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License to Sell: New and Old Properties Drove Big Sales in 2002
By Kevin
Skaggs
April 1, 2003
2002 was
a good year for licensed toys, including dolls, even as overall sales
of traditional toys were flat. Fueled by popular movies and a wave
of nostalgia, the majority of the best selling toys introduced in
2002 were licensed products, with several Star Wars items ranking
in the top 10, according to market information company The NPD Group.
Star Wars Episode II Deluxe Figure Asst. |
With the release of Star Wars Episode II,
Hasbro Inc. had the top sellers of the year: Star
Wars Episode II Asst. 1 ($5.66), Star Wars II Electric
Lightsabers ($20.29), Star Wars Asst. 2
($5.67) and Star Wars Episode II Deluxe Figure Asst.
($9.99). Lego also cashed in with its top selling Basic
Star Wars Jedi Starfighter ($19.92).
Battle Action Spiderman |
"Star Wars is an excellent example
of a license which appeals to both the younger and older collectors.
We can expect to see more adult collectors sharing nostalgic trends
with their children and adding a few prime pieces to their own collections,"
said Reyne Rice, Director of The NPD Group. "An interesting
twist in the [licensing] market place is everything that is old
is new again."
Other movies that inspired top selling products
in 2002 were Spider-Man (Its huge success propelled Spider-Man
products by Toy Biz into a top sellers spot.),
as well as Scooby Doo. "2002 proved to be an incredible
year for us," said Alan Fine, President and CEO of the Toy
Biz division of Marvel. He added that Toy Biz has
seen continued demand for Spider-Man products into 2003.
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Writer's
Bio: Kevin Skaggs is a San Francisco-based writer whose work
has appeared in Wired and Harvard Review.
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