Editor's picks
By Staff -- Playthings, 4/1/2004
Pint-sized action figures and dolls are all the rage. Just because they're small doesn't mean retailers can't capitalize on tremendous sales. These playthings may be small in stature, but are never short on fun! And retailers will love the fact that they take up minimal shelf space.
Hasbro goes to the head of the class with its Secret Central Class of '04 (SRP $4.99) line of collectible dolls. Each one (Sarah Simon, pictured here) comes with assorted fashions and accessories, a locker and locker combination, a note, a class photo sticker sheet and a yearbook, so kids can keep track of all their figures. The more they collect, the more secrets they'll discover. This line is a natural fit for stores gearing up for back-to-school.
If customers can't get enough of The Lord of the Rings, they may bend over backwards to get their hands on the latest twist on the trilogy: Twist-Ems (SRP $4.99) from Toy Biz. These movable figures, including Frodo (pictured here), are designed to amuse fans with their ability to walk, glide and crawl. Plus, the attention to detail—captured via laser-scanning technology—results in an uncanny resemblance to the actors featured in the motion picture series.
Dude, where's my Tech Deck Dude? X Concepts has revamped and revised its collection of miniature action sports-inspired figures by adding poseable arms, so kids can twist them into wacky positions. They also come packaged with collectible trading cards that feature the entire line. Each of the Tech Deck Evolution 1 Dudes (SRP $4.99), like Jack, pictured here, is available with five collector cards that highlight Dudes 'vitals,' such as hometown, hobbies and favorite food.
How fitting for Blueberry Muffin to be featured in a size like the little fruit for which she is named. At just a mere 1.5 inches, this Berry Sweet Wearable (SRP $2.99) from Bandai America comes with a berry-shaped locket, so little girls can take their figure along with them. But don't be fooled by her dimensions: the Strawberry Shortcake powerhouse property earned more than $200 million in retail sales last year alone!
The Neopets phenomenon lives on: The latest incarnation of the collectible creatures from Thinkway Toys is now available in a soft, 4-inch version. Neopets Plushies with clips (SRP $4.99) attach to kids' backpacks, bags and even zippers, so they can accessorize their duds with their favorite friends. These toys may work well up at the register as impulse buys, or as gift toppers for those hard-to-please tween customers.
