UK Top Toys 2025: LEGO, Hot Wheels, Tonies lead the pack

The French Toy market has so far this year delivered very positive results, growing by +10% in 7 months, a performance reportedly "never seen in 25 years." This growth aligns with positive trends across most top European markets, including the UK (+8%) and Germany (+3%). As of the end of August in France, volume is up +1% and the average price is up +3% (at 16 Euros). Looking at category performance (Circana Data), while the “Outdoor Toy” category (a former main driver) now accounts for only 9% of all categories and is decreasing by 3%, several of the 11 super categories tracked by Circana are performing strongly, primarily driven by the « KIDULT » segment (+12y old). Specifically, Games & Puzzles is the number one category, showing +23% growth in August and a cumulative +35% growth, representing 24% of the total market. 🔗 Click the link below to read the full article by Yann Fresnel on the The Bugg Report website! https://lnkd.in/gaaWfDTF #Toys #ToyIndustry #France

The toy industry is revving up for a successful holiday season 11-04-2025 The LEGO Group has launched its global holiday campaign to emphasize the importance of family togetherness through play, featuring the “Win Your Wishlist” competition where LEGO enthusiasts can win products worth up to $1,000. As Nic Taylor, SVP at LEGO, states, "Our LEGO Holiday Choir is here to remind everyone about celebrating the joy of play" (ToyBook, 11-04-2025). The U.S. toy industry reported a strong 7% sales increase in the first three quarters of 2025, driven by collectibles and licensed toys. This growth indicates a rebound following two years of stagnation, fostering optimism as the holiday season approaches (Bakersfield, 11-03-2025). Netflix's partnerships with Hasbro and Mattel have resulted in a $1 billion toy deal, focusing on action figures and playsets linked to popular franchises. The products will roll out starting in January 2026, aligning with the peak holiday shopping period (Gadget Hacks, 11-04-2025). In a seasonal revival, Toys "R" Us has opened a temporary store in Kansas City for the holiday shopping period, marking its return and aiming to capture market share from competitors like Walmart and Target (Yahoo News, 11-04-2025). Walmart has begun its holiday shopping phase earlier with new technology-driven shopping tools in its app to optimize the consumer experience, setting the stage for anticipated upticks in sales (Newsweek, 11-04-2025). The logistics sector is adapting to increased e-commerce demand through automation, with firms like UPS implementing AI to enhance efficiency in operations. This shift is crucial as market volatility continues due to geopolitical factors (Logistics Manager, 11-04-2025). In a proactive move, the U.S. is suspending port fees related to trade tensions with China for a year starting November 10, aiming to alleviate some supply chain costs before the holiday rush (North Standard, 11-04-2025). Consumer spending remains cautious this holiday season, with an emphasis on value and budgeting, driven by economic uncertainty. Gen Z and millennials are particularly inclined to seek discounts (Food Institute, 11-04-2025). How will companies adapt their strategies to leverage the anticipated demand while navigating economic uncertainty? #ToyIndustry #RetailTrends #SupplyChain #Ecommerce #HolidayShopping #ConsumerBehavior #Logistics

This retailer is a must watch this holiday season. Hobby Lobby's momentum is surging, fueled by strong performance and the removal of competitors from the space. The retailer's pace of growth has accelerated rapidly, jumping from an 11% average monthly visit increase in the first nine months of the year to over 20% in October. This indicates significant momentum and market share capture as the chain heads into the critical holiday season. Check out our latest weekly brief to learn more.

The Entertainer partners with Modella Capital to bring curated toy range to TGJones and Hobbycraft stores across the UK. Find out more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ejYv9Kvk #retail #retailnews #toyshop #retailer #launching #partnership

A brand has 10,000 units of a new coat. They have 200 stores. Where do they send them? The pre-season plan ships 500 to the NYC flagship and 50 to the Miami store. Three days later, NYC is sold out. Miami hasn't sold one. The brand now has two problems at the same time: lost sales in one city and guaranteed markdowns in another. This is an allocation failure. The plan made before the season is just the first guess. The real money is made during the season. Profit isn't just made in the pre-season plan. It's saved by the in-season correction.

ICYMI: Inside Zellers’ Comeback: Joey Benitah Shares the Playbook Zellers has officially reopened its doors in Canada, beginning a bold new chapter for the heritage retailer with the launch of its first reimagined store at Londonderry Mall in Edmonton. The opening on Thursday drew enthusiastic crowds and emotional shoppers, many expressing nostalgia and surprise that the beloved chain had returned once more. https://lnkd.in/gi9U6VeS #Zellers #ZellersComeback #CanadianRetail #RetailRevival #ZellersCanada #JoeyBenitah #RetailInnovation #NostalgiaShopping #CanadianBrands #RetailNews #LondonderryMall #RetailInsider #ZellersReturns #RetailReimagined

Inside Zellers’ Comeback: Joey Benitah Shares the Playbook Zellers has officially reopened its doors in Canada, beginning a bold new chapter for the heritage retailer with the launch of its first reimagined store at Londonderry Mall in Edmonton. The opening on Thursday drew enthusiastic crowds and emotional shoppers, many expressing nostalgia and surprise that the beloved chain had returned once more. https://lnkd.in/gAjD23vk #ZellersReturns #RetailRevival #JoeyBenitah #CanadianRetail #Zellers3_0 #ValueRetail #NostalgiaRetail #ZeddyIsBack #MadeInCanadaRetail #StoreLaunch

Toys R Us is stepping up its U.S. presence with plans to open over 30 new flagship and seasonal stores, aiming to reach more communities ahead of the holiday season. Additional storefronts will be announced soon. The toy store chain is also broadening its footprint by entering several international markets in Asia, Africa and South America. Investments in digital and in-store experiences, as well as AI-driven marketing, help with modernizing the brand. What are your thoughts on this comeback story? Share your input below. #RoseInt #PeopleMakingItHappen #ToysRUs #Retail 📷: Canva Pro, Shutterstock

🎁 The Blind Box Boom: How “Surprise” is Reshaping the Global Toy Market In a market where traditional toy growth is slowing, blind boxes have emerged as one of the most exciting new growth engines — combining collectibility, emotion, and storytelling into one powerful retail experience. 📊 Global Trends You Should Know: The global blind box market is growing at 20%+ annually, with strong performance across the U.S., U.K., and Europe. Gen Z and young professionals are driving this wave — collecting, trading, and sharing their unboxing moments online. Traditional toy brands are now adapting the “mystery + collectibility” concept to revive their core product lines. 💡 The power of blind boxes lies in emotion and community. Consumers aren’t just buying toys — they’re buying the thrill of discovery and a piece of culture. 📦 For retailers, this shift means: ✅ Higher repeat purchases and customer loyalty ✅ Lower inventory risk with series-based SKUs ✅ Greater social media visibility and word-of-mouth marketing The next three years will belong to toys that blend storytelling, surprise, and emotion — and blind boxes are leading the way. 👉 At Funism, we’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand — helping global partners bring licensed collectible blind boxes to new markets. What kind of blind box theme do you think will capture the next generation of consumers? 🎨 #BlindBox #ToyIndustry #RetailTrends #ConsumerInsights #Collectibles #Funism #GlobalToys #ToyBusiness

Kidults are rewriting the rules of global toy sales. Adults now account for over £1 in every £3 spent on toys in the UK, and collectibles are up 35% globally in 2025. From LEGO Botanicals to Squishmallows, nostalgia is officially big business. Inside the rise of the kidult toy market, how brands like Lego, Pokémon, and Funko Pop are cashing in — and why this isn’t just a phase. Read the full article @globalbrandsmagazine.com https://lnkd.in/ee2Sg9Kt What's your fav collectible - tell us in the comments below! #globaltoysales #kidulttoymarket #adulttoys #legouk #pokemonuk #toymarket2025 #squishmallows #funkopopcollectors #circana #nostalgicbranding #toyretail #globalbrandstrends