Transformers isn't on Hasbro Australia's top 10 list this Xmas

[UltraMarginal]

Monopoly is the #2 game this Christmas? Furby still exists? Boy do i not understand kids these days. *Shakes walking frame*

I was in big W the other day and noticed a rather large furby on it's own stand, clearly there is a resurgence, perhaps they are hoping to sell some to people who had them when they were kids, who now have cash to burn just like transformers collectors.

I know I have certainly noticed this trend in recent years. Back when living in Melbourne and I would visit a, for example, TRU, there would be so many of a particular grouping of TF toys that would sit there for a year, precluding others from getting some shelf space.


As well as the overabundance of Wave 1 figures, I believe that the sales drop could also be contributed to:

Overstocking of variations of the same character -

Predominately Bumblebee & Optimus Prime.

Unless some is a VERY avid collector, most folk are happy with one version of a character from that particular line. There were SO many different versions of BBee released for DOTM! For your average parent buying their child a present, if they have gotten their child a DOTM BBee toy, they are not likely to go and buy the exact same toy that just has some colour variations or an extra cannon. The parents would be more likely to buy a different character, or a bot on the opposite side to fight, hence adding to the play value. But with so many BBee's clogging the shelves and not being sold because everyone already has a BBee, there was no room for Soundwave.

This can even be seen in the TF Prime toys. So far there has been deluxe BBee, BBee packaged with Starscream, Weaponizer BBee, tiny (commander class I think it is) BBee etc. As a collector with limited funds, I usually just wait and try to buy the biggest, most detailed version of a character. I had bought deluxe BBee and so I could get Starscream I had to end up with a second version of the same toy. Then after getting a Maccas Happy Meal BBee the Weaponizer BBee came out. Since I already had 3 versions of this character, I was unwilling to outlay cash for a 4th, even if it was the biggest and most detailed. And thus we are unlikely to see an Arachnid or Knock Out on the shelves because parents, kids and collectors have bought all the BBee's they need, and the other 50 versions are still sitting on the shelf collecting dust.

I believe is Hasbro wishes to increase sales, they really need to look at the variety of the toys and not try and overcapitalize on the popularity of one or two characters. I know it would mean I was spending more in my local Target, and I believe it would work that way accross the board.

I agree with what your saying, but I've also been in toy isles many times where a kid has picked up a BB and said
"I want this one Mummy"
"but you already have a bumblebee"
"this one is different"

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Just because Transformers aren't in the top ten doesn't mean they won't get any love, Hasbro has a lot more than 11 brands, they would be nuts not to bring something out, it just won't be as much as we're hoping. Which is also a byproduct of our hopes and dreams as collectors not necessarily being realistic either

[griffin]

I was in big W the other day and noticed a rather large furby on it's own stand, clearly there is a resurgence, perhaps they are hoping to sell some to people who had them when they were kids, who now have cash to burn just like transformers collectors.

Just because Transformers aren't in the top ten doesn't mean they won't get any love, Hasbro has a lot more than 11 brands, they would be nuts not to bring something out, it just won't be as much as we're hoping. Which is also a byproduct of our hopes and dreams as collectors not necessarily being realistic either

Unfortunately, the product-buyers at the major retailers aren't toy enthusiasts, so don't have an interest in what they sell, and will just focus on whatever the toy-distributors promote to them. Greater profit comes from doing the least amount of work (for the major chains), so they'd be happy for the toy-distributors to do as much work for them as possible (store displays, promotions, discounted stock, etc).
That's why toy-distributors would do something catchy like a "top 10", for the product-buyers to remember more easily, over competitors' products. Keeping the line-up small and simple, caters to the major-chain retailers who see one toy product as being the same as another (a mere product to profit from).
The toy-distributors will still continue to push their other products while they have a foot in the door, but the bulk of their product sales (volume) will be of those 10 lines, compared to anything else they have at the moment.


As for the Furbys - Hasbro & Mattel resurrect old toylines after a break, as they are new to a new generation (which is only about 3-5 years in toy years). They've updated the electronics to give them more features, but the Brand/concept, like Ponys, Strawberry Shortcake, Voltron, MOTU, Cabbage Patch Kids, etc, will keep coming back every few years.

[Megatron]

Here's an update on Hasbro's 3rd quarter results, plans and expectations for the holiday season:



Source: Mae Anderson, AAP
October 23, 2012

THE toys wars are heating up, with Hasbro planning to beef up spending on advertising after reporting that its third-quarter results fell by four per cent.

Hasbro, whose toys include My Little Pony, Transformers and Scrabble, said on Monday that its results were hurt by weakness in toys for boys and preschool and the stronger US dollar.

But the company's adjusted results topped Wall Street's forecasts and Hasbro remains confident heading into the critical holiday season, which is when toy makers can earn up to 40 per cent of annual revenue.

Hasbro is optimistic despite expectations the holidays will be a tough battleground for toy makers because retailers are ordering inventory more cautiously.

In addition, retailers, including Wal-Mart, Kmart and Toys R Us, have beefed up layaway and reservation services to encourage shoppers to buy toys early in the season, meaning they might be scarce later on.

...

Full article here: Hasbro profit falls 4%, revenue drops

[crankcase76]

Looks like most of us collectors are going to be online shopping a lot more if that's the case, such a shame thou as i would rather spend locally to support our own businesses. but hey, if that's the way it is I'll go online and not pay the 10% GST and get them cheaper.