Showbag
Encyclopedia
The showbag is a themed bag of commercial merchandise, and a distinctive feature of Australian shows (the local equivalent of fairs or carnivals). The bag is usually made from plastic or heavy paper, and is printed with graphics promoting a theme or manufacturer.
Showbags are also known as sample bags, as they originally contained samples of the range of goods produced by a single vendor or brand group. Such sample bags were originally given free of charge, or carried only a nominal charge, to promote brand awareness; however this is now unusual, with showbag prices as at 2007 commonly in the A$10–20 range. The rising cost of showbags is often identified as a major negative aspect of shows. In 2008, there was a $10,000 showbag. Despite this, it is generally assumed that the total retail value of the individual contents of a showbag will exceed the price charged for the package.
Common themes for showbags include confectionery brands, trademark
ed toys such as Barbie
, The Simpsons
, G.I. Joe
and Batman
, broad areas of children's play interest such as "cowboy" or "pirate", and sporting teams. Showbags may also be created for and named after current fad
s, especially children's movies on current release.
Most showbags are marketed to children, containing toy
s, sweets and chocolate
. Comic books were frequently included in showbags in the 1970s and 1980s, but the practice has declined since. Showbags may also be marketed to the adult consumer, with themes including cosmetics, fashion, premium confectionery and adult toys.
Showbags are also known as sample bags, as they originally contained samples of the range of goods produced by a single vendor or brand group. Such sample bags were originally given free of charge, or carried only a nominal charge, to promote brand awareness; however this is now unusual, with showbag prices as at 2007 commonly in the A$10–20 range. The rising cost of showbags is often identified as a major negative aspect of shows. In 2008, there was a $10,000 showbag. Despite this, it is generally assumed that the total retail value of the individual contents of a showbag will exceed the price charged for the package.
Common themes for showbags include confectionery brands, trademark
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
ed toys such as Barbie
Barbie
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration....
, The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
, G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe is a line of action figures produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier , Action Sailor , Action Pilot , Action Marine and later on, the Action Nurse...
and Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, broad areas of children's play interest such as "cowboy" or "pirate", and sporting teams. Showbags may also be created for and named after current fad
FAD
In biochemistry, flavin adenine dinucleotide is a redox cofactor involved in several important reactions in metabolism. FAD can exist in two different redox states, which it converts between by accepting or donating electrons. The molecule consists of a riboflavin moiety bound to the phosphate...
s, especially children's movies on current release.
Most showbags are marketed to children, containing toy
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
s, sweets and chocolate
Chocolate
Chocolate is a raw or processed food produced from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Cacao has been cultivated for at least three millennia in Mexico, Central and South America. Its earliest documented use is around 1100 BC...
. Comic books were frequently included in showbags in the 1970s and 1980s, but the practice has declined since. Showbags may also be marketed to the adult consumer, with themes including cosmetics, fashion, premium confectionery and adult toys.