manchester christmas
Friday, 12th November 2004
Top toys this Christmas
Rebecca Atkins RETRO games and futuristic toys will be vying for space in stockings once again this Christmas, according to retailers.Robosapien, a 14inch NASA-designed robot whose sole UK distributors are in Oldham, is set to be the number one must-have this Yuletide. But other contenders include updated versions of the electronic Tamagotchi pet, which was all the rage in the late nineties, the hit seventies game Buckaroo, as well as traditional family board games such as Monopoly and Cluedo. Even trampolines have made it on to the most-wanted list for the first time ever. The diversity of toys featured on the list is down to eclectic tastes and the age range that the industry has to cater for, says Ben Green from the Toy Retailers' Association, which compiled the top 10. "Not only do we have to look at toys which will be of interest to babies, but we have to cater for adults' tastes in toys, too," he adds.
Dolls Although Barbie has been knocked off the list for the first time in many years, dolls and action figures still feature heavily, with four of the 10 spots going to this type of toy, including the sassy Bratz dolls and not-so sassy Cabbage Patch dolls making a re-appearance after a 20-year break. "Children always love dolls and action figures and this is why they continue to appear in the top 10," says Ben. "Role-playing is an essential part of playtime for kids and dolls and action figures enable them to do this in a creative way." Hi-tech toys have always proved popular on Christmas wish lists and it seems that this year is no exception. Although Robosapien's distributors, Character Options, of Oldham, have already shipped out two-thirds of their stock to stores for Christmas, they fear that the remaining 60,000 robots will not be enough to satisfy demand. Jerry Healy, marketing manager for the company, says it's difficult to predict how much stock to buy as they have to order it six months in advance. "By the middle of December we will have sent out 180,000 robots, but we think that a lot of people who leave their Christmas shopping to the last minute will be disappointed," he says. "The Robosapiens have appeared on Richard And Judy, Blue Peter and Jonathan Ross and have featured in lots of articles in the press. "As a result, they are flying out of the stores and we won't be able to get our hands on new supplies until the new year."
Hamleys Toy of the Year The all-whistling, all-dancing remote controlled black and white robot wouldn't look out of place on the set of a Star Wars movie and has already picked up a string of awards including Hamleys Toy of the Year title. "Although toy robots have been around for decades, the movements were always very jerky, the robots moved on wheels and they didn't do a great deal," says Ben Green. "The secret of the Robosapien's desirability is that it's the first robot on the toy market to have a significant amount of movement in a stable way. "It has 67 programmable functions, including burping, kung fu moves and talking, and it responds to touch and sound and can even pick up small objects. "It's definitely their wow factor, combined with their gadget appeal, that has made them top of the list this year." Although we've come to expect a few technical toys to feature in the top 10 each year, the biggest surprise of all is that trampolines have bounced on to the list.Generations of children have grown up jumping on beds, but growing worries over obesity rates among youngsters have led to their appearance on the list as parents encourage their children to get fit. "There's a massive demand for trampolines this year," says Ben. "But it's not just little children who have fun on trampolines, teenagers and even adults are using them as part of a fitness regime." TOY TOP 10 FOR CHRISTMAS Robosapiens - £79.99 Bratz - £19.99 Cabbage Patch Kids - £19.99 Classic Games (Buckaroo, Twister, Cluedo) - £9.99-£14.99 Dora the Explorer - £29.99 Leapster - £64.99 Power Rangers - £6.99 Tamagotchi - £12.99 Trampolines (8-14ft) - £149.00-£299.95 V-Smile - £49.99
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