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Toys

One of China's hottest toys sold millions. The inventor made $830.

by Jennifer Pak
May 9, 2024
A person who comes up with a good idea might not always reap the rewards in China's manufacturing ecosystem.
It's hard to spot which carrot knives are originals and which ones are copies.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace
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Do kids have too much stuff?

by Kimberly Adams and Richard Cunningham
Dec 26, 2023
"Even more stuff started kind of flooding in during that window of time when going places wasn't really an option," says Washington Post feature writer Caitlin Gibson.
"I live in a small house, we don't have endless space. And it's okay to convey that to people," says Caitlin Gibson, features writer for The Washington Post.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images
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Why does it sometimes take so long to manufacture and ship action figures?

by Janet Nguyen
Dec 22, 2023
You might have to get approval from another company if you're making an entertainment-related toy, and bigger figures entail a more sophisticated manufacturing process.
A view of Reva (played by Moses Ingram) in Lucasfilm's "Obi-Wan Kenobi,." The collectible company Hot Toys announced last year that it would be making a collectible of her character.
© 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
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Looking for an escape, more adults are buying childhood toys

by Addie Costello
Nov 29, 2023
From Tamagotchis to Star Wars, the number of adults buying new and old versions of their childhood toys has continued to climb.
Tamagotchis and other toys from the '90s are becoming popular collectibles for adults looking to reconnect with their childhoods.
Gorlov / Getty Images Plus
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How toy sales are faring this holiday season

by Stephanie Hughes
Nov 28, 2023
During the first two years of the pandemic, toy sales in the U.S. grew by 30%. Now, they may be coming back to earth.
During the first two years of the pandemic, toy sales in the U.S. grew by 30%.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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Barbie's Dreamhouse paints a picture of America's housing history

by Kai Ryssdal and Sarah Leeson
Jun 29, 2023
From the bachelorette pad of the 1960s to today's pink mansion, the Dreamhouse's evolution shows the politics and trends of American life.
For more than 60 years, Barbie Dreamhouses have reflected style trends and aspirational homeownership.
Bethany Clarke/Getty Images
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Layoffs at Hasbro may be a sign that the high-flying toy industry's coming back down to Earth

by Stephanie Hughes
Jan 30, 2023
The pandemic helped boost toy sales by more than 30%.
After a flurry of toy purchases fueled by the pandemic, toy company Hasbro recently reported layoffs and cratering sales.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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For this toy store, it's a race to restock the shelves

by Sean McHenry
Jan 18, 2023
The owner of a North Carolina toy shop talks about the state of her business after the holiday retail season.
"Our inventory right now is being replenished from the busy selling season," said Irene Kesselman. "It will take me probably two to four months to fill the store again."
Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images
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From Legos to Lite-Brite, toymakers win big with adult nostalgia

by Matt Levin
Dec 21, 2022
The toy industry's sales are up 30% since the pandemic – with "kidults" driving significant growth.
Star Wars themed Lego sets are displayed on a shelf at a Target store in San Rafael, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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From toys to custom bikes, these small businesses are still seeing shipment delays

by Sean McHenry
Aug 22, 2022
Supply chain problems remain an obstacle as demand picks up.
A shopper on a stroll in San Francisco. Retailers have begun preparing for the holidays, but supplies of some items are uncertain.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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