Toy Report 8/1: U.S. Toy Industry Has Turned the Corner on TRU, NPD Says

August 1, 2019

The NPD Group Says the U.S. Toy Industry Has Turned the Corner on TRU

With the first half of the year behind us and strong sales reports from Hasbro, Mattel, and Spin Master, the NPD Group says the toy industry is poised to turn the corner on Toys "R" Us in the U.S.

According to the NPD Group's mid-year sales report, year-to-date sales through June saw the total U.S. toy industry drop by $734 million to $7.4 billion, a decline of 9%. The data shows that the numbers reflect "unfavorable comparisons" to the previous year, particularly due to the Toys "R" Us liquidation sale, which took place in the spring of 2018. For a better picture of the overall state of the toy industry, the NPD Group points to the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2016 to 2019, which shows a 1% increase. Read more...

SDCC: Inside the Pop Insider ’s Con Kick-Off Party

The Pop Insider made its San Diego debut with a sold-out party at Coin-Op Gaslamp. More than 250 guests, including some in awesome cosplay, attended the party, which featured an open bar (including themed drinks), food, and free arcade games for the duration. There were also Arcade1Up arcade cabinets and Countercades to try out; Marvel board games from Spin Master; and a Pickachu-themed relay race featuring costumes from Disguise. Read more...

Zing Adds Marshmallow Fun Blasters to Its Arsenal

Confirming rumblings from the recent ASTRA Marketplace and Academy in Pittsburgh, Zing Global has acquired the Marshmallow Fun brand through the Marshmallow Fun Co. Under the purchase agreement, Zing will assume manufacturing and marketing responsibilities for Marshmallow Fun, with Ozwest Inc. and Fizz Bizz Inc. handling distribution throughout North America. Read more...

Epic Games, Jazwares Drop the Fortnite R/C Battle Bus Drone

As any Fortnite player knows, there’s only one way to get dropped into the Battle Royale, and that’s the Battle Bus. Following last week’s reveal of the first-ever Fortnite-branded R/C toy — the All Terrain Kart — Jazwares and Epic Games are taking things to new heights with the Battle Bus Drone. Read more…

Mattel Named Global Toy Partner for Top Gun Franchise

Mattel has been named the global toy partner for Paramount Pictures' Top Gun franchise, including both the original Top Gun and next summer's Top Gun: Maverick. The company has rights to multiple categories, including die-cast vehicles and aircrafts, play sets, games, and other toys. The full line will be available globally, ahead of the sequel's U.S. release next June. Read more…

In addition, following the success of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour and the Hot Wheels Vending Truck, Barbie is hitting the road for a cross-country tour that will deliver exclusive merchandise direct to fans. Read more...

Spin Master Enters DreamWorks Animation’s Gabby’s Dollhouse as Master Toy Partner

DreamWorks Animation is in production on a new preschool series for Netflix, and when Gabby’s Dollhouse arrives, the toys will be close behind. Spin Master inked a deal with Universal Brand Development to become master toy partner for the series, with plans to bring characters from Gabby’s Dollhouse to life through figures, play sets, plush, games, and puzzles. Read more…

MGA Entertainment, iQIYI Ink Licensing Deal for L.O.L. Surprise! in China

The L.O.L. Surprise! phenomenon will get a big push in China, thanks to a new licensing partnership between MGA Entertainment, Inc. and iQIYI. Under the new agreement, iQIYI will identify and manage third-party licensing for the L.O.L. Surprise! brand, while leveraging its expertise in the online content space to expand the brand's reach throughout the territory. Read more...

YouTube to Retail: The FGTeeV Toy Line Hits the Streets

As part of a licensing deal inked ahead of Toy Fair, Bonkers Toys has released the first wave of products inspired by the FGTeeV family — Duddy, Moomy, the kids, and a crew of animated characters, including FUNnel Boy, Derpy Bacon, mEGGz, Postal Jenkins, and others. The FGTeeV toy line features squishies, plush, collectible figures, a Mini Mystery TeeV, and the centerpiece of the collection, the Giant Mystery TeeV. Read more…

Tic Tac Toy Launches XOXO Friends, XOXO Hugs Toy Collection

Last week, attendees at the Toy Insider ‘s 10th Anniversary Sweet Suite event got a first look at Blip Toys‘ new Tic Tac Toy collection. Addy, Maya, Lucy, and Jason — familiar to millions from their YouTube channel, Tic Tac Toy — were on hand to introduce their Tic Tac Toy XOXO Friends and XOXO Hugs in person, happily showing off what’s already shaping up to be a big hit. First reported exclusively at the Toy Book in March, the Tic Tac Toy collection officially hits retail today. Read more…

Big G Creative, James Corden Launch Carpool Karaoke Game

Millions have enjoyed Carpool Karaoke on The Late Late Show with James Corden , and now the fun is coming home. Previewed at the Toy Insider ‘s 10th anniversary Sweet Suite event in New York City last week, Big G Creative launches the Carpool Karaoke Game, exclusively at Target stores. Read more...

WowWee’s Pinkfong Baby Shark Collection Swims into the Holidays

The company behind such hits as Fingerlings and Lucky Fortune has a new collection of Pinkfong Baby Shark toys that are swimming into retail for the upcoming holiday season, including electronic puppets and the first Baby Shark Fingerlings. The new toys are in stores now, kicking off a robust assortment that will expand this fall, with a tablet and smartphone, Baby Shark Family bath squirt toys, and a Baby Shark Melody Walker and Shape Sorter on the way. Read more…

Additionally, WowWee’s Lucky Fortune line expands this week with the debut of the Lucky Fortune BFF Series. The new line includes new pairs of bracelets that could be matching or complementary.

Wow! Stuff’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak Appears at Walmart

Wizards and Muggles seeking to make a quick exit — or at least, appear to disappear — can finally do so with Wow! Stuff’s new Wizarding World of Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak. As we reported exclusively last month, the Cloak has been available for preorder via Amazon, but now it’s appearing in another spot: Walmart. Read more…

Arcade1Up Launches Preorders for Limited Edition Capcom Marvel Super Heroes Home Arcade Machine

Arcade1Up’s Limited Edition Capcom Marvel Super Heroes Home Arcade Game features exclusive artwork, a light-up marquee, an included 12-inch riser, and Sanwa buttons and joysticks. Marvel Super Heroes , X-Men: Children of the Atom , and The Punisher are included in the cabinet. Released to coincide with Marvel’s 80th Anniversary celebration, just 8,000 cabinets will be produced, each available to order exclusively through Arcade1Up’s website. Read more…

In addition, the much-anticipated Atari Star Wars Home Arcade game is now available for preorder exclusively through GameStop.

Bandai Namco Launches tori

First previewed at the Toy Insider’s Sweet Suite event, Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed tori, an interactive play experience that encourages individual creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. tori uses Mirror Play technology to bring kids’ creations, such as pages of a coloring book, to be instantly reflected in the supported apps. Kids can also use their tori wand, catapult, or spacecraft over the tori board to use the physical pieces to mirror moves within the apps. Read more…

Wild Republic Launches Ecokins

Wild Republic is expanding on its “Promise to Protect the Planet.” The company launched Ecokins, a new line of sustainable plush animals made using 100% recycled materials. As part of its commitment to be more environmentally conscious, this first corporate responsibility initiative is in partnership with SSA, the largest zoo, aquarium, and cultural attractions retailer and culinary services operator in the U.S. SSA will exclusively introduce the plush to more than 30 locations, including the Denver Zoo, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo, and the Botanical Garden, in November. A rollout to other retailers is planned for next year. Read more…

PBS KIDS Plots a Return to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

Next year, PBS KIDS will be making another trip to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. From Fred Rogers Productions, season five of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is in production now, with 20 new episodes — including a half-hour special — set to debut in the summer of 2020. Read more…

DHX Brands Delivers In the Night Garden Products Direct to Retail

DHX Brands, the dedicated brand management and consumer products arm of DHX Media, inked a deal for a new direct-to-retail collaboration with TJ Morris, which will see In the Night Garden products — geared toward kids ages 6 months to 2.5 years — sold exclusively at Home Bargains and Quality Save stores across the UK. Read more…

Kabillion Nabs Streaming Rights to Future Card Buddyfight Ace, Kiwi & Strit

Kabillion is expanding its streaming distribution portfolio with the addition of two new series: Future Card Buddyfight Ace and Kiwi & Strit . The international series will join a robust lineup that Kabillion distributes across VOD and OTT streaming platforms, including Amazon, Hulu, and VUDU.

Toy Story 4 , Hot Wheels Lead Mattel Q2 Growth as BTS, a Return to Eternia Loom

Mattel continues to make progress in its oft-touted “multi-year turnaround,” with strong performance across a number of segments. The company reported its second quarter earnings, with net sales increasing 2% to $860.1 million compared to $840.7 million in 2018, while operating loss decreased to $51.4 million versus a loss of $189.2 million last year. Read more…

Bakugan, Monster Jam, Paw Patrol Give Spin Master a Q2 Earnings Lift

Spin Master posted solid results for its second quarter, showing a rebound on its own Paw Patrol, and strong performance from brands such as Monster Jam and Bakugan. The Toronto-based toy and entertainment company reports that gross product sales increased 1.2% in North America, a whopping 42.8% in Europe, and declined 1.7% in the rest of the world. Gross profit increased 7.2% to $164.3 million, and overall gross revenue rose to $321 million, a 3% increase from $311.5 million a year ago. Read more...

Richard Gill Joins PlayMonster’s Executive Team

There’s a new “Chief Explorer Monster” at Wisconsin-based PlayMonster. The company appointed Richard Gill as vice president international, bolstering the company’s strength in markets outside of the U.S., Canada, and the UK. Gill, a long-time toy industry exec, brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role. Read more…