Toys in the News: 8-1-2014

By TDmonthly Staff
July 2014

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Film world's cast of toys teleport into digital playground. August 1, 2014 — Those ubiquitous Angry Birds flew from the mobile screen to the toy store, hooked up with Hollywood...

Hasbro Offers Artwork For 3D Printing At Shapeways. August 1, 2014 — Hasbro and Shapeways recently announced a joint website that will allow...

Toys R Us anatomically correct baby boy doll causes a stir. August 1, 2014 — While most dolls come without any genitalia, the You & Me Mommy Change My Diaper Boy Doll sold at Toys R Us is anatomically correct...

How millennials will shape retail in 25 years. July 31, 2014 — Looking ahead 25 years, the majority of the country's spending power will rest in the hands of millennials...

Hilco Streambank Hired To Sell Kid Brands Trademarks. July 31, 2014 — Hilco Streambank has been retained by Kid Brands, Inc. as Kid Brands' intellectual property consultant...

LeapFrog's Highest Performance Five-Inch Screen Children's Learning Tablet, LeapPad™3, Now Available. July 31, 2014 — LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., the leader in children's learning tablets*, today announced that LeapPad™3 is now available for sale...

Here Are 3 Reasons Why Hasbro Actually Performed Well So Far This Year. July 31, 2014 — Recently, toy maker Hasbro released its second-quarter results. It's year-to-date revenue...

Toy Industry Losing Its Glory. July 31, 2014 — The traditional toy industry faces tough competition from Tech companies and sales are plunging...

Doc McStuffins Toy Line Garners $500 Million in Sales. July 30, 2014 — The blockbuster success stems from the changing demographics of the U.S. and the show's crossover appeal...

The Future Of Retail Work: Many See Low Pay, Little Flexibility. July 30, 2014 — For many of the millions of workers who toil in the nation’s shops, malls and supermarkets...

LeapFrog Announces Scott A. Steinberg As Vice President Of Platform Marketing To Oversee New Platform Development. July 30, 2014 — LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., the leader in educational entertainment, today announced that Scott A. Steinberg...

Retailers: Don't Give Up Control of Your Data. July 30, 2014 — When Dunnhumby, Tesco's data and consumer insights unit, purchased Sociomantic Labs in April, Dunnhumby...

Can Tax Free Weekends Revive Retail Sales? July 29, 2014 — Retailers are facing a challenge this year. After a doldrum six month sales period///

Dan Burns, Former Vtech Executive, Joins LeapFrog As Vice President Of Sales. July 29, 2014 — LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., the leader in educational entertainment, today announced that Dan Burns has joined the company as vice president of sales...

JAKKS Pacific's (JAKK) Halloween Unit Announces Expanded Agreements. July 29, 2014 — JAKKS Pacific announced that its Halloween costume division, Disguise®, has renewed and expanded agreements for multiple top entertainment properties...

Here’s Why Mattel Hit a Bump in the Road. July 29, 2014 — Last week investors in toy company Mattel saw its stock price plummet 8% as investors reacted poorly...

The best new video game toys from Comic-Con. July 29, 2014 — San Diego Comic-Con is less about actual comic books than it is movies, television shows, collectibles, video games and toys...

Obit: Louis Lipschitz, former chief financial officer at Toys 'R' Us. July 29, 2014 — One of Louis Lipschitz' favorite office decorations was a framed drawing of the Toys "R" Us mascot, Geoffrey the Giraffe...

Updated: The Best Toys Revealed At Comic-Con. July 25, 2014 — It's time for Comic-Con and that means it's time for lots and lots of toy reveals...

Comic-Con 2014: Mattel's surprisingly awesome life-sized Darth Vader Car. July 25, 2014 — Mattel is selling a special edition Hot Wheels car at Comic-Con 2014 that was inspired by Darth Vader...

Hasbro Returns to Comic-Con International, Showcasing Top Entertainment Brands. July 24, 2014 — Hasbro, Inc. is coming back to Comic-Con International in San Diego to celebrate its iconic and globally renowned brands...

The Best Toy for a Kid on a Plane Is Not an iPad. July 24, 2014 — The thing that keeps many parents off planes is a fear of flying -- the fear of entertaining their children...

Why Mattel's Recovery Might Be Just Around the Corner. July 23, 2014 — It might seem like a lame excuse to blame a company's poor first half of the year performance on what happened at the end of last year...

National Retail Federation cuts 2014 retail sales forecast. July 23, 2014 — The National Retail Federation on Wednesday lowered its retail sales forecast for 2014...

Five Retail Rules Flagrantly Violated by the Apple Store. July 23, 2014 — Apple’s glass-cube stores have become as familiar as Subway sandwich shops. But when...

JAKKS Pacific Q2 Loss Narrows; Lifts 2014 Net Sales Outlook - Quick Facts. July 23, 2014 — JAKKS Pacific Inc., a toys and other consumer products maker, reported that its net loss for the second quarter narrowed to $9.1 million...

Massive fair of children's toys in Beijing. July 22, 2014 — There's great fun for the whole family - The Beijing's Kids Fun Expo is showcasing a massive array of children's toys at the National Convention Center...

Mattel Celebrates 2014 San Diego Comic-Con With Hot Collectibles And Fan-Atic Festivities. July 22, 2014 — Mattel, Inc. brings fans of all ages the hottest in San Diego Comic-Con on-sale collectibles and star-studded celebratory events

A ‘buy’ button on Facebook? July 22, 2014 — Facebook is testing a new “buy” button designed to help businesses drive sales...

Why Is the Girl Scout Barbie Doll So Controversial? July 22, 2014 — Ever since Mattel announced that Barbie would soon be wearing a Girl Scout uniform, consumer groups...

Local Foster Children Receive Thousands of New Toys from Toy Industry Foundation with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). July 22, 2014 — More than 500 Kansas City-area foster children were gifted with brand new toys and games on Saturday, July 19th, during a fun-filled event hosted by the Toy Industry Foundation...

Mattel Ramps up Thomas & Friends Efforts. July 21, 2014 — Toy company Mattel is ramping up its efforts to bring Thomas & Friends products to consumers...

Hasbro revenue climbs 8%, but misses estimates. July 21, 2014 — Hasbro Inc. HAS -2.58% said on Monday that second-quarter net profit slipped to $33.5 million...

Comic-Con offers Mattel collectible toy designers a chance to go wild. July 21, 2014 — Hot Wheels and the dark side of The Force are carpooling to Comic-Con this week...

Hasbro to Collaborate With 3-D Printing Company to Sell Artwork. July 21, 2014 — In the not too distant future, 3-D printers may provide the public with anything from...

Mondo dives into the pop-culture toy business. July 21, 2014 — First wave of collectibles include 'Iron Giant' robot and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...

Some online retailers seeing value in opening bricks-and-mortar shops. July 21, 2014 — Some of the hippest online retailers around are pioneering an old concept: offline retailing...

NPD: New consoles continue to drive video-game sales. July 18, 2014 — Sales of new video-game systems helped industry sales increase for the ninth consecutive month...

NRF gives thumbs up to Marketplace and Internet Tax Freedom Act. July 18, 2014 — The National Retail Federation (NRF) is supporting the Marketplace and Internet Tax Freedom Act...

How That Pinkish Goo Called Silly Putty Came Out Of Its Shell. July 18, 2014 — Silly Putty abides. While it may have escaped the notice of anyone under 40 years old...

World's biggest toy fair in India from September 18. July 18, 2014 — Indian edition of the world's biggest toy trade fair, Kids India, will be held here from September 18...

US Retail Sales Tick up 0.2 Percent in June. July 17, 2014 — U.S. retail sales increased slightly in June, evidence that consumers remain cautious despite steady job gains this year...

Barbie cries for help: Mattel shares plunge. July 17, 2014 — Mattel (MAT), the largest company in the toy industry, reported a sharp drop in sales and earnings during the second quarter...

Why China's Love of Transformers Won't Easily Translate Into Toy Sales. July 17, 2014 — Give Michael Bay credit. Critics may have panned his latest blow-em-up spectacle, Transformers: Age of Extinction...

Retailers gear up for back-to-school shopping rush. July 17, 2014 — Students may still be enjoying their summer break, but many parents are already beginning their back-to-school shopping...

Here's How Hasbro Decides Which Toys It Will Turn Into Movies. July 16, 2014 — "Transformers: Age of Extinction" is currently dominating at theaters. The Michael Bay-directed sequel...

LeapFrog Takes on Apple With New Hardware Designed for Kids. July 16, 2014 — LeapFrog has long been a leader in the world of educational technology. But now, it’s...

Will Mattel (MAT) Miss Earnings Estimates Again? July 16, 2014 — Mattel, Inc. is set to report second quarter 2014 results on Jul 17, 2014. Last quarter, it posted...

Retail Stocks' Underperformance - Opportunity, Warning Or Simply Reality? July 15, 2014 — Barron’s lead story is about retail stocks being great contrarian investments. This type of advice...

China Toy Market Developments, Trends and Investment Report 2014-2018. July 15, 2014 — Development Trend and Investment Prospect of China Toy Market, 2014-2018 mainly analyzes toy industry in the aspects of market status, supply & demand...

Barron’s lead story is about retail stocks being great contrarian investments ("Retail on Sale"). This type of advice. July 15, 2014 — Exeter is now home to one of the best toy shops around. Whirlygigs Toy Shop...

Six Things You Should Know About Amazon's Drones. July 14, 2014 — Amazon has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for an exemption from rules prohibiting...

Retail Sales to Be Closely Watched This Week. July 14, 2014 — Consumer spending is said to make up close to 70% of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), so that means that retail sales...

LEGO Builds Representation With Female Scientist Set. July 14, 2014 — LEGO promotes diversity in science with this fan-designed, all female "Research Institute" minifigure set...

Activision CEO: 'We deal in big budgets and gambles'. July 14, 2014 — Call of Duty publisher Activision's CEO Eric Hirshberg about the reality of working on giant, billion-dollar projects...

Greenpeace tells Lego 'everything is not awesome' about its deal with Shell. July 14, 2014 — Greenpeace is stepping up its campaign to get Lego to end its licensing partnership with Shell to make toys carrying...

Giant Lego-like bricks could be the future of construction. July 14, 2014 — Lego bricks are great for building toy houses, but one company has...

Retailers Step Up Holiday Imports In Case Of A West Coast Port Strike. July 10, 2014 — Retailers are rushing to bring holiday merchandise into the U.S., to protect against potential disruptions...

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Mattel Invite Consumers to "Share the Play". July 10, 2014 — Building on a successful multi-year partnership that has helped thousands of young people learn, grow and play...

IDW, Hasbro Team For 'My Little Pony' Charity Auction. July 10, 2014 — Attention, rich Bronies and other fans of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic...

Staff changes at NRF. July 9, 2014 — The National Retail Federation (NRF) has hired Paul G. Martino as VP and senior policy counsel...

Five Habits of Successful Retailers. July 8, 2014 — There's a saying in retail that the "customer is always right". While this motto is often relevant...

Todd McFarlane Builds A Better Future for Building Toys. July 8, 2014 — Todd McFarlane has been an inspiration in comics before he was commanding presence in action figures...

The next revolution in online retailing. July 8, 2014 — What if you could replicate the physical in-store experience on the web...

Should You Ditch Amazon and eBay for Alibaba’s 11 Main? July 8, 2014 — The June 11 launch of 11 Main, Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba’s first foray into the U.S. retail market...

Amazon embroiled in EU tax crackdown. July 7, 2014 — European officials have demanded that Luxembourg hand over documents relating to Amazon's tax affairs...

The science of shopping: digital innovations shaping the future of retail. July 7, 2014 — Stroll the boutiques of Milan without leaving home, lay a bet by voice, try on a dozen frocks without taking your coat off...

Activision Confident With Skylanders Franchise Despite Tough Competition. July 3, 2014 — The American gaming giant, Activision Blizzard unveiled early designs and concept visuals of its new innovative title...

Explosive Potential: 4 Hasbro Movies for Michael Bay to Direct. July 3, 2014 — Although we didn’t particularly like it, Transformers: Age of Extinction killed at the box office this past weekend earning...

72 million kids in the world want smart toys, right now please! July 2, 2014 — Kids are buying into digital toys like Skylanders, a hybrid video game and toy product from Activision, in a big way...

Disney takes one of Japan’s top puzzle games into the global market with a new toy line. July 1, 2014 — Disney is teaming up with Japan’s mobile messaging network Line to deliver a toy-app combo to the global stage...

Activision Confident With Skylanders Franchise Despite Tough Competition. July 1, 2014 — The American gaming giant, Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI) unveiled early designs and concept visuals of its new innovative title from Skylanders brand...

American Girl Goes on Travels. July 1, 2014 — Maplelea may be Canada's answer to Mattel's American Girl Dolls...

Why Trade Shows Deliver Value to Retailers. June 30, 2014 — Big box stores and small independent retailers have one thing in common whether they realize it or not – they need trade shows...

Worlds Inc. vs. Activision Blizzard, Inc. Patent Infringement Markman Hearing Set for October. June 30, 2014 — The Markman Hearing for the patent infringement suit by Worlds Inc. against Activision Blizzard, Inc., Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (Activision Blizzard et al) (ATVI), has been set by the court for October 3, 2014...

'Made in America' not easy for retailers to deliver on. June 30, 2014 — Nothing screams USA pride more than a skimpy red, white and blue bikini...

Toy firms told to make chemistry and building sets more appealing to girls (UK). June 30, 2014 — Toy makers were today urged to make chemistry and building sets more appealing to girls in a drive to get more women into science...