What’s hot one year may not be the next, and even some of the market’s most popular items — Learning Curve’s Thomas & Friends and HaPe’s Quadrilla — can end up destined for a last-chance markdown in some stores, TDmonthly Magazine learned. Although Ganz’ Webkinz are still a top seller in many stores, they and others in the online-plush category are seeing hard times elsewhere.
When 66 retailers were asked in July about products that have been most disappointing in 2008, here’s what they said:
“Each year, they keep decreasing. They're still selling, but not like they used to. … There's not that generation of collectors anymore.” — Mike DiAndrea, Hardware Center Inc., Paoli, Pa.
Swan and Dino Ride-ons by APPLEPIE TOY DISTRIBUTION
“[We] had them on display, [but there was a] lack of interest from customers because of the price point being too high.” — Jeanette Lauture, Aunt Jean's Toys & Treats, Montclair, N.J.
Boomwhackers by BOOMWHACKERS
“I way overestimated.” — Janet Codispoti Village Toy Shop, Hilo, Hawaii
Horses by BREYER
“The Breyer Horses sales keep going down.” — Dalene Lockhart, Toy Town, Casper, Wyo.
“When you order Webkinz, they want you to order other things, too, so I ordered some plush, and I've been disappointed. … Some are not up to snuff as far as how cute they are. I won't order them again.” — Gwen Bowden, Doodlehopper for Kids, Springfield, Va.
“[The company] has a whole line that is eco-friendly toys, and they haven't done quite as well as I thought they would.” — Kara Fichtner, Out of the Blue, Albuquerque, N.M.
"It might have been the price point. It's fairly expensive. … People like it, but they don't like the idea of all the pieces.” — Candace Gooch, At Once All Agog, Limerick, Maine
“They're in our sidewalk sale.” — Cathy Albrow, Creative Learning Toys, Grand Rapids, Mich.
“Papo is dying. It's been great, but I think it's everywhere now.” — Terri Bracken, Earth Explorers Toys, Zionsville, Ind.
Thomas the Train by LEARNING CURVE
“Thomas the Train has been a really big disappointment this year, and last year, and the year before. Little bit of price [and] the market is saturated with generic stuff.” — Ron & Sue Banducci, Games Unlimited, Danville, Calif.
“They've really died. It may be because of the Fisher-Price Geo Tracks. They don't like to sell to us little guys. But it's a good product and has been advertised the living heck out of, and parents may be buying those instead.” — David Campbell, Amazing Toys, Great Falls, Mont.
High School Musical by MATTEL
“They're just not going as fast as we thought they would.” — Kathy Yuri, Hammond Toys, Orem, Utah
“The craze is kind of over, at least until a new movie comes out.” — Billy Finley, Toy Castle, LLC, Jonesboro, Ark. (also referencing Hannah Montana)
Costume Club Kids by PADDYWHACK LANE
"They had a ton of press. We had them in two different locations in the store and it's just not happening." — Tina Benoit, Kidstown, South Burlington, Vt.
“The wheels consistently have problems. [We] have a lot of returns on that item; we will not order again.” — Julie Frost, Giggles for Kids, Suwanee, Ga.
"The prediction was that these would be as popular as Webkinz (by Ganz), but it didn't even come close." — Diana Gisolfi, Sisters Kids, Springfield, Mass.
Tolo Plush by TOLO TOYS
“[It] has not moved well for me. Don't know why.” — Amy Barrett, Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys, Helena, Mont.
WonderGames by WONDERCHESS LLC
“We invested in … WonderCheckers and WonderChess, by WonderChess, LLC. I don’t know if parents just don't get it or my employees don't get it, but they've been going nowhere.” — Linda Angel, Kidoodles Toys, Norman, Okla.
Foam Craft Workshop with hot wire by FABER-CASTELL
"The staff, everybody, thought that it was a great item. But boy, it did not sell. … I don't think any kid would get hurt with this, but it's all perception." — Anonymous
Writer's Bio: Julie L. Jones has written articles for both newspapers and magazines. Before joining the staff of TDmonthly Magazine, she worked as a communications writer and provided editorial support for a market research company. Read more articles by this author
What’s hot one year may not be the next, and even some of the market’s most popular items — Learning Curve’s Thomas & Friends and HaPe’s Quadrilla — can end up destined for a last-chance markdown in some stores, TDmonthly Magazine learned. Although Ganz’ Webkinz are still a top seller in many stores, they and others in the online-plush category are seeing hard times elsewhere. 
Writer's Bio: Julie L. Jones has written articles for both newspapers and magazines. Before joining the staff of TDmonthly Magazine, she worked as a communications writer and provided editorial support for a market research company. Read more articles by this author
