TDmonthly Magazine!
NEW: Holiday Toy Guide 2026 »
February 2006 | Vol. V - No. 2


Tools: Print RSS X (Twitter) Facebook Reddit


Selling Toys as Tools

Pitching Products to Professionals


Carpenters buy nails, office managers buy toner and hairdressers buy shampoo. But in many professions the shopping list includes toys. Ann Marie Keyes, a first grade teacher, and Layne Munson, a speech language pathologist, both estimate that they personally spend at least $100 on toys each year. Schools, hospitals and other groups involved with children spend many times that amount annually.

Professionals don’t often search for a specific toy, according to Keyes and Munson. It’s usually a case of “I’ll know it when I see it.” Successful retailers have employees who can help them “see” that elusive product." Staff who can identify the skill the professional seeks to enhance and are able to make recommendations of items …” give a store an advantage, said Susie Waterstreet, director of marketing for Tree Top Kids Inc.

Check back in a future issue of TDmonthly Magazine to read the whole story.

Free toy industry news by email

New toys, trends and industry news from The ToyDirectory Intelligence Report.

Subscribe free

Free to join on Substack; a paid plan is optional. Unsubscribe anytime.







THIS BANNER IS AN AD:






Back to TDmonthly's front page

Advertise on TDmonthly


Related Products

BEY BLADE X X-Treme Expansion Pack, 3 Blades, 4 Ratchets, 5 Bits, Battli...
By Hasbro, Inc.
» More Information

Just Toys – Sonic the Hedgehog Jelly SquishMe Blind Box Squishy Toy | Of...
By Just Toys International
» More Information

LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog Sonic: Speedster Lightning 77117 | Building Toys...
By LEGO Systems, Inc.
» More Information


Related Articles
·Japanese toys
(10/4/2026)
·Dreams Interrupted, Dreams Resumed: PLAY ON! Finds Its Footing in Tryon
(10/4/2026)
·Hot Toys This Week: Oct 25, 2026
(10/4/2026)
·How to Maximize Your Online Presence
(5/1/2011)
·How to Close Up Shop ... For Good
(6/1/2011)
·What You Miss By Missing Toy Fair
(12/1/2010)
















Advertisement: