Online toy shops will have much less stock this Christmas

16th October, 2009

Due to the fact that last year’s credit crunch left many online toy shops with unsold stock at the end of the year, many online shops have decided to order fewer retail items than last year, mainly of the best selling items.

IRMG member David Smith said that last year retailers were burnt with leftover stock, causing them to be much more cautious this year. For consumers, the news may not be good, due to the fact that online stores may sell out of the most popular items this year.

This year gadgets are expected to be the largest sellers, including items such as robotic Legos, a Jedi mind-training toy, and electronic books.

Smith continued to say that retailers will be nervous this year when it comes to pricing, waiting to see who will reduce their sale prices first, before making a move.

Stuff magazine writer Tom Wiggins said that while it will be a Christmas largely based on gadgets, the good news for parents may be that most of the consoles will not be very expensive. On the other hand, the Sony PSP Go is expected to sell well this year.

The PSP Go will compete with the iPhone only it will be targeted by Sony at the game market.

Apple is also expected to have one of the top items with the iPod nano that can now accommodate video.

Computer and an update to Wii Fit are also expected to do well this year.