November 24, 2021
Exclusive: The Nacelle Co. Unwraps A Toy Store Near You Season 4 on Christmas Day

Santa’s about to deliver a big bag of toyetic content. On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, The Nacelle Co. — the studio behind The Toys That Made Us (Netflix) — will debut five new episodes of A Toy Store Near You on Amazon Prime Video. The series looks at independent toy stores and the stories behind the people that run them. Read more…
Bandai Celebrates Tamagotchi’s 25th Anniversary by Bringing Back an Old Favorite

The popular 90s toy has remained in the zeitgeist due to its sense of nostalgia, the emotional connection to virtual pets, and new releases and collaborations. To celebrate the big day, Bandai is releasing an Amazon-exclusive Original Tamagotchi, featuring a unique, pastel iridescent design. Read more…
MGA Entertainment Enters Electric Vehicle Market

MGA Entertainment (MGAE) is looking beyond L.O.L. Surprise! and Little Tikes in an effort to conquer a new market. MGAE sped into the Electric Vehicle (EV) market this week with the launch of its VIRO Motors EV Café Racer. The electric mini-bike designed for ages 13 and up has a 7-mile range. Read more…
Just Play, WaterBabies Team up with charity: water to Fund Water Projects in Developing Countries

Just Play partnered with charity: water — a non-profit organization that provides clean and safe drinking water to developing countries — for an initiative that seeks to fund 250 water well projects in developing countries. The initiative began this summer with a portion of proceeds from the sale of each WaterBabies doll benefiting charity: water efforts. Read more…
Spin Master Named Master Toy Partner for Glowberry’s ‘Brave Bunnies’

The animated preschool series, from Glowberry and Spanish animation studio Anima, follows the Brave Bunnies family as they explore the world around them with a focus on socialization and being inclusive and accepting of others around them. Under the new deal, Spin Master will launch a Brave Bunnies toy line next year that includes figures, playsets, games, and plush. Read more…
Jakks Pacific Named Master Global Toy Partner for ‘Chip & Potato’

Jakks Pacific has another new license. The company inked a deal with WildBrain to serve as the global master toy partner for Chip & Potato, a preschool series with a growing international audience. Read more…
History Channel’s ‘Modern Marvels’ to Highlight Classic Toys

The History Channel is having a toy takeover. On Sunday, Nov. 28 at 10 p.m. ET, a new episode of Modern Marvels will delve into the history behind iconic toy brands and how they have stood the test of time. In the episode, host Adam Richman will visit toy manufacturers and get commentary from industry experts, including our own James Zahn, deputy editor of the Toy Book and senior editor of the Toy Insider and the Pop Insider. Read more…
NERF Minecraft Blasters Are Now at Walmart

Hasbro and Minecraft are building a new partnership to create an exciting line of blasters. The block-breaking line of NERF Minecraft blasters features the Minecraft Pillager’s Crossbow and the Minecraft Dungeons Stormlander. The line launched at Walmart this week. Read more...
Hasbro’s Lite-Brite Goes Magenta for T-Mobile Partnership

The iconic Lite-Brite toy is getting a special edition for the holiday season. Hasbro teamed up with T-Mobile for a special edition of the classic toy that transforms the experience using 184 magenta lite pegs and a collection of wireless-themed templates. The Lite-Brite T-Mobile Edition is produced by Basic Fun! under license from Hasbro and is available while supplies last. Read more…
ViacomCBS Explores Diversity in the Toy Department with ‘More Than Dolls’ Study

In an effort to explore diversity in the doll aisles, ViacomCBS Consumer Products recently completed a new study that was inspired by the famous doll test conducted by Drs. Mamie and Kenneth Clark in 1947. The “More Than Dolls” study polled more than 900 moms and their daughters to highlight the positive impact that a diverse doll selection has on Black, Hispanic, and Asian girls while drawing attention to additional factors that still need to be addressed as the toy industry moves toward authentic representation. Read more…
Bring Your Favorite Neopets Home with the First Plush Collection in 10 Years

Neopets fans have been patiently waiting for the announcement of a Neopets toy line ever since JumpStart Games began to give neopets.com a mobile-friendly makeover last year, bringing the ‘90s-era virtual pet website into the modern age. Well, the wait is finally over as Neopets, JumpStart, and Carlin West Agency announce a new collection of plush Neopets. Read more…
Funko Heads to ECCC for Hybrid Festival of Fun Event

Following more than a year of almost all virtual programming for fan conventions, Funko is taking a hybrid approach to the upcoming Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC), which is scheduled to take place in Seattle — Funko’s home base — from Dec. 2-5. Read more...
Headstart International Set to Distribute McFarlane Toys Down Under

McFarlane Toys is plotting expansion into Australia and New Zealand. Headstart International inked a deal to serve as the official distribution partner for McFarlane toys in the region. Over the past year, McFarlane has seen explosive growth — 200% according to Headstart — while expanding its action figure lines. Read more…
Combined Toy & Edu China, Baby & Stroller China, and Licensing China Event Focuses on Digital Elements in 2022

Particularly fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the social commerce market in China is forecast to more than double from 2019 levels, reaching gross sales of $451 billion by the end of this year, according to the trade show. While online reviews and social media remain powerful in influencing purchasing decisions, recommendations from internet celebrities also play an important role in reassuring consumers about brand credibility and product quality. Read more…
Retail Monster Set to Develop Licensing Programs for ‘The McFire Family, Press Start!’

The maker of Gigantosaurus is gearing up for its next big kids’ brands. Cyber Group Studios tapped Retail Monster to develop full licensing programs in the U.S. for a pair of new CG animated series, an original production called The McFire Family and Press Start! based on the book series from Scholastic. Read more…
Rocket Licensing Blasts off with European Space Agency for Toys, Games, and More
Space toys are experiencing another boom, and the European Space Agency (ESA) wants in on the action. Rocket Licensing inked a deal to rep the ESA worldwide in an effort to build a full licensing program for the organization across toys, games, apparel, publishing, and more. Read more…
Squaregles Celebrates All Forms of Play with Magnetic Building Frames

Squaregles is a new, magnetic building toy from a Chicago-based start-up. It features magnetically connectable frames coupled with a variety of 3D panels that kids can pop in and out of the frames to build structures. Within the Squaregles universe live Oggs, characters who represent the diversity of play styles and have their own unique personalities. Read more…
Passing the Wand: Wonder Works Toys Enters a New Chapter 

Following more than 30 years of successful retailing, Wonder Works Toys in Charleston, South Carolina has a new owner to continue its legacy. Over the years, Wonder Works has evolved and has been hailed as a prime example of how independent retailers can adapt to serve their local communities. Read more…
Macy’s Toy Sales Double in Early Days of Toys “R” Us Partnership

Geoffrey the Giraffe is helping to move some toys in the U.S. again. While the big return for Toys “R” Us (TRU) is being planned for next year when experiential, TRU-branded toy departments will open in more than 400 Macy’s stores, early results are looking good. During its third quarter earnings call, Macy’s Chairman and CEO Jeff Gennette explained that toys and games are helping to fill the gap on “occasion-based” shopping opportunities that Macy’s has missed in recent years. Read more…
Sales of Halloween Costumes Haunted by Pre-pandemic Levels

Following some major drops due to the COVID-19 pandemic stifling seasonal festivities in 2020, sales of Halloween costumes and accessories spiked 4% this year, according to The NPD Group. Unfortunately, even with the increase over last year, sales were still down an unlucky 13% when compared to Halloween 2019. Read more…
 
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