?

Kikimalou wrote:

About the African line, there are big holes in the Schleich's production.
You are right about the lack of gorilla. Papo, Safari and CollectA have their own. Will Schleich let the market place for the other companies ? Not sure... I guess gorillas are a good investment :) .
But it's the same with the Cape buffalo, Schleich is the only Major which can't sold one now...
And what about a Kudu (or maybe a bongo ). The only one on the place is the Papo but we already know Safari will compete next year with his lesser kudu. What will do Schleich ? If striped antelopes are a hit, they could make one.
Let's talk about the hippo. It is an old and very small model. maybe they will make a better one?

I think that gorillas are the only popular African animals that Schleich doesn't make. Cause about the other common and well-known savannah species - buffalos, hyenas, baboons, marabous - I'm not sure they're loved and demanded by kids, you know what I mean?
Moreover, I think that harsh competition in buffalos, gorillas, hippos and kudus plays deterrent role for Schleich - why should they enter these overcrowded market niches if they could make smth fresh and outstanding instead?

Kiryuha wrote:

Thanks for your comment, Kiki!
Currently Schleich is offering only 13 Asian animals (or 17 if we count the white tigers). That's incomparable to the vast African line-up (there are 44, not 41 African figures, as I wrote above, - I forgot the older ostrich and the dromedars).
So there's a place for at least 5 new Asian figures, or maybe even up to ten. And additional shelf space could be made if Schleich retired some outdated African figures (older rhino and ostrich, for example).
As to the Asian species that could become best-sellers, I'm sure there are worthy candidates: gaur, reticulated python (world's longest reptile!), blackbuck, gibbons, orangutans, axis deer, nilgai, great hornbill... Don't you agree?

I think that gorillas are the only popular African animals that Schleich doesn't make. Cause about the other common and well-known savannah species - buffalos, hyenas, baboons, marabous - I'm not sure they're loved and demanded by kids, you know what I mean?
Moreover, I think that harsh competition in buffalos, gorillas, hippos and kudus plays deterrent role for Schleich - why should they enter these overcrowded market niches if they could make smth fresh and outstanding instead?

Of course it's incomparable to the African line-up. But, just think of what kind of animals kids can see on TV, for example : Nothing is comparable to the African fauna. How many childs have seen a gnu, a Cape buffalo, an antelope or hippos on TVshows ? And how many have ever heard about a gaur, a blackbuck, an axis deer or a nilgaï ?
Again, I don't speak about baboons or marabu storks, I speak about well known animals that other major companies produced.
Why should Schleich enter overcrowded market niches if they could make something fresh and outstanding ?
Kiryl, seriously, are you speaking about Schleich or about a German company you dreamed about ?
Schleich is in the overcrowded market : 4 zebras ! 3 chimps ! 3 African elephants ( and 3 asiatic too) ! 3 black rhinos ! 3 cheetahs ! 4 giraffes ! 3 kangaroos ! 3 warthogs...
Making something fresh and oustanding ? 10 years ago, Schleich made something fresh and outstanding, anteater, armadillo, oryx, kudu, Cape buffalo, baboons, muskox, elephant seal, beluga, manatee, narwal, reindeer, desmatosuchus, sauropelta, ouranosaurus, shonisaurus, kronosaurus, 1:12 birds... But it was a long time ago.
What we have seen really outstanding in 2010 wildlife ? 3 warthogs and a yak and I'm not sure we can say they are really outstanding.
I will not speak about the tapir because it is already an overcrowded market ( I've got 4 different 2010 tapirs...)
What about dinosaurs ? One... Only one ! And a giganatosaurus, like the 2010 Bullyland one and the 2009 Carnegie...
Forest life : Wolverine, beaver, otter, pine marder, badger, skunk ? No, moose, moose, moose, lynx, lynx, racoon, raccons...
I'm sorry but I really think Schleich is no longer on the fresh and oustanding way, the choice of this company is maybe to become the king of the overcrowded market, not the one who find new paths.
We can love or dislike their models but the companies who try now to do something fresh and outstanding are Safari and CollectA. Maybe because it's the only way to survive to the Schleich steamroller.

Very nice posting here!!!
I understand Kiryhua, is making an exercise mixing what would like to see and what expect.
But it seems that i all Europe is like in Portugal.
More than 90% of market is Schleich. Are Schleich everywhere! There are some little shops selling Papo, CollectA or Safari. Sometimes we see Schleich shops selling other brands but only the animals that are not in Schleich catalogue.
Certainly what Schleich will produces it's what it is expecting to sell. And children are the big market for these brands and not collectors.
So Kiki is right! Maybe more families, more different poses for best selling animals. Cubs are nice for children and help the brand to sell adultes.
Cause gorillas are very popular for boys, maybe we'll have some!

Well, as far as I'm concerned, the more African animals the better for me!
since I collect only animals of the African Savannah (not even Congo animals like the okapi and gorilla). The Savannah is my greatest passion!

Roger wrote:

Very nice posting here!!!
I understand Kiryhua, is making an exercise mixing what would like to see and what expect.
But it seems that i all Europe is like in Portugal.
More than 90% of market is Schleich. Are Schleich everywhere! There are some little shops selling Papo, CollectA or Safari. Sometimes we see Schleich shops selling other brands but only the animals that are not in Schleich catalogue.
Certainly what Schleich will produces it's what it is expecting to sell. And children are the big market for these brands and not collectors.
So Kiki is right! Maybe more families, more different poses for best selling animals. Cubs are nice for children and help the brand to sell adultes.
Cause gorillas are very popular for boys, maybe we'll have some!

Maybe alas, I am right... I would prefer Kiryhua is right

Maybe alas, I am right... I would prefer Kiryhua is right [/quote]

Me too!!!

A very interesting discussion is being rolled out here, guys!
First of all, I have a few comments to the Christophe's post:

Kikimalou wrote:

Of course it's incomparable to the African line-up. But, just think of what kind of animals kids can see on TV, for example : Nothing is comparable to the African fauna. How many childs have seen a gnu, a Cape buffalo, an antelope or hippos on TVshows ? And how many have ever heard about a gaur, a blackbuck, an axis deer or a nilgaï ?.....
I'm sorry but I really think Schleich is no longer on the fresh and oustanding way, the choice of this company is maybe to become the king of the overcrowded market, not the one who find new paths.

Yes, I agree. But they need to update their line-up every year, and well-known African species are not endless - that's what can make them turn to fresh solutions.
On the other hand, producing "zoogeographical" line-ups could also be an economically rational marketing step. For example, a kid has plenty of tigers and he might think of playing "Indian jungle". So he needs a prey for the tigers, he would love to have a python, some Indian monkeys and so on.
I think that not only "dad-mom-cub" animal gropus could be sales drivers, but zoogeographical groups too. Don't you agree?

Kikimalou wrote:

Schleich is in the overcrowded market : 4 zebras ! 3 chimps ! 3 African elephants ( and 3 asiatic too) ! 3 black rhinos ! 3 cheetahs ! 4 giraffes ! 3 kangaroos ! 3 warthogs...

BUT they still offer a non-competitive hippo, and they don't produce gorillas and orangutans - all of these are popular animals, but competition is heavy, esp. with hippos.

Kikimalou wrote:

Forest life: Wolverine, beaver, otter, pine marder, badger, skunk ? No, moose, moose, moose, lynx, lynx, racoon, raccons...
What we have seen really outstanding in 2010 wildlife ? 3 warthogs and a yak and I'm not sure we can say they are really outstanding.

Well, the yak is fresh and oustanding to my mind. And no other brand is offering lynx and warthogs that are close to Schleich's in quality.

Kiryuha wrote:

Kikimalou wrote:

Of course it's incomparable to the African line-up. But, just think of what kind of animals kids can see on TV, for example : Nothing is comparable to the African fauna. How many childs have seen a gnu, a Cape buffalo, an antelope or hippos on TVshows ? And how many have ever heard about a gaur, a blackbuck, an axis deer or a nilgaï ?.....
I'm sorry but I really think Schleich is no longer on the fresh and oustanding way, the choice of this company is maybe to become the king of the overcrowded market, not the one who find new paths.

Yes, I agree. But they need to update their line-up every year, and well-known African species are not endless - that's what can make them turn to fresh solutions.
On the other hand, producing "zoogeographical" line-ups could also be an economically rational marketing step. For example, a kid has plenty of tigers and he might think of playing "Indian jungle". So he needs a prey for the tigers, he would love to have a python, some Indian monkeys and so on.
I think that not only "dad-mom-cub" animal gropus could be sales drivers, but zoogeographical groups too. Don't you agree?

, I remember my nephew who played with his Schleich giraffe and lion... The giraffe hunted the lion.. found it.. and crushed the lion with her long long legs

Yes Kiryl, they need to update their lines-ups and well known African species are not endless. Asian well known species are not endless too : tigers, elephants, tapirs, yak, orang-utan, black panther.... .... Species like the ones you said are unknown from a lot of people indeed.
Even kids who know what is a python probably don't know this animal is Asiatic.

Kiryuha wrote:

Kikimalou wrote:

Schleich is in the overcrowded market : 4 zebras ! 3 chimps ! 3 African elephants ( and 3 asiatic too) ! 3 black rhinos ! 3 cheetahs ! 4 giraffes ! 3 kangaroos ! 3 warthogs...

BUT they still offer a non-competitive hippo, and they don't produce gorillas and orangutans - all of these are popular animals, but competition is heavy, esp. with hippos.

YES ! So maybe we will see soon a new hippo, a gorilla family and an orang-utan

I can't wait...

Kikimalou wrote:

, I remember my nephew who played with his Schleich giraffe and lion... The giraffe hunted the lion.. found it.. and crushed the lion with her long long legs

Maybe parents of such kids should use animal figurines to educate their children a bit in zoology?

Kikimalou wrote:

Yes Kiryl, they need to update their lines-ups and well known African species are not endless. Asian well known species are not endless too : tigers, elephants, tapirs, yak, orang-utan, black panther.... .... Species like the ones you said are unknown from a lot of people indeed.
Even kids who know what is a python probably don't know this animal is Asiatic.

Why do you think that yak is a well-known animal? And Malayan tapir?
And gaur and hornbills look very spectacular - they could easily attract buyers who don't know what species these are.

Kiryuha wrote:

Kikimalou wrote:

Forest life: Wolverine, beaver, otter, pine marder, badger, skunk ? No, moose, moose, moose, lynx, lynx, racoon, raccons...
What we have seen really outstanding in 2010 wildlife ? 3 warthogs and a yak and I'm not sure we can say they are really outstanding.

Well, the yak is fresh and oustanding to my mind. And no other brand is offering lynx and warthogs that are close to Schleich's in quality.

Kiryl, I know we have things in common, excepting we are wild animals collectors of course : We like to choose carefully our models and spend time to dream about the next one.
So you will not be disappointed to heard that I don't bought all the 2010 Shleich animals... But I bought the yak, the three warthogs and the tapir ! They were the most outstanding of the 2010 Schleich's batch. But you can agree that a Nilgai or a gaur would be VERY outstanding. That's what I ment.

About quality : in this discussion I think it doesn't matter.

First, we are collectors with collector minds : We are all obsess about quality and oustanding things. Our standart of quality are very very high, we are experts.
And, as specialists, we can have different point of views : I still don't bought the Schleich lynx because I still prefer my Papo.

Schleich, and the other companies, are not working for experts, they try to sell to sellers who try to seel these products to family who have enough money to buy them for their kids.

Who are those sellers ? A few are web shops and are able to sale all the products of all the companies but, again, I don't think it is the BIG market.
The big market are toy's shops and zoo or museum shops. the displays are nearly always near the checkout where kids have enough time to ask you for a model because you have to queue. If the kid wants a giraffe, it doesn't matter for the parents if it is a Schleich, a CollectA, a Papo or a Safari... They have the same quality level. We are the only ones on earth who can discuss which one is the best, other adults don't care.
So for the companies, the important thing is to be there : A wonderful display near the checkout ! With some light if it's possible, no chance to miss them !
This is their big problem because they have to convince the seller to buy their line. I don't know any place where I can find more than two companies at the same shop.
For example... And I think I'm lucky... Around my city :
One shop is only selling Schleich (all the brands)
two shops are only selling Papo ( all the brands)
One is selling some Papo
Five are selling schleich and Papo ( nearly all the brands )
two are selling some CollectA and Bullyland.
At twenty minutes car driving from home, in Belgium, one shop sell some bullyland and AAA.
And.. None of them are selling Safari.

In the zoo shops around ( in Belgium)
Two are selling mostly schleich and some Papo or CollectA. for example, the Papo gorilla, buffalo and Hippo, the CollectA Bison and elephants.
One is selling some AAA and Safari ( and no Schleich) because they have a lot of birds in the zoo .

I don't know how it is in the rest of the world, but it could be interresting to know.

At least, for the European companies, here is the battlefield : The checkout.
The competition between Papo and Schleich ( and maybe the others of course) Is on the overcrowed market.
Schleich makes an Okapi, then Papo makes an okapi.
Schleich makes two meerkats, then Papo makes three meekats, then Schleich makes meerkats babies.
Papo makes a new crocodile, then Schleich makes a new crocodile.
Papo makes new style of dinos, raising the detail level very high, then Schleich changes his dino lines to compete with Papo.
So why not a gorilla, a cape buffalo or an Orang-utan ?
Alas I would not bet on a nilgai or a gaur...
But, ok, sometimes life is full of surprise so... We will see.

Kiryuha wrote:

Kikimalou wrote:

, I remember my nephew who played with his Schleich giraffe and lion... The giraffe hunted the lion.. found it.. and crushed the lion with her long long legs

Maybe parents of such kids should use animal figurines to educate their children a bit in zoology?

I spent a lot of time teaching him... But he prefered his way

Kiryuha wrote:

Kikimalou wrote:

Yes Kiryl, they need to update their lines-ups and well known African species are not endless. Asian well known species are not endless too : tigers, elephants, tapirs, yak, orang-utan, black panther.... .... Species like the ones you said are unknown from a lot of people indeed.
Even kids who know what is a python probably don't know this animal is Asiatic.

Why do you think that yak is a well-known animal? And Malayan tapir?
And gaur and hornbills look very spectacular - they could easily attract buyers who don't know what species these are.

Yaks are better known because... Do you heard about Tibet and the Dalaï lama ? What is the emblematic animal of tibet ? Alas not the takin

Malayan tapir ? When at least three major companies, the biggest indeed, produced a tapir the same year, it means tapirs are better known that we imagine ! No doubt

Believe me, if those three companies produced three new nilgaï in 2011 or 2012, I will write a thousand time : Kiryuha is a great soothsayer !

I can't wait...again...
Sorry,it's all I can say besides your great remarks!

Uh, I like your eagerness to discuss this topic, Kiki! So, let's go on.
I agree with most of the things you say, but not with everything.

Kikimalou wrote:

So you will not be disappointed to hear that I don't bought all the 2010 Schleich
animals... But I bought the yak, the three warthogs and the tapir ! They were
the most outstanding of the 2010 Schleich's batch...

Will you be disappointed to hear that I haven't bought all the 2010 Schleich wild
animals as well? :) Or that I've even bought only a couple of them: adult
warthogs and moose buck. Lynx, tapir and moose cow are next on my buying list.
And I still haven't bought the yak cause it is painted as a domestic form...

Kikimalou wrote:

I don't know how it is in the rest of the world, but it could be interresting to know.

In Ukraine only Schleich is widely availbale, and some stores sell ELC and Safari toobs. Papo and Bullyland wildlife are VERY rare guests here, and there's no Safari Wildlife and CollectA (although Safari was on sale about 3 years ago). And in Kiev zoo there's no Schleich, only low-end Chinese stuff.

Kikimalou wrote:

At least, for the European companies, ... The competition between Papo and Schleich ( and maybe the others of course) Is on the overcrowed market...
So why not a gorilla, a cape buffalo or an Orang-utan?

OK, you convinced me. I kinda begin to expect to see gorilla, buffalo and orangutan from Schleich soon.

Kikimalou wrote:

I'm sorry but I really think Schleich is no longer on the fresh and oustanding way, the choice of this company is maybe to become the king of the overcrowded market, not the one who find new paths.

I understand it, but try not to think about it 'cause it makes me upset. :) :)

Kikimalou wrote:

Yaks are better known because... Do you heard about Tibet and the Dalaï lama ? What is the emblematic animal of tibet ? Alas not the takin
Malayan tapir ? When at least three major companies, the biggest indeed, produced a tapir the same year, it means tapirs are better known that we imagine ! No doubt

Hmm, I don't treat Tibet and Dalaï lama as things that matter when it comes to wildlife. :)
As to the Malayan tapirs, the only reason we see so many of them in shops, IMHO, is that this species is rather widespread in European and US zoos. Am I right?

Kikimalou wrote:

Believe me, if those three companies produced three new nilgaï in 2011 or 2012, I will write a thousand time : Kiryuha is a great soothsayer !

Well, I haven't predicted that we'll see a nilgai figurine anytime soon.
But you're welcome to write a thousand times "Kiryuha is a great soothsayer" if Schleich introduces Indian rhino with a calf in 2011, or if among the new Schleich stuff there'll be more new Asian than African animals. OK?

Wildheart wrote:

Sorry,it's all I can say besides your great remarks!

Why? I'll be glad to know your vision of the situation.