Sacks of fun
Supply chain issues from the North Pole are resolved so there will be no shortage of goodies for delivery by the Big Man
SANTA’S sack will be filled this year with a mix of classic toys and those inspired by movie franchises, a leading toy seller has claimed.
And the good news is there should be no problems with availability, according to the Toy Retailers’ Association (TRA).
Alan Simpson, head of the group, said that while inflation has hit the toy market like everywhere else, the price rises should not be ‘overly noticeable’ as they are counteracted by a drop since last year in freight costs.
He told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘A lot of retailers got stock early, anticipating price rises and the shortages that there have been in the last couple of years. So while there is an element of inflation, there is a lot of promotional pricing in place.’
‘Pipeline’ issues and high shipping costs meant that last year many popular toys were in short
‘The shipping issue has more or less disappeared’
supply. But Mr Simpson said this is not an issue this year.
‘We don’t have those issues of pipeline,’ he said. ‘The shipping issue of the last couple of years has more or less disappeared.’
The advice, however, is still to get the Christmas list filled early.
‘Across the board, there is a good supply on practically all of the key lines,’ Mr Simpson added.
‘But that’s not to say that come two weeks before Christmas, that won’t change with surges of customers. The message is to shop early if you want choice. We want kids smiling when they see what’s there for them on Christmas.’
Smyths Toy Superstores listed Lego, Squishmallows and CoComelon as three of its top sellers, along with the WWE Wrekkin’ Rig and Drew McIntyre figures.
Sineád Byrne, Smyths marketing chief, said it had compiled a list of the top toys with half under €50.
‘We have some excellent TV and movie franchises in the mix – there’s the Real FX Baby Blue Dinosaur from Jurassic World, a CoComelon audio Tonie, and a super-rare Lego Harry Potter set, featuring your very own Order of the Phoenix HQ.
‘The list also features an RC car and Ziggy – our ever-popular robodog. The Squishmallows Chewbacca is perfect for Star Wars fans, and you can ring in the season with the Barbie Cutie Winter Reveal Sparkle range.’
Ms Byrne added that the Magic Trace Glow To Show Studio is ideal for young artists while board game fans will love Sink‘n’Sand Quicksand. Footballers will get a kick out of Smart Ball Skills Training Football, while the Cool Maker Stitch’n’Style Fashion Studio will appeal to budding designers. The cheapest toy on the list is the CoComelon audio
Tonie at €16.99, while the Jurassic World Dominion: Real FX Baby Blue Dinosaur is the priciest at €119.99. Similar gifts have been tipped as this year’s top buys by other sellers. Online shop Very has the Photo Creator Instant Camera, €84.99, at the top, as well as Lego and Hot Wheels. Fagan’s Toys puts the Barbie Fast Cast Clinic Playset first with the Airhogs Jump Fury remote control car. Argos has the Chad Valley Dinosaur Waterfall Bath Toy, €13, as its No.1, while Toymaster puts Buzz Lightyear and Moana figures at No.1.