What's Selling

If you're a retailer and would like to take part in PLAYTHINGS ' monthly survey of what's selling, e-mail the editors at dgerardi@cahners.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all prices listed below are retail prices.

Catch a Bubble? Good luck! The Spin Master hit—bubbles with staying power—was totally sold out at a large Zany Brainy in the trendy Galleria Mall. "We can't keep them in stock," a store employee said, as she slipped the last one out of a drawer at the cash out counter. "It's for demo-ing," she whispered.

There was also only one of Tyco Toys' Canned Heat left in the store as well. There's just no keeping the little RC vehicle that fits in a can container in stock, one of the store's assistant managers told PLAYTHINGS . There was no keeping Spider-Man action figures on the shelves either. Both Spidey and the Green Goblin were sold out in two days "even before the movie came out," the assistant said.

With a huge Market Center and major corporate headquarters in the region, the mall itself draws a lot of out-of-town professionals, tourists and sundry 'sight-seekers.' They are, nevertheless, buyers and account for about 70 percent of the business at the mall's toy and other specialty stores that carry playthings.

Retailers say that many are the times customers will come into their store and argue with themselves over whether to buy something. "Should I buy it and take it on the plane? Should I take a chance and look for it at home? Should I mail it home?" are some of the rhetorical questions travelers ask themselves—often out loud, the retailers say. They most always do buy, however; the bubbles and cars being just two cases in point.

Another popular car item moving off the shelves at the Zany Brainy outlet included Funrise's Penny Racers four-pack, which includes the penny. "We go through quite a bit," the assistant manager said. "It's kind of unusual to get money in something you buy," he joked.

He noted that kites by Go Fly a Kite were moving, among them the Pocket Parafoil and the Mini Diamond Kite. The store also featured the Fly Fishing model that comes with a fish kite and rod and reel.

Meanwhile two bug catchers were on display and vying for shopper attention: Firefly Lantern by Coleman Kids and Uncle Milton's My Bug Keeper. The assistant said that while the Coleman version was cool, the real mover was the Uncle Milton version.

As for indoor playthings, Rubiks Cube was definitely having a revival, according to the assistant, who noted that 15 had been sold in one week. "It's become very popular again," the assistant said, adding that Scrabble and Monopoly were moving well too.

The guys, he said, were buying up Wild Planet's Spy Gear, "especially the Night Vision Binoculars. At the same time, the girls were sweeping up Manhattan Toy's Groovy Girls and San Rio's Hello Kitty merchandise.

At another Zany outlet in the Dallas-Ft. Worth suburbs, Lego Star Wars products were selling at a brisk pace. So were 12-inch poseable Spider-Man and Green Goblin figures by Toy Biz. And the store looked ready for the release of the Scooby Doo movie with plenty of licensed product in stock, including the Scooby Doo Mystery Solving Crew by Equity Marketing.

On the construction side, top-selling Lego products included the Technic and Jack Stone sets. Meanwhile all Playmobil product was being offered at 20 percent off the original price. At the same time, noted a store employee, customers were beginning to come in and ask by name for Rokenbok product. He also noted brisk sales of Mega Blocks, adding that the company has a lot of good product.

A Zany sister-store, Right Start—also in the suburbs—was having a clearance on Madeline product by Learning Curve and Eden plush. Children in the store, however, seemed attracted to a display of Funny Friends plush merchandise and Munchkin's Bath Critters.

The store also featured a lively display of infant toys including Lamaze plush and Tiny Love mobiles. Chicco's Sing-Along CD Player and Flip and Play Activity Table were on display for pre-schoolers.

And even in a store that caters mostly to the toddling generation, a selection of Groovy Girls were available at the cash-out counter.

The ubiquitous 'girls' were also featured in Noah's Ark, a specialty toy store in the Galleria, where they were doing quite well. The outlet is one of four Noah's Arks in the Dallas-Ft. Worth region.

And while Learning Curve's Thomas the Tank Engine products—some as high as $500—were moving well too, the manager noted that sales had dropped a bit since the mall's Nordstrom began selling Thomas product.

The biggest sellers in the store, though, according to one of its managers, were umbrellas by Raindear that resemble the heads of animals like cats, zebras, bears and lions. "We sell about 100 in a month" the manager said, noting that sales had increased substantially, thanks to a special display rack provided by the manufacturer that was placed at the front of the store.

The store also featured an attractive display of Aurora Tote Bags. With shoulder straps as well as handles, the selection included cows and a St. Bernard dog.

Ty's Beanie products were among the other plush movers although the manager noted that there were no longer "lines outside the door." And, no surprise for a state like Texas, Breyer horses were among the popular sellers.

Puppets, though, who would have known? The manager noted that since the store began stocking hand puppets by Folkmanis, they had become a real popular favorite.

The store, in fact, does a nice trade in plush in spite of a good deal of competition in the mall.

Included in that competition is The Dog Company, a specialty store loaded with plush dogs of every make and model.

In addition, another specialty store— Best of Dallas—was well stocked with a selection of Ty Beanies as well as plush coyotes, and various other critters by anonymous plush companies.

A Build-a-Bear knock-off store—Adopt-a-Bear—also provides some plush competition. Fashioned after the successful chain, the wannabe interactive bear factory boasts many of the same features as the original, including sales of accessories. The factory also promotes birthday parties. A store employee noted that several other factories were located in the South.

Among the other plush in Noah's Ark—which got its start as a plush store—was a collection of Steiff, as well as some soft Lamaze and Manhattan Baby products. While the Steiff doesn't 'fly off the shelf,' the manager said that one sale could "make your day," noting that someone had recently bought a $195 monkey.

Columbus, ranked seventh among metropolitan areas in the nation for amount of retail space per person, also has more retail space per capita than the cities of New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Boston. Mass market retailers and specialty toy stores are plentiful.

All seven KB Toy Stores in Columbus agree with Andrea Pignatelli, a KB spokesperson, when they say, "Spider-Man figures by Toy Biz and Star War figures by Hasbro are suddenly all the rage." Apparently the force is back in full figure when it comes to Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Spider-Man. Both movies have had a huge impact on the buying public in Columbus.

While Catch-a-Bubble by Spin Master was the cool new springtime novelty, according to Pignatelli, the focus was on Skywalker and Spidey. Michael Carroll, store owner of the Easton Market Zany Brainy agrees, "Catch-a-Bubble is the bubble toy of all times but anything Star Wars or Spider-Man is almost to hot to handle." Carroll noted, "It is the authentically detailed Lightsaber by Hasbro Toys for the Star Wars fanatics and the new Webshooter by Toy Biz that actually shoots web fluid for the Spidey fans. Both items are difficult to keep in stock," he said.

Carroll added, Groovy Girls are still a big seller and he sees more interest in the dolls than the accessories although the store carries a complete line of both. He also admitted that while Ty Beanie Babies still sell well, the craze as we all know has died down.

When asked about trends, Carroll had an interesting comment. "Sales of sports equipment in general have declined. I believe it is because today's kids are spending less time playing outside." Carroll noted that this phenomenon could in part be due to inclement weather, but he feels strongly that kids are spending more time in front of their computers and the television than enjoying the great outdoors and sporting activities.

George Taylor, storeowner of the Blue Caboose, noted Mattel Hot Wheels and Johnny Lightning die cast cars by Playing Mantis were his number one sellers. He also noted HO trains overall were a good category as well as Lionel trains by Learning Curve.

But, over at Comic Town the surge for Spider-Man comics is in full swing. Store manager, David Mahlin said, Ultimate Spider-Man, Amazing Spider-Man and Ultimate X-men were his top sellers by Marvel Comics. Mahlin also thought it most interesting that 10 years ago, the hottest comic book around was Spawn. "We sold more than 300 copies a month," said Mahlin. "Today we might sell 10 to 15 copies in a month."

Finally, Toys R Us made it unanimous regarding the new action figures. Store manager, Martin Stevenson, gives a thumbs-up review on all Star Wars figures by Hasbro and Spider-Man figures by Toy Biz. Stevenson noted that the Spider-Man and Star War craze is not gender specific. He placed Resident Evil by Capcom as the video game of the month and said, "Since the recent price drop, PlayStation 2 and Xbox are selling very well."