Bludgeon box pics

[kup]

Why has Hasbro prostrated themselves to Walmart to the point that it dictates its policy and product range?

[heroic_decepticon]

Why has Hasbro prostrated themselves to Walmart to the point that it dictates its policy and product range?

I think its because some retailers have gotten so large that manufactures (who don't sell their own product and depend on others to distribute and sell), have to take heed to their needs or whims and fancies.

This book called 'The World is Flat' (the Goldman Sachs Finanace book of the year for 2006 and 2007) actually has a few chapters on this sort of situation and explains its mechenics better than me.

Walmart refusing to stock Transformers would be catastophic for Hasbro. Not the other way round.

gone are the days when the manufacturer could decide which 'leading department store' they want to place their product in.

[GoktimusPrime]

Does anyone else feel the urge to hoist a flag off the turret in bot mode too? Just for that extra stereotypical samurai look?

I believe you are referring to the Sashimono

[Meangreen]

I believe you are referring to the Sashimono

Exactly . Now I have a name to put to them. Thanks Goktimus.

[GoktimusPrime]

No problemo. (^_^)

[FFN]

I don't see how Hasbro's packaging is less customised than TakaraTOMY's. TakaraTOMY also have price points and standard packaging sizes, for example, all Deluxe Henkei figures come in the same size card and blister package. Also, aren't they all customised to a degree because they have individual toy name, package art, tech specs, photos etc.? The inside plastic tray would also have to be custom moulded to fit snugly over the toy too.

I personally don't like the feeling of paying big bucks for a toy where half the box is full of air. :/

Oh really?

*looks at my Galaxy Force Deluxe Nitro Convoy, Noisemaze and Whatever Cybertron Defense Hot Shot Was Called*
*looks at my Galaxy Force Voyager Vector Prime, Starscream and Backguild boxes*
*looks at my Galaxy Force Ultra Jetfire (whatever his name was in Japan), Fast Gunner and Sonic Bomber boxes*

They're all different dimensions and sizes to best fit each individual toy. Hasbro doesn't do that. They do a standardized "one size fits all" packaging for all the toys of that class.

The thing is, if Takara wanted to, they could release an ungodly huge Transformer right now that didn't fit into any size class, or one in between a Voyager and a Deluxe, for instance

But Hasbro is basically bossed around by Walmart in terms of size classes, so they don't get that freedom

TakaraTomy wouldn't release a giant crazy Transformer without Hasbro's backing. Their market doesn't really support Transformers to the extent that Hasbro's does, unless they really enjoy losing money.

Takara haven't had their own mainline since they merged with Tomy, and whatever major lines they've released have been movie lines and redecos of Classics and Universe stuff. Most of TakaraTomy's own TF developments since the merger have been in the niche collector markets.

[kup]

Can we drop this? We all know where each of us stand when it comes to our views of Hasbro's and Taktom's practices. No point to continue dancing around in circles.

[GoktimusPrime]

Hasbro doesn't do that. They do a standardized "one size fits all" packaging for all the toys of that class.

So why not make a smaller standardised packaging? I still don't see the need to have oversized space-wasting packaging that's half full of air.

Takara haven't had their own mainline since they merged with Tomy, and whatever major lines they've released have been movie lines and redecos of Classics and Universe stuff. Most of TakaraTomy's own TF developments since the merger have been in the niche collector markets.

It happened before the merger - with the exception of "high end collectable lines" like Music Label, Sport Label etc., Takara haven't had their own mainstream (i.e.: for kids) line of Transformers since Car Robot. After Car Robot Takara went nuts promoting Web Diver and Beyblade leaving Transformers by the wayside, something which infuriated Japanese Transfans and some fans would argue contributed or exacerbated Takara's financial troubles (leading to their merger with former rival Tomy). And we all know that TakaraTOMY's approach to Transformers just hasn't been the same as Takara's. :/

[Mecheon]

The thing you have to remember is that Takara haven't done a kids line for one very, simple reason

Different markets

The collector's market in Japan is HUGE compared to the measly pickings that Western audiances have. By comparison, their children's market is tiny

[GoktimusPrime]

I don't know about you, but whenever I've shopped for Transformers in Japan I'm always the _only_ adult in the aisle and I've occasionally had to fight through mobs of children to get to a TF toy. One time I was at a Japanese supermarketing sitting on the floor and rifling through a box of Transformer PVC figurines... all these other people kept walking past and staring at me; either amazed to see a grown man furious rummaging through TF products or amazed at my stunning good looks (). There may* be a slightly higher proportion of collectors:children in Japan, but I'd say that Transformers is still primarily a childrens' toyline even in Japan.

One thing that many Japanese fans criticised Takara for in 2001-2002 was their over-focus on adult collectors and not enough attention to sustaining the line for kids, which is what Transformers needs in order to survive. During those years Takara pumped out lots and lots of G1 reissues, but if you read the boards Japanese fans were complaining about the complete lack of any NEW TF products in Japan. Reissues are nice, but ultimately what Transformers needs (and what most fans want) are new toys. Those were really dry years for Japanese Transfans (2002 was a dry year for _everyone_ actually) until the drought was finally broken by Micron Legend (Armada); a childrens line of Transformers.

----------------------
*I say may be because you have to consider that:
1/ although Japanese high end products like G1 reissues, Masterpieces, Binaltechs, Music Label etc. are specifically targetted at adults (Ages 15+), there's also the fact that these toys are manufactured in limited quantities compared to their "low end" products for kids.
2/ Hasbro has also released their own versions of some high end lines, e.g.: Alternators, Commemorative Series reissues, Masterpieces etc.; albeit modified to comply with child safety standards.