August 15, 2019
It's time to start looking ahead to the rest of the year! In our latest issue, you’ll find expanded coverage of what’s hot in the dolls, games, and construction categories; a look at the new toys inspired by digital influencers, YouTube creators, and esports stars; and a look at how consumers are bringing the arcade experience home. Check out these features and many more in the July/August issue !   
Tariffs on Toys Delayed Until December

It’s a pre-Christmas miracle: The fourth tranche of tariffs on Chinese goods has been split, with toys off the table until at least Dec. 15. The additional time should allow certain companies to continue making plans for mitigation, possibly by moving production elsewhere, as the industry as a whole should make it through the holiday season largely unscathed. Read more…
Spin Master Acquires Global Rights for Hedbanz, Launches New App

Hedbanz and its quick question game of “What Am I” has been a staple of the Spin Master Games portfolio in recent years, and with the acquisition of the global IP, the Toronto-based company has the ability to expand the brand in territories around the world. The acquisition accompanies the launch of the all-new Hedbanz app, which is available now for iOS and Android. Read more…
Paramount Fires Up Development of New G.I. Joe Film

Following rumblings and rumors that have been simmering in recent months, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Paramount Pictures is “deep in development” on a new G.I. Joe film. In addition to the long-gestating Snake Eyes spin-off that is currently slated for an Oct. 16, 2020 release, the screenwriting duo of Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec are penning what should relaunch Hasbro’s mainline G.I. Joe story, while making room for additional spinoffs in the years ahead.

In other Hasbro news, the company has expanded its Toy Recycling Program to include France and Germany, in partnership with Terracycle.
Loot Crate Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Looks for Buyer

Just two years ago, Loot Crate — one of the best-known purveyors of pop culture subscription boxes — was hailed as “the nation’s fastest-growing startup.” Now the company is selling “substantially all of its assets” to Loot Crate Acquisition LLC as it filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in Wilmington, Delaware this week. Read more…
Star Wars x Barbie Takes Fashion to a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Designed by Robert Best and released under the Barbie Gold Label line, Star Wars x Barbie launches with a collection of three fashion dolls, each inspired by original concept art from the production of Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). Read more…

Additionally, Epic Ink will release Barbie Forever, a new book that looks at the 60 year legacy of the iconic doll brand.

Kellytoy’s Squishmallows Get Festive with New Holiday Squad

Christmas is still four months away, but Kellytoy‘s Squishmallows are getting festive. This year’s Holiday Squad features eleven styles that are bound to top wish lists for the growing legion of Squishmallows fans that includes kids, tweens, collectors, and toy lovers of all ages. Read more…
PlayMonster Swings Into Action with The Orangutan Project

The Wisconsin-based company behind the Orangutwang kids’ game committed to a year-long green partnership with plans to support The Orangutan Project, including initiatives and activations across North America. The partnership comes ahead of National Orangutan Day, taking place Aug. 19, and aims to raise awareness for the protection and conservation of one of the world’s most intelligent, yet endangered, mammals and their natural habitat. Read more...
TOMY’s Tomica Die-Cast Range Comes to North American Walmart Stores

Ahead of its 50th anniversary next year, Tomica by TOMY is available now in the die-cast aisle of select Walmart stores, providing kids and collectors in the U.S. and Canada with an initial assortment of 12 vehicles in two waves. The No. 1 die-cast brand in Japan, Tomica is known for its detail, particularly with the inclusion of “real car” features and moving parts in 1:64-scale. Read more…
Cra-Z-Art Enters Game Aisle with Flying Pigs

Known for its toys, puzzles, and art supply projects, Cra-Z-Art is entering the game aisle for the first time with Flying Pigs. Previewed to attendees at the Toy Insider ‘s Sweet Suite event in NYC last month, the game features toy pigs that fly inside an enclosed dome using a safe, motorized fan. Kids can insert the included wands through the four openings in the dome to catch the pigs as they attempt to fly right by. Read more…
Spielwarenmesse Invites Manufacturers, Marketers to Enter the World of Toys

World of Toys, by Spielwarenmesse eG, aims to help manufacturers and marketers better connect with global toy markets through presence at global toy fairs and trade shows. World of Toys provides the opportunity to exhibit in international pavilions at Kids India and the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, with plans in the works for Kids Russia, which will take place alongside Skrepka Expo next year. Read more…
Kids II Rebrands as Kids2, Launches Online Retail Arm, and Builds New Factory

Kids II Inc. is celebrating its 50th anniversary in a big way. In addition to a name change and rebrand as Kids2, the company is launching its own online retail arm and building a new, 72,000 square-foot manufacturing facility — currently under construction in China. Read more…
Gridopolis Nears Successful Kickstarter Funding for 3D Strategy Game   

The multiplayer 3D strategy game and system from designer Dave Schultze, owner and founder of SchultzeWORKS, presents players with the dynamic ability to move, jump, and build in three dimensions, using the extra parts they’re provided with at the start of each game. Schultze, a toy design instructor at OTIS College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, play tested and refined the game over the course of several years with his students. Read more…
Battle It Out with Batman and Joker Egg Attack Figures

The Caped Crusader and his nemesis, the Joker are ready to join collections as Previews Exclusive Egg Attack figures, from Beast Kingdom. Inspired by their appearances in Batman: The Animated Series , these figures each come with multiple faces, hands, and accessories. Read more…
Super7 Debuts Thundercats Ultimates Collection

Thundercats were a staple of toy departments in the mid-1980s. Produced by LJN, the toy line and its companion animated series developed a large following, directly competing in a space dominated by Mattel’s He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (MOTU). While the toys never hit the same level of success that MOTU would enjoy, there was enough of a difference that Thundercats would thrive and stand on its own, maintaining fans in the decades that followed. Now, Super7 is relaunching the Thundercats Ultimates Collection that Mattel first debuted in 2015. Read more…
Gutsy Animations Taps WildBrain to Manage Moominvalley

Mooominvalley marks the first new adaptation of writer-illustrator Tove Jansson’s stories about the Moomins in nearly 30 years. Presented in 3D CGI animation for a new generation, WildBrain will manage the new series, along with the full library of past Moomin content on YouTube, including the previous series from the 1990s, behind-the-scenes material, and other content created exclusively for YouTube. Read more…
Arcade Resurgence: Bringing the Action Home

For those of a certain age, the experience of visiting a video arcade is an unforgettable snapshot of an era long since passed. The appeal of the flashing lights and the sounds — a mix of electronic blips and blorps set against the constant chatter of excited players and a soundtrack of ‘70s rock and ‘80s pop hits — shaped the overall atmosphere of something wondrous. From the local dives to the legendary confines of Bally’s Aladdin’s Castle and Disney’s fictional Flynn’s and Litwak’s, players are being drawn to what once was — and what still could be. Read more…
The Construction Comeback

On the surface, the idea of playing with construction toys does not seem to align with the changing expectations of kids and parents. In many regions, sales in the construction category have dipped in recent years, hit by the growing popularity of video games and kids spending more hours consuming entertainment on mobile screens. However, several toy manufacturers have taken on the challenge and adopted the path of innovation, which enabled the construction category to bounce back last year. Read more…
Hidden Gems: This Year’s Doll Category Is Full of Surprises

Toy companies are taking the surprise component of the big reveal and bringing it to the doll aisle in unique ways this year. Dolls are becoming more multidimensional as manufacturers add new, surprise elements to the packaging and more hidden gems inside for kids to uncover. In some cases, even the doll itself is a surprise, remaining a mystery until the moment kids unbox it. Read more…
Disguise Grows as Jakks Pacific Looks to Back Half of Year to Boost Sales Slump

Jakks Pacific hit some bumps in its second quarter, reporting earnings that reflect declines over last year. Net sales for the second quarter were $95.2 million compared to $105.8 million during the same period last year, while gross margin declined to 18.6% versus 26.4% a year ago. Despite the results, Jakks is looking forward to a solid back half of the year, fueled by new licensed products, and substantial increases in its Disguise costumes division. Read more…
Funko Continues to ‘Pop!’ Crushing Second Quarter Earnings with 38 Percent Sales Increase

They say that “everyone is a fan of something,” and Funko continues to embrace that mantra in serving its growing audience with consistency. Following a big first quarter that crushed expectations, the Washington-based company made famous by its ever-growing selection of Pop! Vinyl figures has done it again, posting a 38% sales increase and a 35% increase in gross profit. Read more…
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Group Publisher:
Jackie Breyer

Managing Editor:
Maddie Michalik

Toy Report Editor:
James Zahn

Senior Editors:
Jacqueline Cucco

Marissa DiBartolo

Sierra McCleary-Harris

Ali Mierzejewski

Associate Editor:
Madeleine Buckley

Editorial Assistants:
Miranda Siwak

Editorial Assistant:
Victoria Rosenthal

Art Director:
Joe Ibraham

Director of Sales and Marketing:
James Devin

Production Director:
Bill Reese
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