More Articles By Pamela Brill

• Bundle$ of Joy
  The math is simple: Little people add up to big sales when you’re in the baby business. It’s a market with little apparent downside. It’s perpetually self-renewing. It’s not directly impacted by age compression. And it carries none of the baggage of other toy categories. (What’s there to complain about a pastel-colored teddy bear?) Demographically, there’s ra... More
  
• Extreme Makeover
  As the toy industry continues to revamp itself in response to recent recalls and production glitches, the construction toy category, too, is reshaping its focus, and finding ways to address such critical issues as rising oil prices, eco-friendly awareness and the implementation of safer materials. Whether they specialize in wooded blocks or plastic building pieces, manufacturers are donning the... More
  
• Worldly Delights
  It all begins with a dream… Unlike many of the playthings that are the result of focus group studies or market research, toys that make up the multicultural genre often stem from personal visions. Whether product designers are filling marketplace voids or marketing executive parents are aiming to recreate their own children's experiences for others, toy makers—many of which are new ... More
  
• A Breath Of Fresh Air
  Eli Manning may have won this year's Super Bowl, but his big brother Peyton still has the ball. This season, kids will have the chance to throw like the famed quarterback, thanks to Hasbro's release of two new footballs bearing his name. The Nerf Peyton Manning Vortex Ultra Lite, available in the spring, features an aerodynamic tail designed for long distance throws, while the Peyton Manning Ro... More
  
• State of Independents
  As independent toy store owners enter into a new business year, Playthings asked them to take a look back at the 12 months past, reveal their expectations and product needs for 2008 and offer a glimpse into what they'll be doing differently going forward. Was 2007 a good year for your business? What are your expectations for your business in 2008? “2007 was a very exciting year. More
  
• Material Girls
  Retailers, take heart: The women of the world still play with dolls, and that's more than okay with the world's doll makers. In fact, the adult collector demographic remains largely responsible for existing sales in the collector doll category, one that continues to wane in response to a dwindling market and a shift in consumer buying habits. More
  
• Dialing Into Digital Demand
  Boot up those PCs and stock up on batteries: The electronic toys category continues to flourish beyond retailers' and suppliers' early expectations. According to the NPD Group, sales of handheld electronic games and electronic learning aids (ELAs) have skyrocketed in recent years. The youth electronics category surged from $890 million in 2004 to $1. More
  
• A Market In Motion
  Hobby enthusiasts unite! According to industry insiders, the hobby market has been thriving—a refreshing bit of news considering the recent goings-on at its toy-selling sister industry. As a result, retailers are stocking up on goods and manufacturers are keeping up with the demand, delivering modernized trains, planes and automobiles to attract both youth and adult hobbyists. More
  
• Working the Wonder Stuff
  Chalk it up to an innate curiosity for all things that bubble over, cause an electric spark or light up before their very eyes: Children are fascinated by the wonders of science. Inspired by a combination of sci-fi movies, TV shows and real-life natural disasters, a new generation of budding scientists is forming. More
  
• Passport to Preschool
  Move over, USA. It's time to make way for preschool toys from across the pond—and beyond. The movement towards European or European-influenced preschool toys has been underway at American specialty toy stores and the growing number of children's lifestyle boutiques for some time. However, the recent recalls of Mattel, Fisher-Price and RC2 toys may soon accelerate this trend as consumers b... More
  
• Destination: Playtime
  As families make their vacation plans this summer, toys are sure to be packed along with all the other essential gear. Travel-sized games, craft sets and other portable playthings are the perfect boredom busters for long car rides and delayed flights—and a surefire way to occupy kids of all ages. More
  
• The Great Wide Open
  As the calendar turns to spring, it brings the promise of warmer days and more opportunities for outdoor play. But with outdoor toys now having to compete with a vast selection of video games and other indoor-centric kid activities, it seems manufacturers have their work cut out for them when making a play for kids' previously free time. More
  
• Project: Runway
  Who needs Milan and Paris to know what's hip these days? The hottest trend in arts and crafts is bringing the fashion scene right into young girls' homes—and hands. Gaining momentum with tweens across the country, do-it-yourself kits encourage girls to get creative by designing their own jewelry, decorating their rooms and adding some extra flash to everyday fashions. More
  
• A Perfect Fit
  For toy retailers, stocking their shelves with a variety of puzzles is essentially a no-brainer. A category that has been lauded both for its exercise in brain building and its “fun” value, puzzles are a win-win across the board. Aside from appealing to all ages and skill levels, they are both parent-pleasers and kid-pleasers, and stand out as one of the few toys that can be deemed ... More
  
• Getting A Foot In The Door
  When recalling a plaything that made a name for itself at the time—like Tickle Me Elmo and Cabbage Patch Kids, to note a few recent entrees—people often tell of the surrounding media hype, the shoppers who waited in line for hours (even overnight) and the kids who carried the toys around as though they were made of gold. More
  
• On the 'Express' track
  When times are troubled, it helps to be able to count on what's considered tried and true. Fortunately, for Learning Express member stores, that means relying on their annual convention and vendor expo. This year marks the eighth consecutive event, which will be held this month in New Orleans. More
  
• Finding the Baby Niche
  Convertibility. Expandability. Grows with your child. Buzz words and catchphrases like these are standard in the juvenile-products world, touting the long lifecycle of cribs that turn into toddler beds, high chairs that become swings when meal time is done and crib mobiles that convert to music boxes. More
  
• Hey, look at this. I made it myself!
  Move over, paste and construction paper; make room for the yarn, beads and luxury materials. Gone are the days of crafting that required a few simple supplies to construct what could only be described as “amateur art.” Today's crafters mean serious business, opting for faux jewels, lush fabrics and other high-end materials. More
  
• They said it last year
  During the year Playthings has the opportunity to chat with many industry figures. We call upon retailers, manufacturers, or anyone who has an interesting opinion, story or idea regarding the toy industry. Here are a few interesting responses to questions posed by the editors of Playthings in 2004. More
  
• A class act
  Whoever said that toy stores are just for kids doesn't understand the actual business of selling toys. At least, that's the sentiment of store owner Michele Gietz. When she and her husband Kenneth decided to open their specialty retail venue, Where'd You Get That!? in 1991 in Willamstown, Mass. More