Here's a brief look at some of the news and feature items appearing in the current issue of Toys & Games Magazine.

FEATURE ARTICLES...

RETAILER Wrap-up
For our Retailer Wrap-up of 2008, Toys & Games talked to ten Canadian independent store owners and managers, who took time out of their busy fourth-quarter schedules to share their merchandising experiences with us. Incredibly, most reported steady sales and, in some cases, healthy increases over 2007. Read how they did it and what plans they have in place to maintain successful sales through the coming year. 

Annual PRODUCT PREVIEW highlights new items, lines and brands of 2009
Toys & Games presents its annual look at some of the hot new products Canadian and U.S. toy, game and gift distributors have to offer in 2009. This year, our Product Preview even includes a section devoted to “green” toys. Of course, retailers can see many of these wonderful lines at one-stop-shopping trade events like Canada’s own Toy & Hobby Fair, which runs January 24 to 29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

SUPPLIER PROFILE
Ontario supplier’s discovery of unique ride-on propels him into toy business
Ottawa’s PlaSmart Inc., founded just six years ago by president, Tim Kimber, is already well known as a source of unique and intriguing product that’s perfect for the independent retailer. In addition to the best-selling PlasmaCar—the sleek little ride-on that launched PlaSmart—the young company also distributes lines, such as Ogo Sport, Wedgits, Superstructs, Find It brainteasers and Fun Slides Carpet Skates. Read the PlaSmart story in the January/February issue of Toys & Games.

TOY BRIEFS…

Just prior to Christmas, London, Ontario-based BRANDS IN BALANCE announced it will be the new Canadian representative for the award-winning Enchantmints line of toys and lifestyle products targeting young girls. The beautiful line, which wowed visitors at the 2008 American International Toy Fair, includes a wide selection of exquisitely decorated and themed treasure boxes, lunch boxes, mirrors and mini music makers, as well as paper dolls, puzzles and books. For information, contact kate@brandsinbalance.com

BOJEUX INC., creator of Tutti Frutti Modelling Dough, has an exciting year ahead. Just last fall, it announced the opening of an U.S. office based in North Carolina, which is being headed-up by well-known toy industry member, David Davenport. Along with its own fabulous lines, Bojeux’s new American division will also distribute products from a fellow Quebec firm, games-maker McWiz Games. Additionally, Bojeux recently signed an agreement with Majorette, a French company famous for its beautifully detailed diecast-vehicle lines, giving the Quebec firm exclusive North American distributorship of Majorette products. Under the agreement, Bojeux will also distribute Majorette diecast product featuring the popular Marvel Universe brand for which Majorette holds the North American license. For information visit www.bojeux.com

Earlier last summer, HASBRO CANADA CORPORATION launched a line of preschool toys based on In The Night Garden, an imaginative new TV series that premiered in February 2008 on Treehouse TV, Canada’s number-one preschool station. From Ragdoll, the same creative group that brought us the famous Teletubbies, In The Night Garden features a magical woodland community populated by more than 30 characters, many of which Hasbro has brought to life in its preschool line. Makka Pakka Batha, Blanket Time Igglepiggle, and Talking Plush Upsy Daisy are just some of the delightful items in the line, which Hasbro first launched in the U.K. in 2007. Not only was the line a hit with British kids, it picked up a U.K. toy industry Toy of the Year Award for Hasbro. For more information contact 905-238-3374 or 450-670-9820. 

Mississauga, Ontario game creator, INVENTOR’S ATTIC INC., announced the recent release of its Fairy Crystal Forest™Magic Board Game, a fantasy fairy title distributed in Canada by Kroeger Inc. Designed for two to four players, six years old and over, the game is played on a colourful oversized, four-fold game board. Fairy Crystal Forest™features an enchanted unicorn, fairy-dust rides, magic potions, gems, golden wands and more. For information visit www.kroegerinc.com.