London toy giant Hamleys has become the latest retailer to unveil its Top 10 Toys for Christmas list.
The retailer said its 10 products, priced from £22 upwards, focuses on iconic brands and plumps for gifts that will last for much longer than merely the festive season.
The list, chosen by Hamleys’ buying team, includes brands familiar to parents such as Mattel and Play Doh and big franchises and characters from Peppa Pig and CoComelon ranging through to old favourites such as Barbie and Buzz Lightyear.
It was revealed at a high profile press launch at its London flagship store in Regent Street, attended by national press and national press agencies, with press coverage likely to follow everywhere from the Sun to the Guardian (both dailies were in attendance).
At the event, senior buyer Karen Dennett told TnP: “We’ve been debating it for quite some time, starting at Toy Fair back in January, and finalised it in the last few days, we wanted it to be as up to date as possible.
“We’ve been debating it for quite some time, starting at Toy Fair back in January, and finalised it in the last few days, we wanted it to be as up to date as possible.
Senior buyer Karen Dennett told TnP
“We took everything into consideration, including the current economic climate. We’ve gone for a more iconic range, with evergreen items that aren’t just for the festive period.”
In the launch announcement, Hamleys’ head of buying Victoria Kay said: ““Recognised brands dominate the Top Ten Toy picks this year, with products that will resonate with parents just as much as children this Christmas. We are confident that by selecting these products, parents will be making a wise investment in gifts that will be played with well into the future. With iconic characters featuring in the list, we know we have chosen the very best, most wanted toys, from strong brands that will be cherished by families as they grow.
“We’re aware this year that parents will be looking for a variety of toys within a variety of price brackets, to make Christmas as magical as they can. We stock thousands of toys at Hamleys, from stocking fillers to smaller gifts – starting from £2.50. From Magic Tricks and fidget toys to classic toys such as TY beanie babies, Boomerangs and more, Hamleys will have parents prepared for children’s best Christmas ever!”
The top 10 are as follows…
1 XShot – Skins The Last Stand (£35)
2 Playdoh Ice Cream Truck (£100)
3 Roller Disco Peppa £37
4 CoComelon Boo Boo JJ Doll (£44)
5 One Trick Pony Game (£27)
6 Disney Lightyear JetPack Buzz (£60)
7 Barbie Cutie Reveal Doll (£33)
8 Hamley Bear Panda Plush (£22)
9 Tick Tock Brick Knock (£34)
10 Jumping Sumo (£70)
• AN exclusive interview with Hamleys and a look at all the Christmas top 10s will feature in the November issue of TnP…
