In This Issue

Ordering With the Holidays in Mind

By Julie L. Jones
July 2008

Ready to watch? Check out TDmonthly’s toy video demos, with highlights on one of our featured categories for the month: novelties.

Ready to read? Don’t miss the “sweet” story in TDmonthly’s Retailer Spotlight, and in the TDmonthly Toy Reviews section, see how a “Speed Racer” track and time-keeping bookmark fared under scrutiny from TDmonthly’s Roundtable reviewers.

GET OUT THE ORDERING FORM

When is a customer request for a specific product worth looking into? And which toys besides Uglydolls by Pretty Ugly turned out to be surprise hits for some retailers? Check out “Retailing Tips: Ordering By Customer Request” to find out what consumers are asking for, and how your fellow storeowners decide what’s a good buy.

MAKING IT TO THE TOP

Wind-up toys are creating clatter on store counters, school buses are driving off with die-cast dollars, and Papo figurines from Hotaling Imports are still tops in action-figure sales at specialty stores … without having to fight for it. What other items filled TDmonthly’s top-10 lists this month? See action figures, die-cast items and novelty toys that are bringing in the bucks.

STAFF PICKS

If browsing through the hundreds of new products we’ve uploaded since last month is daunting, catch up on some of the latest toy fare in our Staff Picks article. And if you’re interested in searching for new products by category, check out TDmonthly’s Notable and New Toys. See a few of our favorites below:

My Mini Sac Igloo by 7 A.M. ENFANT INC.

My Mini Sac Igloo by 7 A.M. ENFANT INC. The sleeping bag for dolls is modeled after the original sac igloo. The machine-washable bag will fit any baby doll stroller, crib or car seat and features a detachable zippered top, a convertible hood, ultra-soft and light fiber insulation. Strollers and dolls are not included. 6/4/2008 (MSRP: $38.00)