Parents should get ready to be bombarded by wish lists in the next month, with the holidays fast-approaching. Toys R Us is out with its "hot toy" list of the year, and there's a good chance, your child's favorite toy may be on it.
Last year's big seller: those strange, furry toy hamsters that squeak and zoom around on wheels. The Zhu Zhu Pets sold for just $10.
We'll know in a matter of weeks what this year's must-have toy will be. From plush dolls that harmonize to tiny people and animals stored in bubbles in toy vending machines, cuteness is off the charts this year.
You can bet toy makers are already trying to target your kids to make their toy is the season favorite. This year's "hot toy" list by Toys R Us includes a wide variety of contenders.
It includes Blip Toys' Squinkies, tiny figures that fit inside a toy dispensing machines and come in 16 packs for $10; Mattel Inc.'s $12.99 Sing-a-ma-jigs, colorful plush dolls that harmonize; and $19.99 Pillow Pets, stuffed animals that convert into pillows.
The holiday season is make or break for toy makers and can make up to half of their annual revenue in the fourth quarter. Read more about why it's such a crucial time for retailers.
What remains to be seen is what effect the lingering economic downturn will have on parents' purchases this year.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts this holiday season will be better for retailers compared to the two previous years. The NRF expects sales to increase 2.3 percent this year to $447.1 billion.
"While many consumers will be wishing for apparel and electronics this holiday season, retailers are hoping the holidays bring sustainable economic growth," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. "Though the retail industry is on stronger footing than last year, companies are closely watching key economic indicators like employment and consumer confidence before getting too optimistic that the recession is behind them."
There is some good news for parents. For the most part, toy prices will remain low, one analyst says, because new toys this season were likely developed during the recession.
You can expect to see new lines of Zhu Zhu pets this year, including hamster babies and a Kung Zhu set of hamsters. However, most do not believe they will have the same draw as they did last year.
Another cute collectible: Zoobles. The line includes brightly patterned creatures that fold up into a ball but pop open when placed on top of a magnetized stand. They sell for $5.99 for one and $9.99 for a two-pack.
Analysts are already taking note that Zoobles and Squinkies have been scarce on store shelves. However, it's still too early to tell if they will be the must-have toys of the year.
Is there a hot toy on your child's list this year? Will price be a factor? How much do you expect to spend this holiday season? Leave your comments below.
