Blog - Page 1538 of 1548

The Big Toy Book Premieres as Online Shopping Destination

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A new online shopping destination for consumers, TheBigToyBook.com, has debuted. Shoppers can go to the website and find the best current deals on toys and games sold at mass, specialty, online, and independent toy retailers. On the website, consumers can shop for products by type, brand, age group, company, and “what’s hot.” Products are also grouped by gender and then by various age ranges, including babies ages 0-24 months, preschoolers ages 3-5, older kids ages 6-8, tweens ages 8-12, and teens.

Craft and Hobby Show Returns to Illinois

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The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) 2010 Summer Convention & Trade Show and the CHA Craft SuperShow will return to the Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center in Rosemont, Ill. The CHA Summer Trade Show will run from July 27-29, followed by the CHA Craft SuperShow for consumers from July 30-31. Last year, the shows were held in Orlando. To learn more about the shows, visit www.craftandhobby.org.

NRF Announces Top 2009 Toys

The National Retail Federation has released its top toys list based on the NRF’s 2009 Top Toys survey. For boys, video games took the top spot for the second year in a row followed by Transformers. Barbie held the number one spot for the sixth year in a row for most popular girl toy, while dolls and Hannah Montana toys followed behind.

DBG Signs New License

Discovery Bay Games has been granted a license to manufacture board games, jigsaw puzzles, and game play with cards for Scientific American. The deal is for the United States.

2010 TOTY Nominees Announced

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The nominees for the 2010 Toy of the Year (TOTY) awards have been announced. The ballot will be sent to TIA members who will vote for the winners of the twelve categories. The winners from those categories will become the nominees for the overall Toy of the Year category, although a product can be named Toy of the Year via a write-in vote by TIA members.

Hidden City Games Joins ASTRA

Hidden City Games, Inc., publisher and worldwide licensor of Bella Sara, has joined the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA). Bella Sara products are available at several independent retailers, equestrian stores, at Shop.BellaSara.com, and at other retailers such as Target, Wal-Mart, and Toys “R” Us.

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Goes Green

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Nick Jr.’s preschool television series Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! talks conservation, recycling, and other eco-friendly issues in the upcoming DVD release Wubbzy Goes Green, from Anchor Bay Entertainment.

NRF: Shoppers to Spend Less on Gift Cards

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), holiday shoppers plan to spend less on gift cards and recipients can expect cards with lower monetary values. The study by the NRF, part of the 2009 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, reported that holiday shoppers will spend an average of $139.91 per person, compared to $147.33 last year. The average value per card, stated the survey, would be $39.80, compared to $40.54 in 2008.

Toys “R” Us, Sears Sign Up for Free Shipping Day

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More than 300 merchants have signed up for Free Shipping Day, a one-day online shipping event on December 17. On that date, participating merchants such as Toys “R” Us, Babies “R” Us, Sears, and Petsmart will offer customers free shipping and guaranteed Christmas delivery. Other participating merchants include JCPenney, Kmart, FAO Schwarz, Meijer, and Buy.com.

First Products Certified Under TSCP

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The Toy Industry Association (TIA) has announced the first round of products certified under the Toy Safety Certification Program (TSCP). The first product to be certified was the Push, Pull, and Ride–––a combination push walker, ride-on, and pullwagon–––by Radio Flyer, Inc. Other products that have been certified include The Magic Card Game Assortment and Tripoley Diamond Edition by Cadaco, Inc., and the Flip & Grip 2 Pack, Sensation Station, Hello Baby! Phone, Carrier Mirror, and Fascination Station by Sassy, Inc. The TSCP was launched on October 1, 2009.