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Transformers News: Category - "Toy Industry News"

Welcome to the Transformers At The Moon news desk

This area of the website is dedicated to Transformers news. Currently this website contains 106 news stories divided over 8 pages. You can submit a news story by using our news submission page.

You can browse the news stories contained within this section by using the page jump buttons below. To filter the news stories, please use the tabs that you will find directly below this introduction and before the results area.

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Below you will find a list of the categories in which news stories on this website are published. Simply click on the category to view the latest news stories within that category.
  1. AFA Graded Transformers - AFA graded Transformers related news and information. For more details regarding AFA Transformers including the latest ratings, going prices and how to get your figure rated, please visit www.afatransformers.com.
  2. G.I. Joe - We are also fans of G.I-Joe and so on occasionally we run news stories related to that Hasbro line, primarily related to the live action films.
  3. Lucky Draw Transformers - These news stories are reported both on Lucky Draw Transformers .com as well as Transformer Toys .co.uk
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  6. The Visionaries.net - The news stories within this category appear on The Visionaries.net as well as Transformers At The Moon
  7. Toy Industry News - This section contains toy industry related news stories, including press releases, NPD sales charts and other events that may have a knock on affect to Hasbro Inc, TakaraTomy or Transformers in general.
  8. Trans-Europe Express Group News - The Trans-Europe Express was a Yahoo! Group where a few people collaboration to share information on what was going in within Europe relating to Transformers as well as promoting a united European fan community.
  9. Transformer Toy Sightings - This is where you will find toy sighting related news stories.
  10. Transformers Animated - Transformers Animated was the cartoon / comic / toy form that the Transformers took from late 2007 until 2010. These news stories are published on Transformers Animated.com as well as on Transformers At The Moon
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  17. Transformers Power Core Combiners - News related to the 2010 Transformers subline known as the Power Core Combiners. These news stories are published both on Transformers At The Moon as well as Transformers Power Core Combiners.com.
  18. Transformers Product Listings
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  21. Transformers Trademark News - News stories relating to trademark applications that Hasbro Inc have made with the USPTO. These stories are always broken here first.
  22. Transformers: Prime - Transformers: Prime is the name of the 2010 CGI Transformers cartoon which aired on the Hasbro-Discovery joint TV channel The Hub in the fall of 2010 within the US.
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Toy Industry News

Recently we reported a news story regarding allegations regarding factory conditions at a factory in China called Jet Fair that Hasbro used to produce many of their products including Transformers. Well Hasbro issued a press release on the 22nd of December regarding the factory, a copy of which you can view below.

Hasbro Inc. Statement Regarding NGO Allegations on Factory Conditions

Immediately following some unsubstantiated allegations posted by an outside group regarding working conditions at the Jet Fair factory, Hasbro, together with ICTI, deployed a team to investigate, as we take such claims very seriously. Following an unannounced, nine-hour inspection of the facility this past week, we are satisfied that Jet Fair meets with Hasbro's rigorous requirements.

While Hasbro is committed to continual improvement in all facets of corporate social responsibility, including continued ethical product manufacturing at Jet Fair and all factories that produce Hasbro products, the inflammatory allegations made by the NGO in their report were unsubstantiated by our investigation. As a matter of course, Hasbro will continue to monitor conditions at Jet Fair and all of our factories.

The Company has a strong track record and has had long-standing policies and processes in place for years to help ensure good working conditions, including health and safety, at factories making our products. We strive to conduct business throughout our supply chain in accordance with the highest ethical standards, and we utilize not only ICTI-- but also our own on-the-ground workforce-- to monitor social compliance.

For more information about Hasbro's comprehensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, including more detail regarding Hasbro's policies and practices related to ethical product manufacturing, please visit Hasbro.com/csr.

You can vierw the original press release at http://csr.hasbro.com/new01-news.php.

Other investigations have been made into the author of the report which bring into question his track record. As well known and respected Transformers related researcher Nevermore points out the writer of the report was already found just last week to have written a similar report about another Chinese factory where he had made some unsubstantiated claims as well. http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/22/kardashian-family-sweatshop-claims-not-true/, http://www.tmz.com/2011/12/21/kim-kardashian-factory-china-slave-labor-tmz-live/#.Tvnnppd6hIG. Whilst there may still be truth to the original report, these latest twist do back up Hasbro's stance.

Our thanks go out to Nevermore for the update on the story.­

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Tuesday, 27th December 2011 at 16:33:58 GMT | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News

A Chinese factory called Jet Fair has been slammed in a damning report published by GlobalLabourRights.org.  The 34-page PDF file, available to download here, covers conditions at the factory that produced Hasbro products including the Transformers: Prime figures.

The GLR group focus on the factories Transformers output even though it is not an Hasbro owned factory, and suggests that workers at the factory are body searched three times a day to try to stop goods from being smuggled out of the plant.

It is certainly an interesting reading into what is sadly common place still within Chinese factories when it comes to pay and working conditions.

Our thanks go out to Blueshift of ­Transmasters UK for the link to the article.

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Tuesday, 20th December 2011 at 08:47:03 GMT | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News

Hasbro Inc have now issued their Quarterly 10k report, a full copy can by viewed here.  In summary, revenue is up for Hasbro in the last quarter however 9 month revenue and profit is down on last year.

On the Transformers side, increased sale within the US and Canada were used to prop up declining sales in NERF and other lines with the same being true internationally.  Hasbro's increased licensing, when it came to entertainment, was driven by growth from licenses within the Transformers product.  Below you will find an extract covering the main breakdown.

U.S. AND CANADA SEGMENT

The U.S. and Canada segment's net revenues for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 decreased 7% to $764,562 from $825,483 for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. The decrease in the quarter was a result of decreased revenues in the boys, girls, and games and puzzles categories, partially offset by increased revenues in the preschool category. The increase in the preschool category primarily relates to sales related to the introduction of a number of product offerings under the Sesame Workshop license during the quarter. Increases in the preschool category were partially offset by decreased revenues from

HASBRO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

(Thousands of Dollars and Shares Except Per Share Data)

PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, and PLAY-DOH product lines. The decrease in the boys category primarily relates to decreased sales of STAR WARS, MARVEL, and NERF products, partially offset by increased sales of BEYBLADE and TRANSFORMERS, including KRE-O products. The decrease in the girls category primarily relates to decreased sales of LITTLEST PET SHOP and FURREAL FRIENDS products, partially offset by increased sales of BABY ALIVE, EASY BAKE, and MY LITTLE PONY products. The decrease in the games and puzzles category primarily relates to lower sales of board games, partially offset by higher sales of MAGIC: THE GATHERING.

U.S. and Canada segment net revenues for the nine months ended September 25, 2011 were $1,660,664 compared to $1,694,713 for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. The decrease in the nine months ended September 25, 2011 was the result of decreased revenues in the girls and games and puzzles category, partially offset by increased revenues in the boys category. The increase in the boys category primarily relates to increased sales of BEYBLADE products, which were reintroduced in late 2010, as well as higher sales of TRANSFORMERS products as a result of the June 2011 movie release, TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON. These increases were partially offset by decreased revenues from MARVEL, NERF and STAR WARS products. Decreases in the girls category were primarily driven by lower sales of LITTLEST PET SHOP products, partially offset by higher sales of MY LITTLE PONY and BABY ALIVE products while decreases in the games and puzzles category primarily relate to lower sales of board games partially offset by increased sales of MAGIC: THE GATHERING.

U.S. and Canada segment operating profit decreased to $128,789, or 16.8% of net revenues, for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 compared to $158,763, or 19.2% of net revenues, for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. For the nine months ended September 25, 2011 operating profit decreased to $227,526, or 13.7% of net revenues, from $278,635, or 16.4% of net revenues, for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. For the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 operating profit was negatively impacted by a the decline in net revenues as well as higher royalty and selling, distribution and administration costs. Operating profit margin for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 was negatively impacted by a decline in net revenues and higher selling, distribution and administration costs. In addition, the operating profit margin for the nine month period of 2011 was impacted by a higher mix of shipments of closeouts during the first half of the year, which represents carryover inventory from year end 2010. Although this inventory was written down last year, the subsequent sales have minimal to no profit.

INTERNATIONAL SEGMENT

International segment net revenues increased by 23% to $563,310 for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 from $458,917 for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. Net revenues for the nine months ended September 25, 2011 increased 27% to $1,192,113 from $942,047 for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. For the quarter ended September 25, 2011, International segment net revenues were positively impacted by currency translation of approximately $35,200, or 8%, as a result of the weaker U.S. dollar during the quarter. For the nine months ended September 25, 2011, International segment net revenues were positively impacted by currency translation of approximately $72,500, or 8%, as a result of the weaker U.S. dollar in the first nine months of 2011. Increased net

HASBRO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

(Thousands of Dollars and Shares Except Per Share Data)

revenues in the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 were driven by higher sales in the boys category primarily as a result of higher sales of BEYBLADE, NERF, and TRANSFORMERS products, partially offset by decreased sales of MARVEL and STAR WARS products. Revenues in the girls, games and puzzles and preschool categories decreased slightly. The decrease in the girls category was driven by decreased sales of LITTLEST PET SHOP products partially offset by increased sales of FURREAL FRIENDS and BABY ALIVE products. Decreases in the preschool category are primarily the result of lower sales of PLAYSKOOL products partially offset by sales related to the introduction of a number of product offerings under the Sesame Workshop license as well as higher sales of PLAY-DOH products. Decreases in the games and puzzles category were driven by decreased sales of board games, offset by higher revenues from MAGIC: THE GATHERING products in the quarter. International segment net revenues for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 increased in all regions, which includes Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin and South America.

International segment operating profit increased to $100,739, or 17.9% of net revenues, for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 from $70,818, or 15.4% of net revenues, for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. For the nine months ended September 25, 2011, operating profit increased to $132,756, or 11.1% of net revenues, from $79,984, or 8.5% of net revenues, for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. International segment operating profit was positively impacted by currency translation of approximately $4,300 and $6,500 for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011, respectively. The increase in operating profit was primarily a result of the impact of increased revenues partially offset by higher royalty expenses as well as higher expenses as the result of the Company's investments in expanding its operations in emerging markets. Operating profit margin for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 was positively impacted by higher net revenues.

ENTERTAINMENT AND LICENSING SEGMENT

Entertainment and Licensing segment net revenues for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 increased 69% to $46,316 from $27,478 for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. Net revenues for the nine months ended September 25, 2011 was $98,144 compared to $83,038 for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. Licensing revenue related to entertainment brands tends to lag traditional toy and game revenue due to when licensing partners report their revenue to the Company. As a result, there was increased licensing revenue in the third quarter of 2011 related to the June 2011 movie release of TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON. In addition to movie-related licensing revenue, licensing revenue related to movies and television programming increased as well. Included in revenues for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 is a one-time movie-related payment of $5,000 received from Universal Studios.

Entertainment and Licensing segment operating profit increased to $15,251 for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 compared to $5,918 for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. The increase was primarily due to the higher movie-related licensing revenues, which offset higher selling, distribution and administration expense in 2011 compared to 2010. For the nine months ended September 25, 2011 operating profit decreased to $21,294 from $28,280 for the nine months ended

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Thursday, 3rd November 2011 at 09:03:57 GMT | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News

Here's an interesting bit of industy news for you, especially for the heavy handed of you.

New Supra B plastic is created that can 'heal' itself

Good news for parents, but possibly bad news for glue manufacturers – a new material has been created that will mend itself when broken or cut.

Supra B is being developed by chemical company AkzoNobel, the firm behind brands such as Hammerite and Dulux, in conjunction with scientists at Eindhoven University of Technology in The Netherlands.

The new material, which is known as a supramolecular polymer, has been called Supra B.

Here's the science bit: It takes advantage of a kind of bonding that gives water its viscosity and surface tension. Known as hydrogen bonding, it uses the attraction between hydrogen atoms and other atoms such as oxygen or nitrogen, according to The Daily Telegraph.

"We are working on polymers that are able to heal themselves," said Graham Armstrong, corporate director of research, development and innovation at AkzoNobel.

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: Moonbug - on: Wednesday, 2nd November 2011 at 12:25:40 GMT | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News

The British Toy Retailers Association have now named their top 12 toys Christmas 2011.  The list, shown below in alphabetical order, are the associations predicted top sellers and will/have featured in national press and news outlets this weel:

Doggie Doo, John Adams, RRP £22.99
Fijit Friends, Mattel, RRP £54.99
Fireman Sam Pontypandy Rescue Set, Character, RRP £29.99
Kidizoom Twist, VTech, RRP £49.99
LeapPad Explorer, Leapfrog Toys, RRP £79.99
Lets Rock Elmo, Hasbro, RRP £69.99
Milky the Bunny, Flair, £59.99
Monster High Lagoona’s Hydration Station, Mattel, £39.99
Moshling Tree House, Vivid, RRP £18.99
Nerf Vortex Nitron Blaster, Hasbro, RRP £44.99
Ninjago Fire Temple, Lego, RRP £91.99
Star Wars Ultimate Force Tech Lightsaber, Hasbro, RRP £39.99

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Wednesday, 26th October 2011 at 08:50:59 BST | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News

Hasbro UK are recruiting for a telesales staff at Stockley Park.  If you think you may be interested get in touch with them, and let them know who referred you :-)

Here is the job description

Hasbro is looking to recruit a Telesales Executive at the Stockley Park offices.

The position is a 12-month fixed term contract and the main purpose of role is to take ownership (under direction GSM) of the full Hasbro toy and game product portfolio in designated Orders Direct account base to achieve company set sales and profit targets.

Specific responsibilities/tasks:

  • Work with GSM to create, implement and monitor full year account business plans
  • Manage 100 accounts with T/O of £5k - £15k.
  • Create a call plan and complete daily / weekly sales reports to highlight productivity.
  • Maintain the Orders Direct base and keep track of all call backs and telephone appointments and agreed actions.
  • Execute and monitor agreed promotions within the business plan
  • Attend trade shows in the UK and Ireland where appropriate
  • Conduct data analysis to support business planning
  • Monitors, record and reports back on key competitive activity with recommendations as necessary
  • Build an effective business partner relationship with key Orders Direct accounts
  • Fully network across internal customers, e.g. Operations, Marketing and Finance to maximise account serviceability and growth opportunities.·    Monitor stock availability and take initiative to address any issues
  • Handle day to day routine account requests and follow up


Knowledge and Skills required

  1. Evidence of influencing and negotiating skills to achieve results (both internally and externally)·
  2. Good communicator (written and verbal) including active listening ability and presentation skills·
  3. Numerate, ability to analyse data and sales information
  4. Results oriented
  5. Good prioritisation skills
  6. Adaptable and demonstrates flexibility
  7. Shows enthusiasm and passion for sales Experience
  8. Graduate calibre
  9. Up to two years exposure in sales environment
  10. Minimum of Intermediate level working knowledge of MS Office including Outlook
  11. Excellent excel skills
  12. Ability to drive and travel in the UK/Ireland


Behaviours/Competencies required

Desirable:

  • Degree (preferably business related)
  • Commercial background with sales exposure·
  • Working knowledge of SAP


If you would like to apply for this position please send your CV to careers@hasbro.co.uk 

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Tuesday, 23rd August 2011 at 14:00:36 BST | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News

The Associated Press have published the following article regarding the pay packet of Hasbro CEO  Brian Goldner.

"NEW YORK – Brian Goldner, the CEO of the nation's No.2 toy maker, Hasbro Inc., received a pay package valued at $23 million for 2010, nearly triple his pay package in 2009, due to hefty stock and option awards designed to keep him with the company, according to a regulatory filing.

Most of the package came in the form of stock grants and stock options worth a total of $18.8 million when they were granted.

Goldner's performance-based bonus edged down 4 percent, to $2.6 million from $2.7 million, because Hasbro's revenue fell slightly during the year and did not meet company targets.

Some of the stock grants and options Goldner, 47, received are tied into a new agreement that extends his employment with Hasbro through 2014 with Hasbro. That contract boosted his base salary to nearly $1.2 million from $1 million in 2009.

Most of the stock options and grants were intended to entice Goldner, who has been CEO since 2008 and has been with Hasbro for 11 years, to remain at the company.

The grants "address the risk that Mr. Goldner could be recruited away from the company by a competitive offer in the future," Hasbro said in a filing it made Wednesday evening with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The grants also help offset pension payments Goldner won't receive because the company froze its pension plans in 2007.

Goldner's other compensation and perks included $9,846 in above-market returns on deferred compensation and $420,662 in matching contributions to savings accounts and retirement accounts and for financial planning, legal and tax preparation services.

Pawtucket, R.I.-based Hasbro's 2010 net income climbed 6 percent while its revenue dipped 2 percent to $4 billion, hurt by difficult comparisons with 2009, when Hasbro sold toys tied in with two summer blockbusters, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and "G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra." It also faced an unexpected drop in sales in December around the crucial holiday period.

Its share price jumped 47 percent during the year.

The Associated Press formula calculates an executive's total compensation during the last fiscal year by adding salary, bonuses, perks, above-market interest the company pays on deferred compensation and the estimated value of stock and stock options awarded during the year. The AP formula does not count changes in the present value of pension benefits. That makes the AP total slightly different in most cases from the total reported by companies to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The value that a company assigned to an executive's stock and option awards for 2010 was the present value of what the company expected the awards to be worth to the executive over time. Companies use one of several formulas to calculate that value. However, the number is just an estimate, and what an executive ultimately receives will depend on the performance of the company's stock in the years after the awards are granted. Most stock compensation programs require an executive to wait a specified amount of time to receive shares or exercise options."

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Friday, 8th April 2011 at 08:43:47 BST | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Christopher Noon, Auctioneer PA LIC #AU005664
TheBigToyAuction.comaq
1454 Locksley Drive
Bethlehem, PA  18018
Phone: 610-997-0165
http://TheBigToyAuction.com
info@TheBigToyAuction.com the Big Screen to the Auction Block - Transformers get their own Live Auction!

From

More than 25 years ago, the Hasbro Toy Company forever changed the face of Action Figures with the introduction of the Transformers brand of converting toys.  Because of the unique engineering and styling of these toys, kids no longer had to choose between buying an action figure and buying a toy car or vehicle.  With Transformers, they could have both.

But it wasn't just the design elements of these new toys that attracted a whole generation of fans.  It was the characterization and personalities the creators of the brand decided to give each figure through careful promotion of comic books and cartoon series that has made the brand a fan favorite and one of the most popular and best selling toy lines even three decades later.

To celebrate the brand and it's millions of fans throughout the years, a new Live-Auction by TheBigToyAuction.com will spotlight the brand with it's upcoming "Roll Out and Bid" Sale.  The Live-Auction Event scheduled for Sunday, February 27th, beginning at 3:00 PM EDT, will feature a retrospective of Transformers toys ranging from vintage '80's figures right up through the modern toys of today and includes various merchandising tie-ins and exclusives throughout the Transformers' nearly 30 year run.

Highlights include a collection of ephemera ranging from file card "tech specs", Artwork and post cards, exclusive figures from past sold-out "Botcon"  conventions, and a wide range of vintage Generation 1 and 2 figures including the much sought after character Fortress Maximus - the largest Transformers figure ever produced, standing at over 2 feet tall in robot mode.

As with past TheBigToyAuction events, the auction will combine traditional bid-calling with streaming internet technology to allow bidders at home to interact with the fast-paced streaming audio as if they were already in the room at the event themselves.  For those wishing to just browse and listen in, the online catalog, featuring brief descriptions and multiple photographs of the over 200 lots available acts as an online museum of sorts, chronicling the rich history of the brand.The Live-Auction event kicks off Sunday, February 27th, starting at 3:00 PM EDT.  Registration and pre-bidding are already open online at http://TheBigToyAuction.com.

For information: http://www.TheBigToyAuction.com or
Contact: info@TheBigToyAuction.com
Phone: 610-997-0165

 

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Friday, 18th February 2011 at 19:19:54 GMT | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News

The NPD have released figures that show that the UK toy sales market is currently the strongest its been since 2002 with an 11% growth in the period Jan-Oct.  Things are not all rosy however as sales of Action Figures are actually in decline was consumers have switched to building sets.

More to follow

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Tuesday, 23rd November 2010 at 19:53:13 GMT | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News

As you have probably noticed on recent Transformers releases, Hasbro Inc have replaced the wire ties that hold the toys into their boxes with paper based ones.  Well now they have announced that starting at the beginning of 2011 they will eliminate all plastic ties on all of their products.  The move is apart of a larger attempt by the toy manufacturer to move towards using more renewable materials.“Hasbro’s commitment to sustainability has been, and continues to be a high priority in virtually all facets of our operations,” said Brian Goldner, Hasbro’s President and CEO. “The company’s ongoing focus on sustainability is critically important to Hasbro and to the consumers around the world who enjoy our brands and products. Importantly, we will be taking additional steps in the area of sustainability going forward, building upon what we have already accomplished in recent years.” he went on to say.

In addition to the change in plastic ties, Hasbro Inc have set themselves the goal that at least 75% of its paper packaging will consist of recycled material or from sustainable forests for 2011 with this figure rising to 90% by 2015.  They are also looking to recruit a Director of Product and Packaging Sustainability into their operations.

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Tuesday, 23rd November 2010 at 19:49:22 GMT | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News

Though not directly related to Hasbro or Transformers I thought I would bring the following advert to everyone's attention.  It was published within this months Toy News Magazines which is an industry trade and is from Bandai and directed at UK sellers importing their items.

Bandai Notice
We have discovered that a number of companies are trading in Bandai products such as Power Rangers and Ben 10 toys that have been unlawfully imported into the UK from outside the EEA (mainly from the US).

Over the last few months, we have taken successful action against a number of retailers and importers.  In each case, we have prevented them from trading in such products and have recovered a significant amount of compensation.

We would remind all readers that you are not permitted to import into or sell in the UK any Bandai products that have not been placed on the EEA market by us or with our consent (including Bandai products originating from the US)m as such acts will constitute trade mark infringement. Further, these acts may amount to a criminal offence.

Should we discover that any other companies are trading in such products, we will not hesitate to take further legal action.

If you have any questions about this notice or the issues raised, please contact Amy Allbon, Operations Manager at Bandai UK.

Now if this continues to be successful, especially at bringing Bandai in more revenue, its possible (if unlikely) that Hasbro UK may start to do the same with their items.  If they do, we will let you all know.

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Monday, 6th September 2010 at 20:11:58 BST | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News

Are Hasbro Inc about to be bought out and go private?  Well yes they are is you listen to reports coming out of the US.  The reports say that Hasbro are in talks with Providence Equity Partners to take the company private in a leveraged buy-out.

 The New York Times report that a buy-out fell through a few weeks ago but its quiet possible talks have restarted.  When asked to comment on the story Hasbro Inc refused to deny the report stating "There are always rumours and speculation about public companies and we just don't comment on that"

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Thursday, 24th June 2010 at 19:23:18 BST | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News

Hasbro have issued the following press release regarding the naming of Simon Waters as their Senior Vice President of Global Licensing

Hasbro names global licensing chief
Hasbro hires former Disney executive as global licensing executive

Toy maker Hasbro Inc. named Simon Waters, a former executive at The Walt Disney Co., as senior vice president of global licensing.

Waters was most recently vice president, global franchise development and strategic marketing, at The Walt Disney Co.

At Hasbro, he will head licensing initiatives for Hasbro, whose brands include Nerf, Transformers and PlaySkool.

Shares rose $1.17, or 3 percent, to $40.11 during afternoon trading. The stock has traded between $22.66 and $42.59 over the past year.

Credit to the Associated Press for the news

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Wednesday, 26th May 2010 at 23:13:24 BST | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News­TakaraTomy have published full details of their first quarter results which showed that restructuring and an increase in sales of boys toys saw their profits increase by a staggering 551.9%!
­
Net sales dropped 1% for year-on-year, to £­1.36 billion but net income increas­ed by 551.9% to £68.7 million mainly due to an increase in the sales of their "boys toys" business, reconstruction of their business portfolios and general reduction of costs.

This is the highest recorded profits for the group since the Takara­-Tomy merger which is great news for the company. The toy side of their business was net sales fall by 0.2% to £872.3 million, with income increasing by 58.3% to £108.79 million.

When you look at global trends for TakaraTomy you can pick up on the following trends.

1. Within Japan, product expansion and promotional in-store events led to a significant increase sales for Bayblade, whilst Duel Masters and Tomica both also saw increased popularity and growth. Net sales were up 0.4% to £1.25 billion, with operating incoming up 66.3% to £93.59 million (both figures are year-on-year)

2. Within the US the increase in Transformers sales was highlighted by the company as being the key factor within this territories growth. Net sales were actually down 41%, while operating income increased from a loss of £2.81 million to a £360,171 of profit. Despite this return to profit within the US, this remains their weakest market

3. Within Europe TakaraTomy saw strong growth in their arts and crafts sector which targets the baby and pre-school markets but this wasn't enough to see both their net sales and income decrease. Net sales figures were down 16.9% to £76.53million with incoming also down to £1.4 million, 10.8%. Europe continues to be a troublesome area for TakaraTomy and though they are still making profit within this territory more job cuts could be on the way. Decreases within the European marketing budget and redundancies also led to financial growth within Europe.

4. Within the rest of Asia net sales were down 132% to £199.13 million, though operating income did increase by 16.6% to £8.36 million.

TakaraTomy also reduced manufacturing costs by moving from China to Vietnam.

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Wednesday, 19th May 2010 at 12:35:23 BST | Share: | Discuss: Read on

Toy Industry News

Its time for us to bring you the latest UK toy sales charts from the NPD.  Again we would like to point out that these charts are for UK sales only as in the past other websites have republished the charts without making that clear and so causing many people to become confused and assume that they are North American sales charts.

UK Feb 2010 (£­ Sales - Value)­

1 Go Go Hamster Packs Assortment  - CHARACTER OPTIONS
2 Star Wars Rebel Trooper & Snow Trooper Battlepack  - LEGO
3 Kidzoom Digital Camera - VTECH
4 Star Wars Lukes Landspeeder - LEGO
5 Ben 10 Alien Force 10cm Figures - BANDAI
6 Bionicle Stars 2010 - LEGO
7 Bakugan Starter Pack - SPIN MASTER
8 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE DELUXE FIGURES - HASBRO
9 Ben 10 Alien Force 15cm, DNA Figures - BANDAI
10 First Steps Babywalker - VTECH

UK Feb 2010 (Unit Sales - Volume)

1 Match Attax Cards - TOPPS
2 Hot Wheels Basic Car Assortment - MATTEL
3 Gogo’s Crazy Bones III Explorer Pack - MAGIC BOX
4 Ben 10 Alien Force10cm Figures - BANDAI
5 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS ASSORTMENT - HASBRO
6 Play Doh Single Tub Assortment - HASBRO
7 Go Go Hamster Packs Assortment - CHARACTER OPTIONS
8 Plasticine 8 Pack - FLAIR
9 Gormitti Figure Foilbag Assortment - FLAIR
10 Bakugan Booster Pack - SPIN MASTER

 

Category: Toy Industry News | Submitted by: quartz - on: Thursday, 29th April 2010 at 12:26:36 BST | Share: | Discuss: Read on

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