Latest news with #TheToyChest
Boston Globe
21-07-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Less selection, higher prices: How tariffs are shaping the holiday shopping season
Months of confusion over Advertisement The Advertisement The lack of clarity has been especially disruptive for the U.S. toy industry, The U.S. tariff rate may have The late start to factory work in China means holiday toys are In the retail world, planning for Christmas in July usually involves mapping out seasonal Advertisement Increasing his own prices that much might turn off customers, Smith said, so he explored ways to 'maintain a reasonable margin without raising prices beyond what consumers would accept.' He ordered a lower cost Crazy Forts building set so he would have the toy on hand and left out the kids' edition of the Anomia card game because he didn't think customers would pay what he would have to charge. 'In the end, I had to eliminate half of the products that I normally buy,' Smith said. Hilary Key, owner of The Toy Chest in Nashville, Indiana, said she tries to get new games and toys in early most years to see which ones she should stock up on for the winter holidays. This year, she abandoned her product testing for fear any delayed orders would incur high import taxes. Meanwhile, vendors of toys made in China and elsewhere bombarded Key with price increase notices. For example, Schylling, which makes Needoh, Care Bear collectibles and modern versions of nostalgic toys like All the price hikes are subject to change 'My concern is not that I'll have nothing, because I can bring in more books. I can bring in more gifts, or I can bring in just things that are manufactured in other places,' she said. 'But that doesn't mean I'm going to have the best stock for every developmental age, for every special need.' Advertisement The retail industry may have to keep taking a whack-a-mole approach to navigating the White House's latest tariff ultimatums and temporary reprieves. Last week, the president again reset the rates on imports from Brazil, The brief pause should extend the 'In my view, we're seeing a peak season push right now to bring in goods ahead of potentially higher tariffs later this summer,' Seroka said Monday. The pace of port activity so far this year reflects a 'tariff whipsaw effect' — imports slowing when tariffs kick in and rebounding Smith, who co-owns the two JaZams stores with his partner, Joanne Farrugia, said they started placing holiday orders two months earlier than usual for 'certain items that we felt were essential for us to have at particular pricing.' They doubled their warehouse space to store the stockpile. But some shoppers are trying to get ahead of higher prices just like businesses are, he said. He's noticed customers snapping up items that will Advertisement 'We're just trying to be as friendly as we can to the consumer and still have a product portfolio or profile that is gonna meet the needs of all of our various customers, which is getting more and more challenging by the day,' Smith said. Balsam Brands' Harman said he's had to resign himself to not having as robust a selection of ornaments and frosted trees to sell as in years' past. Soon, it will be too late to import meaningful additions to his range of products. 'Our purpose as a company is to create joy together, and we're going to do our very best to do that this year,' Harman said. 'We're just not going to have a bunch of the items that consumers want this year, and that's not a position we want to be in.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Toy Foundation™ Collects $3 Million in Toys for Children in Need to Mark International Day of Play
290,000 Brand-New Toys Donated by 15 Toy Companies Will Bring Joy to Children in Need Around the World NEW YORK, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Toy Foundation™, the philanthropic arm of The Toy Association™, is joining forces with 15 toy companies to celebrate the second annual International Day of Play on June 11. More than 290,000 brand-new toys and games valued at $3 million will be distributed to children in need across the U.S. and around the world to mark International Day of Play, which aims to drive a global play movement for children everywhere, underscoring the essential role of play in every child's development, well-being, and education. To celebrate this important initiative, The Toy Foundation activated its core giving program, The Toy Chest, which is the only toy industry-wide giving initiative that harnesses the power of toys to comfort children when they need it most. Through the belief that play is a vital component of childhood and that every child should have access to the healing power of play, these donations will benefit children facing hospitalization, in low-income communities, and affected by natural or humanitarian disasters. "Play is essential for all children by fostering learning, creativity, and social connection," said Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation. "We are proud to once again celebrate International Day of Play by supporting children who may not otherwise be able to experience the joy of play. Special thanks to our many valued corporate partners who have generously provided tens of thousands of toys and games, empowering us to bring play to children in need around the world." From plush, dolls and educational toys, to action figures and building sets, 290,365 toys in total are being donated by Build-A-Bear Workshop, Fashion Angels, Hasbro, Just Play, The LEGO Group, Mattel, Melissa & Doug, The Moscahlaidis Foundation, Re-marks, Safari Ltd., Sky Castle Toys, Snap Creative, Spin Master, SPIRIT, and TeeTurtle. Since the beginning of the year, The Toy Foundation's Toy Chest program has collected $9 million in toys from the toy industry and distributed them to 1.5 million children in need. Since its founding in 2003, The Toy Chest has delivered toys to 35 million children globally. For more information about The Toy Foundation's work and to get involved by donating products and/or by making an individual or company monetary donation, visit About The Toy Foundation™ Toy Foundation (TTF) is a 501 (c)(3) children's charity and philanthropic arm of The Toy Association. The uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry for the benefit of all children in need, TTF works with small, medium, and large companies to create a world where every child experiences the comfort, joy, and extraordinary physical, emotional, and educational benefits of play. Thanks to the toy industry's support, TTF has delivered play to 35 million children in need around the world. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Toy Foundation
