2011 ? ~ Schleich Company ~ Masters of Suspense ~

Hemiplegic means half of your body is paralysed, the left or the right part

Kiryuha wrote:

Kikimalou wrote:

How much can they expand this lineup ? They could extand that line-up with 9 more models... Or 17 more models. Where is the problem ? ...The answer doesn't change anything about the size of the displays near the checkout .

Nevertheless, Schleich has branded store shelves and racks, and they are limited in space. If there is a place for, say, 80 wild animal figures, could 70 of them be African? It'll be a striking disproportion.

A disproportion for collectors like us. But for kids I don't know.

46 models, 17 species... it seems disproportion is not a problem for Schleich

Kikimalou wrote:

I agree we are talking about your hypothesis of the end of the African dominance among the newly introduced figures.
And my question is the same : 3 years African dominance ? Are you sure it is not a 9 years African dominance ? Or maybe a forever dominance ?
Do you remember when Schleich began the African dominance among new figures ? Only three years ago, or six, nine, or maybe since the 1990's ?

I had to refer to statistics to explain my vision of the dominance issue.
So, here we go - what new Schleich introduced each year since 2002: :)
- 2002:
2 African figures, 3 European, 2 S.American, 1 Australian. Africa = 25%
- 2003:
3 African figures, 4 European, 3 Asian, 5 N.American, 3 S.American.. Africa = 16%
- 2004:
6 African figures, 4 European, 4 Asian, 4 N.American, 2 S.American.. Africa = 30%
- 2005:
4 African figures, 3 European, 3 Asian (+3 white tigers), 3 N.American. Africa = 30%
- 2006:
- 3 African figures, 2 Arctic. Africa = 60%
- 2007:
6 African figures, 2 European, 1 S.American, 1 N.American. Africa = 60%
- 2008:
6 African figures, 3 European, 4 Asian (excluding white tigers). Africa = 46%
- 2009:
15 African figures, 2 European, 1 N.American, 1 S.American, 1 Australian. Africa = 75%
- 2010:
6 African figures, 7 European, 5 N.American, 2 Asian, 2 Australian, 2 Antarctic, 1 S.American. Africa = 24%

The African surge in 2006-2009 is obvious after mediocre 16-30% in 2002-2005. Can't it be called an "African wave"?
And 2010 looks like a transition year. Schleich store shelves already have plenty of African animals, almost all the "popular" African species are covered... Than what's next?
If we accept the hypothesis of the "wave approach", what kind of wave should be the next, may I ask?
N.American wave? On one hand, Schleich is not Safari, on the other hand - Schleich wants to conquer N. American market and leave Safari behind. But I don't think there'll be a significant N. American surge...
European wave? No need in this as the number of European figures in Schleich lineup is steady and pretty large over the years.
S. American wave? There are no signs of it. Schleich had a small white-cap of such a wave in 2003, when they released armadillo, jaguar and ant-eater. But since then the S. American theme is miserable.
Australia? Their fauna has too few well-known and appealing species.
Asian wave? First, we saw the tapir and yak in 2010 - they could be the forerunners. Second, Schleich lineup definitely lacks Indian rhinos and orangutans. Third, I still can't forget those notorious rumors about gaur and other muntjaks...

Kikimalou wrote:

Kiryuha wrote:

Nevertheless, Schleich has branded store shelves and racks, and they are limited in space. If there is a place for, say, 80 wild animal figures, could 70 of them be African? It'll be a striking disproportion.

A disproportion for collectors like us. But for kids I don't know.

For kids as well!
Kids aren't fond of the African savannah only (like one of the forum members ) One day they want to play Africa, another day - Arctica, one time they're recreating adventures in a forest of their country (i.e. Europe and N. America), another day they'll want to play "Jungle book" and ask their parents to buy them an Indian python and black panther!!! Or a cobra and a mongoose, after having watched the cartoon about Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

I loved the Jungle book!I guess many children feel the same way!

Kiryuha wrote:

I had to refer to statistics to explain my vision of the dominance issue.
So, here we go - what new Schleich introduced each year since 2002: :)
- 2002:
2 African figures, 3 European, 2 S.American, 1 Australian. Africa = 25%
- 2003:
3 African figures, 4 European, 3 Asian, 5 N.American, 3 S.American.. Africa = 16%
- 2004:
6 African figures, 4 European, 4 Asian, 4 N.American, 2 S.American.. Africa = 30%
- 2005:
4 African figures, 3 European, 3 Asian (+3 white tigers), 3 N.American. Africa = 30%
- 2006:
- 3 African figures, 2 Arctic. Africa = 60%
- 2007:
6 African figures, 2 European, 1 S.American, 1 N.American. Africa = 60%
- 2008:
6 African figures, 3 European, 4 Asian (excluding white tigers). Africa = 46%
- 2009:
15 African figures, 2 European, 1 N.American, 1 S.American, 1 Australian. Africa = 75%
- 2010:
6 African figures, 7 European, 5 N.American, 2 Asian, 2 Australian, 2 Antarctic, 1 S.American. Africa = 24%

The African surge in 2006-2009 is obvious after mediocre 16-30% in 2002-2005. Can't it be called an "African wave"?
And 2010 looks like a transition year. Schleich store shelves already have plenty of African animals, almost all the "popular" African species are covered... Than what's next?
If we accept the hypothesis of the "wave approach", what kind of wave should be the next, may I ask?
N.American wave? On one hand, Schleich is not Safari, on the other hand - Schleich wants to conquer N. American market and leave Safari behind. But I don't think there'll be a significant N. American surge...
European wave? No need in this as the number of European figures in Schleich lineup is steady and pretty large over the years.
S. American wave? There are no signs of it. Schleich had a small white-cap of such a wave in 2003, when they released armadillo, jaguar and ant-eater. But since then the S. American theme is miserable.
Australia? Their fauna has too few well-known and appealing species.
Asian wave? First, we saw the tapir and yak in 2010 - they could be the forerunners. Second, Schleich lineup definitely lacks Indian rhinos and orangutans. Third, I still can't forget those notorious rumors about gaur and other muntjaks...

So, what about the hypothesis of the wave approach ? From 2006 to 2009 we can see an "African wave" if you like. But before ? What was the wave before the "African wave" ? the "everything from everywhere" wave ? the only wave we can see is the "African wave", it doesn't mean there will be a different wave in 2011.
Maybe the reason why Schleich made more unusual wild animals from different continents was nearly the same than CollectA now. Schleich wanted to be everywhere in the early 2000's... It's not the problem now I think.
So maybe there is no wave, just a different strategy for a different company ?

If we accept the hypothesis of the "wave approach", what kind of wave should be the next ?

European wave ? Why not ! I'm sorry but the European fauna line-up is not steady. Only 15 animals and 8 species...
No ibex, no wild boars, no chamois, no beaver (Safari, Papo and CollectA offer one) and I don't speak about a wisent, a fallow deer or a przewalski horse.. Also the red deer is not really up to date...

American wave ? If you think the tapir and yak are the 2010 forerunners of the Asian wave, we could say the two 2009 wolves were the forerunners of the american wave which is the bigger batch of 2010. You must remember Schleich makes no differences between south and north America. The bison is an old model (Papo and CollectA made one in 2009 and 2010). Where is the puma and cub ? And , again, a beaver family ? reindeeer ?

A jungle book wave ? No tapir then, no gaur, no muntjak, no Indian rhino and no yak BUT langur, orang-utan, black panther, bear, wolves tigers and... A python.

Hey, do you belive it. I've just made another list

The "Wave Approach"..... Then would that include the American Frontier Wave, Medieval Wave, and Fantasy Wave, [or would they be considered Themes"?] the Farm Yard Wave, the African Savanah/Animal Hospital Wave...as they also have buildings. All of these have buildings - Indian Teepee and settlers wagon, Farm barn and fences, African Animal Hospital and fences, Medieval Castle and tents, Fantasy houses and Oracle. Schleich seems to be continuing to design new figures for the Medieval Wave, and animals for the African Savanah/Animal Hospital Wave, new Fantasy figures as well. Maybe they will come out with and Arctic or AntArctica Wave and design Igloos and Eskimo people hunting or even a dogsled??? Kids would have fun with that! That would be cool!

Kikimalou wrote:

...From 2006 to 2009 we can see an "African wave" if you like. But before ? What was the wave before the "African wave" ? the "everything from everywhere" wave ? the only wave we can see is the "African wave", it doesn't mean there will be a different wave in 2011.

Before there were no waves. I assume that somewhere around 2007 they embraced a new production strategy, and we saw its results in 2009-2010 - the advance in quantity is obvious, changes in the painting approach too, stronger focus on "mom-dad-kid' sets and - clear dominance of one continent.

Kikimalou wrote:

Maybe the reason why Schleich made more unusual wild animals from different continents was nearly the same than CollectA now. Schleich wanted to be everywhere in the early 2000's... It's not the problem now I think.
So maybe there is no wave, just a different strategy for a different company ?

That's right. But it doesn't contradict with the wave approach in my eyes. :)

Kikimalou wrote:

European wave ? Why not ! I'm sorry but the European fauna line-up is not steady. Only 15 animals and 8 species...
No ibex, no wild boars, no chamois, no beaver (Safari, Papo and CollectA offer one) and I don't speak about a wisent, a fallow deer or a przewalski horse.. Also the red deer is not really up to date...

I mean that European animals were always present in decent numbers among the new Schleich stuff. Since 2002 not less than two European figures were introduced each year except the strange "recessed" 2006. At the same time, in 2002, 2006, 2007 & 2009 no new Asian figures were released.

Kikimalou wrote:

American wave ? If you think the tapir and yak are the 2010 forerunners of the Asian wave, we could say the two 2009 wolves were the forerunners of the american wave which is the bigger batch of 2010...

No, I can't name new wolves or mooses forerunners as these are only the remakes of older models. While tapir and yak are absolutely new species for Schleich. As well as the racoon, but my hypothesis is about the "Asian wave", so I don't call the raccoons forerunners too :)

Suebeedo wrote:

The "Wave Approach"..... Then would that include the American Frontier Wave, Medieval Wave, and Fantasy Wave, [or would they be considered Themes"?] the Farm Yard Wave, the African Savanah/Animal Hospital Wave...as they also have buildings. All of these have buildings - Indian Teepee and settlers wagon, Farm barn and fences, African Animal Hospital and fences, Medieval Castle and tents, Fantasy houses and Oracle. Schleich seems to be continuing to design new figures for the Medieval Wave, and animals for the African Savanah/Animal Hospital Wave, new Fantasy figures as well. Maybe they will come out with and Arctic or AntArctica Wave and design Igloos and Eskimo people hunting or even a dogsled??? Kids would have fun with that! That would be cool!

Well, my guesswork doesn't step over the bounds of wildlife firgures...

Well, i think Kyrill answered everything quit clear.
Some of our members are always on the hunt for the latest news on Schleich ,specially in the coming months.
The first time i had the chance to see some of the news for the next year was in october, but mostly at the end of november or in december.
But anyway, it is always a nice time for us all, as we all eagerly awiat for the news of the companies...

Has anyone had the opportunity to go to the Nuremberg Toy Fair? It probably is limited to Wholesalers...unless you know someone who is a Wholesaler and they let you go with them? Thanks to you all for the information. It is hard to look back through all the threads and try and find an answer to a specific question. :)

Narayanan came up with one more figure idea that is rather likely to be released in 2011 - yak calf. It'd be very logical for the Schleich's "mom-dad-baby" tactics.

Kiryuha wrote:

Narayanan came up with one more figure idea that is rather likely to be released in 2011 - yak calf. It'd be very logical for the Schleich's "mom-dad-baby" tactics.

Yes I agree, be nice if they bring out a bull as well

Has anyone mentioned the Moon Bear (or Asiatic Black Bear)? It's one of Asia's "big five" isn't it?

HKHollinstone wrote:

Has anyone mentioned the Moon Bear (or Asiatic Black Bear)? It's one of Asia's "big five" isn't it?

Well, I mentioned it only in my Top-10 wish-list as it's one of my favorite animals. But I assign this bear more to the Far East and Amur region than to S. Asia or India.
And, frankly speaking, I don't expect Schleich will ever make it. They already have one "black bear" in production, and as we saw with their "gazelle" - Schelich is not very much into demarking resembling species...

Kiryuha wrote:

HKHollinstone wrote:

Has anyone mentioned the Moon Bear (or Asiatic Black Bear)? It's one of Asia's "big five" isn't it?

Well, I mentioned it only in my Top-10 wish-list as it's one of my favorite animals. But I assign this bear more to the Far East and Amur region than to S. Asia or India.
And, frankly speaking, I don't expect Schleich will ever make it. They already have one "black bear" in production, and as we saw with their "gazelle" - Schelich is not very much into demarking resembling species...

Good points... sorry I missed it on your wish-list.
I don’t think Schleich wouldn’t make it because it resembled the Black Bear, they are quite different I think…
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HKHollinstone wrote:

...I don’t think Schleich wouldn’t make it because it resembled the Black Bear, they are quite different I think…

Sure, they're VERY different from the collector's point of view. But on the store shelves... Alas, not collectors are defining Schleich's marketing strategy.

Kiryuha wrote:

HKHollinstone wrote:

...I don’t think Schleich wouldn’t make it because it resembled the Black Bear, they are quite different I think…

Sure, they're VERY different from the collector's point of view. But on the store shelves... Alas, not collectors are defining Schleich's marketing strategy.

Ah well, maybe when they retire the black bears they will bring out a moon bear

Have to say I'm really getting mad at the Schleich company cos they're making me go crazy with all this suspense and waiting Sometimes I can't think of anything else except "what could Schleich possibly be releasing next year" and my head's all full with that so I can't even sleep! (What, ME, going crazy? Ehheh, not at all...)

Siobhan wrote:

Have to say I'm really getting mad at the Schleich company cos they're making me go crazy with all this suspense and waiting Sometimes I can't think of anything else except "what could Schleich possibly be releasing next year" and my head's all full with that so I can't even sleep! (What, ME, going crazy? Ehheh, not at all...)

I keep searching, I type in "Schleich 2011" almost every day

Me 2!!!Every half and hour!
I will commit figur-cide if they don't bring me some news!
I don't need photos,just some info!At least the dinosaur!

HKHollinstone wrote:

I keep searching, I type in "Schleich 2011" almost every day

Let me guess what your search results are: thread at Laughing Giraffe, link to Schleich 2011 calendar, a couple of posts in my blog, then the thread in this forum... Am I right?

Absolutely!!!

Wildheart wrote:

...I will commit figur-cide if they don't bring me some news!

Oh no, are you gonna destroy some of your figures? Which ones then?

No,no,I am going to wreck the shops and destroy all Kangaroo Rex's I see!
Then I will post bad comments about their horrible lines everywhere!!!!
Mu-ha-ha!

Kidding!