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December 21, 2012

Rite Aid is donating 80,000 toys to a charity for children affected by poverty and tragedy, emphasizing those affected by Hurricane Sandy, the retailer said Friday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is donating 80,000 toys to a charity for children affected by poverty and tragedy, emphasizing those affected by Hurricane Sandy, the retailer said Friday.

Rite Aid announced the donation of coloring books, stuffed animals and activity workbooks to Kids In Distressed Situations.

December 12, 2012

Kinney Drugs has kicked off the holiday season by hosting two separate gift-giving programs in all of its drug store locations to benefit less fortunate children and seniors.

GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. — Kinney Drugs has kicked off the holiday season by hosting two separate gift-giving programs in all of its drug store locations to benefit less fortunate children and seniors.

From now through Dec. 14, Kinney Drugs is collecting new, unwrapped toys for children who may not otherwise receive gifts this year. During the holiday toy drive, toys collected at each store will be distributed to local children by a charitable organization within the store’s own community.

December 11, 2012

Kerr Drug is launching a holiday toy and food drive for families in need, the regional chain said.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug is launching a holiday toy and food drive for families in need, the regional chain said.

Kerr said it was responding to the difficult economy by collecting toys and food items at all its stores around North Carolina.

Collection bins were set up at the front of stores starting on Nov. 20 and will be there until Dec. 21. The Kerr Cares for Kids Foundation will give donated items to charity groups in the state that will then distribute them to needy families.

 

November 26, 2012

Duracell, partnering with Toys for Tots, is looking to "power" jubilant faces this holiday season. The company announced an exclusive sweepstakes on their Facebook page allowing consumers to win some of the holiday's hottest toys while helping those in need.

BETHEL, CT. — Duracell, partnering with Toys for Tots, is looking to "power" jubilant faces this holiday season. The company announced an exclusive sweepstakes on their Facebook page allowing consumers to win some of the holiday's hottest toys while helping those in need.

November 15, 2012

Family Dollar on Thursday announced it is expanding its holiday selection to include hundreds of toys and gifts retailing for $10 or less.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar on Thursday announced it is expanding its holiday selection to include hundreds of toys and gifts retailing for $10 or less. 

"We know our customers look to Family Dollar to help them celebrate the holidays," stated Michael Bloom, Family Dollar president and COO. "This year, we are proud to offer an expanded selection of items to make this holiday season even more memorable and budget-friendly."

November 15, 2012

Two new wooden toys that won a contest sponsored by Midwestern mass merchandiser Meijer will be featured exclusively on the retailer's website, the company said Thursday.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Two new wooden toys that won a contest sponsored by Midwestern mass merchandiser Meijer will be featured exclusively on the retailer's website, the company said Thursday.

Meijer announced the winners of the Meijer Next Great Toymaker contest: Franklin, N.C.-based Circa Toys' Wagon of Blocks and Goshen, Ind.-based Peters' Group's Stick & Stack Cozy Cabin. The Wagon of Blocks, which sells for $69.99, is designed for children ages 1 to 3 years, while the Cozy Cabin, at $44.99, is for children ages 4 to 8 years.

September 28, 2012

Dollar General is promising big savings on toys -- right up until Christmas Eve.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General is promising big savings on toys -- right up until Christmas Eve. From Sept. 29 through Dec. 24, the retailer is offering a 10% discount on toy purchases of $75 or more.

January 6, 2012

Thinkway Toys will launch a new line of toys based on the follow-up animated film to "Despicable Me," Universal Partnerships and Licensing and Illumination Entertainment announced.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Thinkway Toys will launch a new line of toys based on the follow-up animated film to "Despicable Me," Universal Partnerships and Licensing and Illumination Entertainment announced.

Thinkway Toys was granted a master global toy license for the release of animated film, "Despicable Me 2," and will develop a wide variety of toys featuring the minions and other key characters, including interactive toys, figures, plush, dolls, playsets, vehicles, role play and novelty items, UP&L and Illumination Entertainment said.

January 3, 2012

The recession has taken a toll on the pet category, according to some companies. A recent report from Cascadia Capital revealed that 35% of consumers said they curtailed pet expenditures in 2011 due to the economy.

The recession has taken a toll on the pet category, according to some companies. A recent report from Cascadia Capital revealed that 35% of consumers said they curtailed pet expenditures in 2011 due to the economy. Spending on pets is expected to hit the $50 billion mark in 2011, an increase of 5% over 2010, according to the American Pet Products Association. Packaged Facts predicted that the industry will grow 5.9% in 2012.


December 1, 2011

Walgreens on Thursday announced it is teaming up with Toys for Tots and local charities across the nation.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Thursday announced it is teaming up with Toys for Tots and local charities across the nation. Through Dec. 17, Walgreens customers can donate new, unwrapped toys at any Walgreens store.

All community donations will be distributed to local families.

November 30, 2011

Kerr Drug's philanthropic arm is launching a food and toy drive for the holidays, the company said Wednesday.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug's philanthropic arm is launching a food and toy drive for the holidays, the company said Wednesday.

The Kerr Cares for Kids Foundation is placing collection bins at Kerr Drug stores, where customers can purchase and donate toys and food items. After Dec. 21, the items will be donated to local charities.

The drive follows a school supply collection in August and a Thanksgiving food collection in November that helped 90 organizations across North Carolina.

November 22, 2011

Battery brand Duracell has launched a new program that is designed to help make the holidays a little less stressful for parents and provide a host of cool resources to help them more easily navigate the season.

BETHEL, Conn. — Battery brand Duracell has launched a new program that is designed to help make the holidays a little less stressful for parents and provide a host of cool resources to help them more easily navigate the season.

November 16, 2011

Regional chain Bartell Drugs is working with the Salvation Army to sponsor a toy donation drive, the chain said.

SEATTLE — Regional chain Bartell Drugs is working with the Salvation Army to sponsor a toy donation drive, the chain said.

Starting Monday and lasting through Dec. 11, Bartell's began collecting new, unwrapped toys during its eighth annual Salvation Army "Toy 'N' Joy" drive.

Toys collected at the chain's stores will be distributed to low-income children and youth the week before Christmas through the Salvation Army's "toy warehouses."

October 19, 2011

FyrFlyz could be the next big kid craze. The new spinning toy on a string from i-Star Entertainment has earned a spot on a number of “Hot Toy” lists, including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and Dr. Toy Top Ten Toys lists.


NEW YORK — FyrFlyz could be the next big kid craze. The new spinning toy on a string from i-Star Entertainment has earned a spot on a number of “Hot Toy” lists, including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and Dr. Toy Top Ten Toys lists.


With multicolored LED lights that create unique light patterns when the toy is spun, FyrFlyz puts a new twist on the classic children’s spinning toy. Priced at $8.99 and aimed at kids 8 years and older, the toy is poised to be a holiday hit.


September 22, 2011

Toys“R”Us announced this week its top toy list for the holiday season.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys“R”Us announced this week its top toy list for the holiday season.

This year's list, which features new items for kids of all ages, includes:

  • Air Hogs Hyper Actives from Spin Master;

  • Air Swimmers eXtreme from Animal Planet;

  • Lalaloopsy Silly Hair dolls from MGA Entertainment;

  • LeapPad Explorer from LeapFrog;

  • Monster High Fearleading 3-Pack from Mattel;

September 20, 2011

Kmart has announced its list of the top toys for the 2011 holiday season.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart has announced its list of the top toys for the 2011 holiday season.

Unveiling its third annual Fab 15 toy list, Kmart said that this year's list features the hottest toys of the season from such brands as Hasbro, Mattel and more. The listed items range from $29.99 to $99.99.

  1. Let's Rock Elmo

  2. Fijit

  3. I am T-Pain microphone

  4. Barbie Designable Hair Extensions and Doll

September 14, 2011

i-Star Entertainment has introduced FyrFlyz, a new bow-tie-shaped spinning toy on a string.

GREAT NECK, N.Y. — i-Star Entertainment has introduced FyrFlyz, a new bow-tie-shaped spinning toy on a string.

Featuring multicolored LED lights that spin while attached to a short string, FyrFlyz create unique lighted patterns and challenges kids ages 8 years and up to perform tricks, shows and expand their imagination, the company said. FyrFlyz, available in a variety of colors, is about 3 in. long and features an on/off switch.

September 12, 2011

The Brainy Brands Co. has introduced a new line of wooden toys for its Brainy Baby line.

UWANEE, Ga. — The Brainy Brands Co. has introduced a new line of wooden toys for its Brainy Baby line.

Brainy Baby FlashCars will consist of wooden toys in the form of vehicles, including a school bus, fire truck, airplane and recycle truck, accompanied by flashcards that will cover a specific subject, such as letters, numbers, shapes and colors, and animals. FlashCars are set to hit the market in fourth quarter 2011, Brainy Brands said.

Brainy Brands said it expects to introduce other series of wooden toys in the future.

May 12, 2011

Mega Brands has entered a deal with Saban Brands to develop construction toys based on the kids' action series "Power Rangers Samurai," the latest Power Rangers franchise.

MONTREAL — Mega Brands has entered a deal with Saban Brands to develop construction toys based on the kids' action series "Power Rangers Samurai," the latest Power Rangers franchise.

The Mega Bloks Power Rangers Samurai construction toy sets will launch in spring 2012, Mega Brands said. Mega Brands chief innovative officer Vic Bertrand said the new toys will offer fans "an engaging and immersive building experience."

New episodes of the "Power Rangers Samurai" series premiere Saturdays at noon on Nickelodeon.

April 25, 2011

Drug retailers are doggedly pursuing the pet care category, with Rite Aid fetching its own piece of the $47.7 billion category, according to the 2009-2010 “National Pet Owners Survey” conducted by the American Pet Products Association.


April 4, 2011

Kmart has named the top eight toys for the summer.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart has named the top eight toys for the summer.

The toys on the Hot 8 list all are designed for outdoor use and are made by such brands as Power Wheels, Little Tikes and Fisher Price.

This year's Hot 8 list includes:

  • Banzai Splash Blast Lagoon pool;

March 14, 2011

GiantMicrobes has developed a new line of educational plush toys that are modeled after tiny organisms.

NEW YORK — GiantMicrobes has developed a new line of educational plush toys that are modeled after tiny organisms.

New to the lineup are toys that resemble magnified microbes of hay fever, a tick and a brain cell.

Original-sized GiantMicrobes (5-in. to 7-in. sizes) retail for $8.95, while GiantMicrobes petri dishes (three mini-microbes packaged in a dish) retail for $12.95, and Gigantics (15-in. to 20-in. sizes) retail for $29.95. The brain cell plush toy is available as a key chain, GiantMicrobes said, and retails for $5.95.

February 15, 2011

Mega Brands is building up its Mega Bloks brand with a new lineup of preschool toys.

NEW YORK — Mega Brands is building up its Mega Bloks brand with a new lineup of preschool toys.

This year's Mega Bloks preschool construction toy launch includes:

  • The 3-in-1 Build 'n Go walker, which is designed to grow with a child as he or she progresses from crawling to walking. It does triple duty as a wagon, walker and building platform;

  • The Tub Town collection, which is a series of big storage containers filled with fun building blocks featuring such classic play themes as farm, princess and dragons; and

November 14, 2010

Consumers may be cutting their budgets, but when it comes to toys, there’s always room...

Consumers may be cutting their budgets, but when it comes to toys, there’s always room for a little splurge. Parents are more likely to cave when the toy offers educational value or is a classic.

Traditional toys are a mainstay of the category—particularly in the drug channel, where price points in the toy aisle rarely top $10. “Evergreen, classic games continue to be popular,” said Adrienne Appell, a spokeswoman for the Toy Industry Association. “They are affordable and have appeal across generations, particularly around the holidays.”

September 29, 2010

A world's leading global music merchandising company and a global children's consumer products sourcing and...

NEW YORK A world's leading global music merchandising company and a global children's consumer products sourcing and supply chain management company will team up to create an exclusive line of collectible dolls, singing dolls, toys and plush based on pop star Justin Bieber.

 

The Bridge Direct's new Justin Bieber toy line will debut holiday 2010 with: