| Through the years there certainly have been many | | | | happen in the very near future. |
| changes when it comes to Christmas toys. What | | | | So, how has the toy market responded this year? |
| factors influence the types of toys that are on the | | | | Well, if Joe toy shopper wont go to the mountain, |
| market each year and what determines which of | | | | then the mountain must go to Joe toy shopper. An |
| those toys are going to be the most popular? We'll | | | | examples - Toys "R" Us, when they made their |
| have a look at those factors in this article and also | | | | biggest two-day sale ever for Thanksgiving |
| what specifically has shaped the 2008 Christmas toy | | | | weekend, marking down 150 toys to the lowest |
| buying season. | | | | prices of the year, some at 50% to 60% discounts. |
| First of all, the biggest influence on the toy market is | | | | Considered the most recession-proof corner of the |
| technology. As science and technology grows by | | | | retail sector, the resilience of the toy market will still |
| leaps and bounds, we see the effect being | | | | be tested by the stumbling U.S. economy. Sales have |
| incorporated into the entire scope of toys. If you are | | | | declined three straight months at most retailers, |
| like me, and grew up in the 50's and 60's, thenit's | | | | making it one of the worst periods on record, |
| absolutely amazing to see the high tech toys available | | | | according to U.S. government data. Some of the |
| today. Back when we were kids, the thought of a | | | | most aggressive sales on toys seen for many years |
| hand held super gaming system, an interactive Elmo | | | | are in progress now at the major toy stores and also |
| or Dinosaur, or a tiny phone that does just about | | | | on-line. |
| everything but cook your breakfast was just | | | | Since October, Wal-Mart has been selling 10 popular |
| unheard of. Bikes, trains, roller-skates and dolls have | | | | toys - ranging from Littlest Pet Shop VIP' to Hot |
| not been totally replaced these days, but the | | | | Wheels Trick Tracks - for $10, while mall retailer KB |
| sophistication of toys available now is certainly | | | | Toys ran a one-week sale this month, chopping |
| impressive, and makes for some pretty cool | | | | prices on more than 400 toys. Disney is touting gift |
| presents. | | | | ideas for under $20, such as High School Musical dolls, |
| The economy is another big factor affecting the toy | | | | Handy Mandy Tool sets. |
| buying trends. When times are tough, it hurts not | | | | There is definitely a trend in 2008 towards lower |
| only the availability of toys, but also the ability of toy | | | | priced toys, and the toy sellers are responding with |
| buyers to obtain some of the higher priced toys. | | | | sales. Toys "R" Us stated that so far some the |
| Additional influences on the toy market are current | | | | hottest selling toys are Bakugan; Mattel's Elmo Live; |
| events and the movies. We have all seen the many | | | | EyeClops Night Vision Goggles from Jakks Pacific; |
| toys and action figures that have resulted from the | | | | Star Wars-themed Legos; and the Tag reading |
| release of block-buster movies. Musical group | | | | system from educational toy maker Leap Frog. |
| celebrities that develop a huge following are also | | | | Again, we see how technology has made it possible |
| sources of many toys. Whether the country is at | | | | to create really hot toys at an affordable price. |
| peace or at war has also influenced the types of | | | | Whoever thought that you would see infrared night |
| toys on the market. | | | | vision goggles available as a Christmas gift, and for a |
| 2008 trends: What has shaped this Christmas toy | | | | low price as well? Or how about a microhelicopter |
| season and what are some of the Christmas | | | | that is remote controlled and weighs a mere 10 |
| favorites? | | | | grams! Fly it all over the house, in any direction, and |
| Remember last year? For toy makers, last year's big | | | | all for just $25. Simply amazing! |
| threat was the worry over product safety. This | | | | 2008 Christmas toy buying has been shaped by high |
| year, it's all about selling prices because of the poor | | | | technology wonders, popular movies, and an |
| shape the economy is in. It's certainly hard for mom | | | | economy that is in really bad shape. All in all, the 2008 |
| and dad to think about toy buying when they have | | | | Christmas buying trends are positive, although buying |
| either already lost their jobs, or are afraid that it may | | | | budgets are very tight. |