Toys in the News: 12-31-12

By TDmonthly Staff
December 2012

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_{Toys in the News is updated Mon-Fri at 9:15 am PST}
Supply chain cliff averted, for now. December 31, 2012 — The retail industry has temporarily avoided a shut down of 14 ports along...

Mattel and Hasbro terrified over Kindle Fire, high-tech toys. December 31, 2012 — Christmas has come and gone, and Mattel and Hasbro are terrified because kids...

Will retailers rebound after weak holiday season? December 31, 2012 — As signs emerge that holiday sales this year grew at the weakest pace since 2008...

Tablets Dominate the Toy Aisle. December 31, 2012 — With a new tablet launching what seems to be almost daily, it's no surprise...

The Season of Giving Back: Gift Returns Rise. December 31, 2012 — The week after Christmas is when Americans "give back." Give back gifts they don't want...

The Crazy World of Post-Christmas Retail. December 31, 2012 — Analysts are expecting an increase in holiday sales when the dust settles, but...

Return to the City: Renewal of Inner City Retail Stores. December 31, 2012 — Times change. Sometimes old ideas become new again. A long time ago I learned...

Thomas the Tank Engine to Receive a Multimillion-Dollar Sheen. December 31, 2012 — One of the oldest preschool entertainment and toy franchises, Thomas the Tank Engine...

HABA named U.S. distributor of Lilliputiens soft toys. December 31, 2012 — HABA has been named the U.S. distributor of Lilliputiens, a Belgium-based line...

Four Retailers Agree to Stop Sale and Voluntarily Recall Nap Nanny Recliners Due to Five Infant Deaths. December 28, 2012 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and four major retailers are announcing a voluntary recall to consumers who own Nap Nanny® recliners made by Baby Matters, LLC of Berwyn, Pa. Retailers currently participating include Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Diapers.com and Toys R Us/Babies R Us. At the request of the CPSC, these retailers have agreed to voluntarily participate because the manufacturer is unable or unwilling to participate in the recall.

Mattel and Hasbro 'terrified': Do kids want gadgets more than toys? December 27, 2012 — While hot toys such as certain Mattel Inc Barbie dolls performed well, toymakers worry that traditional children's gifts may lose out long-term to high-tech gadgets...

Dominoes, Star Wars enter National Toy Hall of Fame. December 27, 2012 — Star Wars action figures and Dominoes were chosen as 2012 inductees by a 24-member panel of toy experts, psychologists, academics and designers...

No toy slump for Lego. December 27, 2012 — The brand is still going strong after all these years. In fact, the company is doing better than ever....

Personal tech upends the toy market. December 27, 2012 — Toymakers have long been aware of creeping digitization of playtime and the annoying acronym KGOY (“Kids getting older younger”) But they may have been slow to realize that personal technology might pose an existential threat to more analog toys....

5 Most Financially-Lucrative Toy Fads. December 27, 2012 — Many parents see the holiday season as the best time of the year to please or appease their kids, usually by purchasing some of the most popular toys on the market...

NRF Welcomes Action On Fiscal Cliff, Says Movement Is Key. December 27, 2012 — The National Retail Federation welcomed today’s House vote on legislation intended to avoid middle-class tax increases in the fiscal cliff, saying progress on the issue is critically important...

Online sales up in November, traffic down. December 27, 2012 — Online sales have continue to break new records this holiday season even though traffic to top retail sites during November was down compared to the same month the prior year...

CPSC Sues Star Networks USA Over Hazardous, High-Powered Magnetic Balls and Cubes. December 20, 2012 — In an effort to prevent children from suffering further harm, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff filed an administrative complaint on December 17, 2012 against Star Networks USA, LLC, of Fairfield, N.J., alleging that their Magnicube Magnet Balls and Magnet Cubes contain defects in their design, packaging, warnings and instructions, which pose a substantial risk of injury to the public. The Commission voted 2-1 to approve the filing of the complaint, which seeks, among other things, an order that the firm stop selling Star Networks Magnicube Magnet Balls and Magnet Cubes, notify the public of the defect, and offer consumers a full refund...

Sassy and Carter-branded Hug N' Tug Baby Toys Recalled Due to Choking Hazard. December 20, 2012 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 45,300 Sassy®- branded Hug N' Tug Puppy and Monkey and Carter's®-branded Hug N' Tug Monkey Toys, sold at mass merchandisers such as Toys R Us and Target, independent specialty stores nationwide and online retailers such as Amazon.com and Carters.com between July 2012 and October 2012 for Sassy-branded models; and from August 2011 to October 2012 for the Carter's-branded models. Carter's-branded models were also sold in Carter's retail stores. The Sassy-branded models sold for approximately $8 and the Carter's-branded models for approximately $14. Consumers should immediately take the toys from children and contact Sassy for instructions on how to return the product for a free replacement toy.

Classic toys get high-tech upgrade. December 20, 2012 — How do you interest a modern child in a traditional toy? One way is make...

Toy Guns Shunned By Parents As Holiday Gifts After Newtown Shooting. December 20, 2012 — Three-year-old Jason Halili says he wants to be a police officer when he grows up...

THQ files for bankruptcy as it hands itself over to a new owner. December 20, 2012 — Troubled game publisher THQ is handing itself over to a new owner...

New Wimpy Kid Crosses 1 Million Copies Sold. December 20, 2012 — Book seven of Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, The Third Wheel...

Headland Completes Investment In YoungToys, Inc. December 20, 2012 — Headland Capital Partners Limited has announced that The Headland Private Equity Fund 6 L.P., has acquired a 96.5% equity shareholding in YoungToys, Inc...

Toys 'R Us CEO: Last-Minute Shoppers Will Create a Super Saturday. December 19, 2012 — All indications point to a record-breaking weekend for the retail industry as last-minute holiday...

NBC Announces Bold New Game Show 'Hollywood Game Night'. December 19, 2012 — NBC has ordered "Hollywood Game Night," a new hour-long game show series...

Returns to reach record levels this year. December 19, 2012 — January 3 promises to be the longest day of the year for UPS employees...

Toy Makers Caught in New Gender Flap -- But Are They at Fault? December 19, 2012 — Senior officials at Hasbro hosted a meeting Monday that could have major repercussions...

Shooting renews argument over video-game violence. December 19, 2012 — In the days since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn...

Behind the scenes at Hasbro's holiday headquarters. December 19, 2012 — A secret Furby of the future was inadvertently unveiled at Hasbro's headquarters...

Listen up! Hidden danger in popular toys, says Sight and Hearing Association. December 19, 2012 — Toys come with a lot of warnings: Not suitable for children under three years; small parts may present choking hazards...

LEGO wins Ice Watch packaging court case. December 19, 2012 — LEGO has won a legal battle against Belgian company TKS which produces the Ice Watch...

Beanie Baby craze: 15 years later, the city’s hottest toy languishes on Craigslist. December 19, 2012 — The late ’90s was a time when cellphones were big and dreams of plush...

Carter’s Announces Changes to Leadership Team. December 19, 2012 — Carter’s, Inc. today announced that Brian Lynch, currently Executive Vice President and Brand Leader for the Carter’s brand, has been promoted to President of Carter’s, Inc...

Amazon’s Founder And CEO Jeff Bezos Named NRF’s Gold Award Recipient. December 19, 2012 — The National Retail Federation is pleased to announce that Amazon, Crocs, Kohl’s and lululemon are the recipients of its prestigious annual awards...

‘Container Cliff’ Imminent As Contract Negotiations Break Down. December 19, 2012 — The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold on the breakdown of contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd...

Adora Dolls Unveils New Look and Products For 2013. December 18, 2012 — Adora, a leading manufacturer of award-winning dolls, plush toys, and play accessories is launching an "all new" Adora for 2013. Adora has infused its brand with a new identity, packaging, website, and a wide assortment of products and price points for children of all ages...

NYT: Walmart paid bribes in Mexico. December 18, 2012 — Walmart’s ongoing investigation into bribery allegations was thrust into the spotlight again...

ABC Kids Expo, CMBE Asia and BPA/Harrogate Nursery Fair Forge Alliance. December 18, 2012 — As a result of high level meetings during the 2012 ABC Kids Expo in Louisville, KY, USA, the ABC Kids Expo, Children’s Baby Maternity Expo (CBME) and the Harrogate Nursery Fair/Baby Products Association have formed an alliance of mutual cooperation and reciprocal pavilions in each other’s shows...

Another new online record, $5B in 5 days. December 18, 2012 — Survey results released Monday by comScore revealed that the most recent work-week...

A pple, Burger King, Toys ‘R’ Us: Intellectual Property. December 18, 2012 — Dish Network (DISH)’s Blockbuster unit has sued Toys ‘R’ Us Inc. (TOYS) for trademark infringement...

Teletubbies Seek New Owner as BBC Worldwide Sells Venture. December 18, 2012 — The Teletubbies, the toddler-sized creatures with antennas on their heads, are following Barney...

Digital devices engage tots, but some experts discourage use before age 2. December 18, 2012 — If there’s one toy guaranteed to captivate toddlers this holiday season, it’s the iPad...

Unisex Easy-Bake oven on the way. December 18, 2012 — Hasbro says it will soon reveal a gender-neutral Easy-Bake Oven after meeting with a New Jersey girl...

Firm to stop production of magnetic toy Buckyballs. December 18, 2012 — Maxfield & Oberton Holdings LLC said it will stop production of the popular magnetic toys Buckyballs this week...

Dunecraft Recalls Water Balz, Skulls, Orbs and Flower Toys Due to Serious Ingestion Hazard. December 17, 2012 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 94,700 in the United States (and 600 in Canada) Water Balz, Growing Skulls, H2O Orbs "Despicable Me" and Fabulous Flowers toys from Dunecraft Inc. When the marble-sized toy is ingested, it expands inside the body and causes a blockage in the small intestine, resulting in severe discomfort, vomiting, dehydration and could be life threatening. The toys do not show up on an x-ray and require surgery to be removed from the body. Consumers should immediately take this recalled toy away from children and contact Dunecraft for a free replacement toy.

Holiday time is toy time: Mattel, Hasbro doing fine. December 17, 2012 — The clock had just struck 2 a.m., and I was about to call it an evening ...

Harper and Rainforest Action Network Collide Over New Warning. December 17, 2012 — HarperCollins is challenging the methodology behind the newest advisory from the Rainforest Action Network...

Co-inventor of bar code passes away. December 17, 2012 — Norman Woodland, co-inventor of the bar code which transformed global commerce in the 1970s...

Drawstring dilemma costs Bon-Ton $450,000. December 17, 2012 — An issue related to drawstrings has resulted in Bon-Ton agreeing to pay...

30 Under 30: The Brightest Young Stars In Video Games. December 17, 2012 — Every year, the reporters at Forbes look for up-and-coming stars in the industries...

NPD Releases Shopping Activity Weekly Holiday Trends Report for the Week Ending December 8, 2012. December 14, 2012 — For the week ending December 8, 2012, The Shopping Activity Weekly Holiday Trends* report from the global information company, The NPD Group, Inc., shows that 56 percent of U.S. consumers went shopping at brick-and-mortar retail stores...

RichRelevance Shopper Insights Reveal New Consumer Patterns Emerging for Holiday 2012. December 14, 2012 — RichRelevance®, the leading provider of dynamic personalization for the world’s largest retailers, today released its 2012 Holiday Shopping Insights™ Study...

Winston Co. files patent lawsuit over toy's packaging. December 14, 2012 — A Tulsa company has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against an Arkansas company...

Holiday Shoppers Approach the Finish Line...and Plan a Victory Lap. December 14, 2012 — With just a few weeks left in the annual Holiday shop-a-thon, 86% of holiday shoppers still have more to buy...

Toymageddon 2012 begins Dec. 21 at Toys“R”Us. December 14, 2012 — With 12 shopping days left, Toys"R"Us plans to keep most of its stores open for 88 consecutive hours nationwide, from 6 a.m. Friday, December 21 through 10 p.m. Christmas Eve.

Funrise Toy Corporation teams up with UK Company, Bluw Incorporated. December 13, 2012 — Funrise Toy Corporation is happy to announce their new distribution partnership with the popular United Kingdom company, Bluw Incorporated...

The Tipping Point: Highest Number of TV and Furniture Tip-Over Deaths Recorded By CPSC in 2011. December 13, 2012 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents of young children to anchor and stabilize their televisions, furniture, and appliances to prevent tip-over related incidents...

Solid Start To The Holiday Shopping Season Boosts November Sales, According To NRF. December 13, 2012 — Eager holiday shoppers helped drive retail sales upwards in November, helping boost sales in the first half of the holiday season...

Hot Tablet, Cheap Stock. December 13, 2012 — Wall Street foresees blowout sales of tablet computers this Christmas, including the iPad 2...

Be Wary of Video Games’ Educational Promises. December 13, 2012 — With electronic toys from Leap Pads to Wii U consoles topping many a holiday gift list...

Hasbro to meet with girl, 13, on gender-neutral Easy-Bake ovens. December 13, 2012 — The 13-year-old New Jersey girl who started a petition for boy-friendly Easy-Bake ovens...

Rubber Ducks Seized: Dangerous Toys A Risk To Children. December 13, 2012 — Rubber ducks seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection have high levels of phthalate, which could be harmful...
City Versa Strollers Recalled by Baby Jogger Due to Fall Hazard. December 12, 2012 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 8,400 (in the United States, and 2,200 in Canada) Baby Jogger City Versa™ strollers from Baby Jogger LLC, sold at buybuy Baby and other juvenile product stores nationwide and online at buybuybaby.com, albeebaby.com, diapers.com and other online retailers from July 2012 through October 2012 for about $450. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Baby Jogger for a free replacement stroller frame.

Kathleen McHugh Named "Global Toy News Person of the Year". December 12, 2012 — The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) announced today that its president, Kathleen McHugh, has been named the Global Toy News Person of the Year...

Safari Ltd® Supports Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Holiday Toy Drive. December 12, 2012 — Safari Ltd®, a worldwide distributor of quality, hand painted animal replicas, donated more than 2,000 of its toys to Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation’s annual Holiday Toy Drive last week...

Angry Birds Film Slated for 2016. December 12, 2012 — Rovio Entertainment has tapped two major Hollywood producers for its upcoming Angry Birds feature film...

Retailers Planning Last Minute Shipping Rush This Holiday Season, According To Shop.Org. December 12, 2012 — Though millions of holiday packages are crossing the country right now en route...

Comprehensive Tax Reform In The Fiscal Cliff. December 12, 2012 — The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay...

Disney promotes Simon Philips to consumer products GM. December 12, 2012 — President of Marvel Entertainment will now be responsible for licensed product across EMEA...

Hasbro Restructures TV/Film Efforts, Puts Stephen Davis in Charge. December 12, 2012 — The company has combined operations to better integrate show business with the toy business...

Ubisoft and Toys'R'Us, Inc. Partner to Launch New Social Game, Toys“R”Us® Towers™. December 12, 2012 — Today, Ubisoft ® and Toys“R”Us ® announced that they have teamed up to create Toys“R”Us ® Towers™...

What You Need to Know About Breaking into the Arab Market. December 12, 2012 — Though you rarely hear news about the Arab game industry, video games are booming...

Court Blocks Release of Hobbit 'Mockbuster'. December 12, 2012 — Just four days before the release of Warner Brothers $200 million-plus adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit...

Fired trucker sues Little Tikes. December 12, 2012 — A Kent woman has filed a lawsuit against Little Tikes Co., saying her former employer...

New doll made with body image in mind. December 12, 2012 — A doll made to look like a 9-year-old girl — who doesn’t wear makeup...

FDNY to call for ban on toy lighters. December 12, 2012 — Fire officials will gather in midtown Wednesday to call for a ban on toy-like lighters...
Retail Imports To Increase 3.9 Percent In December Despite Port Strike. December 11, 2012 — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.9 percent...

Mattel’s Trial Loss in Bratz Case Questioned by Judges. December 11, 2012 — Mattel Inc.’s trial loss in its eight-year fight with Bratz doll maker MGA Entertainment Inc....

Toys "R" Us optimistic about holidays. December 11, 2012 — A 4.1% third quarter same store sales decline and $105 million loss hasn’t diminished...

Is There a Toy-Class Divide? December 11, 2012 — Are children whose parents shop primarily at big-box stores and mass-market retailers cut off...

Age-appropriate toys lead to less injuries in the new year. December 11, 2012 — Responding to data released by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Better Business Bureau...

Toy And Games Companies In The Spotlight. December 11, 2012 — I have been looking for toy and game companies with nice dividend yields...

Online sales keep setting records, more to come. December 11, 2012 — Online sales are up 13% so far this holiday season and approaching a record $27 billion...
Mattel Returns to Judges Who Threw Out Bratz Verdict. December 10, 2012 — Mattel Inc. (MAT) is asking the same appeals court panel that two years ago concluded the Barbie doll...

The Great Divide, Now in the Toy Aisle. December 10, 2012 — Earlier this year, at the 109th Annual American International Toy Fair, held...

Toys“R”Us, Inc. Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter 2012. December 10, 2012 — Toys“R”Us, Inc. today reported financial results for the third quarter ended October 27, 2012...

Global firms have lots to play for in China's toy market. December 10, 2012 — For Wang Ye, a 33-year-old housewife in Beijing, it's difficult to understand how...

FTC: Most mobile apps for kids secretly collect and share information. December 10, 2012 — A study from the Federal Trade Commission has found that most mobile apps for kids are secretly...

Why there are no new toys for Christmas. December 10, 2012 — This holiday, the toy aisle will be a lot quieter. Again. It...

‘Toy Hunter’ Tips: How You Can Become a Toy Collector. December 10, 2012 — ‘Tis the season to buy new toys and rediscover your favorite toys...

Toys 'R' Us Holiday Game Plan Serious Business this Year. December 10, 2012 — Toys "R" Us' holiday rallying cry for the last six years has been: "We're playing to win"...

MEA outdoor toys market worth $242.6m. December 10, 2012 — Despite the invasion of electronic toys, computer games and the ever-present playstations...

Hasbro, Inc. Plans Quarterly Dividend of $0.36 (HAS). December 10, 2012 — Hasbro declared a quarterly dividend on Friday, December 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 17th will be...

These Are the People Who Make Your Toys. December 10, 2012 — Most of us know that the toys we give to kids during the holidays...

Bankruptcy basics for retail industry suppliers. December 10, 2012 — Particularly in the current economy, it is not uncommon for purchasers, anywhere along...

ShopperTrak: November 2012. December 10, 2012 — Shopper traffic in November increased as Black Friday weekend sales promotions — and the Veterans Day...

High-Powered Magnet Sets Recalled by Reiss Innovations Due to Ingestion Hazard; Sold Exclusively on Amazon.com. December 10, 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 500 High-Powered Magnet desk toys from Reiss Innovations LLC, sold at Amazon.com/Dynocube.com from July 2011 through April 2012 for about $20. Consumers should stop using the recalled magnet sets immediately and contact Reiss Innovations for instructions on returning the magnet sets for a full refund.
$21.4 billion and counting: online sales surge continues. December 7, 2012 — Online holiday sales continue to set new sales records, according to digital...

How Amazon Piles Billions Behind Tax Shield. December 7, 2012 — In 2005, Amazon rented a historic five-storey building in Luxembourg's Grund quarter...

Toys 'R' Us Faces Possible Lego Lawsuit Over Free Gift. December 7, 2012 — A Connecticut man, who is a LEGO master builder and has created museum exhibits...

The Great Lego Minecraft Shortage of 2012. December 7, 2012 — Forget the Wii U or iPads. If you’re a parent of a smart kid like me

Germany may fall into recession in 2013. December 7, 2012 — Germany's central bank said the country may slip into recession early next year...

Even a new console launch couldn't stop November's steep decline. December 7, 2012 — There may have been a brand new home console on American store shelves...

Dream On Me Recalls Bath Seats Due to Drowning Hazard. December 7, 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 50,000 Dream On Me Bath Seats from Dream On Me Inc., sold at small retail stores and online retailers including Amazon.com and Wayfair.com from July 2012 through September 2012 for between $25 and $40. Consumers should stop using the recalled bath seats immediately and contact Dream On Me to receive a free replacement bath tub.

Dream On Me Recalls Children's Bed Rails Due to Suffocation and Strangulation Hazards. December 7, 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 900 Dream On Me Bed Rails from Dream On Me Inc., sold at small independent stores and online at amazon.com and wayfair.com from September 2011 through May 2012 for between $15 and $30. Consumers should stop using the bed rails immediately and contact Dream On Me for a refund.

Evenflo Sells Its Ameda® Breastfeeding Business. December 7, 2012 — Evenflo Company, Inc. today announced that it has sold its Ameda® breastfeeding business...

The problem that won’t go away. December 7, 2012 — Walmart is occupying the familiar role of corporate villain again this week...
Five Infant Deaths Prompt CPSC to Sue Manufacturer of Nap Nanny and Chill Infant Recliners. December 6, 2012 — In an effort to prevent children from suffering further harm, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff filed an administrative complaint today against Baby Matters, LLC, of Berwyn, Pa., the manufacturer of Nap Nanny® and Nap Nanny Chill™ infant recliners. The complaint alleges that the Nap Nanny Generation One and Two, and Chill model infant recliners contain defects in the design, warnings and instructions, which pose a substantial risk of injury and death to infants.

NRF Urges Immediate Resolution To The East And Gulf Coast Ports Dispute. December 6, 2012 — The National Retail Federation today issued a letter to the International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd., urging both sides to reach an immediate contract agreement...

How Children’s Toys Are Getting a Gender Neutral Makeover For Christmas. December 6, 2012 — Following criticism from the Swedish advertising regulator, Scandinavian toy retailer Top-Toy made headlines last month...

Amway Donates More Than $300,000 In Gifts To TODAY Show Toy Drive. December 6, 2012 — Amway North America is donating more than $300,000 in products to NBC's TODAY Show Toy Drive...

Toy maker will replace church's stolen toys. December 6, 2012 — It looked like some Grinches would snatch the Christmas joy from some needy families...

Toy oven leaves pro chefs cold. December 6, 2012 — Do not buy an Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven as a holiday gift for a chef...
DQ Entertainment up 3.5% on global toy partner appointment. December 5, 2012 — DQ Entertainment International gained as much as 3.5 percent on Wednesday as the company has appointed Sun-Mate Corporation...

Children's Booksellers Off to a Strong Start for Holiday Selling Season. December 5, 2012 — Black Friday weekend – and the holiday selling season – got off to a strong start for many children’s specialty booksellers...

NRF Welcomes End Of Port Strike. December 5, 2012 — The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay...

How A Startup Scored A Happy Meal Deal With McDonald's 14,000 US Stores. December 5, 2012 — Mind Candy, a UK-based social network for kids and the brand owner of Moshi Monster toys...

How to standardize package design without killing creativity. December 5, 2012 — A well-designed packaging program and a style guide that supports its standardization...

Hasbro Named No. 1 Toy and Children's Product Company in Climate Counts Scorecard for 2012-2013. December 5, 2012 — Global branded play leader Hasbro, Inc. has taken the top spot in the 2012-2013 Climate Counts Climate Scores rankings in the Toys and Children's Products sector...

Poof-Slinky bids $800K for Plainfield's Fundex Games. December 5, 2012 — It seems like a match made in toy heaven. The maker of...

Disney Moves to Dismiss Stan Lee Media Suit. December 5, 2012 — Disney has filed a motion to dismiss the Stan Lee Media lawsuit...

Character blames Zhu Zhu Pets for profit fall. December 5, 2012 — Character Group, the maker of Peppa Pig toys, has blamed unloved Zhu Zhu hamsters...
More Dads Buy the Toys, So Barbie, and Stores, Get Makeovers. December 4, 2012 — Barbies are for girls and construction sets are for boys. Or are they? For the first time in Barbie’s more than 50-year history, Mattel is introducing a Barbie construction set ...

Online shopping continues to set records. December 4, 2012 — Through the first 30 days of the holiday season online sales have surpassed $20 billion...

Study: Prices not lowest on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. December 4, 2012 — Black Friday and Cyber Monday does not always mean lower prices, according to a study...

CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum Announces New General Counsel. December 4, 2012 — The Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced the hiring of Stephanie Tsacoumis as the new General Counsel for CPSC...

Return Fraud To Cost Retailers $2.9 Billion This Holiday Season, According To NRF Survey. December 4, 2012 — Return fraud costs retailers billions of dollars every year in the form...

Mattel Brings Play to Thousands of Children With Winter Wonderland Events. December 4, 2012 — Today Mattel announced the start of its third annual global Mattel 12 Days of Play program...
NRF Foundation Awards $178,000 In Scholarships To Next Generation Of Retail Leaders. December 3, 2012 — Christmas came early for 24 college students when they learned they were recipients...

ASTRA Builds Consumer Engagement With "Woo Hoo Them!" Campaign. December 3, 2012 — The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) announced today that it has launched the “Woo Hoo Them!” campaign...

China Labor Watch Criticizes Mattel. December 3, 2012 — A group that monitors working conditions in China has accused toymaker Mattel Inc...

Retailers Investing More in Digital Marketing for Holidays, BDO USA Survey Finds. December 3, 2012 — After being little more than a blip on the radar in 2007, social media...

Shoplifting and Fraud to Cost American Retailers $8.9 Billion Over Christmas Holiday Season. December 3, 2012 — Retailers in the U.S. are expected to lose $8.9 billion over the holiday season...

Disney’s ‘McStuffins’ Overtakes ‘Dora’ in Preschool TV Fight. December 3, 2012 — Walt Disney Co.’s “Doc McStuffins” has emerged as the top-rated cable TV show...

Toy Fair adds content to its big trade show. December 3, 2012 — The Toy Fair has added a new feature to its 110th annual trade...

Yes, video games can be good for kid. December 3, 2012 — If you're buying gifts for children this holiday season,chances are very...

Ho-ho hot holiday games. December 3, 2012 — Tis the season to be jolly — and what better way to keep the...

Mattel Announces Creation of the Joseph A. Cristina HIV/AIDS Children's Fund and Inaugural Round of Grants in Honor of World AIDs Day. December 3, 2012 — In honor of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, 2013, Mattel Inc. and the Mattel Children's Foundation today announced the creation of the...

Ohio hospital shows how to make toys for disabled. December 3, 2012 — Toys with small switches and buttons can be a challenge for a lot of children...

Boulder's high-tech toys: Local startups mix technology, play. December 3, 2012 — Here's a list of some of the toys recently launched by Boulder-based startups...
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...