Ecomdigest Toys Newsletter - 09.12.2024

PLUS: LEGO unveils six exciting Mario Kart sets for 2025 release!

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Ecomdigest
September 12, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Specialty Bites 🍪

Laurie Schacht, the Chief Toy Officer at Toy Insider, graced Chicago's FOX 32 with her presence to dish out the best educational toys for the new school year. Spoiler alert: it's not just about fun; it's about sneaking in some learning too.

First up, we have the PLAYTAB from FAT BRAIN TOY CO. This modular sensory toy is like a Swiss Army knife for toddlers. With 12 magnetic tiles that challenge fine motor skills and cause-and-effect discoveries, it's practically a mini boot camp for your kid's brain. And at $45.95, it's a steal for the amount of peace and quiet it promises.

The PLAYTAB

Next, we have the PLAY-DOH PIZZA DELIVERY SCOOTER from HASBRO. For $94.99, your kid can become the next pizza mogul, complete with a pretend cell phone, 10 Play-Doh cans, and 16 pizza-themed accessories. It's like Uber Eats but with more mess and less tipping.

For the budding engineers, the 106-PIECE PASTEL BALL RUN PACK from CONNETIX TILES is a must-have. At $125, it's a bit of an investment, but think of it as a down payment on your kid's future as a roller coaster designer. With clear fluted tubes and colourful wooden balls, it's a pastel paradise of potential.

And let's not forget the SPIROGRAPH JR. BLUEY from PLAYMONSTER. For $29.99, your little artist can create masterpieces featuring their favourite Bluey characters. It's like giving them a paintbrush and saying, "Go forth and create chaos."

So there you have it, folks. The best toys to make your kid the smartest one on the block—or at least the most entertained.

LEGO reveals six new Mario Kart sets launching January 2025, featuring characters like Yoshi, Donkey Kong, and Baby Mario. These sets offer customizable karts and interactive digital play, bringing the excitement of Mario Kart into your home. Prices range from $14.99 to $79.99, with piece counts from 133 to 823.

Spielwarenmesse eG's World of Toys Pavilion at the Tokyo Toy Show was a hit, with 32 exhibitors from seven countries and 84,411 visitors. Participants praised the support and marketing services provided. The Pavilion now looks forward to the Hong Kong and New York Toy Fairs next year.

Industry Appetisers 🥨

Toy Worlds' Marianna Casal discusses the latest trends and launches in the Games & Puzzles category with industry leaders. Suppliers are excited about new products, including solo and group play options. Hasbro's Trivial Pursuit Drop Trivia is highlighted for its innovative gameplay. The full feature offers more insights and trends.

Performance Platters 🍽️

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Snapchat users in the US shop more frequently than Instagram users, with 16.3% making weekly purchases compared to Instagram's 8.2%. Despite Facebook's larger user base and annual purchase popularity, Snapchat's intuitive shopping features and short video content drive its success among younger consumers. Social media shopping is booming!

Google's Jyotika Prasad discusses the impact of a shortened holiday shopping season, emphasizing the need for agility and data-driven strategies. Google introduced new advertising tools to optimize campaigns using AI, with 80% of customers already leveraging AI-powered products. Retailers aim to build lasting customer relationships through innovative ad solutions.

Ecomdigest is a Contentive publication in the DTC Ecommerce division