Latest news with #NielsBChristiansen
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Legoland opening wows Shanghai
Tourists and residents in Shanghai on Saturday braved sweltering heat for the official opening of China's first Legoland resort, the world's largest of its kind, featuring thousands of structures built with over 85 million Lego bricks. Entry tickets to the new resort, aimed mainly at families with children between the ages of two and twelve, quickly sold out as thousands queued to try out more than 75 rides, performances, and attractions spanning more than 300,000 square metres. That was despite a heatwave strong enough to trigger an orange alert from Shanghai's meteorological observatory - the second-highest in China's weather alert system. "The enthusiasm of the staff here makes us feel like the heat is okay, and we really liked today's opening ceremony gift," said 40-year-old Shanghai resident Cathy Yin of the wearable Lego mitt given out to those attending the event. "We came especially for it." Lego enthusiasts from all over China travelled to Shanghai for the opening, leading to a surge in hotel bookings, local media said. Lego Group CEO Niels B Christiansen said the resort would be "an integral part" of Lego's presence in China, and would "contribute to the economic vitality of Shanghai". The strong turnout highlights resilience in experience-focused spending among Chinese consumers, even as the overall economy struggles with weak consumer demand. Multiple visitors interviewed by Reuters had purchased an annual pass, and had attended the soft opening on June 20. Even in the extreme heat, 30-year-old visitor Tao Xiaoqing said, "didn't stop me from coming" to the opening day. Shanghai's meteorological observatory warned maximum temperatures in the city's central and western areas were expected to exceed 37 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while other forecasters warned parts of China's eastern and central provinces are bracing for temperatures above 40C. "It's really hot, but it's still a lot of fun here," said nine-year-old Rocky Xu. Reuters
Reuters
05-07-2025
- Climate
- Reuters
China's first Legoland resort packed on opening day despite heatwave
SHANGHAI, July 5 (Reuters) - Tourists and residents in Shanghai on Saturday braved sweltering heat for the official opening of China's first Legoland resort, the world's largest of its kind, featuring thousands of structures built with over 85 million Lego bricks. Entry tickets to the new resort, aimed mainly at families with children between the ages of two and twelve, quickly sold out as thousands queued to try out more than 75 rides, performances, and attractions spanning more than 300,000 square meters. That was despite a heatwave strong enough to trigger an orange alert from Shanghai's meteorological observatory - the second-highest in China's weather alert system. "The enthusiasm of the staff here makes us feel like the heat is okay, and we really liked today's opening ceremony gift," said 40-year-old Shanghai resident Cathy Yin of the wearable Lego mitt given out to those attending the event. "We came especially for it." Lego enthusiasts from all over China travelled to Shanghai for the opening, leading to a surge in hotel bookings, local media said. Lego Group CEO Niels B. Christiansen said the resort would be "an integral part" of Lego's presence in China, and would "contribute to the economic vitality of Shanghai". The strong turnout highlights resilience in experience-focused spending among Chinese consumers, even as the overall economy struggles with weak consumer demand. Multiple visitors interviewed by Reuters had purchased an annual pass, and had attended the soft opening on June 20. Even the extreme heat, 30-year-old visitor Tao Xiaoqing said, "didn't stop me from coming" to the opening day. Shanghai's meteorological observatory warned maximum temperatures in the city's central and western areas were expected to exceed 37 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while other forecasters warned parts of China's eastern and central provinces are bracing for temperatures above 40 C. "It's really hot, but it's still a lot of fun here," said 9-year-old Rocky Xu. While most visitors were upbeat, one complained to Reuters that the long queues outside to enter the venue were poorly organized. Staff handed out bottles of water to visitors, and one person received medical attention due to heatstroke. "Even though the sun is strong, there are plenty of air-conditioned areas and water stations inside the park, so it's still quite comfortable for a visit," said 28-year-old Shanghai resident Charlie Chen. Legoland Shanghai is operated by a joint venture between Merlin Entertainments, which runs Legoland parks around the world, and the Shanghai Jinshan District local government.
The Independent
11-03-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Lego makes record sales as bid to ‘stay relevant' sees F1 and Nike tie-ups
Lego has made its highest ever sales as the toy giant said it was outpacing a declining market, and working hard to 'stay relevant' amid new brand tie-ups with Nike and Formula 1. The Danish company said its revenues grew 13% to 74.3 billion kroner (£8.4 billion) in 2024 while the global toy industry declined 1% in a challenging economic environment. Its operating profit jumped by a 10th to 18.7 billion kroner (£2.1 billion) compared with the previous year. Growth was driven by demand in the Americas, Europe and Middle Eastern markets, with a portfolio of 840 products during the year. Best-selling themes include its Star Wars and Harry Potter sets, and Lego Icons which includes a Pac-Man set and a Lamborghini, while it attracted new buyers with its expanding botanical collection. At the end of 2023, Lego launched a video game through a tie-up with Fortnite, which it said had brought it some 87 million players, and led to the launch of physical sets inspired by the game. Chief executive Niels B Christiansen said the business had been working hard to adapt to the changing world of entertainment as children increasingly use mobile-based games – including building an app designed for older children. Some age groups, particularly nine to 12 year-olds, 'tend to grow up a little bit earlier, and orient themselves to what's interesting on social media', he said. A strong interest in Formula 1 encouraged Lego to partner with the racing group, with new sets due to be launched this year, while a tie-up with sports brand Nike is also in the making. Mr Christiansen said the brand partnerships reflect efforts to stay 'super relevant', adding that it was 'seeing this shift and trying to be right on it – even leading that shift'. Meanwhile, the chief executive recognised that the threat of tariffs from US President Donald Trump was another reason for the global company to 'keep investing ahead' in every region it operates, after upgrading factories in Mexico and China and as it builds new sites in Vietnam and the US. But Mr Christiansen said he does not 'lie awake at night because of tariffs or Mexico', and said the business would not 'panic' over policy but wait until it is clear what the long-term impact of measures could be.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lego makes record sales as bid to ‘stay relevant' sees F1 and Nike tie-ups
Lego has made its highest ever sales as the toy giant said it was outpacing a declining market, and working hard to 'stay relevant' amid new brand tie-ups with Nike and Formula 1. The Danish company said its revenues grew 13% to 74.3 billion kroner (£8.4 billion) in 2024 while the global toy industry declined 1% in a challenging economic environment. Its operating profit jumped by a 10th to 18.7 billion kroner (£2.1 billion) compared with the previous year. Growth was driven by demand in the Americas, Europe and Middle Eastern markets, with a portfolio of 840 products during the year. Best-selling themes include its Star Wars and Harry Potter sets, and Lego Icons which includes a Pac-Man set and a Lamborghini, while it attracted new buyers with its expanding botanical collection. At the end of 2023, Lego launched a video game through a tie-up with Fortnite, which it said had brought it some 87 million players, and led to the launch of physical sets inspired by the game. Chief executive Niels B Christiansen said the business had been working hard to adapt to the changing world of entertainment as children increasingly use mobile-based games – including building an app designed for older children. Some age groups, particularly nine to 12 year-olds, 'tend to grow up a little bit earlier, and orient themselves to what's interesting on social media', he said. A strong interest in Formula 1 encouraged Lego to partner with the racing group, with new sets due to be launched this year, while a tie-up with sports brand Nike is also in the making. Mr Christiansen said the brand partnerships reflect efforts to stay 'super relevant', adding that it was 'seeing this shift and trying to be right on it – even leading that shift'. Meanwhile, the chief executive recognised that the threat of tariffs from US President Donald Trump was another reason for the global company to 'keep investing ahead' in every region it operates, after upgrading factories in Mexico and China and as it builds new sites in Vietnam and the US. But Mr Christiansen said he does not 'lie awake at night because of tariffs or Mexico', and said the business would not 'panic' over policy but wait until it is clear what the long-term impact of measures could be.
