Jellycat is a British soft toy and home décor company,[1] known for its plush toys and collectibles. Founded by brothers Thomas and William Gatacre in London in 1999, the company expanded into Minneapolis in 2001, forming Jellycat Inc.[2] While the company mostly sells soft toys, it also sells books, nursery items, bags and other accessories.[3] Jellycat's products include traditional stuffed animals, such as bunnies and bears, alongside more whimsical lines like its Amuseables series, with quirky designs like smiling plants and foods.
| Industry | Manufacturer and retailer |
|---|---|
| Genre | Home décor and toy manufacturer |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Thomas and William Gatacre |
| Headquarters | , |
| Website | https://www.jellycat.com/ |
As of 2024 the longest serving design within the contemporary collection is the Slackajack Monkey with 21 years of production.[4] In February 2024 Jellycat celebrated its 25th anniversary, where the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston hosted an anniversary party.[5]
Popularity
editJellycat toys appeal to children but also adult collectors.[6][7][8][9]
The soft toys' popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic has been compared to Squishmallows,[8] which saw a similar increase in sales and notability in the same time period.[7] Jellycat products have a strong social media presence, with the number of reported views on TikTok reaching several billion.[6][9]
Jellycat won Earnshaw Magazine's Earnie Award in both 2015 and 2018, within the Toys category.[10][11] The company received the Outstanding Achievement Award at The Greats Awards in 2020.[12]
References
edit- ^ Brewer, Susan (2013-01-01). Famous Character Dolls. Casemate Publishers. ISBN 978-1-84468-094-8. Archived from the original on 2023-09-08. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
- ^ ""Making beautiful things that people remember": in conversation with William Gatacre, co-founder and MD at Jellycat - Fashion & Luxury, People, leadership & talent, Weekly Column Executive Search". The MBS Group. Archived from the original on 2023-09-01. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ Watts, Robert (2023-09-01). "Puppy love". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "Do You Own The Most Popular Jellycat?". Elys Wimbledon. Archived from the original on 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
- ^ Gaikwad, Tanisha (2024-02-29). "ICA visitors celebrate 25 years of Jellycat toys". The Huntington News. Archived from the original on 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
- ^ a b Kemsley, Saskia (24 July 2023). "Best unique jellycats for all ages: Stuffed toys to brighten your day". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ a b Alcántara, Ann-Marie (2023-05-28). "Why Adults Are Snapping Up a Stuffed Toy Originally Meant for Babies". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ a b "Meet The Parents Secretly Obsessed With Jellycat Stuffies". Romper. 2021-11-07. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ a b Wilson-Beevers, Helen (3 March 2023). "Jellycat stuffed animals are still a top trend: Here's where to buy the popular kids' toys". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
It's safe to say, the most recognisable soft toy brand name today is Jellycat, which was first established in 1999.
- ^ "EARNIE AWARD PAST WINNERS". Earnshaw's. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- ^ "Toys: Jellycat". Earnshaw's Review. 102 (10): 20. 2018. ISSN 0161-2786.
- ^ "Jellycat's Co-Founder And MD Honoured At The Greats Awards". Archived from the original on 2023-09-01. Retrieved 2023-09-01.