CEO Lauren Derse interviewed in viral Needoh article in USA Today

Mike Derse Owner Spotlight, Retail, Toy Industry

BEDFORD, Massachusetts. The viral NeeDoh craze is sweeping the country, and independent toy stores are right at the center of the excitement. As highlighted in a recent USA Today feature, shoppers are lining up and shelves are quickly clearing as demand surges for these colorful, squishy stress-relief toys that have taken over social media and playgrounds alike. For Lauren Derse …

When Toy Trends Go Viral: NeeDoh Hunting Drives In-Store Excitement

Mike Derse Local Franchise News Article, Owner Spotlight, Retail, Toy Industry

AVENTURA, Florida. A new viral trend is bringing families into toy stores across the country, and Learning Express store owners are right in the middle of it. In a recent feature by NBC Miami, Isaac Bendrao of Learning Express Toys & Gifts Aventura store shared how the “NeeDoh hunting” craze is creating incredible energy in-store. What started as a simple …

Cautious optimism from the Toy Man

Paul Harrington Owner Spotlight, Retail, Toy Industry

Toy World Magazine October 2023 – After 20 years working at A.C. Nielsen/D&B Research Company, Rick Derr opened the first Learning Express Toys franchise in the Chicago area in 1996, and then became a sub-franchiser, opening nine more stores. Although leaving the corporate environment behind, he has combined his expertise in data and numbers with a passion for the toy …

Holiday Predictions from Learning Express Toys & Gifts’ Rick ‘The Toy Man’ Derr

Paul Harrington Retail, Toy Industry

THE TOY BOOK – The holiday season is officially underway for the toy industry, and following the debut of The Toy Insider’s 18th annual Holiday Gift Guide, retailer predictions and hot toy lists are rolling out. While many hot lists skew toward toys and games that are primarily sold at mass retail, the specialty market is more nuanced. Independent toy …

Talking Retail with Learning Express Toys & Gifts’ CEO Lauren Derse on the ‘Power Kid Podcast’

Paul Harrington Franchising, Owner Spotlight, Retail, Toy Industry

THE TOY BOOK – In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Lauren Derse, CEO of Learning Express Toys & Gifts to the show. Derse leads the largest franchised toy store chain in the U.S. and has vast experience with store ownership and oversight. Learning Express is known for its expert …