| Toy Fair 2009 has finished its run. Toy Fair is where | | | | to play by yourself, games to play with a crowd. The |
| the toy industry gathers. Often manufacturers can do | | | | industry sees a trend that we are going to be going |
| an entire year's worth of business in the four day the | | | | out less. We will entertain at home and they are |
| trade show operates. With over 20,000 attendees, | | | | betting that we will purchase more games to play |
| 350,000 square feet of exhibit space, 100,000 products | | | | while we are hanging out at home. |
| with over 7,000 never before seen in the world, 1200+ | | | | 3. Green - Green and organic toys continue to grow. |
| exhibitors, and 1000 global media representatives, you | | | | This was the niche where people did expand their line. |
| can see that toys are a serious business. | | | | Manufactures went out of their way to tell you where |
| I spent three days at Toy Fair this year. As the | | | | their product was made, what it was made with, how |
| consumer cannot attend Toy Fair, I wanted to share | | | | it was packaged, and more. If you are interested in |
| with you what I see as the trends in the toy industry. | | | | green products you will be pleased with what you will |
| While I can't say that I saw all 100,000 products, I | | | | see at the toy stores. |
| certainly walked every inch of the exhibit space, all | | | | 4. Repackaging - Manufacturers know that we have |
| 350,000 square feet of it. I came away with what I | | | | less money to spend so they are repackaging or |
| see as five trends that we will see reflected on toy | | | | redesigning to lower the price point. For instance, you |
| shelves and they all have to do with the economy. | | | | will be able to purchase 50 blocks in a set instead of |
| 1. Less New Toys - There will be less new toys this | | | | 100 blocks. There were also a lot of smaller art kits. |
| year. I noticed that many manufacturers have not | | | | Another company took the electronics out of their toy |
| expanded their line and are focusing on their basics. | | | | to lower the price. People are also looking for ways to |
| There appeared to be fewer newer manufacturers, | | | | package their toy differently to lower their costs. |
| especially in the small entrepreneur category. Although, | | | | 5. Special Needs - In this economy, the manufacturers |
| there are certainly those mompreneur that are | | | | know that they need to find new markets to sell to. |
| committed to getting their product to the market | | | | The Special Needs community is growing and the toy |
| regardless of the economy. They feel that strongly | | | | industry is noticing. Many more people were talking |
| about their product. | | | | about how their toy could be used for a child with a |
| 2. Games - Games are what is hot this year. Games | | | | disability. Parents who are raising children with |
| for very young children, games for children of all ages, | | | | disabilities are going to benefit from this if the retail toy |
| family games, electronic games, adult games, games | | | | stores market the products well. |