As recently announced the LEGO Group are set to pilot a handful of LEGO® sets exclusively for the UK market. The sets are variants of previously released sets, which offer different colour options or a different configuration of sets. The pilot has been designed to help the LEGO Group gain a better understanding of what fans want from the product portfolio and where they prefer to shop for new or unique products. This is a fairly new thing so here’s a few facts about the pilot and where you’ll be able to buy them. I must make it clear these are NOT regional exclusives, although the LEGO Group vowed to end regional sets, they did say there would be certain releases such as sets for events, giveaways and marketing opportunities that would continue.
Q. Will the sets be released outside of the UK and Ireland?
A. No, there are currently no plans to release any of these sets beyond the pilot, which will only take place within the UK and Ireland.
Q. Where will the sets be available?
A. All sets can be found in UK-based LEGO stores and are available to order from LEGO.com for residents of the UK/IE. Sets are also being sold by various retail partners including Smyths Toys, Tesco and The Hut Group. Availability depends on the retailers, Smyths offer in-store and online sales, sets from Tesco will be limited to selected larger stores and Zavvi/IWOOT is online only.
Q. When will they be available?
A. Sets went live at 12.01 BST with all retailers. They will remain on sale throughout September, until November. Once the stock is sold, there won’t be any restocks. This is a single production run, any remaining stock will remain on sale until sold.
Q. What’s different with the sets?
A. For the Creator sets, the only change is the colour of the set and its set number. The sets are built in the same way and use the same elements, apart from those recoloured. In regards to the LEGO City sets, the packaging style, Minifigures and logos within the set have been updated to reflect the currently LEGO City Fire sets. There are slight changes within the build of the set for the same reason, although no one knows why the helipad has gained a little height. Colours used in the sets include Light Royal Blue, Cool Yellow, Earth Blue, Dark Orange and Sand Yellow.
Q. Why are the sets limited to one region if TLG said no more exclusive sets?
A. Back in 2019 TLG said it would no longer release regional exclusive sets. However, there are certain parameters in which certain sets won’t be offered globally that includes – “Pilot projects, such as Forma, to check out markets and opportunities without being able to make them widely available” – Read the original statement here.
Q. Why has the UK been chosen again for a market test?
A. The UK is one of the largest markets for LEGO purchases and it’s size and retail environment makes it the perfect region for the pilot to offer the best data. That includes mixing products types across retailers. Along with offering sets from a UK retailer with international shipping capabilities.
Q. I don’t live in the UK/Ireland is there a way to buy any of the sets?
A. Only the Fiat can be ordered by those outside of the UK as The Hut Group offer international orders via Zavvi & IWOOT. There is a postal cost, but you won’t pay any extra for the set. You can check out the International delivery costs and where they deliver here. Although Zavvi have international websites, stock is based in and shipped from the UK.
77943: LEGO City Fire Station Starter Set
77944: LEGO City Fire Station Headquarters
77940: Mighty Dinosaur: Brown
77941: Mighty Dinosaurs Blue
77942: LEGO Fiat 500
