While this isn’t directly related to mom’s, this article gives a good overview on what the toy industry is going through at this time. This is especially important for those of you that base your business around making toys or accessories for them.
NJ.com:
Jim Madonna, holding a button that read “I Survived the ‘Bear’ Market,” stood in front of a “Sesame Street”-themed collection of Gund plush toys at the American International Toy Fair.
“Our sales are slower,” Madonna said of Edison-based Gund, the nation’s leading and oldest soft toy manufacturer. “It’s not the end of the world, but it’s not what we’re used to. Retailers need to reinvent themselves; they just can’t wait for customers to come in.”
Another Gund pin read “Could You Use a Hug Today,” and many of the 1,100 exhibitors at the 106th annual toy fair were probably in need of just that. The four-day show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, which ends tomorrow, will attract an estimated 30,000 retailers, wholesalers, importers and buyers from 94 countries. If toy industry types are feeling nervous about 2009, they kept it to themselves at the fair; “cautious optimism” seemed a favorite term. But those in the toy business are holding their collective breath like everyone else.
U.S. retail sales of toys generated $21.64 billion in 2008, compared with $22.32 billion in 2007, a decline of 3 percent, according to The NPD Group. Several key categories experienced significant swings: building sets and plush toys increased 26 percent and 22 percent, respectively, while vehicles, youth electronics and dolls were down 16 percent, 14 percent and 10 percent, respectively.
“We probably did about 12 percent less over the holidays compared to the previous year,” said Jeff Lehman, president of Phillipsburg-based Wildlife Creations International, which makes children’s swings from recycled tires. “We’ll ride out this year,” added Lehman, who said he is “cautiously optimistic” about 2009.
photo by One From RM