"The element of remembering the fun these retro classics brought to dads in their youth brings a sentimental value that no bottle of designer aftershave can bring."
Cash Converters
Forget socks, aftershave or boring golf clubs, modern dads want a taste of nostalgia this Fathers Day according to Cash Converters.
The leading second-hand retailer and online auction site Cash Converters has revealed a 800 per cent sales spike of classic ‘boys toys’ in the six week run-up to Fathers Day this Sunday, 17 June.
Among the most popular items searched and sold are classic ‘boys toys’ such as 1980s’ Scalextric car racing sets; retro Atari computer game consoles; 1970s’ style jukeboxes; good old-fashioned classic train sets; classic turn-tables for vinyl record loving dads and with the addition of World Cup fever, sales of Subbuteo Soccer game kits have also scored a spike.
The trend for retro shopping is one that’s been seen across retail in general but particularly in the specialist online auction and second-hand retail market as shoppers get savvier with their spending, according to Cash Converters.
Latest consumer habits from GlobalData show that thrifty shoppers spend half as much on Fathers Day than Mothers’ Day. Spending for Fathers’ Day in 2017 was £700m as compared to £1.4 billion for Mother’s Day, with shoppers looking for thriftier and more niche gifts as compared to full-priced gifts on the high street.
The assumption could be that dads are getting a rough deal but that need not be the case with some clever shopping online or in store at Cash Converters.
Retro bargains galore are available and come in the shape of second-hand goods or classic nearly new original ‘boys toys’ predominantly from the 1970s and 1980s. For example, in Cash Converters it’s possible to buy a classic boxed Scalextric for only £99.00.
Online a range of original turntables are available from only £29.00 - ideal for the dad who has embraced his vinyl record collection again.
For the anorak dad, it’s possible to buy a classic Hornby train set and track for only £79.00. The bonus is that many retro items will increase in value say Cash Converters as demand for vintage items increases.
A spokersperson for Cash Converters said: “There is a very clear trend for these items and especially in the run up to Father’s Day as our figures show. Not only are the retro gifts often cheaper than full-priced contemporary versions, the element of remembering the fun these retro classics brought to dads in their youth brings a sentimental value that no bottle of designer aftershave can bring.”
