The latest news from the world of toy, game and collectibles companies, including financial results, promotions and marketing efforts, product exclusives, recalls and other business developments.
Market Insight: Retail strategies for startups By Nancy Zwiers - 03/11/2008
March 11—The retail climate is more challenging than ever, and the barriers to entry have never been more daunting. Consolidation continues, with the top three toy retailers (Wal-Mart, Target, and Toys 'R' Us) alone wielding enormous power. More
Action Products' sales off 10 percent in Q1 By Staff - 05/12/2008
May 12, 2008—Action Products International said in an SEC filing last week that a 10 percent drop in net sales during the first three months of 2008 helped balloon its net loss for the quarter 65 percent to $905,800.
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Mega Brands loses in Q1 as sales slide By Staff - 05/08/2008
May 8, 2008—Mega Brands recorded a net loss of $9.6 million in 2008’s first quarter, the company said today, a period that saw falling sales in North America and rising production costs impacingt its bottom line.
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K'Nex grows Euro distro By Staff - 05/07/2008
May 7, 2008—K’Nex Brands is expanding its international distribution deal with Tomy to include the United Kingdom, Belgium and Holland, the construction toy maker said today.
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LeapFrog's sales stalled By Staff - 05/06/2008
May 6, 2008—LeapFrog Enterprises said this week that slower sales—sitting in neutral as the company waits for the impact of upcoming new products to offset declines of discontinued designs—didn’t stop it from paring its net loss in the first quarter of 2008.
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Corgi sells namesake division to Hornby By Staff - 05/05/2008
May 5, 2008—Corgi International Limited is selling its flagship Corgi collectibles die-cast business to Britain’s Hornby Hobbies Ltd., including the "Corgi" brand name, tooling and existing inventory for a combined $16.6 million.
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Exec buys Rhythm Band By Staff - 04/30/2008
April 30, 2009—Private equity firm Momentum Capital Partners has partnered with Rhythm Band Instruments veteran Brad Kirkpatrick to acquire the assets of the children’s musical instrument maker.
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Nintendo recalls character pins over lead By Staff - 04/29/2008
April 29, 2008—Nintendo of America, Redmond, Wash., is recalling 71,000 metal character pins because they contain high levels of lead.
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Out of the Toy Box Richard Gottlieb, President, Richard Gottlieb & Associates January 8, 2008 Hong Kong: Day 5
Since arriving in Hong Kong I have been writing about upward pressure on prices so my... More
Out of the Toy Box Richard Gottlieb, President, Richard Gottlieb & Associates January 6, 2008 Hong Kong: Day 3
I would describe the mood of the toy industry here as somewhat somber. If I were... More
Out of the Toy Box Richard Gottlieb, President, Richard Gottlieb & Associates January 2, 2008 Things to watch for in 2008
I leave tomorrow for Hong Kong and am looking forward to working with my clients and ... More
Out of the Toy Box Richard Gottlieb, President, Richard Gottlieb & Associates December 31, 2007 What really happened in 2007!
There may have been a worse year for the toy industry but it would be hard to find on... More
New York Comic Con 2008: Mattel Product highlights from Mattel at the 2008 New York Comic Con, including figures from its Batman The Dark Knight, DC Universe and DC Universe Infinite Heroes series; Target-only Justice League Unlimited figures; and San Diego Comic-Con exclusives.
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