Toy titans square off before the first bell jingles
With Halloween still more than a month away, two of the biggest names in retail have released their lists of the hottest toys this holiday season.
Target and Toy”R”Us have both revealed their 2015 Holiday Hot Toy Lists, with everything from scooters to Star Wars to the trendiest video games.
“Razor scooters are as cool as ever, and familiar video games — Guitar Hero Live, anyone? — are sure to make many a wish list. The 2015 line up is of course stocked with new goodies like the Target exclusive Nitro Stealth Stinger Skylanders and FurReal Star Lily Unicorn. And for all Star Wars fans, you’ll definitely want to #ShoptheForce, because the Target exclusive, remote-control BB-8 Droid is bringing a lot of buzz,” said a statement on the Target Bullsevey View website.
Last month Walmart kicked off the 2015 Christmas shopping season with its picks for the 25 hottest toys this holiday -- as well as more than 500 Star Wars-themed items that hit stores starting Sept. 4. Walmart also launched its holiday layaway program on Aug. 28, two weeks earlier than it did last year, to encourage shoppers to start stockpiling their most-wanted gifts now.
Target’s full toys list is below:
Fisher-Price Smart Touch Playspace, $59.99
“Frozen” ERO, $189.99 *Available 9/28
Playskool Sesame Street Play All Day Elmo, $59.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 24’’ Mutations Playset, $99.99
KidiZoom Action Cam, $59.99
Bunchems Mega Pack, $24.99
Paw Patrol Paw Patroller, $59.99
Imaginext Ultra T-Rex, $99.99
My Little Pony Power Ponies Collector Pack (Target Exclusive), $59.99
FurReal Star Lily, My Magical Unicorn, $119.99
Barbie Dreamhouse, $199.99
"Frozen" Sing Along with Elsa Doll, $39.99
Spinnyos Giant YO-ller Coaster, $49.99
AVENGERS - Hulk Smash RC XPV, $69.99
Star Wars Legendary Jedi Master Yoda, $179.99
Star Wars BB-8 Droid R/C (Target Exclusive), $79.99
BRATZ - Snowkissed Dolls, $32.99
Little Live Pets Clever Keet, $59.99
Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage, $99.99
Razor Scooter, $29.99
Nitro Stealth Stinger Skylanders Figure (Target Exclusive), $14.99 *Available 9/20
Disney Infinity Star Wars figure (exclusive light up Yoda), $14.99 *Available 12/1
WubbleX, $7.99 *Available 9/28
Girl Scout Cookie Oven, $59.99
Nerf Modulus ECS-10, $49.99
LEGO Minecraft Crafting Box, $49.99
LEGO Friends Popstar Tour Bus, $59.99
WOW WEE R.E.V. - Robotic Enhanced Vehicles, $99.99
Meccano MeccaNoid G15, $179.99
LEGO Dimensions Benny Fun Pack from LEGO, $14.99
WiiU Bundle with Mario Kart from Nintendo, $299.99
Xbox One Controller from Microsoft
Guitar Hero Live from Activision, $99.99 *Available 10/20
Sky Viper v950HD Video Drone, $89.99
Meanwhile Toys"R"Us also released a toy list Wednesday, as well as new pricing for online shipping.
“Determining our annual Hot Toy List is a year-long selection process we take very seriously. It is our mission to identify the very best playthings, giving parents and gift-givers the inside scoop straight from the toy experts on coveted items sure to leave kids smiling on Christmas morning,” said Richard Barry, EVP, Global Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “We are proud that customers rely on the Toys“R”Us Holiday Hot Toy List as a trusted and valuable resource to help navigate the holiday shopping season even before kids start writing their wish lists.”
Among the 36 items named to the Toys“R”Us Holiday Hot Toy List are the “Fabulous 15,” expected to be the most sought-after and anticipated items of the holiday season:
Bright Beats Dance & Move BeatBo from Fisher-Price®
Doc McStuffins Take Care of Me Lambie from Just Play™
Imaginext® Ultra T-Rex from Fisher-Price®
PAW Patrol PAW Patroller™ from Spin Master™
Barbie® Saddle ‘N Ride Horse from Mattel®
Little Live Pets Clever Keet from Moose Toys™
Journey Girls® 2015 Italy Holiday Doll from Toys“R”Us
LEGO® Dimensions Starter Pack from Warner Brothers®
Shopkins™ Fashion Boutique Playset from Moose Toys™
Smart Toy Bear from Fisher-Price®
Star Wars™ BladeBuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber from Hasbro®
NERF® N-Strike Modulus ECS-10 Blaster from Hasbro®
Star Wars™ R2-D2™ Interactive Robotic Droid from Thinkway Toys
Guitar Hero® Live from Activision®
Meccanoid G15 from Spin Master™
Toys”R”Us also announced that it has lowered the free shipping minimum required for online orders at Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com from $49 to $19. The new free shipping threshold is the lowest the company has offered in recent history and among the most competitive in the online retail space.