Model railway maker Hornby has reported a big jump in annual sales after people rediscovered their love of hobbies during lockdown. The firm, which also sells Scalextric, had sales of £48.5m for the year to 31 March 2021, up 28% on the year before. It said children and adults alike had bought its toys in the pandemic as they sought "comfort" in stressful times. Chief executive Lyndon Davies said recent sales figures indicated the momentum would continue. "Model railways, Scalextric sets running around the attic. Yes, there's been a lot of engagement from people.More time spent indoors allowed former hobbyists to reconnect with the toys, models and products that they grew up with, Mr Davies said. "The parents or grandparents rediscover their old hobbies and then they share it with their kids. One third of the industry's sales of children's toys, models and puzzles have been sold to older generations, a segment of the market the industry calls "kidults". Online sales and renewed interest from older consumers helped Hornby make a net profit of £300,000 for the year to 31 March, an improvement on the £3.4m loss for the previous 12 months. However, Mr Davies said the retailer was more concerned with shipping issues causing supply chain disruption than it was about an end to lockdowns. Hornby, which imports many of its products from East Asia, was affected by closures at Chinese ports due to coronavirus.
