Content about Childhood

May 13, 2013
Toys ‘R’ Us shakes up its leadership

Toys “R” Us has made some changes to its executive leadership. The company has announced that Michael D. Fascitelli and Michael Ward have resigned their spots on the company’s board of directors.

Toys “R” Us has made some changes to its executive leadership.

The company has announced that Michael D. Fascitelli and Michael Ward have resigned their spots on the company’s board of directors. Fascitelli has been a director of the board since 2005, while Ward has been a director since 2007.

According to Toys “R” Us, neither Fascitelli’s nor Ward’s resignation was brought on as a result of any disagreement with the company. 

April 18, 2013
American Girl, Monster High drive Mattel Q1 results

Key Mattel brands drove Mattel sales for the first quarter of 2013. Mattel's net sales for the quarter were $996 million, up 7% compared to $928 million last year, and net income increased dramatically to $38.5 million, or $0.11 per share, compared to last year's first quarter net income of $7.8 million, or $0.02 per share.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Key Mattel brands drove Mattel sales for the first quarter of 2013. 

Mattel's net sales for the quarter were $996 million, up 7% compared to $928 million last year, and net income increased dramatically to $38.5 million, or $0.11 per share, compared to last year's first quarter net income of $7.8 million, or $0.02 per share.

March 28, 2013
Babies'R'Us, WhatToExpect.com conceive a new partnership

Babies"R"Us has partnered with WhatToExpect.com to provide expectant moms access to their combined content and retail resources.

WAYNE, N.J. — Babies"R"Us has partnered with WhatToExpect.com to provide expectant moms access to their combined content and retail resources. As part of this collaboration, the Babies"R"Us Registry is now available on WhatToExpect.com. Additionally, the retailer plans to feature content from WhatToExpect.com through various Babies"R"Us channels. 

February 12, 2013
Octonauts swim into Toys'R'Us

Toys"R"Us announced that it will be the first retailer in the United States to offer Fisher-Price's Octonauts toys.

WAYNE, N.J. -- Toys"R"Us announced that it will be the first retailer in the United States to offer Fisher-Price's Octonauts toys.

February 8, 2013
Hasbro lacks revenue momentum heading into Toy Fair

Heading into the toy industry's largest trade show next week, toy manufacturer, Hasbro, reported net revenues of $1.28 billion for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with $1.33 billion in 2011.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Heading into the toy industry's largest trade show next week, toy manufacturer, Hasbro, reported net revenues of $1.28 billion for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with $1.33 billion in 2011. The company reported net earnings for the quarter of $130.3 million or 99 cents per diluted share.

Net revenues for the full-year 2012 were $4.09 billion compared with $4.29 billion in 2011. 

Net earnings for the full-year 2012 were $336 million, or $2.55 per diluted share, versus $385.4 million, or $2.82 per diluted share, in 2011.

February 4, 2013
Mattel Q4 sales up, no thanks to Barbie

Mattel reported a fourth-quarter net sales increase of 5% to $2.26 billion from $2.15 billion for the same period last year.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Mattel reported a fourth-quarter net sales increase of 5% to $2.26 billion from $2.15 billion for the same period last year.

For the fourth quarter, the company reported net income of $306.5 million, or 87 cents per share, compared with last year's fourth quarter net income of $370.6 million, or $1.07 per share. 

January 10, 2013
Toys “R” Us announces charitable holiday campaign results

Toys“R”Us raised $4 million and collected nearly 350,000 toys during its 2012 charitable holiday campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Wayne, N.J. — Toys“R”Us raised $4 million and collected nearly 350,000 toys during its 2012 charitable holiday campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

The toy retailer teamed up with retired NBA basketball player Shaquille O’Neal, and encouraged customers to “Give Back with Shaq” by making new, unwrapped toy donations in Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores nationwide, as well as monetary contributions in-store and online.

December 11, 2012
Toys‘R’Us enters new digital dimension

Toys"R"Us has teamed up with leading game manufacturer Ubisoft to create a free toy store simulation game, a first of its kind.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us has teamed up with leading game manufacturer Ubisoft to create a free toy store simulation game, a first of its kind.

The interactive social game called “Toys"R"Us Towers” is available on Facebook and will be available on mobile devices in the coming months. It also offers in-store discounts to those who play.

December 10, 2012
Toys "R" Us optimistic about holidays

A 4.1% third quarter same store sales decline and $105 million loss hasn’t diminished holiday spirits at Toys "R" Us.

A 4.1% third quarter same store sales decline and $105 million loss hasn’t diminished holiday spirits at Toys "R" Us.

The company reported the sales decline for the period ended October 27 late Friday and attributed a portion of the dip in same store sales to a less promotional stance and an earlier start to its layaway program. The layaway program was launched on September, seven weeks before the end of the third quarter, but sales related to items placed in layaway can not be recognized until customers pick up their orders.

November 28, 2012
Toys "R" Us gains flexibility in Canada

The Canadian division of Toys "R" Us has added new distribution capacity in British Columbia to receive imports and improve shipping to local stores.

The Canadian division of Toys "R" Us has added new distribution capacity in British Columbia to receive imports and improve shipping to local stores.

The 180,000-sq.-ft. facility, located in the Vancouver suburb of Delta, is the retailer’s third Canadian distribution center. It is strategically positioned to receive goods from overseas and domestic manufacturers who can now ship directly to British Columbia for distribution to local Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores.

October 11, 2012
Tech, lights and pre-school top Toys'R'Us toy trends list

Toys"R"Us has come out with what it believes will be the hot toy trends for the 2012 holiday season.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us has come out with what it believes will be the hot toy trends for the 2012 holiday season.

October 10, 2012
Macy's, Toys'R'Us team up for holidays

Macy’s and Toys"R"Us -- likely the two retailers most associated with Christma -- have joined together for a unique retail partnership.

CINCINNATI and WAYNE, N.J. — Macy’s and Toys"R"Us -- likely the two retailers most associated with Christmas -- have joined together for a unique retail partnership.

October 8, 2012
Moose Toys dumps off latest 'Trash' at Toys'R'Us

The first of Moose Toys anticipated Series Three Trash Pack Toys arrived at Toys"R"Us TImes Square this weekend at special event to welcome the toys arrival.

NEW YORK — The first of Moose Toys anticipated Series Three Trash Pack Toys arrived at Toys"R"Us TImes Square this weekend at special event to welcome the toys arrival. The third collection of the popular line of garbage-themed collectible toys is available starting this week exclusively at Toys“R”Us stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com/TrashPack.

October 2, 2012
Toys'R'Us gets in on holiday pricing game

Toys“R”Us has stepped up its efforts to be the destination for holiday shopping this season by offering a price match guarantee on all items available in its Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores nationwide.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys“R”Us has stepped up its efforts to be the destination for holiday shopping this season by offering a price match guarantee on all items available in its Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores nationwide. 

September 19, 2012
TRU fires latest shot in holiday toy battle

Toys"R"Us revealed its 2012 hot toys list Wednesday, but not before Walmart did the same, giving the discounter a head start and the opportunity to poke fun at the toy retailer's earlier announced toy reservation program.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us revealed its 2012 hot toys list Wednesday, but not before Walmart did the same, giving the discounter a head start and the opportunity to poke fun at the toy retailer's earlier announced toy reservation program.

September 4, 2012
Toys "R" Us and Walmart battle for layaway dollars

Toys "R" Us enhanced its layaway program by dropping some fees and Walmart quickly responded.

Toys "R" Us enhanced its layaway program by dropping some fees and Walmart quickly responded.

Toys "R" Us dropped the $5 service fee and minimum purchase requirement from its layaway program in a bid to capture sales of those who begin their holiday shopping early.The company said it changed the rules for its layaway program, instituted in 2009, to waive the $5 upfront service fee and eliminate the minimum purchase requirement for all orders created in stores through October 31.

August 24, 2012
Toys'R'Us unveils latest toy guide for differently-abled kids

Toys"R"Us has released the 2012 edition of the Toys"R"Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us has released the 2012 edition of the Toys"R"Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids. Published annually, this complimentary guide is available now in Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores nationwide and online, in both English and Spanish, at Toysrus.com/DifferentlyAbled. This year, mom, TV host and philanthropist Nancy O'Dell appears on the cover alongside Saskia Vogt, an 8-year-old girl with Down syndrome.

March 28, 2012
And now a few words about pricing

Target has its low price promise, 5% REDcard Rewards and this week, just in time for Easter, its circular is filled with 50% off deals on toys from Star Wars, Mega Bloks, Disney and Fisher-Price toys.

Target has its low price promise, 5% REDcard Rewards and this week, just in time for Easter, its circular is filled with 50% off deals on toys from Star Wars, Mega Bloks, Disney and Fisher-Price toys. And if those offers aren’t incentive enough to generate a visit to the local Target the company also featured eight free gift card offers ranging in denominations from $5 for any two Procter & Gamble brand products to $35 for a $179 B70 Platinum Edition Keurig brand coffee maker.

February 16, 2012
High-tech and low-tech play out at Toy Fair

Toy buyers, manufacturers, retailers and others, simply curious about the latest trends, gathered this week at the massive Javitz Center in New York City to see what would be the hottest products for 2012.

Toy buyers, manufacturers, retailers and others, simply curious about the latest trends, gathered this week at the massive Javitz Center in New York City to see what would be the hottest products for 2012.

Technology continues to be a popular driver of new products, as evidenced by the number of toys designed specifically to work with the iPhone or iPad. However, there was also an apparent shift toward more simple toys, perhaps reflecting the current economy and the inability of many parents to shell out $100 on a toy that will only get played with a short while.

February 13, 2012
NPD unveils kids' top play items

The NPD Group unveiled the top current favorite play items among children ages 14 years and younger.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — The NPD Group unveiled the top current favorite play items among children ages 14 years and younger.

After compiling 2,958 mentions, NPD revealed the top items included Lego, laptop, Nintendo Wii, toy cars, Xbox, books, video games, Nintendo DS, Barbie and iPod, while the top five product categories included toys (54%), video games (20%), consumer electronics (12%), sporting goods (5%) and books (3%).

November 21, 2011
Mattel CEO to retire at year's end

Mattel has announced that Robert A. Eckert, 57, will retire as CEO, after 11 years with the company, effective Dec. 31.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Mattel has announced that Robert A. Eckert, 57, will retire as CEO, after 11 years with the company, effective Dec. 31. The board of directors has named Bryan G. Stockton, 58, who has held the position of chief operating officer for the last year, to succeed Eckert as CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2012. Eckert has agreed to continue in his role as chairman of the board, and the board has elected Stockton as a member of the board, effective January 1, 2012.

November 11, 2011
Toys"R"Us gets "Happy Feet 2" exclusives

Toys"R'Us will be the exclusive retailer of an assortment of toys inspired by Happy Feet 2, RetailingToday.com learned Friday.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R'Us will be the exclusive retailer of an assortment of toys inspired by Happy Feet 2, RetailingToday.com learned Friday. 

Toys available only at Toys"R"Us include talking plush dolls from Thinkway Toys. The 12-inch stuffed birds say phrases from the film when their left wings are pressed. Characters, which are sold separately include Erik, Ramon, Sven and Atticus.

October 27, 2011
Dollar General toy competition no child's play

Walmart is facing some stiff competion for toy sales with Dollar General, as the company announced that it is going to head-to-head with toy retailers and discounters alike by offering more than 300 toys for $5 or less.

Walmart is facing some stiff competion for toy sales with Dollar General, as the company announced that it is going to head-to-head with toy retailers and discounters alike by offering more than 300 toys for $5 or less.

October 18, 2011
Toys"R"Us gives back with Shaq

Toys“R”Us announced that it has once again teamed up with four-time NBA Champion, actor, philanthropist and entrepreneur Shaquille O’Neal to launch its eighth annual nationwide fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys“R”Us announced that it has once again teamed up with four-time NBA Champion, actor, philanthropist and entrepreneur Shaquille O’Neal to launch its eighth annual nationwide fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. 

September 21, 2011
Toying with the holidays

While most consumers have barely started making Halloween plans, the retail industry is looking ahead to the holiday season and predicting what they think will be the most popular toys this year.

September may seem a bit early to put out a holiday toy list, considering most consumers just finished spending for back-to-school and still have Halloween to think about, but garnering media attention is important. Many retailers who have a hand in toy retailing will put out some sort of toy list, and Walmart is among them. However if it continues the trend of last year, Walmart won't release its list until early November, which is more in line with when consumers begin thinking about holiday shopping.