Toy Industry Inventory Update

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Inventory in November -

The Good News and the Bad News

First the good news. Manufacturers are doing a great job keeping items in stock this fourth quarter. Many of their projections were spot-on which means late ordering will not be an obstacle this year.

Now the bad news. Many of the most popular items are already sold out for the year. Retailers coming off a strong year, ordered certain items in unprecedented numbers that no one could predict.

There's more bad news and it's entirely out of manufacturer's control. More and more shipments are being flagged at Customs. Not only are more containers stopped but where inspections used to be 3 or 4 days, they are now 2 - 3 weeks.

I am letting you know this as I want you to try to extend compassion when you can, to late deliveries. It is so frustrating for manufacturers to deal with Customs, as well as being tremendously expensive.

As many of you know, I like to end with good news.

The good news is that you will be able to order very late this year and still get product. Manufacturers have inventory, are getting more inventory over the next few weeks, and in general are shipping quickly.

All signs point to an extremely strong November and December for you.

Sandy Ruben and Associates Reps

Sandy Ruben • sandyrubeninfo@gmail.com (Hillsborough, NC)

Katherine Hodges • katherinetoyrep@outlook.com (Garner, NC)

Don Smith • donsmithSRA@gmail.com (Athens, GA)

Valerie Bernstein • valeriebernstein1@gmail.com (Leesburg, AL)

Misty Blalock Audish • mbaudish@gmail.com (Charlotte, NC)

Rachel Jones • toysalesrep@hotmail.com (Chesapeake, VA)

Catherine Coury • catherinecoury2@hotmail.com (Raleigh, NC)

Karen Bortle • karenbortle@gmail.com (Clarksville, TN)

Boone Forst • booneforst@gmail.com (Mt. Pleasant, SC)

Jeff Griffith • jeffgriffithsra@gmail.com (Greensboro, NC)

Crystal Lemon • cctoysgames@gmail.com (Ft. Lauderdale/Asheville)

Tracy Jones • Tracy@sandyrubenandassociates.com (Melbourne, FL)

Justin Cooper • justin@sandyrubenandassociates.com (Louisville, KY)

Olivia Miller • olivia@sandyrubenandassociates.com (Wiggins, MS)

Theresa Duncan • theresa@sandyrubenandassociates.com (Fernandina Bch, FL)

Nicole Kleinfeld • nicole@sandyrubenandassociates.com (West Palm Beach, FL)

Marni Weaver • marni@sandyrubenandassociates.com (Atlanta, GA)

Mary Diddell • mary@sandyrubenandassociates.com (Birmingham, AL)

Lee Nickels • lee@sandyrubenandassociates.com (Pompano Beach, FL)

Sandy Ruben and Associates | 843-696-4464 | PO Box 849 Hillsborough, NC 27278 www.sandyrubenandassociates.com