TDmonthly is a division of ToyDirectory.com Inc.
TDMONTHLY MUST READS
Wal-Mart Cuts Toys and Crafts in Clean-Up Campaign
Wal-Mart is in the throes of a major change in its store layout. Earlier this year, management promulgated a policy called “fast, friendly, clean.”...READ MORE
From fascinating art sets, to eco-friendly dolls and plush, to creative games and science kits, there are plenty of new product launches to consider for fourth quarter...
When you’re not browsing through the current issue of TDmonthly Magazine, visit ToyDirectory’s recently launched retailer blog to see posts from Joe Mitchell of YoYo Joe’s Toys & Fun in Wilmington, Del....
Today marks the long-awaited U.S. debut of the Disney/Pixar animated feature "Up," reported Variety. It's booked at 3,766 theaters, including 1,530 that project in 3-D...
TDmonthly Magazine is excited to announce open submissions for its annual awards program, which recognizes superior products in the toy industry...
TDMONTHLY CHARITABLE KID CONTEST
TDmonthly’s Charitable Kid Contest #1: Schoenhut Piano Co. Inc.
Will YOUR Customer Give Away 100 Schoenhut Pianos? TDmonthly Magazine is teaming up with manufacturers, specialty retailers and kids to bring joy – and toys! – into the lives of needy children....READ MORE
TDMONTHLY TOY VIDEOS
Naughty Birds and Other Toys Caught by Camera
Summer's coming soon and kids are dreaming of vacation and all the playing they'll be doing. Put these videos on your website to give them even more to dream about...READ MORE
M3 Girl Designs hit New York City for its first Toy Fair ever in February 2009, showing off Snap Caps, the interchangeable, magnetic bottlecap necklaces that have taken off in well over 400 stores nationwide since their introduction...
Del Howison and his wife, Sue, founded Dark Delicacies in Burbank, Calif., almost 15 years ago...
If you're placing orders and have already forgotten what you saw at Toy Fair or Pomona, take a look through these two categorical video articles...
TDMONTHLY SHOP TALK
Retailer Spotlight: Child’s Play and Green Frog Toys
In January 1982, Patricia Fiedler saw a need for a new variety of store in her hometown and decided to act on the opportunity...READ MORE
An atmosphere of friendliness and fun is a key element of business at Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore....
When I saw that we only received three coupons back from a particular newspaper advertisement that cost $300 … it was easy to see that it still wasn't worth the cost when the newspaper discounted the advertisement....
The best-seller category was different for all the storeowners interviewed this month. For some, lines with broad numbers of small product, such as Lego or the Iwako erasers by BC Industries, soared....
Want to score some great samples for your store, or really get to check out new toys by having them in hand? TDmonthly Magazine's new Weekly Toy Giveaway Sweepstakes for Storeowners gives your store the chance to bring in extra product...
TDMONTHLY TRADE SHOW COVERAGE
Toys from ASTRA Exhibitors
TDmonthly Magazine's video crew will be in full force at this year's ASTRA Marketplace show in June, but while you await the toy demos featured in our July issue, we'd like you to become familiar with some of the specialty exhibitors...READ MORE
TDMONTHLY HOLIDAY PREVIEW
New Toys for Santa's Sleigh
This year, kids can ditch the traditional coloring book for some 3-D fun with biodegradable and cardboard structures that can be decorated to their hearts’ content...READ MORE
TDMONTHLY TOP-10 MOST-WANTED LISTS
Top-10 Most-Wanted Infant & Toddler Toys
Infants and toddlers, or at least the consumers who buy for them, especially love Rhino Toys’ Oball and Taggies blankets, a TDmonthly Magazine survey of 64 specialty retailers revealed....READ MORE
To say that toys by Alex-Panline dominate bath time would be an understatement. Nearly 70 percent of 64 specialty retailers surveyed this spring named the Alex line, or particular products from it, when discussing best-selling bath toys,...
Melissa & Doug rules in specialty sales of travel games, a recent TDmonthly Magazine poll of 64 retailers showed, taking the cake with Flip to Win games, such as Hangman....
TDMONTHLY TOY REVIEWS
Video Review: Watch Kids Build a House
The four Flamenco brothers spent a Sunday afternoon constructing a playhouse with the Zinkotek building system. Aided by their foreperson, Aunt Elba, the boys astounded themselves...READ MORE
TDmonthly Magazine’s Roundtable of 12 children from five families enjoyed coloring, decorating and assembling the Paintable Barn from Imagination Box Co....
TDmonthly Magazine’s Psychologist Mom recently discovered an intriguing twist with a morphed art project, watched her son start to master beginner yo-yo skills, and played with her senses in a game that brought lots of laughter....
TDMONTHLY NEW TOYS
Notable and New Toys by Category — Specialty Only
See all the new specialty toys we've uploaded in the last month to make your ordering easier...READ MORE
See all the new toys we've uploaded in the last month to make your ordering easier...
TDMONTHLY POPULAR STORIES
Fairies and Classic Water Toys Hit the Back Yard
A day at the beach is wonderful, but not always practical or affordable, which is why toy manufacturers this year are especially focused on bringing the amenities of a warm vacation to people’s own back yards....READ MORE
You barely have time to design or sell product, fill orders, and market your business in all the traditional ways, so why blog? Because the benefits of successful blogging are many...
Social networking online is a lot like old-fashioned, face-to-face networking, only at a greater speed to a broader audience....
It is rare that a large retail chain totally controls a lucrative product segment, but this is definitely the case with GameStop and its used game business....
After the demise of KB Toys, the only second tier, year-round toy retailer left is Kmart. More and more insiders are whispering that Kmart, and its owner, Sears, could hit the dust this year....
TDMONTHLY MANUFACTURER'S CORNER
Event Marketing Guru’s Corner: Why the CIA Is Your Friend
For the purpose of this article, CIA does not stand for Central Intelligence Agency. Rather, it stands for Competitive Intelligence Advantage. Your CIA must be kept current at all times and requires a clear strategy for application....READ MORE
TDMONTHLY TOY BUZZ
Corolle Dolls Enchant Every Age
Since 1978, Corolle’s finely crafted, award-winning dolls have brightened countless children’s lives with their smiles and cuddly bodies....READ MORE
Advertising executive Jim Bogner was at a crossroads in his career in the fall of 2006 when he noticed his 13-year-old son, Luke, and friends playing the same “sword game” daily....
TDMONTHLY UPCOMING ISSUES
Steps for Supporting Shop Local
Have you heard of The 3/50 Project? In TDmonthly Magazine's June issue, find out how specialty storeowners are grabbing on to this and other shop-local initiatives...READ MORE
This issue offers some insight into the experiences of avid — and brand new! — bloggers and Facebookers who are using online platforms to promote their toy stores...
In addition to keeping you posted on the manufacturers exhibiting at this year's ASTRA Marketplace & Academy, June 14-17 in Minnesota, TDmonthly Magazine's video crew will hit the show floor...