This Issue's Highlights

What to Read in June

By Alison Marek
June 2007

No leisure? Get the gist with these story summaries, and then click the links to read on …

NEW TOYS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Ready, set, order! It’s time to start thinking of fourth-quarter. Manufacturers have sent TDmonthly Magazine their newest and hottest holiday toys in nine sizzling categories for our Holiday Preview, Part I. From more kidult electronics to standards like natural wood blocks, find out what kids will want and why in 9 sizzling categories: Electronics, Puzzles, CDs , Books & DVDs, Wooden Toys, Science Toys, Arts & Crafts, Construction Toys and Outdoor Fun. And then come back for more toys in the July issue: Holiday Preview, Part II.

HOW THE OTHER GUY ORDERS

How do small specialty stores get the best deals for the toys their customers want? Twenty-five toy-store owners told TDmonthly Magazine that you have to know what sells, place large orders when possible, get great terms, plan way ahead, develop good relationships with reps, be careful when reordering, manage your overstock, research trade-show specials, be ready when you call in an order, and know what kids and parents in your store want to buy. Read more in Retailing Tips: Order Strategically.

FREE-FORM BUILDING

Some traditional metal building sets may be lagging in sales, retailers told TDmonthly Magazine, though the smaller sets sell better than the bigger. Fewer pieces, lower price and a more freestyle approach to construction is what’s keeping the cash register warm. From Curious Toys’ Bonz sets to Automoblox cars, building toys aren’t just about castles anymore. Find out how retailers “build” their sales in Stix and Bonz Make for Piece-ful Building. And then check out specialty retailers’ Top-10 Most- Wanted Construction Toys.

MORE THAN A DOLLHOUSE

Playsets are taking their themes from modern life by expanding kids’ borders, toy-store owners told TDmonthly Magazine. While there’s still plenty of room for traditional dollhouses, playsets are more likely to feature pirates, safari animals and sushi. Read what specialty toy-store owners said about playset trends in Kids Take Culture “To Go,” and then find out what they say is hot in Top-10 Most-Wanted Playsets.

COFFEE AND CRITTERS

On the Park is a plush store. And a toy store. And a candy store. And soon, it’ll be a coffee shop/stop for weary parents whose little kids are running wild among the dinosaur displays and play tables. Fred Rosenberg and wife Karen have owned their specialty toy store since 1996. They’ve had successes and failures, and they share them both with TDmonthly’s readers in Retailer Spotlight: On the Park. Then see what sells well for them in My Best Sellers: On the Park.

SPECIALTY TOYS PICKED OUT FOR YOU

If you don’t have time to read through the hundreds of new toys TDmonthly Magazine has uploaded since last month, take a look through our Staff Picks: June for specialty items we hope will do well in your stores.

SIT BACK AND WATCH A TOY

Can’t read another word? Let the toys “speak” for themselves by watching TDmonthly Magazine’s new TDmonthly's ToyTV feature. This month, we bring you six new toy demos. And don’t forget to look back at our video coverage of winter’s trade shows — including Toy Fair, Pomona and Games Expo!