More Articles By Staff

• Study: Girls' electronic entertainment use up
  Sept. 23, 2008—Girls ages 2 to 14 are spending more time this year on entertainment-related activities than they did in 2007, according to a new NPD Group study. More
  
• Toy Hall of Fame nominees revealed
  Sept. 23, 2008—This year’s National Toy Hall of Fame nominees were announced yesterday by host organization, Strong National Museum of Play. More
  
• Holiday sales expected to lag
  Sept. 23, 2008—The National Retail Federation said today it expects 2008 holiday season retail sales to grow just 2.2 percent, well off the industry’s 10 year average of 4.4 percent sales growth. More
  
• R&R adds 'Igor' games
  Sept. 19, 2008.—R&R Games is releasing two games based on Exodus Film Group’s animated feature Igor , which opens in theaters this weekend. More
  
• Paradise plans Bella Sara horse range
  Sept. 18, 2008—Paradise Horses, maker of replica horses, ponies and playsets, has been signed by Hidden City Games for a line of licensed fantasy horses based on the Bella Sara trading card game’s characters. More
  
• KB Toys expands Super Value program
  Sept. 17, 2008—KB Toys is expanding its Super Value discount-priced merchandise program to include video games and family-oriented DVDs. More
  
• Build-A-Bear drops doll stores
  Sept. 17, 2008—Build-A-Bear Workshop is ending its foray into make-your-own dolls, announcing plans yesterday to close its nine Friends 2B Made concept stores. More
  
• LIMA names MD for Japan
  Sept. 16, 2008—The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association has appointed Roger Berman managing director of LIMA Japan. More
  
• Playmobil goes to school
  CRANBURY, N.J.—Playmobil USA is taking a more active role in kids’ education, teaming with Scholastic for a series of branded curriculum guides for grade-school teachers. More
  
• Kidrobot plans Chicago pop-up store
  Sept. 15, 2008—Kidrobot, the bi-coastal creator and retailer of limited edition art toys, apparel and accessories, will open a seasonal store in Chicago next month, its first foray into America's interior. More
  
• Zobmondo in QSR deal
  Sept. 15, 2008—Zobmondo!! Entertainment has partnered with Arby’s for a promotion that will see the Would You Rather…? game franchise featured in the fast-food restaurant chain’s kids meals. More
  
• U.S. stores help Toys 'R' Us profit in Q2
  Sept. 12, 2008—Toys ‘R’ Us pulled off a profitable second quarter, helped by net sales gains at all three of its divisions, an increase in gross margins and the liquidation of its Hong Kong subsidiary. More
  
• Mattel revamps Barbie team
  Sept. 11, 2008—Mattel has reorganized the Barbie brand’s various businesses and creative centers, merging its formerly separate toy development and brand licensing units under one global brand management team, the company announced this week. More
  
• Mrs. Grossman moves on
  Sept.11, 2008—Mrs. Grossman’s said today that founder and president Andrea Grossman is handing over the sticker company’s leadership to her son, Jason Grossman. More
  
• Protocol helicopters recalled
  Sept. 11, 2008—New York’s Ashley Collection Inc., which does business as Protocol, is recalling 78,000 units of its Protocol remote-controlled mini helicopter because the toy poses a fire and burn hazard. More
  
• Global toy sales rose in 2007
  Sept. 10, 2008—Despite slumping domestic sales and continuing competition from children's entertainment alternatives like video games, worldwide toy market sales topped $71.96 billion dollars in 2007, a 5 percent increase over the $68.5 billion generated in 2006, according to The NPD Group. More
  
• Grand sells International Playthings
  Sept. 9, 2008—Grand Toys International Ltd. today announced the signing of a term sheet to sell all of the assets of its U.S. specialty toy subsidiary, International Playthings Inc., to an affiliate of Japanese toy maker Epoch Co. Ltd. More
  
• Senario's sales soar in Q2
  Sept. 9, 2008—Children’s entertainment products maker Senario said it tallied a 44 percent jump in year-over-year revenue during its recently concluded second quarter. More
  
• TRU upgrades safety site
  Sept. 9, 2008—Toys "R" Us this week unveiled enhancements to its safety-focused microsite, Toysrus.com/safety. More
  
• McNeill taps E.S.P. for Northeast
  Sept. 9, 2008—McNeill Designs for Brighter Minds named rep group Ellen Shankman Partners to handle sales of its line to independent toy and game retailers, specialty stores and gift shops in the Northeast. More