SHANGHAI With a dragon, skyscrapers and other constructions made out of its colorful plastic bricks, toy maker Lego opened its largest store in Shanghai on Wednesday, seeking to entice children as well adults with its popular blocks.The Danish company's latest retail store is spread over two floors and is based at the Shanghai Disney Resort, which will open next month. Lego said in a statement the Chinese market was "one of the best performing markets in 2015". (Reporting By Reuters Television in Shanghai; Writing by Marie-Louise Gumuchian) Kennedy Library picks Obama for 'Profiles in Courage' award BOSTON Former U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday was named this year's winner of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library's "Profile in Courage" award, an annual honor for leaders who stand up to political opponents. From the boardroom to the butchers shop, women discuss gender inequality LONDON Wednesday March 8 marks International Women's Day, with festivals, concerts and exhibitions among the numerous events planned around the world to celebrate the achievements of women in society.
Life's no hoot for owls in Tokyo cafes, activists say TOKYO Owls fluff up their feathers and preen beneath the stroking fingers of customers at Owl Village, one of many cafes dedicated to the birds, seen as a symbol of good luck in Japan, that have sprung up amid a boom in animal cafes. Photos of the Month Brutal street battle for MosulLego CEO Jorgen Vig Knudstorp has told CNBC that China offers "a unique opportunity for growth," claiming that his firm is well-positioned to become the country's number one toy brand. His comments come as the Danish toymaker prepares to step up its operations in China. Lego will open its largest retail store in the world near Shanghai later this year and is due to complete work on its first Chinese factory in 2017. The toymaker faces a myriad of challenges as it tries to grow sales in the world's second-largest economy. Lego sparked controversy back in 2015 when it refused to sell in bulk to dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, with critics accusing the company of not wanting to wrong-foot the Chinese government.
Rebuffing those claims, the Lego CEO gave his explanation for why Ai Weiwei's original sales request was denied, saying: "We've seen people building concentration camps out of Lego and pictures of the Prophet Muhammad." "We noticed a huge sensitivity to so-called 'political topics' and in this case one of our staff members in Australia found the purpose suggested by Ai Weiwei was too sensitive and so the order was refused," he added. Lego has since changed its policy and no longer requires customers buying in bulk to specify how they're going to use their bricks. Political sensitivities aside, Lego is aware it needs to bridge cultural divides to gain market share in China. A key part of Lego's appeal for western parents is its educational value. However, the concept of "learning through play" isn't so well-established in China. In a bid to change attitudes, the Lego Foundation is pouring millions of Danish krone into research focusing on the cognitive benefits of play.
The foundation funds "Lego professors" and is partnering with a leading Chinese university "to support creativity and play in Chinese schools," according to a press release in January. As part of Lego's plans to grow sales in China and Japan, it's also updated its play kits to include more Asian characters and settings. Its revamped it "Ninjago" range - featuring dragons, ninjas and a tea-drinking sage. Lego is aware, however, that small-scale product updates won't be enough to assure its success in China, one of the world's most advanced markets for online gaming. When asked if Lego would consider launching a virtual reality product, the company's CEO replied "absolutely". While stressing that Lego's plastic bricks remain the company's core product, Jorgen Vig Knudstorp said he saw huge opportunities in developing the group's range of apps and mobile games. Lego's multifaceted approach to expanding into China helped it notch up double-digit sales growth in the country last year.
Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook.Your LEGO® order can be shipped direct to you or a friend/relative in North America and even to select countries within Europe and Asia/Pacific. About Your Shipment Items in stock ship the next business day (Monday through Friday excluding holidays) if placed by 12pm EST*. Items not in stock ship as soon as they become available. *All orders are subject to review which may affect shipping times. Order Value Standard Express Saver* Express* $ 0.00 - $ 25.00 $4.95 $ 14.95 $ 19.95 $ 25.01 - $ 35.00 $6.95 $ 16.95 $ 21.95 $ 35.01 - $ 50.00 Free $ 16.95 $ 21.95 $ 50.01 - $ 75.00 Free $ 18.95 $ 23.95 $ 75.01 - $ 100.00 Free $ 20.95 $ 25.95 $ 100.01 - $ 150.00 Free $ 22.95 $ 27.95 $ 150.01 - $ 200.00 Free $ 24.95 $ 29.95 $ 200.01 - $ 350.00 Free $ 27.95 $ 32.95 $ 350.01 - $ 500.00 Free $ 34.95 $ 39.95 $ 500.01 Free 10% order value 15% of Estimated Delivery 3-8 business days (Monday through Friday) 2-3 business days (Monday through Friday) 1-2 *Please note there is a surcharge of $
12.50 for Next Day service to Alaska and Hawaii.We love our customers-- get FREE SHIPPING every day on orders over $35! Qualifying purchase include merchandise only; any applicable taxes or value of gift cards purchased do not apply to merchandise total. Free shipping will automatically be added to your order. Free shipping is via standard ground service; upgrades do not apply. If you choose another shipping option, additional charges will apply.Once you have placed your order, the LEGO® Group will ship the order the next business day (Monday through Friday excluding holidays). Orders will be delivered within 3-8 business days (Monday through Friday excluding holidays) via FedEx or FedEx SmartPost.Sorry! Rural areas may be subject to an additional 3 business days for a total of 11 business days (Monday through Friday excluding holidays).Please allow 8 business days (Monday through Friday excluding holidays) for shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, Micronesia and the US Virgin Islands.
Non-continental US territories and APO’s will be shipped via USPS and will not have order tracking available.Orders shipping to a P.O. Box will be delivered via US Postal Service and will not have order tracking available. If you order a large quantity of custom bricks, we may combine and ship them in one box.Since Pick A Brick orders are all unique they require additional processing time before they are shipped. These custom orders take 13-18 business days (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) to be delivered. Rural areas may be subject to an additional 3 business days. If your order includes custom items and standard sets they are shipped separately.The LEGO® Group will ship your order the next business day (Monday through Friday excluding holidays). Orders will arrive within 3 business days (Monday through Friday excluding holidays). Orders will ship via FedEx. Saturday delivery is not available.Orders arrive within 2 business days (Monday through Friday excluding holidays).
Sorry-- Express and Express Saver are not available to P.O. boxes, APO and FPO addresses, Micronesia, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or other areas considered rural by the carrier. Express and Express Saver are not available for LEGO® gift card orders and LEGO Pick a Brick customized products. Gift cards arrive via USPS. Please note: in order to protect our consumers and maintain our commitment to service excellence, we do not ship to Freight Forwarding Services.Shipment dates are estimates in accordance with our carriers. If you live in an area experiencing an unexpected service delay (i.e. severe weather, natural disasters, unscheduled events, etc.), please note there may be additional shipping time to receive your order.You can order a gift for a friend or relative and be sure your secret is safe! Every order is shipped in a plain box and you can specify a “Ship To” address. Have your order sent to a friend or relative’s house or to your place of employment so you can plan a special surprise!
If you have provided your email address we will send you a ship confirmation email when your order ships. For all orders (excluding orders shipped via USPS) this email will include a tracking number which you can use to track your package on the appropriate shipping carrier’s website.We believe our LEGO bricks and other products must live up to your highest expectations, and our service must live up to the quality of our toys. If for any reason you need to return your order, it’s easy! Simply follow the instructions listed on the back of the packing slip you received with your order. All returns or exchanges must be made within 90 days of receipt of your order and must be accompanied by a Return Authorization Number. To obtain a Return Authorization Number, please call Customer Service at 1-800-835-4386 between the hours of 8:00 am – 10:00 pm EST Monday through Friday and 10:00 am – 6:00 pm EST Saturday and Sunday. Returns of orders that do not include a Return Authorization Number may be subject to additional processing time and delay in crediting your account.
Return address information can be found on the reverse side of your packing slip or on a separate sheet included in your order. All refunds are made in the original payment method. For orders purchased by check or money order, a refund check will be made payable to the “Ordered By” name. Shipping and handling charges are non-refundable. We recommend using a shipping method that can be tracked and insured for your protection. Unopened sets: Simply return your unopened LEGO set to the address listed on your packing slip. If the total value of the unopened set is under $200, you can return your unopened LEGO set to any of our LEGO Brand Retail stores with your original packing slip or receipt, and we'll give you a full refund to your original payment method. However, for orders purchased using PayPal, if you return an unopened set to the address listed on your packing slip, your refund will be provided in the form of a gift card, and if you return an unopened set that is under $200 to a LEGO Brand Retail store, your refund will be provided in the form of a store credit.