Harrogate Christmas & Gift show: Hall A, Stand A11
The catchphrase ‘loved by customers, trusted by retailers’ is snappy and memorable, but also on the money when it comes to beloved soft toy brand Keel Toys. Sarah Welsh spoke to Head of Design, Patrick Downs…
Keel Toys know exactly what it is that their customers – both festive and gift-led – are looking for.
They understand that for retailers, what’s on the shelves in a shop and how they are displayed, tell a very important story. That’s why they design soft toys that customers fall in love with, while also offering retailers what they need to succeed – dependable stock, competitive pricing and sustainability, via the Keeleco collection.
Keel products have built a loyal consumer following over the years because they look beautiful and are full of character. And now Keel is taking more than 100 new designs to Harrogate Christmas & Gift.
“The 2025 Christmas & Gift Fair was our most successful to date,” says Keel’s Head of Design, Patrick Downs. “Now the upcoming 2026 show promises to be even bigger and better for us.
“At Keel Toys we look at the Harrogate Fair as the perfect way to start the year off meeting our customers and also welcoming some new ones into the enchanting world of Keel Toys. It also provides our customers the very first opportunity to preview and order over 100 new items from the 2026 collection.”
“At Keel Toys we look at the Harrogate Fair as the perfect way to start the year off meeting our customers and also welcoming some new ones into the enchanting world of Keel Toys”
Six years of Keeleco
Since the Keeleco range launched in January 2020 at London’s Toy Fair, Keel Toys has recycled over a billion water bottles in the manufacture of this truly remarkable range. Harrogate visitors will be able to check out the Keeleco Wildlife, Farm, Sealife and Dinosaur collections.
And Keel will also be introducing the Keeleco Botanical Garden – 12 beautiful plants and flowers made from the most luxurious velvet fabrics. The vibrant designs in this coveted collection include snowdrops to pansies and succulents to cherry blossoms.
Even the most unsuccessful gardener will be able to keep this wonderful collection in bloom all year round!
Seasonal delights
Buyers heading to Christmas & Gift will also discover Keel’s seasonal ranges, highlighting cutting-edge fabric innovation. The huskies, reindeers and snowmen aren’t just simply irresistible, they’re also fashioned from luxe fabrics that are eco-friendly.
And the Christmas collection also allows retailers to add whimsical charm to their shelves with adorable cosy, festive-themed characters relaxing on their own mini sofas. For Halloween there’s spooky fun to be had with scented bakery, bats and cute mini ghosts.
Charm on your arm
Keeleco Bag Charms offer a brilliantly comprehensive collection of charms, ranging from Sealife and Wildlife to Food and Plants. These mini masterpieces include an exclusive Keel Toys logo spinner. Paired with a specially designed display spinner stand, these charms will steal the spotlight in any store.
Also, from Keeleco comes the Enchanted World range, featuring the most luxurious eco polyester ever seen on a soft toy. They have to be hugged to be believed! The collection has 12 captivating animal friends to choose from, including tigers, snow leopards, foxes and highland cows.
Open all hours
Keel’s recently launched E-commerce platform puts everything buyers need at their fingertips, anytime, anywhere, 24/7. The platform enables you to access real time live stock availability, full order and invoicing history, downloadable product assets, and smart search tools – all designed to make sourcing simple, fast, and stress-free.
Keel recognises that when a retailer’s ordering system runs as smoothly as the shop floor, a business moves with ease.
For more information visit: www.keeltoys.com
