Christmas comes but once a year - and when it does, it is a very important time for retailers. It can mean the difference between a good year and a bad year. So it's no surprise that so much effort goes into predicting what the best selling items will be every year.
It's especially critical in the toys and games sector. Each year there seems to be one particular toy that is the "must have" toy of the year. In no particular order we have seen Buzz Lightyear, Tickle-Me-Elmo, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Beyblades, Cabbage Patch Kids and Furbies claim the crown in previous years.
As a general rule, these toys will spend one year only as the best seller. Clearly a lot of these toys are still around - but they won't claim the number one slot this year. A lot of them won't even break into the top twenty best sellers.
Of course, there are also some evergreen favorites which are popular choices year in, year out. They have stood the test of time spanning generations of kids. Some of the best known examples - once again in no particular order - would be Scrabble, Monopoly, train sets, Cluedo, Barbie, G. I. Joe, and Lego. It's not likely that any of the toys on this list will be the best seller this year admittedly - but they will sell well and be in the top twenty or thirty every year.
Looking at sales figures for the year to date, it looks like the Zhu Zhu pets - cute and furry motorized hamsters which incorporate artificial intelligence - are going to be this year's Christmas number one. Assuming the customers can find them that is - for, as in previous years demand seems to be much higher than supply. It's difficult to find them in stores right now - but you will find them for sale on eBay, at prices very much higher than the recommended retail price. This seems to be an almost annual event and, in the past, some analysts have wondered if suppliers limit supply to create a sense of urgency.
This really isn't uncommon. Whether or not it's a deliberate ploy by the manufacturers is open to debate, but it has practically become an annual event these days. Usually, just a few weeks after Christmas, last year's expensive hot toy will be history. The more traditional toys on the other hand, will still be used and enjoyed for a long time to come. A lot of these toys will actually be passed from one generation to the next. That's why toys like Hornby Dublo train sets, Lego, Scrabble etc. represent such great value for money and are always a welcome addition to any child's toy box. - 29958
It's especially critical in the toys and games sector. Each year there seems to be one particular toy that is the "must have" toy of the year. In no particular order we have seen Buzz Lightyear, Tickle-Me-Elmo, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Beyblades, Cabbage Patch Kids and Furbies claim the crown in previous years.
As a general rule, these toys will spend one year only as the best seller. Clearly a lot of these toys are still around - but they won't claim the number one slot this year. A lot of them won't even break into the top twenty best sellers.
Of course, there are also some evergreen favorites which are popular choices year in, year out. They have stood the test of time spanning generations of kids. Some of the best known examples - once again in no particular order - would be Scrabble, Monopoly, train sets, Cluedo, Barbie, G. I. Joe, and Lego. It's not likely that any of the toys on this list will be the best seller this year admittedly - but they will sell well and be in the top twenty or thirty every year.
Looking at sales figures for the year to date, it looks like the Zhu Zhu pets - cute and furry motorized hamsters which incorporate artificial intelligence - are going to be this year's Christmas number one. Assuming the customers can find them that is - for, as in previous years demand seems to be much higher than supply. It's difficult to find them in stores right now - but you will find them for sale on eBay, at prices very much higher than the recommended retail price. This seems to be an almost annual event and, in the past, some analysts have wondered if suppliers limit supply to create a sense of urgency.
This really isn't uncommon. Whether or not it's a deliberate ploy by the manufacturers is open to debate, but it has practically become an annual event these days. Usually, just a few weeks after Christmas, last year's expensive hot toy will be history. The more traditional toys on the other hand, will still be used and enjoyed for a long time to come. A lot of these toys will actually be passed from one generation to the next. That's why toys like Hornby Dublo train sets, Lego, Scrabble etc. represent such great value for money and are always a welcome addition to any child's toy box. - 29958
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Get an update on the availability of the Zhu Zhu Hamsters - or have a look at a long term Christmas favorite - a Hornby Dublo train set.
