American Specialty Toy Retailing Association

Top Toy Trends From ASTRA's Marketplace & Academy

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 21, 2023

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) just wrapped up their 2023 Marketplace & Academy show in Columbus, OH, where thousands of new toys were featured, from plush to science kits to puzzles to toys you didn't know your kids needed, but now can't live without!  The ASTRA team, composed of ASTRA staff, small retailers and Certified Play Experts, scoured the floor and spoke with members to discover the top trends in the industry.

Key Points: 
  • "This was a banner year for Marketplace & Academy.
  • This year we're excited to be sharing trends from the show to give everyone a sneak peek of what to expect this holiday season," said Sue Warfield, President, ASTRA."
  • Sloths might move slow, but they are one of the fastest growing trends we saw at the show.
  • ASTRA Marketplace & Academy was held in Columbus, OH from June 11-14.

spokenote Expands Product Line, Launches Three Holiday-Themed Products

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 14, 2022

FISHERS, Ind., Nov. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- spokenote, LLC today announced the launch of three new products which allow users to add personalized videos to holiday themed items including "To-From" Sticker Labels, Die-cut Package Tags and Greeting Cards. The products are available now on spokenote.com

Key Points: 
  • The products are available now on spokenote.com
    "We have seen continued popularity of our first product, spokenote stickers, and decided to add an innovative twist to traditional greeting products in time for the holiday season," said spokenote Founder and CEO, John Wechsler.
  • All products include pre-designed holiday-themed artwork and include the standard spokenote code that users can pair with a recorded or uploaded video.
  • "This video gift label exclusivefrom spokenote is one more way for our member stores to deliver a great customer experience."
  • Each individual product features a unique spokenote code that, when scanned by a mobile device, can be paired with a video created by the user.

PLAYMONSTER WINS COVETED TOY OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR CRAFT-TASTIC!

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Craft-tastic Nature: Scavenger Hunt Potions Conjures up a Specialty Toy of the Year Award!

Key Points: 
  • Craft-tastic Nature: Scavenger Hunt Potions Conjures up a Specialty Toy of the Year Award!
  • BELOIT, Wis, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - PlayMonster Group LLC is proud to announce that Craft-tastic Nature: Scavenger Hunt Potions has been awarded a Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award, the industry's most prestigious honor in the Specialty Toy category.
  • "It's such an honor to know that a toy that brings crafts and activities outdoors has resonated so much with families, enough for it to earn its own Toy of the Year Award!"
  • "We are thrilled to bring the industry together to celebrate the best of the best in toy," said Pamela Mastrota, Executive Director of The Toy Foundation.

American Specialty Health Chairman and CEO George DeVries Named "CEO of the Year" by San Diego Business Journal

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 2, 2022

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a ceremony celebrating innovative and successful business leaders in San Diego, the San Diego Business Journal presented George DeVries , co-founder, chairman, and CEO of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) with a "CEO of the Year" Award.

Key Points: 
  • SAN DIEGO, Sept. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a ceremony celebrating innovative and successful business leaders in San Diego, the San Diego Business Journal presented George DeVries , co-founder, chairman, and CEO of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) with a "CEO of the Year" Award.
  • DeVries was one of 20 CEOs honored during a ceremony held at the Burnham Center for Community Advancement.
  • DeVries co-founded American Specialty Health 35 years ago in the second bedroom of a townhome in Southern California with $5,000 in seed money.
  • With offices in Carmel (Indianapolis), IN, San Diego, CA, and Fort Worth, TX.

Global Lactoferrin Market Report to 2030 - Increasing Prevalence of Skin Disorders Presents Opportunities - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 24, 2022

The "Lactoferrin Market - Market Size & Forecasting to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Key Points: 
  • The "Lactoferrin Market - Market Size & Forecasting to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
  • The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities and challenges which influence the Lactoferrin market.
  • Infant formula accounted for the largest market share in the global lactoferrin market due to the the rising demand for lactoferrin in infant formula and increasing consumer awareness regarding health benefits of the lactoferrin.
  • Rising production capacity expansion by key players in the Asia Pacific region driving the global lactoferrin market.

Upstart Toy Company Rivals Billion Dollar Toy Brands with Three Toy of the Year Nominations

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 11, 2021

With three TOTY nominations, the upstart Fat Brain Toy Co. is standing toe-to-toe with toy industry giants.

Key Points: 
  • With three TOTY nominations, the upstart Fat Brain Toy Co. is standing toe-to-toe with toy industry giants.
  • With three TOTY nominations, the upstart Fat Brain Toy Co. is standing toe-to-toe with toy industry giants.
  • Of the eight other toy brands with three nominations or more, six are billion dollar companies.
  • For More Information on the Toy of the Year Awards:
    Fat Brain Toys is one of the nation's leading direct-to-consumer toy companies.

Shop Local And Celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day Nationwide On November 9

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 22, 2019

CHICAGO, Oct. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Neighborhood toy stores and specialty toy retailers across the country will celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day on November 9, 2019.

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, Oct. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Neighborhood toy stores and specialty toy retailers across the country will celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day on November 9, 2019.
  • "A decade ago, ASTRA launched Neighborhood Toy Store Day to celebrate stores in the community, showcase the value of shopping local, and demonstrate the joy of play throughout the ages," said Kimberly Mosley, president of ASTRA.
  • In neighborhood toy stores, shoppers can enjoy the expertise of local toy store owners, a high quality selection of the best toys and games and a tailored and personal shopping experience that is tailored for the best kind of play for each family."
  • Visit astratoy.org to find an ASTRA-approved speciality toy retailer or neighborhood toy store nearby.

Fat Brain Toy Co. Nabs Multiple Honors at Annual ASTRA Marketplace & Academy

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 10, 2019

The American Specialty Toy Retailers Association (ASTRA) kicked off their annual Marketplace & Academy by recognizing leading retailers, manufacturers, sales representatives, and young professionals who represent the best of the specialty toy industry, as nominated by the ASTRA membership.

Key Points: 
  • The American Specialty Toy Retailers Association (ASTRA) kicked off their annual Marketplace & Academy by recognizing leading retailers, manufacturers, sales representatives, and young professionals who represent the best of the specialty toy industry, as nominated by the ASTRA membership.
  • Represented on stage by eight company representatives, Nebraska-based Fat Brain Toy Co. was named the 2019 Toy Manufacturer of the Year.
  • "Our annual gathering at Marketplace & Academy is an appropriate time to pause and recognize those leaders who have had a big impact on growing the toy industry," said Kimberly Mosley, president of ASTRA.
  • Already looking to the future, Fat Brain Toy Co. also introduced four new products available to ASTRA retailers for Holiday 2019, including:
    Fat Brain Toys is one of the nation's leading independent toy companies.

Local Toy Retailers Will Thrive In Wake Of Toys 'R' Us Closure

Retrieved on: 
Friday, April 20, 2018

CHICAGO, April 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) today predicted that 2018 will be the best year yet for neighborhood toy stores nationwide as consumers flock to these stores in the wake of the closure of Toys 'R' Us.

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, April 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) today predicted that 2018 will be the best year yet for neighborhood toy stores nationwide as consumers flock to these stores in the wake of the closure of Toys 'R' Us.
  • "Many grownup "Toys 'R' Us kids" are feeling nostalgic, but the magic is still there if you look in the right place," said Kimberly Mosley, President of ASTRA.
  • An exceptional customer shopping experience, including expert advice and the opportunity to actually play, experience and use the products.
  • Founded in 1992, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is an international not-for-profit trade organization that serves more than 1,800 independent retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives in the specialty toy industry.