I first heard mutterings about the attempts to enact legislation for toy safety back in the first part of 2007. I was in the know so early because Oregon was sandwiched between California and Washington. California was enacting legislation that would leave children’s merchandiser’s at constant risk of litigation for non-compliance with heavy handed safety regulations. Washington was facing legislation with similar types of materials regulations, but the means of enforcement was proposed to come from government agencies, not the litigious nature of John Q Public. These bills would …

I see 2009 as a year of tremendous change and opportunity for specialty toy stores and manufacturers. Why? The toy safety scare and the CPSIA, as well as the economy.
The trends were already apparent at Toy Fair:
– companies are making and stores are purchasing toys at lower price points
– more stress is being put on toy safety than ever before
– there will be a ‘weeding-out’ process among toy retailers