Sat. Oct 12th, 2024

Roald Dahl’s Matilda is still top of the class

The 30th anniversary of Roald Dahl’s Matilda and the release of a new special edition book today October 4th, eBay.co.uk has revealed that when it comes to Roald Dahl classics – Matilda is still at the top of the class – with her magic touch.

Celebrating the anniversary with a Roald Dahl character ranking, in the last three months, the online marketplace has seen nearly three ‘Matilda’ related items sold per hour in the lead up to the occasion, proving that the notorious book worm is a literary favourite herself.[1] The ranking reveals other classics, including Willy Wonka and the BFG coming in second and third place – despite their movie remakes hitting the silver screens in recent years.

eBay.co.uk Roald Dahl ranking:

  1. Matilda
  2. Willy Wonka
  3. BFG
  4. Fantastic Mr Fox
  5. Oompa-Loompa

 

And with more than a 60% surge in sales for ‘Roald Dahl’ related items in the last three months, this year’s anniversary is predicted to inspire parents purchasing power across the UK. Indeed, earlier this year, eBay seller Head over Heels reported a massive 1000% increase in sales for their Matilda style headband in the lead up to World Book Day.[2] And most recently, in the week leading up to Roald Dahl Day, they saw more than a 100% increase in sales for Matilda hairbands.[3]

Charlotte and Lydia, Co-Founders at Head Over Heels say; “We always see an increase in sales of our Matilda merchandise on eBay.co.uk around key anniversaries, as schools and parents celebrate Roald Dahl and children ask to dress as their favourite character. Currently, World Book Day is our busiest time of year, with a 17% Y-O-Y increase in sales, however we are looking forward to Matilda’s anniversary this week – and to celebrate have now got her complete outfit available – making it even easier to get the look!”

With more than 21,000 current listings for Roald Dahl currently on site, look no further than eBay.co.uk for all your literary favourites.[4]

[1] Data taken from eBay.co.uk June 26th – September 23rd

[2] Data taken from Head over Heels January 2018 – March 2018

[3] Data taken from Head over Heels 6th September – 13th September

[4] Data taken from eBay.co.uk on 27.09.18

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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