Wal-Mart Toy Wars
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
Led by Wal-Mart Stores, discount retailers won
a war with other toy stores this past holiday season. Now
toymakers, a casualty in that bitter fight, are making their own
stand.
Some manufacturers plan to deliver fewer hot toys to Wal-Mart
and have more exclusive launches at toy chains. It`s a rare
instance of manufacturers challenging the biggest U-S retail
juggernaut and its low-price approach to business.
Jim Silver, publisher of the Toy Book, an industry magazine,
says Wal-Mart`s low-pricing strategies could devalue brands and put
toy retailers out of business.
Still, given the clout of Bentonville-based Wal-Mart, which has
a 21 percent share of the toy market, it remains to be seen whether
these strategies will be effective.
Karen Burk, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman, says the company`s focus
will continue to be on providing value to customers.
Posted by Mike Hellgren
