Toy sales are on the rise worldwide heading into the fourth quarter, according of to The NPD Group, with an increase of 7 percent reported across 11 global markets.

April 6, 2018

2 Min Read

Global markets show an increase of 7 percent heading into holiday season.

Toy sales are on the rise worldwide heading into the fourth quarter, according of to The NPD Group, with an increase of 7 percent reported across 11 global markets.

Typically the holiday season accounts for about half of retailer’s annual sales.

"This year, the hype is not centered on any one toy item or property; there is popularity around a variety of products, which is making 2015 a particularly strong year for the toy industry in markets around the world,” says Frederique Tutt, global toys industry analyst, The NPD Group. “Properties such as Star Wars, Minions, 'Paw Patrol' and 'Minecraft,' as well as tech-enabled toys with more innovative features, and those with more authentic and traditional play value are all converging to create a robust holiday season for the industry.”

Sales in smaller countries including Mexico and Poland are growing faster than sales in more developed countries, with Russia showing the fastest growth among those markets that NPD tracks globally. Even with the country’s high inflation, Russian consumers are spending more on toys and also buying more of them, with a 7 percent increase in unit sales during the first nine months of the year.

Top Three Best-Selling Toys, by Country*

United States

  1. Mattel Hot Wheels Car basic assortment

  2. Mattel "Minecraft" Mini Figures assortment

  3. Spin Master "Paw Patrol" basic vehicle with puppy assortment

Canada

  1. LEGO Minifigures

  2. Mattel Hot Wheels Car basic assortment

  3. LEGO City Great Vehicles

United Kingdom

  1. LEGO Minifigures

  2. Flair Preziosi Shopkins 2-Pack

  3. Mookie Toys Smart Trike 4-in-1 Trike assortment

Russia

  1. Mattel Hot Wheels Car basic assortment

  2. Hasbro Furby Boom

  3. Hasbro Furby Sunny

Mexico**

  1. Mattel Hot Wheels Car basic assortment

  2. Mattel Hot Wheels five cars gift pack assortment

  3. Mattel Superman and Batman articulated figures

Poland

  1. Hasbro Furby Boom

  2. Mattel Hot Wheels Car basic assortment

  3. Mattel Cars 2 single car assortment

*Source: The NPD Group, Inc. / Retail Tracking Service, January-September 2015

**Source: The NPD Group, Inc. / Retail Tracking Service, February-September 2015

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