Toy story '01 tells of hot toy that never was - overview of industry - Brief Article

DSN Retailing Today, Jan 7, 2002 by Molly Prior

Even before Sept. 11, toy manufacturers reported retail orders were somewhat slower than expected. The paltry sales growth comes after a 1% increase over 1999's stellar 8% growth. "Most retailers are hoping to break even," said Cardinale. She added, to survive, retailers carried leaner inventories, aiming to get everything off the shelves by the end of the season.

Alfonsi of K*B Toys said the retailer played it rather conservatively this year, going leaner on fringe items.

Retailers last year precariously weighed the decision of whether to go lean on inventory and risk disappointing customers or end up with excess and post-holiday clearance sales. Most chose the former.

The question is will consumers like Burns be turned off when toy retailers like Zany Brainy are out of stock on LeapPad; Cardinale said no. "Consumers are a lot more forgiving than we make them out to be."