Merchandise Monday: Trends from Toy Fair 2013

      

The 110th American International Toy Fair drew nearly 20,000 retailers, wholesalers, importers, buying groups and trade guests to scope out 150,000 innovative toys, games and youth entertainment products across a record-breaking 375,000 net square feet of exhibit space.

Toy Fair 2013 took place February 10-13 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, and Hinda merchandising director LeeAnn Schumacher hit the show floor to report back on the trends she sees taking place this year and as we move into the future.

To begin, we can expect to see games and gadgets that evoke a memory. Classic toys, nostalgic products and vintage items will be popping up on the toy shelves this year. For example, Power Rangers is celebrating its 20^th anniversary, while the Cabbage Patch Kid® doll turns 30. Also, remember the Fisher-Price® record player? It’s back!

Reality TV seems to be influencing toys kids want to play with. Available at Toy Fair this year were “Project Runway” and “American Idol”-inspired items such as the Project Runway® Fashion Design Light-Box Set and the Kidz Bop Glammerati™ Mini Melody Microphone. These toys let kids tap into their creativity and individuality and keep them entertained when their favorite shows aren’t airing.

Toymakers are finding ways to leverage technology, as many physical toys now share an online component. For example, Skylanders™ is the combination of video games and figurines and lets players explore two worlds at the same time.

This will make parents happy:  teens and ‘tweens still want outdoor activities and board games - it’s not all about electronics and smartphones! Board games are now based on apps – such as “Words with Friends” and “Farmville,” – and branded with pop culture figures. It’s all about capturing young adult eyes and holding their attention long enough to keep them coming back.

Following this “offline fun” trend, 2012 saw a 20 percent uptick in the building set category. From classic building blocks to other types of building sets, expect new innovations and an increasing number of new licenses. Lego® has introduced several new lines, including Friends, Legends of Chima and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®, while Mega Bloks® is also is the forefront, launching Barbie™ Pool Party.

This is just a sampling of the trends and products emerging this year. Check back frequently for updates via our weekly “Merchandise Monday” column right here on Hinda Blog!

Merchandise Monday: Party Games for the Younger Set

Who says adults should have all the fun? These new merchandise items are just for the kids. Let your teens invite their friends over this weekend and set them loose on these hot items that will get them away from the TV and interacting in some friendly competition.

Bop It! Smash and Twister Dance are the latest updates to games they’ve probably already played so much they’ve worn out, and chances are they’re Words With Friends-ing on their smart phones already. They’ll think you’re uber-cool for letting them have a party, and you’ll get some relief knowing they interact with more than a screen when they’re out of your sight.

Hasbro® Bop It! Smash

Time it right and smash the light! For teens, it's all about getting together with friends to hang out, play games and socialize. And what's better than throwing in a bit of friendly competition? With Bop It! Smash, colored lights in the center of the game unit fly back and forth while you do your best to capture one in the Zone. Three play modes make this game impossible to resist. Entertain yourself or bring it out during a party – your friends will be begging you for just one more game!

Hasbro® Twister Dance

This awesome dance game combines today's best dance music with the iconic Twister spots, providing a new way to learn hot new dances. You'll love learning dance moves by following the lights from the Twister dance console and dancing on the Twister spots. Learn to dance to hot songs by Britney Spears, Willow Smith, Ke$ha and Cupid. Each dance can be performed at three levels and beat-detection technology can teach you dances to your own music!

Hasbro® Words With Friends®

The hot social word game just got more social! For the first time ever, you can play Words With Friends in person with your favorite wordies. Use the tiles to build words on the game board and rack up the points while you challenge your friends in person. The game includes a code to redeem the Words With Friends Ultimate Play Pack to enhance your online play. The Words With Friends package comes with the game board, 104 tiles, four tile racks, a tile bag, a digital value card and game guide.

Feeling a little jealous that these games weren’t around in your heyday? Don’t worry – these games are just as fun for “big kids” as they are for your teens. Just make sure you make yourself scarce while the friends are over. Best sneak these games out of your kids’ rooms when they’re sleeping. Have fun!

Merchandise Monday: Serious Playtime

Here’s a piece of trivia for you: did you know that the trifecta of August, September and October is the most popular time of year to be born? It makes a lot of sense, too. With the onset of winter nine months earlier – November, December and January – people are most likely to stay inside and hibernate. You can draw your own conclusion from here.

To honor this yearly baby boom, here are several delightful items for babies and toddlers that have just been added to Hinda’s assortment. Why not redeem some points for the new addition in your life or start stocking up for holiday presents for the little ones?

Power Wheels® Disney Princess Lil’ Quad™

The Lil’ Quad is a cute ‘n sporty battery-powered four-wheeler for real driving fun fit for a princess. Designed with even the youngest of riders in mind, Lil’ Quad’s toddler-friendly features include simple push-button operation for easy stop and go, built-in footrests for easy on and off and a pretend cargo rack on the back for role-play fun. Your princess will enjoy driving a safe but exciting 2mph on hard surfaces and grass.

Fisher-Price® Luv U Zoo™ EZ Clean High Chair

Here’s a high chair that makes mealtime much more enjoyable because cleanup is so easy. An Easy Clean Strap System adjusts from the back – out of baby’s sticky reach – and has coated straps you can just wipe clean. Other great features include a spill-resistant, machine-washable seamless pad with no crevices to trap crumbs and a full tray cover that’s dishwasher-safe. Plus, it’s easily maneuverable for your convenience and brightly colored for your baby’s enjoyment.

Fisher-Price® Loving Family™ Dream Dollhouse

Welcome to the grandest of estates! With elegant styling, nine spacious rooms and four lovely floors, your family of mom, dad, toddler and baby will feel right at home. Lift the center tower to reveal a special secret room for teatime, playtime or whatever your little girl can dream up. Other unique touches include sparkling lights in the chandelier and bathroom sconce, a long winding staircase, fun songs and realistic sounds. Talk about a dream home!

Fisher-Price® Servin’ Surprises™ Kitchen and Table

Now kids can make, serve, share, pretend, sing and more like never before with this kitchen and a table in one. The “magic” serving tray brings the role play to life for kids when it recognizes the food they’re serving with songs and different phrases like “Who wants pizza?” or “Mmmm, cookies!” There are also songs to teach kids about manners and cleanup. Speaking of cleanup, all the place settings and food pieces store right inside the table when playtime’s over.

Fisher-Price® Discover 'n Grow™ Deluxe Musical Mobile Gym

A big cozy mat below, seaworthy friends dancing above and a dazzling musical mobile that lights up and spins – great for keeping baby comfy and entertained. Spinning movement, dancing lights and lively music stimulate your baby’s senses. The seven detachable activity toys make for easy transportation so your child can play at home or on the go. This fun toy encourages self-discovery and keeps your baby entertained.

Fisher-Price® Luv U Zoo™ Jumperoo™

Welcome to Luv U Zoo! In the spinning seat, baby can look around, and everywhere he or she looks there’s something fun to do with an animal friend – spinning, jumping, rattling and more. It’s safe jumping fun rewarded with lights, sounds and music. Luv U Zoo is great for developing baby’s motor skills, stimulating the senses and enhancing learning through discovery. It’s a great way to keep your baby entertained while you make dinner or tidy up!

Is it just us, or are you also a little jealous of some of these fun toys? Ah, to be a kid again! Playtime is one great reason to spend as much time as possible with your kids, grandkids and the other kids in your life. It’s such an important part of being a child that we adults just don’t get enough of. Did you have a favorite toy as a child? Have any of your childhood possessions made the trip into adulthood with you? Anything you can’t and won’t part with without throwing a tantrum? Take a time out and leave us a comment below!

Toy Fair 12: Play Happens

Last month, Hinda buyer Cindy Deeg attended the annual Toy Fair to get the scoop on the latest and greatest merchandise coming out of the toy industry this year. Here are some of the highlights from over 100,000 items and 1,000-plus exhibitors present at this year’s event.

Grow With Me

A popular category of toys at this year’s event include items that appeal to the pocketbooks by lasting through multiple stages in a child’s life. This was present in products as well as technology, as it tied in with the largest trend in tech toys. Many toys being introduced have features that allow the height to be adjusted so that the toys can grow with the children.

iFun

This was, by far, the largest trend, which started last year with a few apps designated for certain products. This year, there was plenty of integration between the iPhone®/iPad®/iPod® and toys, and this helps tie back into the “grow with me” trend which allows parents to download age appropriate apps and games to these products to keep their children engaged.

Old is New Again

Companies are bringing back some of their old-school toys but revamping them with added technology.  Traditional games have been updated to include modern marvels such as zapped branding, apps and avatars. Other old faves haven’t been given the tech treatment but are being re-introduced into the world of toys. 

Inspirational

This category features art-focused occupations from the stage to the showroom, with a focus on music stemming from the success of “American Idol,” “The Voice,” and “X Factor.” Products in this category range from microphones and karaoke machines to DJ-ing kits and fake stages. Most of these items are licensed by one of the above shows or by a variety of other companies, making these items appropriate for any age. Last year there was a similar showing of craft items, and while this year was no different, there was an emphasis on future careers. From architecture and interior design to fashion and jewelry, children are being prompted to use their imaginations to create something that they can wear and show off.

Keep your eye out in the coming months for announcements about the new products that Hinda will be adding to its ever-growing assortment!

Merch Monday: Emerging Toy Trends

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In February, leaders and innovators in the toy industry gathered in New York for the 2011 Toy Fair. This year, more than 10,000 buyers attended and surveyed more than 100,000 products – some of which had never been seen before.

After scouting the showroom floor for the latest and greatest, we came away with four emerging trends for the coming year. While many of these toys won’t be available until this fall, they’ve got us talking right now.

Smart Toys

These interactive toys are taking a cue from social media. Labeled as smart toys, they often communicate with social applications. One new example is the FIJIT Friend, an interactive robot for girls that recognizes and reacts to voice commands, music and embedded codes within external sound sources. Sure to be a big hit, they come in a variety of colors – each with their own personality. 

Active Toys

Not only intended to boost physical activity, but several toys showcased at this year’s Toy Fair were created to boost learning and creativity. These toys improve memory skills and camouflage learning. The LeapFrog®, although not new to the scene, is a frontrunner in this toy category. At this year’s show, LeapFrog announced the new LeapPad Explorer™,  a learning and entertainment tablet for kids.

Angry Birds

The popular mobile game has taken the toy industry by storm, as characters were featured on everything from lanyards to slippers at this year’s fair. There is a wide range of toys set to release later in the year, featuring both the birds and the pigs. Turning the game into reality, the Angry Birds Knock on Wood table-top board game allows users to catapult little birds across the room.

Licensing

The influx of several family-friendly Blockbusters has spawned a steady stream of licensed products. While big-name movies and television shows are generating large fan bases, consumers are vying for licensed merchandise. Thus, a demand for Batman, Harry Potter, Green Lantern and Monster High merchandise has increased, among others.

Are there any other trends that you're aware of? Post them in the comments section and we'll keep our eyes open!