As Sainsbury's launches its early toy sale this week, toy experts at Toys R Us UK have unveiled a list of their top 'terrific 20' toys, which will dominate kids' Christmas lists this year.
The list is of great interest to supermarkets looking to grow share in this lucrative market this festive season.
Best-sellers include everything from an £8 Minecraft figure to a £400 electric go-kart. The two most popular dolls are expected to be Disney Frozen Snow Glow Elsa from Jakks Pacific, based on the blockbuster movie, and interactive My Friend Cayla, an app-connected doll who can walk, talk, read stories, play games, answer thousands of questions, and even help with homework.
Already, the giant toy retailer has confirmed that Christmas is well under way, as thousands of customers have started ordering toys.
The Crazy Cart from Razor, which has a pneumatic front tyre, reaches speeds of 13 mph and spins 360 degrees, is the most expensive item on the 'terrific 20' list, while Minecraft action figures, which allow kids to bring physical play from the digital dimension, are the least expensive.
Other toys include a high-tech robotic T-Rex dinosaur called Boomer from Spin Master who uses balance technology to zoom around and can be tamed to be a loyal pet, the dual-wheel robot MiP from Wow Wee, which responds through hand-gesture command recognition and a free app that lets kids control its drive, dance and battle, as well as the Nerf Demolisher from Hasbro, which fires darts and missiles up to 90 feet using motorised and pump-action motion.
Hollywood-inspired toys have also made it to the 'terrific 20' list. The monstrous Transformers Stomp & Chomp Grimlock from Hasbro is expected to be a household favourite for kids to recreate scenes from their favourite summer blockbuster movie, Transformers 4, and Disney, in the shape of Infinity, with the Marvel superhero characters.
Loom bands, which have taken the world by storm this year, also made the list, thanks to the Cra-ZLoom Unlimited Bracelet Maker. Building upon this creative craze is the impressive Sew Cool Sewing Studio, which is a revolutionary threadless machine that includes patterns and pre-cut shapes for making a host of designs.
Thomas the Tank Engine makes a return to the top toys list for the first time in decades, with the Avalanche Escape train set. The latest incarnation of Monopoly, the personalised My Monopoly board game, will also be found beneath the tree this year.
The top 20 list in alphabetical order is: Bunny Jump - £19.99, Cra-Z-Loom Ultimate Bracelet Maker - £9.19, Crazy Cart - £399.99, Dino Zoomer Robotic T-Rex (Boomer) - £99.99, Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes (2.0 Edition) Starter Pack - From £49.99, Frozen Snow Glow Elsa - £34.99, Kidizoom Smart Watch From - £29.99, LEGO City Arctic Base Camp - £49.99, LEGO Friends Heartlake Shopping Mall - £79.99, Little Live Pets Bird & Cage - £19.99, Minecraft Action Figures - £7.99, MiP Robot - £99.99, My Friend Cayla - £59.99, My Magical Mermaid - £9.99, My Monopoly price - £20.14, Nerf Demolisher - £33.74, Sew Cool Sewing Studio - £34.99, Thomas and Friends Avalanche Escape Playset - £39.99, Toot Toot Animals Zoo - £39.99, Transformers Stomp & Chomp Grimlock - £83.99.
Mike Coogan, marketing and e-commerce director for Toys R Us UK, said, “Toys with a technology base appear to be taking a lead and are all the rage this year. Cayla, Dino Boomer, MIP and the digital birds and cage [Little Live Pets Bird & Cage] are full of character, but it’s comforting to see the return of some household favourites, including Thomas the Tank and Lego, which are always firm favourites."
© 2014 - European Supermarket Magazine
To receive ESM news directly in your inbox, send an email with the subject ‘ESM news sign-up’ to [email protected].
To subscribe to ESM magazine, please email [email protected].
