Companies and Brands​

​​​

Attention Kmart Shoppers: It’s Closing Time. As the last full-size Kmart in the continental United States prepares to close, shoppers reminisced about the store that once sold everything, everywhere. When Chrissy Economos and Gloria McCourtney heard that the last full-size Kmart in the mainland United States was closing down, they knew they had to pay their respects, even if the store was more than 1,300 miles away.

Girl Scouts get new STEM makerspace for anything they can dream up. Foothill High School senior Kenna Kashima would love to see herself working in a career of toy design. She said she was inspired by the popular “Barbie” movie that was released last year, and she also admires American Girl dolls. Kashima is currently taking graphic design and art classes.

​

Taking a Lesson From Barbie, Mattel Builds a More Nimble Supply Chain. The toy maker is shuttering some plants, trimming product lines as it tries to respond more quickly to consumer demand. When “Weird Barbie” became an unexpected breakout hit of the “Barbie” movie last year, Mattel kicked its new supply chain strategy into action. The toy maker accelerated the doll’s design and manufacturing process to tap...

​

*** The above posted after October 11th when tBR circulated ***

Cards Against Humanity, the irreverent party game that has needled Donald J. Trump and his allies for years, has inserted itself into the presidential campaign. The card game, which asks players to match words and phrases to create what is often crude humor, is promising to pay up to $100 to reluctant Democratic-leaning voters if they publicly mock the former president and make a plan to vote. 

Jason Kelce and Spin Master celebrate Hatchimals Day by unveiling the line’s newest addition: Hatchimals Alive Mystery Hatch. Kelce, a dad of three daughters, a “New Heights” podcast co-host, a former Philadelphia Eagles center, and now a Monday Night Football sports commentator, starred in a new video where he gives a full analysis of the new Hatchimals Alive Mystery Hatch hatching experience.

Girl Scouts of the USA is meeting families where they shop the most, bringing its DreamLab experiential concept into more Walmart Supercenter stores across the US. Located right at the front of the stores they’re in, DreamLabs feature areas where kids can practice their camping skills (with fake fire pits and tents), rock climbing walls, meeting spaces for troops, hands-on STEM centers, podcast recording booths...

​​​

PlayMonster UK Competition has partnered with Teacher’s Pet to launch a Spirograph Design Competition, inviting pupils from the UK’s 20,000 primary schools to create their own autumn themed Spirograph designs. PlayMonster UK is also providing 250 schools with Spirograph kits, plus free educational Spirograph themed resource packs, created in association with Teacher’s Pet.

​

Attempting to stake its claim to an even bigger share of the trading card game market, Bandai Namco is positioning its 45-year-old super-robot franchise Mobile Suit Gundam as the next competitor for Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon. The Japanese company will roll out a first set of starter decks and boosters for its Gundam Card Game early next year through specialty retailers across North America...

​

This is the world’s smallest Rubik’s Cube. And it actually works. Japanese toymaker MegaHouse has unveiled a miniature Rubik’s Cube — one so tiny that you might need a pair of tweezers to solve it. Each face of the cube, which is made from aluminum, measures about five millimeters (around 0.2 inches) across. It was made available for pre-order on the manufacturer’s website on Thursday, with deliveries expected next April.

How Jazwares Keeps Growing Amidst Toy Industry Declines. As we head into the 2024 holiday season, retail sales are about make or break the targets of toy companies worldwide. For Jazwares, named one of the 2024 TIME100 Most Influential Companies, they're feeling bullish about future prospects according to Daren Brandman, Managing Director of Jazwares Canada. 

​​​

Moose Toys is building a name for itself in the building playset category with the introduction of Tile Town, an expansive magnetic build-a-playset system. The next evolution in kids' building toys, Tile Town features never-before-seen magnetic "action tiles" and figures to add movement and interaction that sparks kids' imaginations and encourages story building. Favorite licensed properties, like Bluey...

​​

Mattel has revealed the official trailer and extended theme song music video for Barney’s World, Mattel Television Studio’s all-new animated series premiering Monday 14th October on Max, followed by Cartoon Network on 18th October. The show also launches on Cartoonito in EMEA and APAC, and Discovery Kids in LATAM. Barney’s World is a fresh take on the beloved, iconic series that introduced...

​​

Nintendo is planting its flag in a brand-new market with Alarmo, a motion-controlled alarm clock that leverages its gaming IPs to make going to bed and waking up more fun for kids. The iconic Japanese gameco launched Alarmo yesterday on its e-commerce site for Nintendo Switch Online members, and will follow up with a global retail rollout next year. Nintendo’s latest gadget features motion-sensing technology...

​​

Sam’s Club is preparing to open a location next week that will be the first in the chain to require shoppers to pay using its Scan & Go smartphone app, the company’s top executive said Monday. The store, in the Dallas suburb of Grapevine, Texas, will not have checkout counters and will use some of the extra space to show off products that are only available online, Sam’s Club President and CEO Chris Nicholas...

​​

Roblox is embarking on a global partnership with London-based advertising firm WPP (Wire and Plastic Products) to help agency teams and brand partners leverage the immersive gaming platform more effectively and unlock new opportunities for tween and teen consumer engagement. As part of the collaboration, WPP and its media investment company, GroupM, have joined the official Roblox Partner Program...

​

'Pokemon TCG: Grand Adventure Collection' incoming: New boxed set. The Pokemon International Company will release Pokemon TCG: Grand Adventure Collection, a new boxed, into retail on November 15, 2024. The new boxed set features Liko and Roy along with Terapagos as they search for Laqua. 

Barbie Diwali doll shines a light on Indian culture. As part of its continued commitment to promoting celebrations of heritage, Barbie is unveiling its first ever Barbie Diwali doll, developed in collaboration with globally recognised Indian fashion designer Anita Dongre. Blending tradition with Barbie’s place in global fashion, the Barbie Diwali doll celebrates India’s cultural richness with a worldwide audience.

​

Barnes & Noble to begin listing game designers. Barnes & Noble has agreed to include the names of game designers in game listings on its website, after outreach by the Tabletop Game Designers Association, the organization announced.  The TTGDA is using the BoardGameGeek database to assist B&N in adding the designers to its listings. 

Flying Tiger Copenhagen joins forces with Plus-Plus. Retailer Flying Tiger Copenhagen has teamed up with Danish toy brand, Plus-Plus, to deliver a new series of playful, creative and colorful experiences to customers across twenty-five markets. Together, the brands aim to inspire people of all ages to explore the endless possibilities of construction and design through interlocking, puzzle-like pieces in a variety of colors.

inpatience Games unveils 'Urbion' for U.S. retail. inPatience Games unveiled Urbion, a new card game, for release into U.S. retail on November 22, 2024. In Urbion, by Shadi Torbey, players need to balance the happy Sognae and sad Incubi forces in the Library-City of Dreams. To accomplish this task, they will place Dream  cards in different districts of the City to balance the power between the two groups.

Corner the produce market in 'Vegetable Stock': New economics card game. Arcane Wonders will release Vegetable Stock, a new economics card game by Good Game, into retail on October 30. In Vegetable Stock, players are looking to corner the produce market by harvesting the most valuable vegetables. Players take turns selecting vegetables from a community pool and placing them face down in their harvest pile.

Mantic Games will release new 'Halo: Flashpoint' paint kit: 'Master Chief Paint Set'. Mantic Games will release Master Chief Paint Set, a new paint kit for Halo: Flashpoint, which will hit retail soon. The new paint kit features eight paints with a color palette tailored for painting Halo miniatures. 

Dobbies to close 17 garden centre stores. As part of Dobbies‘ restructuring plan, 17 stores have been earmarked for closure as they are unprofitable. The company said it aims to “address historically uneconomical rent costs and ensure a return to sustainable profitability”. The garden center will close 11 mainline sites and six Little Dobbies stores, all of which have been identified as unprofitable...

Avalon Hill announces 'Life in Reterra' expansion. Also, Reiner Knizia's 'Cosmolancer'. Avalon Hill announced Life in Reterra Moonrise Expansion and Reiner Knizia's Cosmolancer, which will both be coming in 2025. Life in Reterra Moonrise Expansion adds further depth to the base game, by Eric Lang and Ken Gruhl, which came out in April 2024. 

Edge Studio unveils 'Arkham Horror RPG Core Rulebook': Brand-new RPG features immersive storytelling system. Edge Studio unveiled Arkham Horror RPG Core Rulebook, which will hit retail on November 22, 2024. The Arkham Horror RPG Core Rulebook places players in the height of the Roaring 20s in a world that is going raving mad.

​

Bandai unveils 'Gundam TCG: Edition Beta': Plans in-store trial events. Bandai unveiled Gundam TCG: Edition Beta, a new TCG boxed set, which will hit stores on December 7, 2024. Bandai followed up their tease of the Gundam TCG by launching a boxed set that includes everything fans need to play out their first battle. 

​

Build up an interstellar beacon of commerce in 'Superstore 3000'. Asmodee revealed Superstore 3000, a new mall-building game by Space Cowboys, which will hit retail on November 1, 2024. In this game, designed by Rodrigo Rego, it is the year 2964, and players have become futuristic mall engineers tasked with building a Superstore 3000 equipped for interstellar commerce.  

Rebellion Unplugged will release 'Joyride: Survival of the Fastest': New racing game. Rebellion Unplugged will release Joyride: Survival of the Fastest, a new racing game, into retail on November 1, 2024. In Joyride: Survival of the Fastest, players choose a suped-up vehicle and an engage in some explosive racing on a dirt track.  

Flying Frog announces two new 'Shadows of Brimstone' miniatures packs: 'Valley of the Serpent Kings' and 'Gates of Valhalla' Alt. Gender hero packs. Flying Frog Productions announced two new Shadows of Brimstone miniatures packs, which will hit retail on November 21, 2024. These packs features Alternate Gender versions of heroes found in different Adventure Sets...

Konami announces new 'Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG' structure deck: 'Blue-Eyes White Destiny'. Konami Digital Entertainment announced Blue-Eyes White Destiny, a new Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Structure Deck, which will hit stores on February 7, 2025. The new Structure Deck introduces Blue-Eyes Ultimate Spirit Dragon, a level 12 Synchro Monster. 

​​

Unleash The Bloodmoon beast in 'Pokemon TCG': 'Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex Box'. The Pokemon Company International will release Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex Box, a new Pokemon TCG boxed set, into retail on November 15. Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex is on prowl with this new boxed set. This ferocious Pokemon ex enters the fray as a new foil promo card, accompanied by foil cards of Hoothoot and Noctowl.

​

'Warmachine: Two Player Starter Set' incoming. Showcases Cygnar Storm Legion and Khador Winter Korps factions. Steamforged Games will release the Warmachine: Two Player Starter Set, a miniatures entry level set, into retail. This entry level set allows two players to make their way to the battlefields of the Iron Kingdoms. 

MAGNA-TILES continues partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, helps classrooms nationwide. MAGNA-TILES is entering year two of its partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, and its latest education advocacy initiative is to provide MAGNA-TILES sets and AAC funding to more than 200 classrooms across the country.

​

Airfix unveils Avro Anson Mk.I. Available in three diverse schemes, the Avro Anson Mk.I was the first monoplane type to achieve RAF squadron service status. Featuring three diverse schemes, the Avro Anson Mk.I is in for its second ever release since it was first tooled in 2022. Containing a total of 199 parts, once built, the kit measures an overall length of 269mm and has a wingspan of 359mm. 

Amigo reveals 'Cloudship': New cooperative dexterity game. Amigo Games revealed Cloudship, a new cooperative dexterity game, which will hit stores in Q4 2024. In this game, players are tasked with watering flowers from a magical cloudship. They will roll dice each turn to determine which areas need water. 

​​

Caroline Tonks sat down with Mojo Fun’s managing director, James Connolly, to talk about the history of the brand, the unique processes that go into making Mojo’s products and much more. Mojo Fun15 years ago, when James Connolly started Mojo Fun, there was really only one significant company at play in the collectible animal figurine space. James tells us: “I thought, ‘There’s an opportunity here...

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​​