Reuters report on public reaction to reborn baby dolls

Tag : Necklaces Set

Reborn Baby Doll Makers Go Underground. July 17, 2008 – A Reuters report on public reaction to "reborn" baby dolls –lifelike silicone, handpainted dolls that are sometimes outfittedwith heartbeat and breathing mechanisms – found that thewomen who make and collect them are increasingly wary of talking tothe press about the toys, which are described as both"therapeutic" and "repulsive" by mainstreammedia. The dolls' lifelike qualities paradoxically make them appearto be dead babies, which repulse some toy vendors who cater tochildren. The mostly older women who collect them, however, oftenuse the dolls to re-experience the comforts of mother- andgrandmotherhood. Ian James, a physician at the Centre for theHealth of the Elderly at Newcastle General Hospital said that thedolls can help soothe elderly patients in nursing homes, but that$10 baby dolls serve that purpose as well as the reborns, which cancost up to $3,000+ apiece.

Boy With Toy Radar Gun Slows Speeders. July 17, 2008 – Dressed in a reflective vest and bicycle helmet,11-year-old Lanburn Wilburn points his Hot Wheels toy radar gun at cars in his Stone Lakes subdivision inLouisville, Ky., recording their actual driving speeds. Accordingto the Associated Press, the boy took up his present position after shouting at the carsfailed to slow them down. One neighbor claims that cars now put onthe brakes when they spot the boy. Like Wilburn, his neighbors areangered by cars that zoom through 25-mph zones at speeds up to 55mph. Officials say the city will pay for half the cost ofinstalling speed bumps in the subdivision if 70 percent ofresidents agree.

G.I. Joe's Creator Pushes Bible Action Figures Mainstream. July 16,2008 – Don Levine, 80, invented the action figure G.I.Joe 45 years ago to honor America's veterans and now he's aiming toturn another set of action figures into mainstream hits. His Almighty Heroes , which includes characters such as King David and Samson, havebeen hot sellers at Christian bookstores, reported UPI . Levine, who is Jewish, has good reason for pushing into thisniche market: there are approximately 2 billion Christians in theworld. He says he's already working on his first order for Wal-Martand has deals in process with "Target, Walgreens andothers."

Background TV Can Disrupt Playtime. July 16, 2008 – A recent study of 50 children playing individually in aroom with toys — half of the time with no TV, the other halfwith "Jeopardy" on — showed that having atelevision program running, even if a child is not directlywatching it, can reduce focused playtime, USA Today reported. The research revealed that kids played with any giventoy about twice as long when the TV was not on; on average, theyspent a minute with a toy without TV, and only 30 seconds with atoy when the TV was on.

Steiff to Leave China; Bring Production Home. July 14, 2008 – Having moved about 20 percent of its manufacturing toChina in 2003, Steiff now plans to return all of its production toGermany and other European countries by the end of next year, Reuters reported. Reasons for the change include turnover among Chineseemployees that has resulted in quality concerns, such as asymmetryand open seams. Steiff animals are 80 percent handmade, andlearning how to make them can require up to a year.

NRF Lobbies on Toy Legislation in 1Q. July 14, 2008 – The National Retail Federation spent $480,000 during thefirst quarter to lobby on issues of health care, prescription drugprices and credit care immunity as well as legislation that wouldoverhaul the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and set newtoy safety standards.

Firm Predicts Smaller Increase in Back-to-School Buying. July 14,2008 – Based on research from 10,000 households, Brand Keys firmpredicts sales of clothing and supplies during the back-to-schoolwindow will increase by only 5 percent this year, falling from a 9percent average, Earnshaw's reported.

Companies Settle Mini Helicopter Case. July 14, 2008 – Spin Master and Silverlit Toys have settled the lawsuitover the Air Hog Havoc Heli and Thunder Wolf mini helicoptersagainst Westminster Inc. and KB Toys under the following terms:Neither Westminster nor KB Toys will challenge the Patents-in-Suitthat apply to Spin Master's Air Hog, and neither party will make orsell the Thunder Wolf helicopters. Westminster has paid Spin Masterand Silverlit per the agreement, according to a press release .

Chinese Workers Suffer for Sesame Street's Ernie. July 14, 2008 – The National Labor Committee is putting out a 30-pagereport called "Nightmare on Sesame Street," detailinglabor violations at Kai Da Toy factory in Shenzhen, China, whereeven children and teens work more than 100 hours per week and arepaid only $36.55 for 89 hours of work. Workers must endure amice-infested cafeteria and dorms without toilets or water,according to a press release . The Ernie toy, manufactured by K'NEX and distributed by Hasbro,launches in the United States and Europe this week.

Closing Arguments Send Bratz Trial to Jury. July 11, 2008 – Legal representatives for Mattel and MGA Entertainment delved intofive hours' worth of closing arguments Thursday in the case overownership of the Bratz dolls, leaving it up to 10 jury members todecide the verdict. Earlier in the trial, Mattel's lawyers hadquestioned the truthfulness of testimony from Bratz designer CarterBryant's mother, Jane Bryant, and life partner, Richard Irmen, bothof whom said they saw his Bratz drawings in 1998, when he was notemployed by Mattel; an attorney for MGA called such questioning"drama" on Thursday. According to the Los Angeles Times , there was also discussion over the notebook used to make thefirst sketches, as well as the program that was used to erase fileson Bryant's computer two days before it was handed over as evidencein the trial.

Webkinz Sued Again. July 10, 2008 – Nuts for Candy filed an antitrust suit against Ganz Inc. and GanzUSA LLC on June 9, 2008, in the California Northern District Court.Retailers have been threatening lawsuits against the company on TD monthly Forums since May 2007. Nuts for Candy's owners stand in line behind atleast two other retailers that are suing Ganz : Brain Station/Tree Town Toys and Shopping Therapy/Collector’s Club, as reported by TD monthly back in December 2007. Specialty retailers became angry with thecompany after its Webkinz online plush, first sold as a specialty-only item , exploded into the mainstream during the Holidays 2006 . Storeowners reported to TD monthly that Ganz sales reps required them to buy product they didn't wantin order to obtain the coveted Webkinz. Ganz has denied any strongarm tactics , claiming that the company was simply unprepared for the toy'spopularity and could not meet demand.

Parragon Recalls 500,000 Kids' Necklaces. July 10, 2008 – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation withParragon Inc., has announced a voluntary recall of about 500,000 Children's Necklaces with Ballet Shoes Charms due to potentially high levels of lead in the solder on the charm.The product came with a book, "Ballerina's Magical Shoes"or "The Magic Ballet Slippers," also available in Spanishand French, that was sold at independent bookstores and retailchains from January 2003 through June 2008.

Action Products Recalls Charm Kits. July 10, 2008 – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation withimporter Action Products International Inc., has announced avoluntary recall of about 18,500 Children's Charm Craft Kits because the included clasp contains high lead levels. The"Super Dooper Charms" and "Shoelace Charms"kits retailed at various stores from July 2007 through April 2008.

F.A.F. Recalls Lead-Tainted Jewelry. July 10, 2008 – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation withimporter F.A.F Inc., has announced a voluntary recall of about30,000 units of "Faded Glory" Lip Gloss, Locket and Bracelet Sets sold at Wal-Mart because the bracelet clasp contains high leadlevels. It was sold in May and June of 2008.

Toys "R" Us Partners With Kids' Safety Organization. July10, 2008 – Toys "R" Us is partnering with injury prevention groupSafe Kids Worldwide to help educate consumers with safety tips forbicycles and other ride-on toys, trick-or-treating, childproofingtubs and cribs, selecting appropriate holiday gifts, and more. Theinformation will be available in Toys "R" Us stores andon the retailer's website, in addition to being distributed byrepresentatives from Safe Kids Worldwide, according to a press release .

Aussie Retailers Start Christmas in July. July 9, 2008 – In an effort to encourage toy buying months before the holidayseason nears, toy retailers in Australia are pushing big sales thismonth, with Target, Kmart and Toys "R" slashing prices byup to 50 percent, Inside Retailing Online reported. See TDmonthly's August issue to find out how and whenthe majority of specialty toy-store owners in the U.S. hold theirsales each year.

RC2 Owes HIT $15 Million for Recalls. July 8, 2008 – RC2 Corp., the licensee for Thomas the Tank Engine products underHIT Entertainment, is slated to pay its licensor $15 million tocover costs associated with the recall of 1.7 million lead-taintedtoy trains in 2007, the Chicago Tribune reported.

EA Launches Online Scrabble This Month. July 8, 2008 – Online word play will spring up from legitimate roots later thismonth when Electronic Arts, under a licensing agreement withHasbro, releases a Scrabble Web application for use on socialnetworking site Facebook within the United States and Canada. EAhopes the game will grab the attention of dedicated players ofScrabulous, the imitation version that prompted Hasbro and Mattel(which owns Scrabble rights outside of the U.S. and Canada), toissue cease-and-desist notices to various parties involved in thecreation and marketing of it, the Associated Press reported.

Mall of America to Gain American Girl Store. July 7, 2008 – In November, Mattel subsidiary American Girl will open its sixthstore — this one at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn.In addition to the full line of American Girl dolls, books andaccessories, the location will also include a bistro, party roomand doll hair salon, the Star Tribune reported.

Chinese Prices Make for Expensive Toys in UK. July 7, 2008 – For the first time in over two decades, retail stores in the UKare facing mid-year price hikes from toy manufacturers whoseproducts are made in China, according to Chairman Gary Grant of theToy Retailers Association. The Independent reported that Grant said retail prices are being marked up by asmuch as 10 percent.

Toddler's Death Prompts Recall of Toy Chest Beds. July 3, 2008 – T he U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation withimporter Bayside Furnishings, has announced a voluntary recall ofabout 9,350 LaJolla Boat and Pirates of the Caribbean Twin Trundle Beds following the death of a 22-month-old, Roseville, Calif., boywhose neck was trapped against the edge of the attached chest whenthe lid fell. The beds retailed at Costco, furniture stores andonline from January 2006 through May 2008. Consumers may contactthe company at 877-494-2536 or visit www.baysidefurnishings.com forinformation on receiving a free repair kit .

Bead Bazaar Recalls Jewelry. July 3, 2008 – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation withdistributor Bead Bazaar USA Inc., has announced a voluntary recallof about 13,000 "It's a Girl Thing" Bracelets, Necklaces and Phone Charms that may contain high levels of lead. The products were sold atvarious retailers nationwide from February 2006 through June 2008.

Celebrity Tots Carry Corolle. July 3, 2008 – Paparazzi have spotted baby dolls from one of the best-sellingspecialty brands in the arms of celebrity toddlers ShilohJolie-Pitt and Violet Affleck. Shiloh toted Corolle’s Bébé Chéri (also a hit with Suri Cruise) around Cannes, and Violet prefers cuddling up to Bébé Charmeur at home in Los Angeles.

Whole Foods to Sell ImagiPLAY Toys. July 3, 2008 – Shoppers at Whole Foods Markets can now drop fresh veggies intotheir grocery cart and then snag a wooden set for their kids.Through an agreement with the grocery store chain, 13 ofImagiPLAY's environmentally friendly, non-toxic toys have beenselected for sale at Whole Foods locations nationwide. The"green" partnership also provides that regional storescan carry 20 to 40 additional ImagiPLAY toys that are appropriateto their specific market, according to a press release.

Wal-Mart Names Techno Source Supplier of the Year. July 3, 2008 – Wal-Mart Global Procurement has bestowed the Supplier of the Year2007 award upon Techno Source for strong performance in productquality, timely delivery, ethics and management. Co-founder RichMigatz of Techno Source accepted the award.

Head of Mattel Testifies at Trial. July 2, 2008 – CEO Bob Eckert of Mattel Inc. testified Tuesday for the lawsuitagainst MGA Entertainment's Bratz dolls that he believes it is OKto recruit executives from competing toymakers, Reuters reported. Eckert admitted, for example, he has interviewed aDisney employee for an executive position at Mattel. Eckert willgive further testimony Wednesday, as the case over which companyhas rights to Bratz continues. Read more about the trial here .

Toy Retailers Launch Online Fulfillment Biz. July 2, 2008 – Hans and Tricia Masing of Station Enterprises in Ann Arbor, Mich.,recently launched Dragonfly Depot, a business created to helpspecialty toy stores with online sales through website design andorder fulfillment services. The couple has a 10,000-sq.-ft.warehouse for merchandise and also owns brick-and-mortar toy storeTree Town Toys as well as Brain Station online, according to Ann Arbor Business Review .

Redcat Recalls Out-of-Control RC Vehicles. July 1, 2008 – T he U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation withdistributor Redcat Racing Co., has announced a voluntary recall ofabout 1,400 Redcat Racing FM Remote-Controlled Vehicles because the control unit can lose its signal and cause the vehicleto go out of control, as reported in 15 cases. Five models invarious colors are affected by the recall, and retailed nationwidefrom March 2007 through April 2008.

Taggies Baby Clothes Recalled. July 1, 2008 – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation withimporter Rashti & Rashti, has announced a voluntary recall ofabout 6,200 Taggies™ Sleep 'n Play Infant Garments because the snaps can come off and present a choking hazard. Therecall affects two designs in three different sizes, sold atDillards, Nordstrom, Buy Buy Baby, specialty stores and online fromJune 2007 through May 2008.

Enesco Buys GUND. July 1, 2008 – After 110 years, family-owned plush manufacturer GUND has sold itsworldwide assets to Enesco LLC, a company that specializes in giftsand home and garden décor, and encompasses other brands suchas Our Name is Mud and The Boyds Collection. GUND products arecurrently sold in more than 15,000 retail locations, according to a press release .

Mattel's 1Q Lobbying Exceeds $200,000. June 30, 2008 – During the first quarter of the year, Toymaker Mattel Inc. shelledout $210,000 to lobby the U.S. government on the CPSC Reform Actand currency and trade issues related to China, the Associated Press reported.

Wall-E Wows Box Office. June 30, 2008 – Disney/Pixar's "Wall-E" was wellreceived at the domestic box office this weekend, pulling in $62.5million and beating Universal's "Wanted," which debutedat $51.1 million. "Wall-E" ranks fourth in the Pixarlineup of best-ever openers, falling in behind "TheIncredibles," "Finding Nemo" and "Monsters,Inc.," according to the Hollywood Reporter .

ASTRA Show Sees Remarkable Growth. June 30, 2008 – The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association's annualMarketplace & Academy attracted more traffic this year thanever before, seeing a 300-percent increase in buyer attendance over2006, with 557 retailers representing more than 250 stores. Theexhibition, held at Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Mashantucket,Conn., June 22-25, also logged a 150-percent booth increase."Over 1,100 people were in attendance, making this event thelargest gathering of the specialty industry in the country,"President Kathleen McHugh of ASTRA told TD monthly .

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