When puzzles were first invented over 200 years ago by a London mapmaker who would have reckoned with their staying power? Now in the economic downturn puzzles have once again proven their appeal: value. Compared to going out to a movie for two plus a snack, you can get a brand new jigsaw puzzle which will provide a satisfying challenge, is easily shared and can last for weeks at a time. Products come and go but jigsaw puzzles originally developed as a geographic teaching aid are here to stay.

In years gone by the wisdom has been to make sure the Christmas puzzles had sold through before December 24th. This year has proven that false. As it is, the Gibsons Christmas puzzles are now the best selling range from Gibsons despite their short selling season. We are still taking orders for all the christmas puzzles, especially GIB 2009, the limited edition 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle by Marcello Conti. The image has proven to be fantastically popular on its own because the picture is a heartwarming image with or without the Christmas references. The new 2010 Christmas puzzle, also by Marcello Conti, is a wonderful image with Santa Claus, riding in his sleigh. The jigsaw puzzle will be available in fall 2010.

Our new shipment of Gibsons puzzles for the fall and winter season is now in our warehouse and is shipping like mad. Easily the most popular range at this time of the year would be the several Christmas styles. G2009, Christmas Cheer stands head and shoulders above all other Christmas puzzles as the one to have. We are shippping the Christmas Cheer puzzle (1000 pieces) at about twelve times that one of any other title.

As summer tries to break winter’s hold all things related to that chilly season take a back seat in the consumer’s buying habits. Mix that seasonal effect with the overall cautious retail climate and you’ve got a recipe for slower jigsaw puzzle sales. Our retail customers who bought the new 2009 Gibsons selection have done predictably well with them and those who did not buy are anticipating a worse than normal summer season slowdown. Gibsons themselves have changed their release pattern. Rather than two new product release events (once in the spring and again in the fall) they are spreading their

new releases throughout the year.