Top Ten for Xmas 1998

 

A comprehensive sampling of members able to produce instant electronic data to see what the top sellers are as we enter the final run-up to Christmas is shown below. In what can only be described as one of the most "open" years ever with so many contenders and with still over 30% of sales to take place this Christmas, the list below should be seen as a guide. The definitive Christmas top 10 is produced by our colleagues, NPD at the end of January.

We have not surveyed games at this time.
 

1

Furby

Tiger Electronics

2

Yomega X-Brain

Bandai

3

Pro Yo II and III

TCL

4

Beanies

Ty

5

C-Watch

Toy Options

6

Talking Teletubbies

Golden Bear

7

Scooter Robot

Toy Options

8

Action Man Polar Expedition

Hasbro

9

Baby Born

Zapf

10

Cool Colours Barbie

Mattel

© BATR 1998
 

Contacts:

Tiger - 01423 501151 ;
Ty - 01329 829828;
Bandai - Larry Franks 0181 742 7800 ;
TLC (Pro Yo II) - 01883 625111 ;
Toy Options - Phillipa Loftus 0171 830 8466;
Hasbro PR - 0181 569 1234 ;
Golden Bear - Katherine Williams 0161 338 2020;
Zapf - 01536 710120 ;
Mattel - 01628 500000
 

Notes

  1. The UK toy industry was worth £1.66b (ex video and computer products) in 1997 - £831m (around 55% plus) - is spent at Christmas.

  2. Boys get an avarage £153 spent on each of them per annum, girls £141.

  3. The BATR - British Association of Toy Retailers represents around 75% of the UK toy trade with members such as Toys R Us, Woolworths, Hamleys, Safeways, Tesco, Index, Littlewoods, The Entertainer chain, Toyworld group, independent toy shop members of Toymaster and Youngsters buying groups as well as many other independent shops both in the UK and Ireland.

Issued by the BATR Press Office

Monday 30th November 1998