What's Selling

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

"Toy Fair was okay, but there wasn't anything too exciting for the specialty stores. Nothing stands out clearly," the owner of three Chicago area premium toy stores told PLAYTHINGS right after the February event. "Except for robots," she added—and possibly the 'noise.'

"I don't know why they have to put lights and sounds in almost every toy!" she quipped.

Nevertheless, this same storeowner did say that she was excited about Tiny Love's colorful, battery-operated Symphony-In-Motion Mobile (SRP $45), and she's also impressed with Manhattan Toy's baby line. Since she is currently expanding her infant line, she said she plans to include Manhattan's Woozit Musical Mobile (SRP $55), available in May, to her product mix.

Additionally, she's pleased with the Gund, Applause and Ty lines. "The quality of plush compared to even three years ago is much better, and prices are down," she noted.

She's also excited about the new kites by Go Fly A Kite, especially the 3-foot Duster Biplane (SRP $22), Red Baron Triplane (SRP $22), and Sky Copter (SRP $24). No assembly is required, and they have propellers that spin as they fly.

In general, the store owner stated that sales were down compared with last year during the mid-winter Toy Fair period. "But, if we play well, putting in basics and quality items, we'll do nicely," she predicts.

Meanwhile, the owner of two upscale toy stores said that although she saw lots of good, new products at Toy Fair, there were no major introductions of new systems—just expansions of existing lines and products. She was, however, impressed with good offerings from small, unique companies.

After devoting lots of time searching for games from independent game dealers, this store owner found a unique card game by R & R called Pig Pile (SRP $16), and another by Chuckles Games called Brain Strain (SRP $25), which has a fast-action format involving all the players.

"Out of the Box has three terrific card games," she commented. They are: Blink (SRP $10), for two players, taking less than two minutes per game and My Word! as well as My Word! Junior (SRP $10.00 each) for two to six players, taking 10 to 20 minutes per game.

She was also impressed with International Playthings games, especially Fishing for Numbers, Egg 'n Spoon Race, and Barnyard Boogie Woogie (SRP $15 to $20) for ages 3-plus.

Manhattan Toy has widely expanded its Groovy Girls line (SRP $10 each), and she was waiting for her order to arrive. "These dolls have an amazing appeal from 1-year-olds to 16-year-olds," she remarked.

She carries the full line of LEGO and found many interesting items in the DUPLO category. "The Life on Mars line is really flying off the shelf, and we're selling lots of the bigger pieces," she said. The Technic line, for 7-year-olds and older was also selling well.

"Curiosity Kits has really expanded its line of high-quality, craft kits," she reported. She's especially impressed with Curious Girl kits, which come in collectible tins and are very appealing to young girls. She included on her list: Curious Little Ones kits, targeted for pre-schoolers, and Curious Baby kits, which she said are perfect as baby shower.

Meanwhile, the owner of a western suburban hobby store replenished his stock of Learning Curve's Thomas the Tank products. He told PLAYTHINGS that the named cars seemed to be selling the fastest (SRP $10 and up).

Sales of LEGO's Life on Mars line (SRP $5 and up) was exceptionally strong, he added, and the Star Wars line is generating big sales as well.

This same store owner was just beginning to receive his shipment of kites by Gayla and Spectrum (SRP $3 to $100) in February.

A buyer for a big toy wholesaler said he expected the BattleBots license to be very big, noting wind-up figures by Jakks Pacific (SRP $4.99), which will be available in August. Jakks will also carry hand-controlled Grip N Grapplers (SRP $7.99). Tiger will be carrying radio-controlled figures (SRP $39.99 each).

"I feel the industry is going hi-tech and people want toys with more bells and whistles, so items will, of course, be more expensive," he predicted.

And in anticipation of the May 18, 2001 movie release of Shrek , his store will be carrying figures by McFarlane (SRP $7.99 each), as well as bean bags (SRP $8.99 each).

Despite the cool weather and economy, a national specialty chain counted several winners during the dead of winter.

"Manhattan Toy's Groovy Girls was one," (SRP $9.99), says a spokesperson for the chain, referring to the 13-inch dolls of different ethnicities. LeapFrog's Leap Pad Learning Center (SRP $49.99) was another, with the chain offering a buy-two-get-one-free deal on companion books (SRP $14.99).

An independent specialty retailer, however, contended that winter weather and the sluggish economy had conspired to turn the toy business on its head. "What we need is a hot toy," he said.

Nevertheless, he reported two bright spots: Set Enterprises' Quiddler word game (SRP $12.95) and Wild Planet's spy toys and tool kit (SRP $23.95).

Sony's PlayStation 2 maintained its elusive ways for a store belonging to a national chain. "Since Christmas, I've received only one shipment and that was in late January," said a spokesman for the chain, adding it was gone quickly.

Any fast-moving games for the 2? Namco's TekkenTag Tournament (SRP $49.96), said the spokesperson, noting that the store is also still selling Nintendos (SRP $99.96).

Meanwhile, Ty's Valentine Beanie Kid (SRP $7.99) sold out for one location of a local chain. And Mattel's Barbies were also selling, although sales of scooters and Tiger's Poo Chi have slowed a bit. At the same time, another of the chain's locations was being shuttered. As part of the going-out-of-business sale, Mattel's Barbie Deluxe dollhouses (SRP $140 to $160) were being sold at 40-percent-off liquidation price. Ditto for all the toys in the store, including chess and checker games.

The Myachi back-of-the-hand catch game was moving nicely for one of the chain's stores located north of Santa Barbara, said a spokesman there, who added that Saturnian 1 Sport's Thumb Ball (SRP $18.99) and D&L's Stomp Rockets (SRP $16.95) are good sellers as well.

The final two sales stars for this specialty chain come from Children's Development: modeling clay in different smells and colors (SRP $3.99 to $4.99) and a translucent safe/bank (SRP $19.99) with a keypad locking system. "It's a high-tech piggy bank," the spokesperson summed up.

While the weather may have deterred a few customers, a never-ending supply of snow continued to buoy sales of winter goods.

Skis were top sellers, boosted by special ski days scheduled in public schools (no classes, just an entire day on the slopes) and ski weekends for kids sponsored by church and temple groups.

This year, snows led to several variations on the ski theme, including Skijoring, where skiers are pulled by dog teams made up of family pets, even French poodles. Also new, here, are ski blades, a cross between skis and rollerblades (blades are $209 and bindings $60, from Atomic).

Skiing was not the only snow-fun. Toboggans and sleds were in steady demand. Some schools held Snow Day outings on hills in nearby parks. One organization held a "Take Your Daughter Snowboarding" day for members of a women's group.

Robotic pets were still good sellers during the winter months, boosted by price-cuts due to the introduction of new species. SRM's iPuppy, for example, can be adopted for only $6. At the same time, Tekno was priced at $39, while Tiger Electronics' Poo-Chi and Meow-Chi were on sale at some stores for just $20. Super Poo-Chi was tagged at $40, down $20 from the previous $60.

The PowerPuff Girls seemed to be getting more attention, perhaps because parents are picking up on the whimsical humor of the cartoon series. In addition, retailers think the upcoming movie will add more power appeal. Meanwhile the girls are affordable, priced at three for $12. For more pretend-play, there's Trendmasters Mayor's Office for $9.99.

Among the enduring favorites on display were Bandai's Power Ranger figures at $5.99, Toy Story licensed goods (several categories were sold out in some stores) and Hot Wheels. Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs rated an end cap in one store, with an attractive $19.99 price tag.

Breyer horses were setting a fast pace, both for the play-with set and collectors, who like Easy Jet, Silky Keno and the Lone Ranger's Silver.

The trend toward private label toys is still gaining momentum as evidenced at Toys R Us and Target. Typically, a Target toy department will devote an entire aisle to Kool Toyz in distinctive blue boxes and price tags that are hard to ignore, such as four cheerleading dolls for $10.

For those who've endured the wind-chill factor long enough, several escapes were offered in local stores. Among those diversions was Rub-a-Dub by ALEX (priced at $9.99), an in-tub body painting kit for young bathers. Others included Generation Girl's My Room (priced at $19.99), Oddzon's GirlAction Jump Rope Rock and Tootsietoys' Mr. Bubbles.

Although there were still "sold out" signs where PlayStation 2 would have been displayed, many customers were consoled by offers such as a free Pokemon Pikachu 2 with a $70 Game Boy Color system.

By mid-February, stores were displaying lots of Easter goods, among them Reese's Easter Eggs, for 44 cents each and Easter plush from Commonwealth for $4.99.

Retailers were looking ahead to more scooter sales, led by Razor's new models, ranging up to $400 for the first electric model the company has produced.

A sign of approaching warmer weather emerged on shelves as winter drew to a close: Larami's arsenal of Super Soakers. Shoppers had plenty to choose from with options like the Super Soaker XP85 (SRP $12.99), XP 270 (SRP $9.99), Soakin' Cell Phone (SRP $2.99) and Soakin' Camera (SRP $2.99).

The Cartoon Network's PowerPuff Girls (from Trendmasters) zoomed from shelves to carts with mini dolls (SRP $5.99) such as Pool Party Buttercup and Pool Party Blossom. PowerPuff Playsets grabbed shoppers' attentions as well. Fun possibilities for PowerPuff fans in this line included Pokey Oaks Playset 2 with a chalkboard, a toy elephant slide, a PowerPuff Girls Hotline Telephone and the PowerPuff Laboratory with Professor Utonium, a beaker and lab.

Stores also featured Mattel's Kitty Fun (SRP $16.99) with a kitty, litter box, carrier, cat toys and grooming essentials, and Bedtime Baby (SRP $16.99) with a baby, crib and mobile. Another featured item for Barbie fans included the Barbie Pop Out Picnic SUV (SRP $16.99) and Rain or Sun Barbie (SRP $14.99). The latter includes an umbrella that sprinkles rain when squeezed and a backpack that transforms into a beach chair. Mattel's Kelly collectible dolls were also selling, including Amusement Park Kelly, Surfing Kelly and Springtime Kelly (SRP $2.99 each).

Rainy days at the end of winter encouraged families to sample a vast array of games. Preschoolers enjoyed options such as Workman's My First Brain Quest games. Fisher-Price games also offered the younger set some yummy items such as Oreo Matchin' Middles (SRP $5.89) and Ice Cream Scoops of Fun (SRP $5.89). The I Spy Preschool Game by Briarpatch (SRP $16.99), Franklin Dominoes Great American Puzzle Factory (SRP $5.99), Go Fish by Fisher-Price (SRP $5.99) and Milton Bradley's Cootie Jitterbug (SRP $19.99) were included among the game favorites. Card games with giant cards for little hands were popular as well, with My First Uno Game with Rugrats or Barbie by Mattel (SRP $4.99), Curious George Beginning, Middle, and End Game by Rose Art (SRP $3.97), and Blue's Clues Card Game by University Games (SRP $3.99) moving off the shelves.

Jakks' Gooze Mega-Glitter attracted attention with hot colors such as raspberry, lemon yellow and purple in Gooze containers such as a star, a heart and a genie's bottle. In the same line, Zyrofoam (SRP $4.99) offered "the forming compound of the future" in a mesh bag and fun shades of lime green and French blue.

Best-selling Game Boy games included favorites such as Bam! Entertainment's PowerPuff Girls Bad Mojo Jojo and Battle Him (SRP $23.99), Interactive Imagination's Magi-Nation (SRP $23.99), Acclaim's Mary-Kate and Ashley Winner's Circle (SRP $23.99), and Infogrames'Looney Tunes Racing (SRP $24.99).

Harry Potter continued to light the young imaginations with popular toys such as Mattel's 300-piece puzzle (SRP $7.99), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Game (SRP $29.99), and the Mystery at Hogwart's Game (SRP $16.99).