September/October 2014
in this issue
D
Top Toy Trends of 2015
epartments
Reyne Rice takes a look at what trends will be on top next year.
18 Editor’s Viewpoint
27
20 Industry Update
22
Fall Toy Preview
23 Announcing the 2014
A look at what’s on display at the TIA’s long-lead trade show.
32
24 TIA Perspectives
Toy Insider Gift Guide
Top Mobile Retail Trends
47 Spotlight On:
104
Imagine by Rubie’s
106
Raising the Bar
116
Talking Social Media
112
Retailers embrace technology to give customers unique experiences.
84
Steve Reece analyzes the action figure category.
118 Flashback:
85
102
On the Hunt with Jordan Hembrough
September/October 1994
Exploring the world of collectible toys with the reality TV host.
110
Specialty Toys & Gifts
SCIENCE TOYS S8 MEDIA CENTER S14 ON THE COVER: GYROBOT, FROM THAMES & KOSMOS
Why Children Play the Way They Do
82
Part 5
Trending Away from Tradition
99
Spielwarenmesse Gets Trendy
Germany-based trade show focuses on growing industry trends.
108
How to Prepare for a Recall
114
ASTRA’S INSIGHTS S3
DIGITAL TIPS FOR RETAILERS S4 Engaging New and Repeat Customers
28
How the Industry Is Leaving Its Comfort Zone
We Need a Hero
Outside the Box
Industry Marketplace
The Toy Market
Lutz Muller discusses hybrids, brand substitutions, & company acquisitions.
The Big Toy Book’s Sweet Suite Event
26 Stat Shot
F eatures
WHAT’S NEW S6
PLAYABILITY TOYS REDEFINES SPECIAL NEEDS PLAY S12
Published by Adventure Publishing Group, Inc.®
Volume 30, Number 5 www.toybook.com P UBLISHER Jonathan Samet jsamet@adventurepub.com E DITOR - IN -C HIEF Jackie Breyer jbreyer@adventurepub.com S ENIOR E DITORS Marissa DiBartolo mdibartolo@adventurepub.com Ali Mierzejewski amierzejewski@adventurepub.com A SSOCIATE E DITORS Christine Duhaime cduhaime@adventurepub.com Phil Guie pguie@adventurepub.com E DITORIAL A SSISTANT Deanna Atkins datkins@adventurepub.com E DITORIAL I NTERNS Magdalene Michalik Alexis Willey P RODUCTION D IRECTOR Anthony K. Guardiola aguardiola@adventurepub.com C ONTROLLER /O FFICE M ANAGER Lori Rubin lrubin@adventurepub.com U.S. Corporate Headquarters Laurie Schacht, President laurieschacht@aol.com
Adventure Publishing Group, Inc.® 307 Seventh Ave., #1601 New York, NY 10001 Phone: (212) 575-4510 Fax: (212) 575-4521
Member, International Toy Magazine Association