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U.S. Toy Industry Grows 16% in 2020 as Pandemic Fuels Play
Despite retail sales being flat for the first quarter and fears of catastrophic declines as nationwide stay-at-home orders took effect amid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. toy industry sales grew by 16%, according to The NPD Group. The latest NPD data reflects $25.1 billion in sales last year, an increase of $3.5 billion over 2019. Read more…
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Barbie, Hot Wheels, and LEGO Race to the Top at NPD 2020 Toy Industry Performance Awards
The NPD Group dished out its 2020 Toy Industry Performance Awards in a pair of virtual ceremonies honoring The Americas (U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Brazil), Europe, and the global market. On the global stage, The LEGO Group took home the top honors as Top Toy Manufacturer of the Year, while Mattel scored big on two fronts with Barbie being named Toy Toy Property of the Year and the Hot Wheels 1:64-scale Mainline Assortment named Top Selling Toy of the Year. Read more…
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Tru Kids Brands Quietly Closes Toys “R” Us in Houston Galleria
Just 13 months after opening its doors, Tru Kids Brands’ new Toys “R” Us store at the Houston Galleria has gone out of business. The store quietly closed nearly two weeks ago and has been removed from the mall’s website following social media posts from consumers expressing frustration and sadness. Read more…
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The Latest Additions to Barbie’s Fashionistas Dolls Embrace Diversity and Inclusion
Barbie is getting even more inclusive with the latest additions to its Barbie Fashionistas line. The Fashionistas dolls this year include Ken in a wheelchair, Ken with rooted hair reflecting an afro, and Barbie with lighter skin with vitiligo. The brand is also rolling out new packaging that includes a reusable bag for kids to carry their dolls for more portable and sustainable play. Read more…
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Moose Toys Inks Deal for Silvergate Media's Octonauts: Above & Beyond
Fire up the Creature Report and sound the Octo-Alert because the Octonauts are back for a new generation. Moose Toys inked a deal with Silvergate Media to create a new line of Octonauts toys, including figures, vehicles, playsets, plush, games, and more. The new range will debut later this year to support the new preschool series, Octonauts: Above & Beyond. Read more...
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The Toy Association to Reveal Its Top Toy and Play Trends of 2021 Next Month
From toys that encourage family bonding to playthings that enrich learning about everything from STEAM subjects to cultural diversity, The Toy Association’s trends team is once again gearing up to unveil the hottest trends of the year during its annual Toy Trends Briefing presentation, taking place virtually on Feb. 16. Read more…
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Kids Can Create Funky AR Music Videos with LEGO Vidiyo
Universal Music Group (UMG) and the LEGO Group are partnering to create a new platform that encourages kids ages 7-10 to explore music in a way they can really make it their own. Kids can use the app to create fun music videos by combining LEGO minifigures with music tracks and augmented reality (AR) features. Read more…
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Hasbro Reveals New Beyblade Burst Toys to Accompany Season 5 of the TV Series
As Beymasters get ready for season five of Beyblade Burst Surge, Hasbro reveals its new Beyblade Burst Speedstorm toy line. The collection will include official Beyblade Burst Speedstorm tops that are designed to get the ultimate speed boost from the Power Vortex — an energy zone at the center of the Speedstorm Beystadium. Read more…
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Laser Pegs Sponsors Sneak Peek at Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten on Genius Brands’ Kartoon Channel!
This weekend, Never Wrong Toys’ Laser Pegs will sponsor a special sneak peek event for the long-awaited debut of Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, the new animated series from Genius Brands International. The series, voice-directed by John Landis and co-executive produced by and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, will officially debut on Genius Brands’ Kartoon Channel! app this spring. Read more...
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Hasbro’s Transformers Roll Out with Jazwares’ Zōteki Collection
Jazwares teamed with Hasbro on a new wave of Zōteki collectible characters inspired by the warriors of Cybertron. The Transformers Zōteki Series 1 Assortment debuted at Target stores this month. Transformers Zōteki are statue-like, non-articulated figures that kids and collectors can collect and connect to form a scene inspired by the iconic G1 Transformers packaging artwork from the 1980s. Read more…
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Make Way for More Than 40 New Squishmallows in February
Kellytoy — a subsidiary of Jazwares — is releasing more than 40 new Squishmallows next month. The first items on the ‘mallow menu include plush food items, like a cheeseburger and fries; deep-sea creatures, such as whales, crabs, octopuses, and penguins; and tie-dye dinosaurs. This is in addition to the Valentine’s Day Squishmallows and the Easter egg styles previously announced. Read more…
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Learning Resources and GoGo Squeez Partner for Snack and Toy Giveaway
The collaboration features GoGo Squeez Happy Tummiez snack pouches and a bundle of hands-on educational toys from Learning Resources, including the new Big Feelings Pineapple and the Snap-n-Learn Fruit Shapers. Social promotions featuring the pairings will debut next month. Read more…
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Former Mattel, Spin Master Exec Nancy Zwiers Returns to the ‘Power Kid Podcast’
In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes back toy industry veteran Nancy Zwiers. Zwiers’ last appearance topped the charts as the most-streamed episode of the “Power Kid Podcast” for 2020, and for the sequel, she’s sharing her thoughts on how “play is natures’ way of helping us learn how to survive” Listen here…
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Once-Kids’ Playsets Inspire Educational, Eco-Friendly Fun
As environmental awareness grows prevalent, new generations need engaging and informative products to aid their understanding of concepts like sustainability and natural resources. Once-Kids aims to satisfy that need through their diverse product line of eco-friendly playsets. Read more…
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Nanoblock Builds Up U.S. Distribution with Bluefin
Bluefin, North America’s leader in the distribution of toys from Japan, has partnered with Kawada in importing and distributing Nanoblock, Kawada’s micro construction line of block toys. Bluefin plans to support the growing line with new initiatives in marketing and sales, with special offers of various Nanoblock items for its fanbase. Read more…
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‘Super7 Days of Teasers’ Kicks Off with ThunderCats Ultimates ThunderTank
A year without a Toy Fair isn’t stopping Super7 from rolling out some big reveals. The San Francisco-based company kicked off its “Super7 Days of Teasers” promotion with a bang this week, rolling out the first look at its ThunderCats Ultimates! ThunderTank Vehicle. The 7-inch scale version of the vehicle made famous during the ThunderCats’ 1980s heyday will be available to order next week. Read more…
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Golden Bear Toys Debuts Branding Refresh, Virtual Toy Fair Platform
UK-based Golden Bear Toys is celebrating more than 40 years in the toy industry with a refreshed identity and a new way to connect with customers. For 2021, the company has updated its famous Golden Bear logo with a contemporary look, which debuted on a new website that showcases the company’s full product portfolio, including top licenses and brands such as In the Night Garden, Hey Duggee, Love Monster, and more. Read more…
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Make Your Heart Roar with Gigantosaurus Valentine’s Day Specials
Gigantosaurus is an animated series about young dinosaurs who go on quests to explore their world, facing their fears, working together to solve problems, and learning more about the Big Guy — the mysterious Gigantosaurus himself. Read more…
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Marvel Comics Celebrates Black History Month with Powerful Variant Covers
Ernanda Souza created a series of covers so strong and sleek, you would think she used Vibranium in the ink. To celebrate Black History Month, Marvel Comics has teamed up with rising artist Souza for a series of variant covers featuring Black Marvel heroes, including Miles Morales, Blade, Black Panther, Iron Heart, War Machine, Storm, Falcon, and the new Valkyrie. This marks Souza’s Marvel Comics debut. Read more…
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Flashback: Newly Discovered Video Goes Inside Toys “R” Us Circa 1991
If you’re feeling nostalgic for the “old days” of toy retail, a newly unearthed video may just scratch that itch. In the clip shot on Nov. 27, 1991 at the Herald Center Toys “R” Us, shoppers are browsing an incredible assortment of early ’90s toys and games from an era where “stack ’em high and watch ’em fly” was still a big part of the retail mantra. The sheer volume of inventory available in a single location is a reminder of how much the business of physical retail has changed in 30 years. Read more…
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The Licensing Industry Mourns the Loss of Kelvyn Gardner
The Toy Book received the sad news that Kelvyn Gardner, founder of UK-based licensing consultancy firm Asgard Media, passed away of a sudden heart attack. Gardner was a frequent contributor to the Licensing Book, former sister publication of the Toy Book, during his 10-year tenure as managing director of Licensing International UK. Quick-witted, kind-hearted, and always a pleasure to work with, Gardner was a fountain of knowledge and provided an inside look at the licensing industry from his side of the pond. Read more…
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