The latest news from the world of toy, game and collectibles retailing, including financial results, store openings and closings, promotions and marketing efforts, product exclusives 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
NRF backs credit card fee control efforts By Staff - 05/09/2008
May 9, 2008—The National Retail Federation is publicly supporting antitrust legislation scheduled to be discussed this month by a congressional committee that would require credit card companies to negotiate with retailers over rising credit card processing fees.
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ASTRA ups Marketplace’s safety info efforts By Staff - 05/06/2008
May 6, 2008—There are many things notable about this year’s edition of the annual ASTRA Marketplace & Academy tradeshow, but one stand out is the focus on toy safety and the legal challenges the industry is facing across the nation.
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Toys 'R' Us' profit jumps 40% By Staff - 05/05/2008
May 5, 2008—Toys “R” Us Inc. said on Friday that its net earnings jumped nearly 40 percent for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended on Feb. 2, 2008, compared to the similar periods in the prior year.
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Disney to close 100 stores By Staff - 05/02/2008
May 2—The Walt Disney Company, Burbank, Calif., will close approximately 98 Disney Store retail locations in the United States and two in Canada, as part of its recent acquisition of the chain in North America from subsidiaries of The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc.
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Brilliant Sky expands franchise to Carolinas By Staff - 05/01/2008
May 1, 2008—Specialty toy franchisor TT&B, Inc. announced that it has finalized an agreement to develop its Brilliant Sky Toys & Books specialty retail brand in North and South Carolina. The agreement calls for the immediate development of one Brilliant Sky store in Charlotte, N.C., and a commitment to develop six additional stores within the next five years.
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Toys 'R' Us reacts to BPA concerns By Staff - 04/21/2008
April 21, 2008—In the wake of a report citing “some concern” about the health effects of bisphenol A (BPA), Toys “R” Us is now among the major infant product retailers moving away from stocking baby bottles that contain the chemical.
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NSSEA to end Ed Toy & Gift show By Staff - 04/17/2008
April 17, 2008—The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) announced this morning that the National School Supply and Equipment Association (NSSEA) will collaborate with ASTRA to promote ASTRA’s 2009 Marketplace event in an agreement that means the end of NSSEA’s 2-year-old Ed Toy & Gift Showcase following this month's edition.
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Out of the Toy Box Richard Gottlieb, President, Richard Gottlieb & Associates November 12, 2007 Grown Up Toys
The news for the toy industry has been pretty serious lately so I thought I woul... More
Out of the Toy Box Richard Gottlieb, President, Richard Gottlieb & Associates September 28, 2007 Rethinking “Made in Mexico”
As U.S. importers continue to rethink their manufacturing options, eyes may once agai... 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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