PLUSH AND TOYS
Independent Toy Stores Predictions for the Best-Sellers of 2021
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hile no one knows what the future will hold, one thing is certain – kids will always love toys, and parents, friends, grandparents, and children themselves will always want to buy them. At independently owned toy stores, toy sales are going strong. Owners and staff discuss current top-sellers and predict the hits they foresee ahead.
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At Toys N’ More in Reno, Nev., Owner Stefanie ple and active at-home fun they can both provide. Forgie predicted anything that “keeps kids happy and In her 8,500-square-foot store, Forgie frequently occupied” will continue to sell well this year. “Parents adjusts her displays by moving “any items that seem right now really need to be keeping children enterstagnant or aren’t selling” to a more prominent area in tained whether the kids are home-schooled or just due the store. “We will test it in different locations to see to other changes from the pandemic. Art-making items if it does better, and usually it does.” will continue to do well I’m sure, and we are starting to In Sedona, Ariz., Jennifer Williams, owner of Secarry lots more outdoor toys dona Kids Company, predictwhich will certainly be strong ed fidget toys, which are curin warm months. The numrently hot sellers for her, and ber one request right now current high-demand outdoor is for outdoor toys. They’re toys, will continue to do well looking for motorized vehifor the store all year. “Beyond cles, sand toys, and things to that, I can’t predict. We try experience nature or explore to carry a lot of Southwestit. Melissa and Doug brand themed products, especially has bug-catching items, and in children’s books, and those outdoor exploring-type items should also do well. Visithat are popular and will contors to the area look to those tinue to be.” items as gifts.” Currently, Forgie’s bestOverall, currently, Wilsellers are wide ranging. “We liams noted, “A lot of eduhave a large variety of Mattel cational toys do well, espeitems like Barbies and Hot cially with home- schooling Wheels that always do well; or distance learning, they’re a we have the largest selection bit more appealing. We sell a of Melissa and Doug toys in lot of STEM-related projects. Owner Jennifer Williams and daughter Katie Williams - Family games also do well, the area, and we are doing retail associate. well with a new company out and of course, that too is reof Santa Cruz, Modari. They have very nice quality lated to people being at home more.” items, very well-built, and that appeals to people. Of Williams’ displays are based less on foot traffic and course fidget toys are still going through the roof, and more on window space. “I have three large display we have a lot of retro toys that appeal to parents bewindows that are my display focus. I also do move cause the toys remind them of their childhood.” She things around in the store based on foot traffic, but in added that other top sellers are those that are seen the windows, I have a little bit of everything to pique by kids on Tik Tok. “If they see it that way, on that interest, including our games and STEM products.” platform, then all of a sudden they’re going crazy for Current best-sellers at Thinker Toys in Portland, it,” she related. And, defying any trends or promotion, Ore., include everything from puppets to books and kites and puzzles also remain strong sellers for the simpuzzles, to stuffed animals and science kits, according Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties | May 2021 | www.sgnmag.com