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.

Surprisingly, after a very busy Christmas the most popular puzzles at this time of the year are those with winter scenes. January, through April are very strong months for all puzzles especially Gibsons with their wonderully painted nostagic images. The Blacksmith Shop, Village Crossing and Keeping out the Cold are only a few 1000 piece winter scene puzzles with the snowy weather either being enjoyed as in Team Effort (500 pieces) or with families protecting themselves against the most northerly winter blasts. The 1000 piece Gibsons Christmas puzzle has proven to be the singular best selling puzzle from Gibsons. Due to his success, Marcello Conti, who designed the 2009 Christmas puzzle, has been commissioned to create the 2010 Christmas puzzle. It will be presented in the latter part of 2010.

This year’s Christmas puzzle is, like the 2008 Gibsons Christmas puzzle, based on a painting by Marcello Corti. This is Gibsons most fantastic Christmas jigsaw puzzle yet with an almost dizzying array of light and magic in which the villagers are enjoying a moment of sheer pleasure with their families. Warm wine, brightly lit snowflakes and glorious old fashioned toy shops add to the brilliant atmosphere. Pretzels, mulled wine and the midnight market are hallmarks of the season.

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.