Syracuse, N.Y. – The pandemic has been challenging for a lot of industries however the toy industry may be an exception both locally and nationally.
With the holidays just around the corner, toys are the minds of parents and children. But from the looks of it toys have been have on their minds for quite a while during the pandemic.
People of all ages have been on the lookout for ways to take advantage of the the extra time together at home, and toys have become one of those solutions. Thomas Yeldon, Larger than Life Toys and Comics store owner , has seen an increase in sales, and has been doing better than average.
“I think that’s on the heels of the idea that people aren’t traveling and they are not spending money on larger things like concerts or entertainment,” Yeldon said.
Phil Wrzesinski, national sales manager of HABA USA, has seen the same trend.
“The toy industry is about recession proof as any industry is,” Wrzesinski said.
Toy giving has become more of a hobby this time around, and with more people staying inside the toy industry is going strong. Even board games, wooden toys,, and Puzzles are popular right now.
” In 2020, Puzzle sales have skyrocketed,” Wrzesinsk said.
Wrzesinski said he’s also seen an increase in online toy shopping.”
” I think that this has pushed online shopping ahead 5 or 6 years. People buying their groceries online, that wasn’t supposed to happen,” Wrzesinski said.
For Yeldon, the worry is more on the other forms of entertainment. He is optimistic about his toy and comic store but has a plan b, that includes online shopping and curbside if need be.
“Fortunately for us we’re in the toy industry and thats kids and that doesn’t change, toys are apart of life thats not going away,” Wrzesinski said.
Brick and mortars are buying smaller quantities, because of the fear of another shut down, ut parents have actually been buying a larger amounts of toys. Retailers have noticed parents have cut back on themselves and are buying more toys for the kids .
