Ninja turtles and Barbie top Xmas toy list

impetus · 09-24-2003, 12:39 PM

Ninja turtles and Barbie top Xmas toy list
By Paul Majendie

LONDON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Nostalgia reigns supreme in the British toy market with old favourites like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Barbie set to be the "must have" toys this Christmas.

Industry experts unveiled their hottest lines on Wednesday, and the good news for parents is that none of the Top 10 costs more than 30 pounds ($50).

"The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles date from 1987," said Val Stedham, head of the British Association of Toy Retailers. "But they were tried and tested 20 years ago and Daddy enjoyed playing with them then."

The four weapon-toting turtles first appeared in comics in 1984 and made their big break into TV cartoons three years later. Now a new generation of children is set to puzzle over why they have names like Donatello and Raphael.

The three months before Christmas account for 40 percent of the toy industry's turnover and Stedham told Reuters she expects sales in that time to be around five percent up on last year.

Despite the 2003 hot toys being relatively cheap, many of them come with a host of accessories that could quickly bump up the price.

"I think kids today are quite spoilt -- thank goodness," Stedham said as fairgoers munched mince pies and listened to carol singers at a toy fair.

Another perennial favourite, Action Man, is also showing no signs of his age as he pursues the Titanic struggle with Dr X. This time he comes equipped with guns, mobile phone, megaphone and a voice that shouts "Don't Mess With Me."

"He even burps," said Hasbro spokesman Chris Dunne. "But Action Man is not about weaponry. It's more about combat, outwitting your opponent," he added.

And no Christmas would be complete without Barbie.

Feminists may rage at her but the kids are still keen.

Presenting the new pink-clad Barbie Swan Lake doll, Mattel spokeswoman Leana Rochman told Reuters: "Little girls love ballet and Barbie mixed with ballet and a bit of pink thrown in is a winning combination."

"Barbie will be 45 years old next year. But she is still going strong," she added.

http://channels.netscape.com/ns/pf/s...F075902882.htm

(For clarification, the TMNT date back to 1984, not 1987.)

*Jephael* · 09-24-2003, 12:47 PM

Cool article! I especially like it when the author said "Daddy used to like playing with them." Makes me think of this one guy I knew in high school who still had his old rubber headed TMNT figures.
The reason he comes to mind is because he got his girlfriend pregnant senior year. They were always a nice couple though, so I'm sure they're still together.

impetus · 09-24-2003, 08:37 PM

whoops, looks like somebody posted this already...

09-24-2003, 12:39 PM	#1
impetus Stone Warrior Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Kansas City Posts: 978	Ninja turtles and Barbie top Xmas toy list Ninja turtles and Barbie top Xmas toy list By Paul Majendie LONDON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Nostalgia reigns supreme in the British toy market with old favourites like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Barbie set to be the "must have" toys this Christmas. Industry experts unveiled their hottest lines on Wednesday, and the good news for parents is that none of the Top 10 costs more than 30 pounds ($50). "The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles date from 1987," said Val Stedham, head of the British Association of Toy Retailers. "But they were tried and tested 20 years ago and Daddy enjoyed playing with them then." The four weapon-toting turtles first appeared in comics in 1984 and made their big break into TV cartoons three years later. Now a new generation of children is set to puzzle over why they have names like Donatello and Raphael. The three months before Christmas account for 40 percent of the toy industry's turnover and Stedham told Reuters she expects sales in that time to be around five percent up on last year. Despite the 2003 hot toys being relatively cheap, many of them come with a host of accessories that could quickly bump up the price. "I think kids today are quite spoilt -- thank goodness," Stedham said as fairgoers munched mince pies and listened to carol singers at a toy fair. Another perennial favourite, Action Man, is also showing no signs of his age as he pursues the Titanic struggle with Dr X. This time he comes equipped with guns, mobile phone, megaphone and a voice that shouts "Don't Mess With Me." "He even burps," said Hasbro spokesman Chris Dunne. "But Action Man is not about weaponry. It's more about combat, outwitting your opponent," he added. And no Christmas would be complete without Barbie. Feminists may rage at her but the kids are still keen. Presenting the new pink-clad Barbie Swan Lake doll, Mattel spokeswoman Leana Rochman told Reuters: "Little girls love ballet and Barbie mixed with ballet and a bit of pink thrown in is a winning combination." "Barbie will be 45 years old next year. But she is still going strong," she added. http://channels.netscape.com/ns/pf/s...F075902882.htm (For clarification, the TMNT date back to 1984, not 1987.) __________________

09-24-2003, 12:47 PM	#2
Jephael That whack job behind you Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Carlisle, Pennsylvania Posts: 8,143	Cool article! I especially like it when the author said "Daddy used to like playing with them." Makes me think of this one guy I knew in high school who still had his old rubber headed TMNT figures. The reason he comes to mind is because he got his girlfriend pregnant senior year. They were always a nice couple though, so I'm sure they're still together. __________________ "I like it. Simple, but effective!" Raphael; The Mean Machines - 1988

09-24-2003, 08:37 PM	#3
impetus Stone Warrior Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Kansas City Posts: 978	whoops, looks like somebody posted this already... __________________