While many marketers believed that parents would continue to splurge on children during the recession, that may not be the case, at least when it comes to toys. According to yesterday’s Wall Street Journal, families appear to be significantly reducing toy buying—especially when it comes to pricier playthings. They are doing so primarily because they need to but also, in some cases, on principle – to teach children about excessive spending. In the process, parents have been taking steps that range from shielding their kids from toy advertising to shifting focus to family outings over material things. The article points out that toy manufacturers such as Mattel and Hasbro are offering less expensive alternatives this year.
Retailers and manufacturers—what impact are you seeing and what are you doing about it? Parents, have you changed how you buy toys for your children? If so, in what way?
For more information, see “Pricey Toys Are Going the Way of Dinosaurs.”
The biggest change for me, is an awareness of quality. So many of the toys that are available today are junk. They fall apart or break easily & it’s just a big fat waste. The kids end up disappointed, and I get frustrated by money wasted and dumps full of broken plastic toys that can’t be recycled. Much better to chose toys that will last & can be passed on to friends & family to enjoy.