Latest news with #Hasbro


Sharjah 24
3 hours ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
China's first Legoland opens to tourists in Shanghai
The Chinese branch of the British-owned theme park franchise is the biggest Legoland in the world. It drew in early customers who flocked to attractions including a miniature train ride and a dragon-themed rollercoaster. "I personally love to play with Lego blocks and we have many sets at home... so I wanted to come to Legoland at the earliest opportunity," said Shi, a 35-year-old resident of nearby city Hangzhou, who was visiting the park with his wife and child. Despite the Chinese economy's sluggish growth in recent years, domestic tourist spending grew 18.6 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous year, according to statistics. "Ever since the pandemic, I've made very few trips abroad," said Shi, adding his family now travels to theme parks around China "many times a year". Eager Lego fans rushed into the park as soon as it opened, wearing themed shirts and waving branded flags as they enjoyed the 318,000-square-metre (78.5-acre) compound in scorching temperatures. Beijing has announced subsidies intended to make travelling within the country more affordable for Chinese citizens, and is pushing local governments to heavily market their attractions on social media. Companies have taken note of the wider local tourism boom and stepped up their plans in China. A new "Spider-Man" attraction at Shanghai Disneyland broke ground in May, while Warner Brothers is set to open a Harry Potter experience in Shanghai by 2027. Toy giant Hasbro said this week its giant Peppa Pig park in the city was now "in the phase of creative design". Chinese collectable toy maker Pop Mart has also opened an attraction in Beijing featuring life-sized versions of its popular Labubu toys. "The various provinces are putting a lot of effort into expanding their tourism industries, and all of them have special attractions," said Xu, a 34-year-old parent visiting Legoland on Saturday with his children. But profitability remains a problem, especially for local companies with less brand recognition. As of late 2024, around 40 percent of parks were still failing to turn a profit, according to state media reports. Yet analysts point to a growing population of retirees and job market changes as key factors pushing more locals to visit domestic attractions. "The labour market is turning more flexible," said Ernan Cui, China consumer analyst at Gavekal Research. "More people have leisure time to travel around."


Geek Tyrant
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
LEGO Unleashes The Decepticons with New LEGO Icons TRANSFORMERS Soundwave Set — GeekTyrant
LEGO is back with another epic addition to its Transformers lineup, and this time, it's all about the bad guys. The LEGO Group has teamed up with Hasbro once again to bring fans the LEGO Icons Transformers Soundwave set, and it's a Decepticon dream come true. With 1,505 pieces, this build is a nostalgia bomb. The set recreates the classic G1 version of Soundwave in all his blocky, cassette-loving glory. He's fully posable, equipped with a working cassette bay, and you can flip him into his vintage cassette player mode without taking him apart. 'Recreate the fan-favorite Soundwave, the loyal lieutenant of the Decepticon leader Megatron along with his trusted companions Ravage and Laserbeak. Make Soundwave talk by pressing the play button to activate his voice and sound effects. Then convert Soundwave into cassette player mode without having to rebuild!' That play button activates specially recorded voice and sound effects, something brand-new for LEGO's Transformers line and a fun interactive twist that fans will appreciate. The set also includes two of Soundwave's iconic minions: Ravage and Laserbeak. Both convert into mini cassette tapes and fit neatly inside Soundwave's chest, just like the original toy. Toss in a laser blaster, rocket pod, and a display plaque with Soundwave's power stats, and this becomes the ultimate shelf trophy for Decepticon loyalists. The set drops August 1 for LEGO Insiders and opens up to everyone else on August 4th for 189.99.


Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
The Passing of Alan G. Hassenfeld
PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alan G. Hassenfeld, former Chairman and CEO of Hasbro, Inc., and a global philanthropist, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 9, 2025, in London. He was 76. Born November 16, 1948, into the founding family of Hasbro, Hassenfeld became CEO in 1989 following the untimely death of his brother, Stephen. Though initially reluctant to lead, he transformed the company into an industry powerhouse. Under his stewardship, Hasbro acquired Tonka Parker Kenner bringing iconic brands Play-Doh, Monopoly, and Nerf into its portfolio and elevating it to #169 on the Fortune 500. Hassenfeld's true legacy, however, lies in his profound humanitarian spirit. He championed corporate social responsibility, product safety, and he worked to eliminate the use of child labor in toy industry manufacturing. His compassion was most vividly expressed through philanthropy. He spearheaded the founding of Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence (1994), a landmark achievement funded partly by his leadership and a $2.5 million personal donation. In 2008, he established the Hassenfeld Family Initiatives, supporting countless causes focused on children, education, health, and social justice worldwide. His guiding principle was simple yet profound: "Bring sunshine where there's darkness." Dr. Ashish Jha of Brown University School of Public Health, home to the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Initiative noted that "He pushed us to make sure our work was relevant to the people of this state and constantly focused on impact, an extremely funny and warm person. Personally, I will miss his late night phone calls railing against the injustices of the world and ask what we were doing to make things better. His passing is a huge loss to the world.' Hassenfeld was also a civic force. He founded "Right Now!", a successful Rhode Island ethics and campaign finance reform movement. He fostered a culture of giving at Hasbro, pioneering employee volunteer programs like "Team Hasbro" and "Global Day of Joy." Alfred J. Verrecchia, former Hasbro chairman and CEO and a longtime friend of Hassenfeld. 'He devoted himself to making the world a better place. He was happiest when he was helping people. He wasn't afraid to put his name and reputation on the line for something he believed.' Tributes poured in from global leaders, colleagues, and beneficiaries. Rabbi Leslie Y. Gutterman said "He gave generously and selflessly of his time, his treasure and his love.' The Toy Association hailed his "visionary and passionate leadership" and tireless advocacy for children. Hasbro stated his "enormous heart" remains the company's guiding force. Alan Hassenfeld is survived by his wife, Vivien; stepchildren Karim and Leila Azar; sister Ellen Block; nieces Susan Block Casdin and Laurie Block; nephew Michael Block; grandchildren Chloe, Talullah, Kaia, and Khalil; and grand-nephews Kinsey and Blaisdell Casdin. Funeral services will be this Sunday, July 20, at 10:00 am at Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence, RI. Private burial to follow. For those unable to attend services in person, you may join via livestream here. In lieu of flowers, donations in Alan's memory may be made to Hasbro Children's Hospital – Greatest Needs Fund or The Miriam Hospital – Centennial Campaign Fund. Both can be accessed here. An irreplaceable loss to Rhode Island, the toy industry, and the world's children, Alan Hassenfeld's legacy of compassion, innovation, and joyful generosity will endure.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
6 Kid's Toys To Stock Up on Now To Avoid Holiday Product Shortages
It may seem a bit early to be discussing holiday shopping, but if you're like many Americans, you've probably already started building your list — if not purchasing a few key items on sale already. With toy prices set to trend upward due to the ongoing tariff situation, as Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks recently hinted at, per CNN, it could be wise to think about buying the season's anticipated must-haves now before disappointment reigns in December. On top of the looming pressure of tariffs, some companies have toys that are so popular, they're flying off the shelves and selling out in minutes — leaving very little for other consumers. Be Aware: Check Out: Which toys should you consider buying now, both to save money and to avoid a potential out-of-stock sign greeting you on a retailer's store shelf? Barbie, Monster High and American Girl Dolls From Mattel With Mattel being the force behind the iconic Barbie doll (and other notable franchises and brand partnerships, including Disney Princess, American Girl and Monster High), it's a solid bet that these particular items will be in perennial high demand come the holiday season. Snag a Disney Princess Cinderella fashion doll, Monster High Wednesday Addams doll or American Girl doll before the dress-up lover in your household asks for something sold out when the time comes. Trending Now: Hot Wheels (Still Leading the Way) Hot Wheels has been a mainstay of the die-cast car world for generations, and its popularity has soared in recent years, according to Statista figures. And while younger kids will likely be more than happy with a few of the less expensive mainline vehicles in their plastic-and-cardboard enclosures, older kids (and so-called 'kidults,' or adult collectors) should keep their eyes peeled for an increasing lineup of limited edition or premium offerings. In particular, the Formula 1 Hot Wheels cars seem to be particularly popular right now, with social media platforms (notably, Reddit) abuzz with tales of scalpers taking advantage of high demand. Beware of secondary market sellers profiteering on Amazon, eBay and other platforms. Prices for mainline Hot Wheels toys range from $1 to $2, or $5 to $7 for 'premium' equivalents. Larger sets are priced accordingly. Buy now, or be prepared to hold your pedal to the metal in hopes of scoring a last-minute holiday deal. The Labubu Craze Continues If you haven't heard of Labubu by now, you likely haven't spent much time cruising TikTok (or toy-related news headlines, for that matter). Sold by retailer Pop Mart in the controversial blind box format, Labubu is an elf-like or gremlin-esque character with over 300 different variations in play. That means a lot of time and effort goes into collecting a large assortment. It's also the most popular toy of 2025 on a global scale, with The Minnesota Star-Tribune reporting that people are already standing in line for hours to score one. Other Toys To Buy Now Before the Holiday Rush While the above toys are top mentions when thinking of cost-cutting or simply planning ahead of shortages, the same could be said of the following options, as well. Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond, Final Fantasy: From commander sets to booster packs, this collaboration between MTG and fan-favorite video game IP 'Final Fantasy' has been flying from shelves since its recent release. Expect a shortage of product continuing well into the winter. While 'Magic: The Gathering' skews older rather than younger, plenty of school-aged children enjoy this trading card game. Jellycat Plush Toys: Jellycat might not be strictly as popular as Labubu right now, but it targets a similar demographic and is stealing at least some of the thunder from the established Squishmallow brand. These plush toys are sure to be in dwindling supply as the year draws to a close. Licensed LEGO Sets: LEGO's enduring appeal to brick-lovers, young and old alike, means that as the holiday season approaches, the most desirable sets fly from warehouses and stores in short order. This year, be sure to be the early bird on Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel, Jurassic World, and Bluey crossovers so you aren't left with an unfinished wish list. More From GOBankingRates 5 Cities You Need To Consider If You're Retiring in 2025 This article originally appeared on 6 Kid's Toys To Stock Up on Now To Avoid Holiday Product Shortages
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hasbro's tariff response? In part it is to increase toy production in this WMass town
EAST LONGMEADOW – Toymaker Hasbro is stepping up board game production at a manufacturing partner's plant in East Longmeadow, in part to maneuver around the Trump administration's tariffs. Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks described the move as a reaction to the administration's import policies Thursday morning in a broadcast segment with CNN's Audie Cornish. But Cocks said reshoring the company's products can only do so much. That's because the toy industry's supplier network is largely overseas and some products – like dolls and action figures – are labor intensive and Hasbro would need to develop more automation in the U.S. 'We make many of our board games just up the road in East Longmeadow ... not far away from where Milton Bradley printed his first board games in the 1860s,' Cocks said in an April conference call with investors. Neither Hasbro nor its partner in East Longmeadow, Cartamundi, would go into details Thursday about how operations have changed in East Longmeadow. Belgian company Cartamundi – the name means 'Cards for the World' – bought the East Longmeadow plant from Hasbro in 2015 but kept on making games and toys for Hasbro under a long-term contract while also bringing in work from other customers. Hasbro announced layoffs a few weeks ago. Toy prices will likely climb in the next few months. 'I would expect if prices are going to be raised across the industry,' Cocks told Cornish. 'The consumer will probably start to see them in the August through October timeframe, just based off of the production timelines associated with toys, because usually it takes somewhere between three to five months between an order to be placed and a toy to be put on a shelf.' Milton Bradley Co. built the East Longmeadow plant from 1963 to 1965. Hasbro bought Milton Bradley in 1984. Donald Trump himself visited in 1989 to promote Trump: The Game. Today, the factory makes Hasbro games, including childhood favorites Monopoly, Twister, Connect4, Trouble, The Game of Life, CandyLand, Sorry, Chutes & Ladders. Cartamundi also makes Play-Doh in East Longmeadow, said Hasbro spokeswoman Abby Hodes. About 45% to 50% of Hasbro's U.S. sales are from domestically sourced products or from digital licensed content with domestic partners, Hodes said. In East Longmeadow, Cartamundi has the equivalent of 290 full-time employees, said Andy Kroll, Cartamundi's executive vice president for card and board games. 'We flex up with temps to meet seasonal demands,' he said in an emailed response to questions. Seasonal demand peaks in the second half of the year, in the run-up to Christmas. He kept details close to the vest – perhaps in keeping with a company that has made playing cards since 1765. 'Hasbro is indeed a valued and long-standing customer of East Longmeadow, and we greatly appreciate our continued partnership,' Kroll said. 'However, like with other customers, we are not in a position to comment on their domestic or international sourcing strategies.' Stories by Jim Kinney Springfield Pharmacy plans new location, with groceries, at shuttered State St. Walgreens Massachusetts Turnpike service plazas: What to know about the $750M renovation Opening date set for new BJ's Wholesale Club at Springfield Crossing Read the original article on MassLive. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data