Experian Simmons

The toy industry is fueled with optimism.  Following a tough year of recalls and solid competition from other electronic gadgest like iPod and video games, this year's Toy Fair 2008 showing seems to be a positive indication of the resiliency of the industry.  Opening-day buyer attendance topped 9,200 this year, a 30% increase compared to 7,100 for the same day last year.ⁱ

Overall sales may be down but consumption in key segments in holding. Reyne Rice, a toy trends specialist with Toy Industry Association (TIA), " It continues to be a very big and diverse industry."  Rice along with others seems to have little concern with a slight dip in U.S. retail sales of toys which generated $22.1 billion in 2007, a 2% decline from the previous year.ⁱⁱ

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