Phew! Christmas is finally behind us even though a few diehard celebrants refuse to remove their twinkling lights and browning evergreen ornaments. But the post mortems on holiday shopping are coming in painting a rather bleak picture of the industry's biggest selling season.
Out of the Hong Kong Toy Show came a statement that "retailers posted a 2% fall in business despite heavy discounts and promotions." ToysRUs posted a 3.4% decline over the nine week holiday season, November 2 - January 3.
Sales -3.4% U.S., -5.1% internationally
Files bankruptcy in the middle of the selling season! The ominous signs were everywhere that retailers would use all the tricks to try to be Santa's helpers. ToysR Us boasted of "Our Lowest Prices Ever!" It was common to see an abundance of 50% off or saying it another way, "Buy one at regular price, get a second FREE!" Maybe the best deal was, "all toys at 70% off." But even with the prospect of all those good buys, I was certaiinly not motivated to shop at the retailer who promised an absurd store opening of 4 A.M.! I think I'm a bit of an adventuresome sort, but I couldn't envision myself arising in subfeezing New England darkness to push a shopping cart around Target, TRU, or Kohls. What were they thinking?
Thankfully, in the midst of all the year-end economic gloom. I came across Alan Hassenfeld's optimistic message in the 12/20/08 issue of The Economist magazine, entitled "Santa's Happy Helper." (Check out the full article here.) Alan offered these reassuring words, "The papers say everyone will get coal this year, but most parents - and grandparents - in difficult times will spend less on themselves to ensure that their children are happy, especially in the holiday season. That is an important leg-up toys have on almost all other retail items, except food." Motivated by Alan's comments, I bought my family two bags of groceries, tried to keep one grandson happy with Guitar Hero World Tour, and the Jr. Olympian skiing grandson happy with new downhill skis! (Admittedly, I delayed buying a new Chevy!)
So what can we toy people do to ensure better times in a business where the numbers of 60-70 percent of the T&G annual volume have historically been done in the 4Q? My suggestion for the bailout of our industry is not mounds of cash like all the other businesses bugging Washington's coffers. I propose we petition to alter the official National Calendar for twelve monthly gift-giving dates. Since all the really big sales come AFTER Dec. 25, January should have a specific date to "give the toy or game you didn't give at Christmas." February is almost there already but broaden the 14th beyond "sweethearts" to giving a game or toy "to someone you love" (no XXX items, please!). Now all we need are nine more national proclaimed dates to shop toys and games each month to get those big $$$$ volumes. No, this idea is not intended to in any way dismiss or dilute December 25. We still need Christmas. A monthly gift giving calendar is just the toy industry's way to catch the spirit of economic stimulus packages and hopefully avoid another meltdown like the one our industry experienced in 2008!
P.S. BTW, we know what retailer bucked the sales slide, right?....
Store sales up +1.7%."This was a year made for WalMart" to quote Consumer Growth Partners.
CU@Toy Fair!
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