LEGO Sales Spiked 13% in the First Half of 2022



Consumer demand for LEGO products continues to be insatiable. The LEGO Group says that consumer sales for its products grew 13% in the first six months of 2022, amid a 17% spike in total global revenue. Read more…

NY NOW Introduces PLAY USA Toy Destination at 2023 Winter Market



Emerald Holding’s NY NOW national gift and wholesale trade show is welcoming the toy and game industries to display products in its new PLAY USA section. PLAY USA will showcase toys, games, and trend merchandise that retailers will want to look out for. Read more…

Hasbro, One Tree Planted Partner to Plant 100,000 Trees



With a goal of aiding in global reforestation efforts, the global toy and entertainment company chose to plant trees in an effort to improve air quality, protect and improve soil, prevent floods, and provide shelter and diet to wildlife. Read more…

Hunt A Killer Gets International Distribution with Moose Games Licensing Deal



The company best known for its interactive murder mystery games inked a deal with Moose Games for international distribution. These games feature a number of boxes that are shipped to players, gradually feeding them clues that can be used to solve the case. Read more…

Melissa & Doug Expands Eco-Friendly Carbon Plan, Offsetting 2022 Emissions



Melissa & Doug is achieving carbon neutrality for its own operations by purchasing offsets for its 2022 emissions. The latest effort, revealed on Zero Emissions Day, continues Melissa & Doug’s Project Restore sustainability initiative. Read more…

TOMY Introduces Three New Properties



At last week’s 2023 Preview event in Dallas, TOMY introduced a trio of new properties that it plans to launch next year: Yumi Ami, Peeky Pops, and Bebé Fuerte. The new lines will include dolls, books, and collectibles. Read more…

Angry Birds Skateboards Bring the Mobile Game Outside

Rovio and Capsule Skateboards collaborated on seven skateboards with designs inspired by the Angry Birds mobile game. The range features boards for novice skaters and experienced boarders. Learn more at The Toy Insider…

Zing Flies to Pandora with ‘Avatar’ R/C Banshee Line



At The Toy Association’s 2023 Preview & 2022 Holiday Market in Dallas, Zing showed retail buyers a new innovation in the R/C space inspired by the 2009 film, Avatar. The Classic Banshee is a smart bionic R/C that features flapping wings and a one-handed remote control designed for an easy flying experience for kids ages 8 and up. Read more…

Radio Flyer Earns B-Corp Certification



The 105-year-old, Chicago-based company behind the Little Red Wagon and other ride-on toys and mobility aids, is the first global toy company to become a Certified B Corporation. Radio Flyer earned this certification through offsetting 100% of its emissions and increasing the recycled content of its packaging. Read more…

Voting Opens for People of Play’s 2022 TAGIE Awards



People of Play (POP) revealed the full list of finalists for its Toy & Game International Excellence Awards (TAGIEs) honoring innovators, designers, and marketers in the toy and game industries. Winners in nine categories will be revealed in a ceremony on Nov. 19 at the Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago. Read more…

Boss Fight Studio Heads to Fraggle Rock



In a deal brokered by FanGirl Consulting, Boss Fight Studio is partnering with the Jim Henson Co. on a line of Fraggle Rock action figures. The initial assortment includes Red, Gobo, Uncle Traveling Matt, and a Doozer 2-pack. Get the details at The Pop Insider…

Talkin’ Toys: Celebrating 25 Years of Bop It with Creator Dan Klitsner



The Toy Book caught up with Bop It creator Dan Klitsner for the 25th anniversary of the auditory and tactile toy. First released in 1996 by Hasbro’s Parker Brothers division, the handheld game became a sensation and has gone through many iterations, and continues to engage kids today. Read more…

The Future of Play: Save the Date for Toy Fair 2023

Taking place Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 2023, in New York City, Toy Fair will offer a broader array of products and more of the business intelligence that attendees need — all during a new fall timeframe that aligns with today’s shifting buying cycles and accelerated delivery timelines, and is strategically set within the important, pre-holiday zone. Read more…

Pop Quiz with Wendy Smolen: Fall 2022



The Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards — also known as “the Oscars of the toy industry” — finally returned to an in-person format last week. Test your knowledge of TOTYs past in our fall edition of Pop Quiz! Take the quiz…

Disney Store at Target Gets a Marvel-ous Expansion Ahead of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Release



After opening shop-in-shop locations at 25 stores back in 2019, Disney Store at Target will expand to more than 200 locations by the end of this year. Marvel is taking a bigger place in the mix to support the toy and consumer products programs for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Read more…

Walmart Plants a Flag in the ‘Roblox’ Metaverse



Walmart has been toying with the idea of a virtual presence for years, but now the retail giant is officially active in the Roblox metaverse with support from Spin Master, Moose Toys, MGA Entertainment, and more. Read more…

Toys ‘R’ Us, Macy’s Unveil Geoffrey’s Hot Toy List



Macy’s is getting ready for its first official holiday season with Toys “R” Us in the mix. The promotional push includes a nine-day Toys “R” Us Grand Opening Celebration set to take place next month. Read more…

Build-A-Bear Workshop Enters Web3 with NFT Offering

In honor of its 25th anniversary, Build-A-Bear Workshop is expanding into the Web3 realm by offering NFTs in partnership with Sweet. The initiative includes physical bears and digital collectibles inspired by the largely mall-based retailer. Read more…

42WEST/BHI Strengthens Executive Team



The agency known for its work with Funko and Mattel Television revealed a pair of promotions and the hiring of a new vice president as it looks to grow the business in the coming months. Read more…

DeAPlaneta Entertainment Names Luisa Ramírez as Franchise Manager



In her new role, Ramírez will focus on driving international growth and increasing the potential of the entertainment company’s extensive intellectual property portfolio. Read more…