TOY TIPS' TOY TRENDS 2009
I have attended the American International Toy Fair since 1991 and each year, I comb through aisles and showrooms in search of creative playthings for the WHOLE child.
Manufacturers are eager to showcase their newest gizmo to retailers in hopes it makes it to a hot toy list that magazines (most of which accept toy advertisers)
hype to parents near holiday shopping time. But, after all this hoopla, parents just want to know the best toys for the best price that will make for the best play experience and their kids really happy.
While the toy industry seems to be tightening purse strings due to the economy, there are 3 trends that I think will be the focus of 2009.
----BETTER prices, BETTER quality and BETTER creative play value---
TTT (as toy tips is known-Toy tips TESTED and TRUSTED) will be focusing on the BBB all year long!
This is the year to focus on toy safety, value, cost and product durability. New toy safety laws will be put into place, retailers demanded lower prices so manufacturers are creating less expensive toys for the consumer and the trend toward green and organic toys is rising.
In a bad economy, basic toys always seem to rise to the top of popularity lists. LEGO has some new sets this year including licensed brands such as Star Wars and Toy Story and even a cell phone (a real one)! There is a new Disney Princess, Tiana, Dora the Explorer has become a middle school-er and and there are more child-themed movies so expect to see tons of licensed toys...in every toy category.
I have seen an increase of toys made with natural and organic materials, more collectables than ever before (My Little Pony, Batman, Star Wars, Bakugan, Transformers) and now the new Gogo's Crazy Bones.
There are lots of birthdays and anniversaries (Barbie turns 50, Candy Land is 60, Fisher Price Little People are 50 and PJ Sparkles is back for her 20th Anniversary).
Here is a sneak peek of some of the newest wares from the show abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=view_from_the_bay/consumer_finance&id=6673848
Follow me on twitter.com/toytips for daily toy tips reviews.
Manufacturers are eager to showcase their newest gizmo to retailers in hopes it makes it to a hot toy list that magazines (most of which accept toy advertisers)
hype to parents near holiday shopping time. But, after all this hoopla, parents just want to know the best toys for the best price that will make for the best play experience and their kids really happy.
While the toy industry seems to be tightening purse strings due to the economy, there are 3 trends that I think will be the focus of 2009.
----BETTER prices, BETTER quality and BETTER creative play value---
TTT (as toy tips is known-Toy tips TESTED and TRUSTED) will be focusing on the BBB all year long!
This is the year to focus on toy safety, value, cost and product durability. New toy safety laws will be put into place, retailers demanded lower prices so manufacturers are creating less expensive toys for the consumer and the trend toward green and organic toys is rising.
In a bad economy, basic toys always seem to rise to the top of popularity lists. LEGO has some new sets this year including licensed brands such as Star Wars and Toy Story and even a cell phone (a real one)! There is a new Disney Princess, Tiana, Dora the Explorer has become a middle school-er and and there are more child-themed movies so expect to see tons of licensed toys...in every toy category.
I have seen an increase of toys made with natural and organic materials, more collectables than ever before (My Little Pony, Batman, Star Wars, Bakugan, Transformers) and now the new Gogo's Crazy Bones.
There are lots of birthdays and anniversaries (Barbie turns 50, Candy Land is 60, Fisher Price Little People are 50 and PJ Sparkles is back for her 20th Anniversary).
Here is a sneak peek of some of the newest wares from the show abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=view_from_the_bay/consumer_finance&id=6673848
Follow me on twitter.com/toytips for daily toy tips reviews.
Comments