Toys in the News: 11-30-12

By TDmonthly Staff
November 2012

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_{Toys in the News is updated Mon-Fri at 9:15 am PST}Standing Guard for Consumers: CPSC & CBP Working at U.S. Ports to Protect Families This Holiday Toy Shopping Season. November 30, 2012 — Today, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Inez Tenenbaum and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Deputy Commissioner David Aguilar announced at Port Elizabeth, N.J. that more than 2 million units of dangerous or violative toys and children's products were seized in 2012 and were prevented from reaching the hands of children...

Walmart Researches Toy Buying. November 30, 2012 — Walmart’s Talking Holiday Toys Survey, conducted by GfK, found that 68 percent...

Top tablets for children this holiday season. November 30, 2012 — One of last year's biggest toy trends was tablets for younger children...

The Force is strong with Disney's Lucasfilm buy. November 30, 2012 — The collective effect of Lucasfilm's announced sale to Walt Disney was not unlike...

2013 Retail and eCommerce Predictions. November 30, 2012 — As 2013 approaches, many independent retailers are wondering what lies ahead in...

Black Friday History and the Wii U. November 30, 2012 — With the biggest shopping period of the U.S. holiday period finished, the...

Consumer spending, income stall; Sandy a factor. November 30, 2012 — Consumer spending fell in October for the first time in five months and...

Girl Starts Campaign for Gender-Neutral Easy Bake Oven. November 30, 2012 — In an effort to get Hasbro -- the maker of the Easy Bake Oven...
Cyber Monday Sales Reveal New Trends. November 29, 2012 — This Cyber Monday was the busiest online shopping day in history with online sales of $1.47 billion...

Fresh Investigation Reveals Deterioration of Mattel's Labor Conditions. November 29, 2012 — China Labor Watch (CLW) has released an investigative report on the labor conditions...

Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday. November 29, 2012 — Sales figures are a short-term measure of success. To measure lasting effects...

Cyber Monday Shoppers Stock Up On Clothing, Electronics, According To Shop.Org. November 29, 2012 — Recognized by millions of Americans as the best day for online holiday promotions...

Obama to visit Hatfield toy maker [K'Nex] to discuss fiscal cliff dangers. November 29, 2012 — When President Obama comes to Montgomery County on Friday, he will speak...

From Target to Toys R Us to Best Buy, a look at price matching rules. November 29, 2012 — Major retailers, from Best Buy to Target to Toys R Us, are promising...

Toy stories: Four decades of Playmobil. November 29, 2012 — As the year-end toy-buying season switches into high gear, Relaxnews looks at some...

For Children, a Lie on Facebook Has Consequences, Study Finds. November 29, 2012 — A federal law intended to protect children’s privacy may unwittingly lead them...

Toys R Us cancels orders and leaves holiday shoppers furious. November 29, 2012 — Toys R Us is in trouble. After advertising big sales and major promotions the...

Do Gender-Neutral Gifts Still Elude Parents? November 29, 2012 — It may be the 40th anniversary of “Free to Be You and Me,” featuring the song “William’s Doll,” but...

Nintendo to launch $100 Wii Mini in Canada next month. November 29, 2012 — In the same month that Nintendo launched its brand new Wii U console...
Toys "R" Us gains flexibility in Canada. November 28, 2012 — The Canadian division of Toys "R" Us has added new distribution capacity in British Columbia...

Do Violent Video Games Make Kids More Violent? November 28, 2012 — Last week, reps from Al Jazeera English’s The Stream contacted GeekMom, asking if...

Brain-Controlled Toy Helicopter Hits Kickstarter. November 28, 2012 — Mind control is just 10 days away, thanks to San Francisco-based Puzzlebox...

Active video games don’t boost kids’ daily physical activity levels: study. November 28, 2012 — Active video games may help get kids off the couch, but child fitness...

Boy invents toy in time for holidays. November 28, 2012 — A young toy inventor wants to take his product to the next level...
Children's Riding Toy Recalled by Step2 Due to Fall Hazard. November 27, 2012 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 15,500 X-Rider Car Children's Riding Toys from The Step2 Company LLC, sold at Target and other retailers from January 2012 through August 2012 for about $25. Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and contact Step2 to receive a free replacement toy.

NPD finds consumers still entertaining this holiday. November 27, 2012 — With the holiday season officially underway, North American market research company NPD...

Comic book and toy fair draws thousands to Jersey City waterfront hotel. November 27, 2012 — A Jersey City hotel was crawling with superheroes, villains and enthusiasts Saturday...

Summer Infant - It's Snowing. November 27, 2012 — Summer Infant Inc. a designer, marketer and distributor of branded durable juvenile health...

Chinese factories fret as competition grows. November 27, 2012 — This city on China's Pearl River Delta was once a manufacturing boomtown, a place...

US stocks soar on Black Friday. November 27, 2012 — The stock market enjoyed some Black Friday cheer, rising sharply as shoppers...

Specialty Retailers Report Black Friday Boost. November 26, 2012 — According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Black Friday sales this year raked in an estimated 59.1 billion dollars — and specialty toy store owners were more than happy to take home a piece of the pie. Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toys in Scottsdale, Ariz., said that Black Friday sales were way up over last year. Brett Sommer, co-owner of Figpickel's Toy Emporium in Coeur d'Alene, ID, agreed. "We definitely set a record this weekend," he told TDmonthly...
Thanksgiving Day Promotions Win Over Millions Of Holiday Shoppers, According To NRF. November 26, 2012 — The New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins weren’t the only winners this Thanksgiving Day as more than 35 million Americans visited retailers’ stores...

Spin Master Ltd. Acquires Key Brands from Wild Planet. November 26, 2012 — Spin Master Ltd. is pleased to announce the acquisition of the worldwide rights to Wild Planet’s Hyper Dash and Spy Gear brands.

The most digital Christmas ever. November 26, 2012 — Online shopping surged 26% on Black Friday to surpass $1 billion for the first time...

Holiday Shopper Sentiment Report: Black Friday and Cyber Monday Consumer Face-Off. November 26, 2012 — On Wednesday, November 28, chainstoreage.com will unveil an exclusive and revealing look at how shoppers felt...

Swedish Toy Company Publishes a Genderswapped Christmas Catalog. November 26, 2012 — If you’re a toy company called out on enforcing gender stereotypes by filling your catalog...

No hot product? That can be real holiday buzzkill for toy industry. November 26, 2012 — Calling the next Zhu Zhu Pet, Tickle Me Elmo or Furby. Retailers...

Toy Fair UK Sells out Increased 2013 Floor Plan. November 26, 2012 — The Toy Fair claims it has sold out its expanded Olympia show footprint...
Behind the Black Friday hot toy lists. November 21, 2012 — Get ready to hear a lot about the Eagle Talon Castle, the LeapPad2...

Little, Brown Expands License with Hasbro. November 21, 2012 — Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is expanding its licensing relationship with Hasbro...

Will Elmo scandal hurt toy sales? November 21, 2012 — Elmo toys are a huge seller every holiday season, but after the resignation...

As Black Friday Approaches, Strikes and Protests by Walmart Workers, Supporters Spread. November 21, 2012 — As Black Friday nears, Walmart workers and community supporters are beginning 1,000 nationwide non-violent protests...

Nintendo: Wii U profitable after 1 game purchase. November 21, 2012 — Nintendo could start seeing profits from its recently released Wii U faster than...

Kid Brands, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results. November 21, 2012 — Kid Brands, Inc. today reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2012...

Toys "R" Us CEO: Wal-Mart, Target, Amazon Have Nothing On Us This Black Friday. November 21, 2012 — Jerry Storch, CEO of Toys “R” Us, is sick and tired of price-comparison...

Dear Toys"R"Us, I'm Enraptured. November 21, 2012 — Toys“R”Us has been planning an IPO for quite some time, if media reports are to be believed...
Santa To Bring High-Tech Gadgets, Familiar Favorites To Children This Holiday Season. November 20, 2012 — Children’s wish lists this holiday season are full of the latest gadgets...

Mattel Goes Hollywood: Can Toymaker Beat Hasbro at Its Own Movie Game? November 20, 2012 — Hasbro has been able to cash in on its marquee brands in recent years...

Berrie and Ellis inducted to Toy Industry Hall of Fame. November 20, 2012 — The late Russ Berrie, former CEO and chairman of Russ Berrie & Company...

Toy of the Year Awards nominees revealed ahead of Black Friday 2012 . November 20, 2012 — The Toy of the Year Award nominees have been unveiled by the Toy Industry Association ...
Why Retailers Have to Open on Thanksgiving This Year. November 19, 2012 — I get the angst the retail employees are feeling about having to work...

Retail employees rebel against early Black Fridays. November 19, 2012 — Retailers with plans to open their doors Thanksgiving night instead of waiting...

ASTRA’s Neighborhood Toy Store Day Generates Robust Consumer Media Coverage. November 19, 2012 — The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) announced today that media coverage...

Investing As Kids Trade Toys for Tablets. November 19, 2012 — In a few days, following several hours of giving thanks and hopefully a little reflection...

Star Wars Unlikely To Top Past Performance Under New Owner. November 19, 2012 — On October 30, 2012, Walt Disney (DIS) announced that it has acquired the legendary Star Wars series...

Local game inventor wins $1.6 million settlement against MGA. November 19, 2012 — In a patent-stealing case that pitted a small toy company against one...

Give The Gift of Health and Exercise this Holiday Season with a New Fitness Game for Kids: Introducing Flip2BFit. November 19, 2012 — This holiday season, help kids start the New Year off on the right foot through a new and exciting fitness board game...

Insurance Carrier Not Entitled to Reimbursement of Fees in Bratz Doll Dispute. November 19, 2012 — The long-running dispute between Mattel, Inc. and MGA Entertainment, Inc. over the ownership of the wildly...

Tough economy leads to trying times for toy makers. November 19, 2012 — The sluggish economy has resulted in fewer investments in developing new toys...

Toys 'R' Us Maps an Expansion in China. November 19, 2012 — Toys 'R' Us Inc. plans an online and bricks-and-mortar push in China, its top executive said...

Girls Show Affinity for Boy Brands. November 19, 2012 — Two recent studies give some interesting insight into the toy market this...

Toys R Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids offers help for parents. November 19, 2012 — The holiday season is here, and toys are always a favorite for children...
Wilton toy company, Melissa & Doug fined for hiring unlawful employees. November 16, 2012 — The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has fined Wilton-based toy company Melissa & Doug $1,386 for not completing employment forms for all of its employees...

CEO Bryan G. Stockton Named Chairman of Mattel. November 16, 2012 — Mattel, Inc., the world's largest toy company, today announced that the Board of Directors has named CEO Bryan G. Stockton, 59, as Chairman of the Board effective January 1, 2013...

Pink slips for elves? Toy sales down after early rush. November 16, 2012 — Santa's shop at the North Pole isn't as busy as you would expect...

Kids Should Be Happy: Spending by Toy Buyers Continues To Increase. November 16, 2012 — The commercials are on the air and many parents are already starting...

Retailers Anticipate a 3.1 Percent Increase in Black Friday Sales, BDO USA Survey Finds. November 16, 2012 — Bolstered by improving consumer confidence and unemployment numbers, retailers are expressing increased optimism...

Retail Sales in U.S. Decrease for First Time in 4 Months. November 16, 2012 — Retail sales fell in October as American consumers pulled back after a three-month shopping spree...

Analysis: Amazon faces new obstacles in fight for holiday dollars. November 16, 2012 — Amazon.com Inc's gift for dominating the holiday shopping season may lose some of its magic...

Just how good are those Black Friday deals? It depends. November 16, 2012 — One of the questions I dread around this time of year is...

Toy Company Fined for Bead Kit 'Bait and Switch'. November 16, 2012 — A girl who had saved up her money to buy a "Disney Princess" jewelry making kit...

Will 'Disney Infinity' Steal A Slice of Activision's 'Skylanders' Pie? November 16, 2012 — When Activision’s Skylanders was originally released, it appeared a fun — but risky...

Nintendo Faces Wii U Shortage After Debut in U.S. This Weekend. November 16, 2012 — Nintendo Co.’s new Wii U will likely fly off store shelves during the holiday shopping season...

Suffocation, Entrapment Risks Prompt Recall of PeaPod Travel Tents by KidCo. November 16, 2012 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with KidCo Inc., of Libertyville, IL, is announcing the voluntary recall today of about 220,000 PeaPod and PeaPod Plus Travel Beds. Infants and young children can roll off the edge of the inflatable air mattress, become entrapped between the mattress and the fabric sides of the tent, and suffocate. The travel tents were made in China and sold at independent juvenile specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from January 2005 through the present for between $70 and $100.

Moshlings Head to McDonald's. November 16, 2012 — Mind Candy and McDonald's USA have announced a promotional partnership to feature...
'Star Wars' Figures, Dominoes in Toy Hall of Fame. November 15, 2012 — Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia outmuscled little green army men for a spot...

Up To 147 Million Shoppers To Visit Stores, Shop Online Black Friday Weekend, According To NRF. November 15, 2012 — Not since 2007 has Thanksgiving come this early, but the calendar creep...

Meijer Announces Winners in Small Business Toy Contest. November 15, 2012 — Meijer has announced the winners of the Meijer Next Great Toymaker contest. Wagon of Blocks by Circa Toys in Franklin, N.C. was named the winning toy for the 1-3 years age group and Stack & Stick Cozy Cabin by Peters' Group in Goshen, Ind. for the 4-8 years age group...

Schylling to distribute Moshi Monsters in North America. November 15, 2012 — UK-based Mind Candy has appointed toyco Schylling as its newest Moshi Monsters...

LeapFrog Inks Deal with Lions Gate. November 15, 2012 — Educational entertainment leader, LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. ( LF ), recently penned a new multi-year agreement...

Kids' Stuff: Hasbro Engages Its Youngest Customers for Good. November 15, 2012 — What were you doing when you were 9 years old? If you were...

GameStop Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results. November 15, 2012 — GameStop Corp., the world’s largest multichannel video game retailer, today reported sales and earnings for the third quarter ended Oct. 27, 2012...

GameStop 'Call of Duty' Sales Top 1 Million in First Day. November 15, 2012 — GameStop Corp. (GME), the video-game retailer, sold more than 1 million copies of "Call of Duty: Black Ops II"...
Amazon Beats Wal-Mart in Toy Prices as Holidays Approach. November 14, 2012 — Amazon.com Inc. has cheaper online prices for toys than Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp. and other major chains...

CPSC Approves New Federal Safety Standard for Infant Swings. November 14, 2012 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously (3-0) to approve a new federal mandatory safety standard to improve the safety of infant swings to prevent injuries and deaths to children...

Consumer Reports: Trending tech toys. November 14, 2012 — Who doesn't love a good game of Monopoly--especially when you can use...

Gift Cards: The Season’s Hottest Gift, According To NRF. November 14, 2012 — It’s the win-win gift for givers and receivers, and this holiday season...

Retail Imports To Increase 5.9 Percent In November Despite Sandy. November 14, 2012 — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected...

Consumers becoming more optimistic about economy. November 14, 2012 — Experian Marketing Services said Monday that its Consumer Expectation Index shows an increasing...

ShopperTrak forecasts the 10 best holiday shopping days. November 14, 2012 — ShopperTrak released a forecast on Tuesday that indicates certain days during...
Toys R Us opening at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving for early Black Friday. November 13, 2012 — Toys R Us will open its doors to Black Friday shoppers at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving, an hour earlier than last year...

ABC Kids Expo 2012 Post Show Report. November 13, 2012 — All Baby & Child Corporation, the non-profit parent corporation of the ABC Kids Expo, announced that nearly 800 manufacturers exhibited in just under 3,000 booth locations at the annual event held last month in Louisville, Kentucky...

Consumers Eager To Get A Jump Start On Holiday Shopping, According To NRF. November 13, 2012 — Already eyeing hot toys, fashions and exclusive products, consumers are beginning to make a dent...

Fat Brain Toys Announces Annual Toy Awards. November 13, 2012 — Fat Brain Toy is pleased to announce the 31 winners of the 5th Annual Fat Brain Toy Awards...

Survey: Most consumers think best deals offered on Thanksgiving weekend. November 13, 2012 — Survey results released Tuesday by PriceGrabber found that 71% of consumers believe...

Mobile mindset key to a Merry Christmas. November 13, 2012 — Smartphones will be retailers’ friend this holiday season, according to Deloitte’s annual survey...

ToyTalk, the AI toy company founded by Ex-Pixar talent, gets $11.5M from Charles Rivers Ventures. November 13, 2012 — ToyTalk, the artificial intelligence toy company founded by ex-Pixar and SRI talent has recieved $11.5M...

How Star Wars Nearly Destroyed George Lucas. November 13, 2012 — Last week George Lucas completed his $4.06 billion sale of Lucasfilm to the Walt Disney Company...

October U.S. Video Game Retail Sales Down 25% From Yr Ago. November 13, 2012 — Conditions remain difficult in the U.S. video game business. According to new data...

Feel The Fun at Buyer Friendly Toyfest West 2013 at South Point Hotel, Las Vegas. November 13, 2012 — Buyers attending ToyFest West, 2013, will waste no time navigating the trade show as the South Point Hotel...

Mattel's Monster High Releases Brand New Video Game Monster High: Skultimate Roller Maze. November 13, 2012 — Monster High®, one of the fastest growing and most popular tween girl franchises, today debuted its brand new video game Monster High®: Skultimate Roller Maze...
Third Annual "Neighborhood Toy Store Day" Supports Shopping Local and Community Fun Saturday, November 10. November 9, 2012 — Families and independent retailers across the country can celebrate the joy and wonder of shopping at a neighborhood toy store this month...

NRF Tells Judge Proposed Swipe Fee Settlement ‘Benefits No One’. November 9, 2012 — Lawyers representing the National Retail Federation and many of the nation’s most prominent...

Sandy Upends Retail Shopping Patterns in Northeast. November 9, 2012 — Storm-hit residents in the Northeast are altering their buying habits, skipping optional...

Toy stores fear Sandy effect on Black Friday. November 9, 2012 — With less than three weeks to go to Black Friday, toy stores...

Video games continue an 11-month slide ahead of holidays. November 9, 2012 — The video game industry continued to decline for the 11th straight month, down 25 percent...

With an Eye Towards Discount Offers, Small Merchants Expect Holiday Sales Boost from Small Business Saturday, According to NFIB/AXP Research. November 9, 2012 — With the holiday season rapidly approaching, more small-business owners are making Small Business Saturday...

Buckyballs May Infringe on Late Inventor's Name. November 9, 2012 — The creators of magnetic desk toys called Buckyballs cannot sideline publicity rights...

Bring Comfort to Hurricane Sandy’s Youngest Victims. November 9, 2012 — The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) is accepting toy donations to be delivered to families in New Jersey and New York...

Toy Industry Foundation Crosses Pacific, Brings Play to U.S. Military Families in Japan. November 9, 2012 — Nearly 1,000 boys and girls stationed with their parents on Kadena U.S. Air Force Base in Japan...

'Stars Wars VII' To Be Written By 'Toy Story 3' Scribe Michael Arndt? November 9, 2012 — Now that "Star Wars" fans have had some time to digest the news...

Hasbro named one of America's most 'community-minded' companies. November 9, 2012 — Hasbro has been named as one of America’s most community-minded companies...
Toys R Us CEO: Digital is 'greatest growth avenue'. November 8, 2012 — With tablets, 3-D games and dolls that talk back, toys have changed...

Spin Master Wins Lawsuit. November 8, 2012 — Spin Master and its licensors, Justin Heimberg and David Gomberg, the authors...

ComScore: Online retail spending up 15% to $41.9 billion in Q3. November 8, 2012 — Online retail spending in the United States reached $41.9 billion in the third quarter...

How Star Wars Nearly Destroyed George Lucas. November 8, 2012 — Last week George Lucas completed his $4.06 billion sale of Lucasfilm to the Walt Disney Company...

Video game maker Activision scores big gains in 3Q. November 8, 2012 — Video game maker Activision Blizzard Inc. scored points in the third quarter with...

Hasbro Denies Disney Acquisition Rumors. November 8, 2012 — Disney already owns Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, so when a rumor circulated Monday...

AURORA DONATES THOUSANDS OF NEW STUFFED ANIMALS TO K.I.D.S. FOR HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF. November 8, 2012 — Aurora World Inc. today announced it will donate thousands of new stuffed animals and baby products to K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed Situations), a charity that provides kid-essentials to children and teens who have been impacted by disaster, poverty and tragedy...

LaJobi Recalls Glider Rockers Due to Fall Hazard. November 8, 2012 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 33,000 Graco®-branded Avalon Glider Rockers with Ottoman and 5,600 Complete Nursery Solution (CNS) Box 2 / Katelyn Nursery Solution Glider Rockers from LaJobi, Inc.. The Avalon model was sold at Burlington and other mass retail stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Target.com and Walmart.com from December 2009 to October 2012 for about $170. The CNS Box 2 / Katelyn model was sold exclusively online at Walmart.com from November 2011 to October 2012 for about $135. Consumers should immediately stop using the glider rockers and contact LaJobi to receive a free replacement base for the glider rocker.
NRF Pledges To Work With President Obama In Second Term. November 7, 2012 — The National Retail Federation today released the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay on the re-election of President Obama...

Magnetic Toy’s Warning Labels Not Enough. November 7, 2012 — Current warnings labels on magnetic toys don’t seem to be effective in...

Electronic Arts Reports Q2 FY13 Financial Results. November 7, 2012 — Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) today announced preliminary financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2012...

Video games could replace passwords, researchers say. November 7, 2012 — Will Lara Croft be your next password? Engineering specialists from Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)...

Toy makers want to be superhero for renewables. November 6, 2012 — Faced with flat electricity demand, cheap natural gas, and an expiring federal tax credit...

THQ's stock falls 40 percent in early trading as analysts pile on. November 6, 2012 — As analysts question whether Darksiders publisher THQ can last until next year...

Chinese companies prepare for improving consumer sentiment. November 6, 2012 — Months before China closes the lid on the Year of the Dragon...

HABA USA President Lea Culliton Wins Full Circle Award At M2Moms® —the Marketing to Moms Conference. November 6, 2012 — Lea Culliton, President of HABA USA, the US division of the German-based toy company specializing in European-crafted children’s products...

Cure for color blindness on horizon, apps and video games offer help. November 6, 2012 — For people who are colorblind, life involves little workarounds and big compromises...

LeapFrog to boost ad spending ahead of holiday season. November 6, 2012 — Children's toy maker LeapFrog Enterprises Inc raised its full-year forecast and said...
RUMOR: Disney Buying Hasbro? November 5, 2012 — OK folks, take this one with a grain of plastic for the time being...

LeapFrog Q3 Crushes Estimates. November 5, 2012 — LeapFrog Enterprises this afternoon posted sharply better-than-expected Q3 results...

Gamestop's Strange, Brilliant Play for the Video Game Toy Market. November 5, 2012 — It does sound like a joke at first, but when you hear the details...

Bain Capital, KB Toys and 10,000 pink slips. November 5, 2012 — For Diane Simpson, this presidential campaign has been almost too tough to watch...

Specialty Toy Retailers Gear Up For Neighborhood Toy Store Day. November 5, 2012 — Hundreds of independent toy retailers in the United States and Canada will celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day on Saturday, November 10...

Safari Ltd® Announces New Glow-in-the-Dark Collection. November 5, 2012 — Safari Ltd®, manufacturer and worldwide distributor of museum quality, educational toy collections, will be releasing 15 new glow-in-the-dark replicas due to popular demand in January 2013...

IKEA launches soft toy campaign 2012. November 5, 2012 — With the ushering of festive celebrations, IKEA is all set to gift a pleasant change...

LeapFrog And Lionsgate Sign New Global Agreement To Develop, Produce And Distribute Four 'Letter Factory' Movies. November 5, 2012 — LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. and Lionsgate today announced a new partnership to develop, produce and distribute four all-new animated movies to be released in DVD...

George Lucas Donating Disney Billions to Fund Education. November 5, 2012 — Talk about being generous. In case you missed the news, George Lucas came up on...

ShopperTrak names 10 busiest shopping days of coming holiday season. November 5, 2012 — Black Friday will be the single biggest sales and foot traffic day...

U.S. Retailers Forecast 3.7% Increase in Holiday Comparable Stores Sales, BDO USA Survey Finds. November 5, 2012 — Despite uncertainty around how the presidential election will impact the economy and consumer...

Former GameStop VP pleads guilty to $2 million fraud. November 5, 2012 — A former vice president at Grapevine-based GameStop Corp. pleaded guilty...

Retailers continue to grapple with organized retail crime. November 5, 2012 — When it comes to looking at retail crime by the numbers, the statistics are staggering...

Disney Unlikely to Change ’Star Wars’ Brand. November 5, 2012 — Naysayers would have you believe Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm can only mean one thing...

MGA ENTERTAINMENT SEES ACCELERATED GROWTH IN 2012. November 5, 2012 — MGA Entertainment, the largest privately held U.S. based toy company, posted 41% dollar growth in Q3 2012...

MEGA Brands reports third quarter 2012 results. November 5, 2012 — MEGA Brands Inc. announced its financial results today for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012...

'Wreck-It Ralph' Sets Disney Animated Record. November 5, 2012 — Disney's Wreck-It Ralph set a new opening weekend record for a Disney animated film...

Nintendo News: Nintendo Rolls Out 5,000 Wii U Kiosks to Let Shoppers Play Before Launch Day. November 5, 2012 — Holiday shoppers from coast to coast will soon get a firsthand look and hands-on time...

How the Monopoly board could have looked: Patents reveal the original ideas behind some of our most popular games and toys. November 5, 2012 — Beloved of households everywhere, these childhood favourites are a well-known addition...

Chicago Toy and Game Fair returns to Navy Pier. November 5, 2012 — Christmas is coming early for Chicago area children, who are invited to Navy Pier...

Furby, Ninja Turtles among Canadian Toy Association’s Top 100 toys for holiday season. November 5, 2012 — The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Furby, toys that transported us to the sewers...

Licensors Offer Sandy Relief. November 5, 2012 — Top companies and retailers in the licensing community have stepped up to aide...
TRU Unveils Holiday Campaign. November 2, 2012 — Toys ‘R’ Us has unveiled its holiday advertising campaign, a series of commercials centered...

Tweaking Toys for the Connected Generation. November 2, 2012 — In early 2011, Hasbro (HAS) Chief Executive Officer Brian Goldner convened a team of designers...

NRF Asks Judge To Reject Swipe Fee Settlement. November 2, 2012 — The National Retail Federation and more than a dozen of the nation’s most prominent retailers...

Hasbro donates cash, games to help with Sandy relief. November 2, 2012 — Hasbro has provided $100,000 in combined grant support through the Hasbro Children’s Fund ...

Disney Buyout Could Be Death Blow for Lucas Videogames. November 2, 2012 — When Disney announced its $4 billion acquisition of Lucasfilm on Tuesday, the Mouse was clear...

Disney would acquire a visual effects firm with Lucasfilm deal. November 2, 2012 — Walt Disney Co.'s $4.05-billion acquisition of Lucasfilm was driven by the desire to tap...

Magnetic Buckyballs toys discontinued. November 2, 2012 — The popular Buckyballs and Buckycubes magnetic desk toys will be discontinued, its manufacturer said, blaming what it called...

Berkshire Hathaway to Acquire Oriental Trading Company. November 2, 2012 — Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett and Oriental Trading Company President and CEO Sam Taylor today announced that Berkshire Hathaway will acquire Omaha-based Oriental Trading Company...

LeapFrog Partners With Mattel to Bring Popular Barbie™ Videos to Award-Winning Educational Entertainment Platforms. November 2, 2012 — LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. and Mattel today announced a partnership to bring Barbie™ videos...

Imagine Nation Books Recalls Double Dazzler Light Show Toys Due to Burn Hazard. November 1, 2012 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 1,700 Double Dazzler Light Show toys from Imagine Nation Books, sold by Imagine Nation Book dealers nationwide at corporate offices, hospitals and schools from March 2012 to September 2012 for about $9. The battery in the toys can overheat and pose a burn hazard. Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy from the child and contact the firm for a refund.

Toys R Us to let online customers pay in stores. November 1, 2012 — See a hot toy online, but don't like using your credit card on Web purchases...

Toys"R"Us Children's Fund Donates $500,000 to Save the Children to Support Initial Relief Efforts in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy. November 1, 2012 — In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, today the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund announced it will make a $500,000 donation to Save the Children...

Wreck-It Ralph: Toy Story with Avatars. November 1, 2012 — This has been a dreary year for family movies. It was rife with...

Retailers hit hard by superstorm, economy expected to rebound. October 31, 2012 — While it may be days, even weeks, before the full extent of the damage...

LeapFrog, Disney music partnership the right tune. October 31, 2012 — LeapFrog Enterprises and Walt Disney Records have come together to bring Disney music...

Store of the future shown. October 31, 2012 — Virtual inventory and dressing rooms, the ability to manage store loyalty cards...

Toy helicopters restricted as China tightens security. October 31, 2012 — Restrictions on the sale of radio-controlled helicopters and planes have been imposed in Beijing...

Hasbro Could See Big Benefits from Disney Deal: Analyst. October 31, 2012 — Walt Disney (DIS) just bought Lucasfilm and its Star Wars franchise for $4 billion. Investors clearly have mixed emotions...

Furby, Cabbage Patch Kids, And Twister Are Suddenly Back In Style. October 31, 2012 — Parents up and down the country will be rushing to get their hands on web-shooting...

Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm Ltd. for $4.05 Bil. October 30, 2012 — Continuing its strategy of delivering exceptional creative content to audiences around the world, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) has agreed to acquire Lucasfilm Ltd. in a stock and cash transaction...