toy industry – News Stories About toy industry - Page 1

Finally, a Big Win for
One of the 'Forgotten Five'

Nov 11, 2023 6:30 AM CST

Finally, a Big Win for One of the 'Forgotten Five'

Fisher-Price's Corn Popper moves from perpetual finalist to inductee in Toy Hall of Fame

(Newser) - Fans have pushed the Fisher-Price Corn Popper into the National Toy Hall of Fame, elevating it from perpetual finalist to 2023 inductee, alongside baseball cards, Cabbage Patch Kids, and Nerf foam toys, the hall announced Friday. But Barbie's kind-of boyfriend, Ken? He was left out, despite having a huge...

Kids Aren't the
Only Ones Spending
Their Cash on Toys

Dec 21, 2022 10:15 AM CST

Kids Aren't the Only Ones Spending Their Cash on Toys

Those 12 and older, aka 'kidults,' make up a quarter of toy sales these days

(Newser) - Inflation has dampened retail sales across the board. But as moms and dads finish up their curtailed shopping for the holiday season, there's a chance they're not just buying toys for their kids—they might also be putting some in the cart for themselves. The latest data from...

The Force Awakens
Toy Sales: $700M

Jan 21, 2016 8:22 AM CST

The Force Awakens Toy Sales: $700M

Franchise's products helped boost toy sales overall by 6.7% in 2015

(Newser) - Is it a trap? Maybe for fanatic consumers, but not for the toy industry, which had a stellar sales year in 2015, partly thanks to the Star Wars franchise. Star Wars toys—including hot sellers such as Kylo Ren lightsabers and BB-8 models—scooped up more than $700 million in...

Critics Bash Sexist 'Girly' Legos

Jan 24, 2012 10:23 AM CST

Critics Bash Sexist 'Girly' Legos

Critics call new Legos gender bias, a charge Lego execs deny

(Newser) - A new line of Legos made especially for girls just doesn't stack up for critics who complain the Lego Friends' line is needlessly gender-biased, reports the LA Times . With bright colors, stylish clothes, and slim female figurines, Lego Friends is facing online petitions and strong words from the International...

MGA's Bratz Beat Mattel's Barbie in Court

Court Stunner:
Bratz Dolls Beat Barbie

Apr 21, 2011 2:47 PM CDT

Court Stunner: Bratz Dolls Beat Barbie

Mattel must pay millions to rival doll maker

(Newser) - A long-fought court battle between the makers of Bratz and Barbie has been decided—and Bratz are the surprise victors, the Los Angeles Times reports. The federal jury said Bratz maker MGA Entertainment had neither infringed on Mattel’s copyright nor stolen trade secrets, and that Mattel doesn’t own...

Parents Fall
to Pieces Over
Unassembled Toys

THanks for nothing, IKEA

Dec 3, 2009 11:35 AM CST

Parents Fall to Pieces Over Unassembled Toys

Construction toy sales booming, but then you have to build them

(Newser) - Toys that required assembly were once an end in themselves, and their elaborate instructions made the process fun. These days, parents shopping for their kids don’t have much of a choice. “Toys do have more parts today,” a store owner tells the New York Times . Shipping flat...