Online retailers such as Buy.com and Ebates.com have reported an increase in Black Friday sales compared to the shopping event in 2008. Buy.com reported that this year’s Black Friday was its best ever, surpassing its Black Friday record set in 2008. The online retailer’s third-party marketplace section saw a 120 percent increase in orders compared to last year.
Month: November 2009
TIF and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Partner for Toy Distribution
The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) is partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to provide toys and gifts to children of United States active duty and reserve personnel. TIF, through The Toy Bank, will provide the products to members of BGCA who are located on American military bases that have high deployment rates. The initiative will be the foundation’s first national toy distribution program to every branch of the military.
ESPN and Hallmark Launch New Partyware
ESPN and Hallmark have launched a new line of personalized partyware featuring X Games themes. Buyers are able to personalize the paper plates with their own images and text at Hallmark.com. The plates are available for purchase on Hallmark’s website, and retail at $10 for ten plates.
ToyQuest to Produce Barbie Outdoor Toys
ToyQuest will produce a Barbie backyard play collection for girls as a part of a new licensing collaboration with Mattel, Inc. The collection will include inflatable pools and pool toys, sand boxes and accessories, bubbles, sprinklers, chalk, garden tools, and outdoor furniture decorated in Barbie pink. The products will launch in spring 2010. Â
NRF: More Black Friday Shoppers, Fewer Dollars Spent
According to the National Retail Federation, more shoppers visited stores and websites over the Black Friday weekend, but average spending per person dropped. The NRF’s Black Friday shopping survey, conducted by BIGResearch, reports that this year Black Friday shoppers totaled approximately 195 million, up from 172 million last year. Average spending per person dropped from $372.57 in 2008 to $343.31 in 2009. The NRF reports that total spending reached approximately $41.2 billion.
Buy.com Reports its Best Black Friday Ever
Buy.com announced that this year’s Black Friday was its best ever, surpassing its Black Friday record set in 2008. The online retailer reported its third-party marketplace section saw a 120 percent increase in orders compared to last year.
The Toy Book’s Toy Report 11/24/09
TIA Responds to Good Morning America Story
This morning, Good Morning America ran a story about the toys that were deemed dangerous by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG), in the group’s 2009 Trouble in Toyland report. The Toy Industry Association quickly responded.Â
Read the Good Morning America’s story here, and TIA’s response here.
U.S. PIRG Launches Website to Identify Dangerous Toys
The U.S. Public Interest Research Group has launched a new website, http://toysafety.mobi, that can help holiday shoppers identify potentially dangerous toys. On the website are tips for avoiding toys that might be too loud, made with toxic chemicals, or pose a choking hazard for children under 3 years old. The website can be accessed via computers or web-enabled cell phones.
Famoso Picked as Mexican Toy Licensee for Caillou
Cookie Jar Entertainment has appointed Famoso as the exclusive toy licensee for Caillou. The deal is for Mexico. Famoso’s range of products includes 36cm figures, bath toys, vehicles, toy trains, dolls, and a toy farm. The products are now available at major retail stores throughout Mexico such as Soriana, Jugetron, Liverpool, and Palacio de Hierro, as well as specialty stores.