BAYKO Retail Channels

Without doubt, BAYKO was a successful product, sold in many countries for most of its 30 years of active life. Elsewhere most of the emphasis under the general umbrella heading of 'Sales and Marketing' has been on advertising and similar ideas. This section, which I will continue to expand when I can, focuses on the efforts of retailers, both shops and mail order, to bring BAYKO to the attention of the British toy-buying public.

Having said that, judging by the first few examples I've come across, I'm sure both Plimpton and MECCANO supported these efforts, not least by the regular provision of their artwork.

Unsurprisingly, relatively little detailed information on BAYKO has survived…

…remember that BAYKO would have been a relatively modest line even in a toy shop.

Most of the information which has survived is in the form of assorted catalogues used by the various retail organisations, indeed, the distinction between retail stores and mail order was blurred as so many of the large, successful retailers also produced catalogues. Sometimes this was a key arm of the business, and sometimes merely a 'taster' for 'the in store experience' as today's marketeers might say.

If you've any further information on these, or, of course, any other BAYKO retailers then I'd love to hear from you…