The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) announced today that Snapo, PlanToys, and Outset Media have each signed a deal to offer a line of preschool products exclusively to independent toy stores that are ASTRA members.
“ASTRA retailers are always looking for ways to differentiate their stores from the competition—especially the big box discounters,” said Kathleen McHugh, president of ASTRA. “One strategy for making ASTRA stores a destination in their communities is to offer top quality products with exceptional play value that their customers cannot find anywhere else. This deal is a win-win because it will spotlight the participating manufacturers at retail outlets nationwide, and it is a huge customer benefit ASTRA members can feature in marketing their stores.”
Several manufacturers were invited to submit proposals for exclusive products, with finalists chosen by a committee of ASTRA retailers for their unique product submissions, as well as their fit with a typical specialty toy store brand. The manufacturers and products to be offered include: Snapo, with 10 construction products for ages 18 months and up, all due in April; PlanToys, with seven items for ages 1 and up arriving in June; and Outset Media, with seven games for ages 3 and up.
