Christmas is a peak selling season for all retailers, but especially for toy stores as Australians are expected to spend 2.8 per cent more on Christmas compared to last year.
According to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan Research, consumers will be forking out over $50 billion during the Christmas trading period and ARA executive director, Russell Zimmerman, says it’s a busy time for toy retailers across the country.
“Keeping up with hottest-selling toys for kids at Christmas is like keeping up with digital technology in the retail landscape… both retailers and consumers need to be prepared,” he comments.
“With many new toys hitting the shelves this year, parents need to start their shopping early to ensure they can get the toy at the top of their children’s wish list. Likewise, retailers need to be prepared for the onslaught of parents trying to secure the perfect gift for their children.”
The ARA has worked with Toys R Us to identify the top 20 toys for kids this Christmas.
“It appears Hatchimals continue to outperform retailers’ expectations as they completely sold out last year, so we urge retailers to be prepared for a similar toy rush this pre-Christmas period,” Zimmerman says.
New to the toy scene, LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox is one of the most sought-after interactive toys in the tech space this year. This innovative creation, targeted for boys aged 7+, enhances the building and learning experience for boys as they not only build a robot but also code its behaviour.
“Gone are the days when we used to fly model planes, it seems LEGO Boost is now a must have for tech savvy youngsters this Christmas.
“Just like retail, Christmas is all about the consumer experience, and for girls aged 3+ this year’s highly sought-after toys include LOL Dolls and Pikmi Pops as they provide the ultimate unwrapping experience this silly season.”
By Marion Gerritsen
