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Conn. Toy Stores Stocking Hot Gifts
Retailers Ready, Excited About New Toys
POSTED: 11:19 pm EST November 13,
2006
UPDATED: 1:05 am EST November 14,
2006
Connecticut toy stores are stocking their shelves in preparation for another busy holiday season.At Over the Rainbow in Glastonbury, Stan Gilberto told Eyewitness News about his store's hottest toy this year.
Video: Retailers Excited About New Toys"Hottest thing going? Webkinz. It's the new Beanie Baby," Gilberto said. "They (kids) go on a computer, log their code in and then adopt their pet. They name it. They take it to the vet. They have a house. They can outfit the house."Gilberto said another popular item at his store is Plasma Car, which has received significant advertising while on display at the Big E."I sold five yesterday, so it's looking good as another hot item for Christmas in smaller toy stores," Gilberto said.The toy Gilberto said he is most excited about is a game called Khet, a game that combines lasers with classic strategy.Amato's Toy & Hobby in Middletown has seen race-car sets flying off its shelves."Race sets are gaining in popularity again, both with younger children and with their dads," said Diane Gervais of Amato's.Gervais said train sets are always popular."Certainly today, in our fast-paced world where we have video games, computers and all these electronic things to do, there's less time to do trains … but it's still very popular and people seem to make the time," Gervais said.Gervais said that the toy she is most excited about this holiday season is radio-controlled helicopters and airplanes. Gervais said that the toys have become much easier to fly and more affordable over the past year.At big toys stores, such as Toys "R" Us in West Hartford, gaming systems are expected to sell well this holiday season. The Nintendo Wii system is expected to be released in mid-November and Sony is launching its PlayStation 3 on Friday."Those are going to be two hot systems for this holiday season," said Kevin Murphy of Toys "R" Us.Also listed on the Toys "R" Us' hot list is the Elmo TMX and Speed Stacks, a new game that helps develop coordination and concentration."They stack up, then stack down. They're on a mat which is a precision timer. So, it actually times how fast you do that and you can compete with your friends," Murphy said.
Video: Retailers Excited About New Toys"Hottest thing going? Webkinz. It's the new Beanie Baby," Gilberto said. "They (kids) go on a computer, log their code in and then adopt their pet. They name it. They take it to the vet. They have a house. They can outfit the house."Gilberto said another popular item at his store is Plasma Car, which has received significant advertising while on display at the Big E."I sold five yesterday, so it's looking good as another hot item for Christmas in smaller toy stores," Gilberto said.The toy Gilberto said he is most excited about is a game called Khet, a game that combines lasers with classic strategy.Amato's Toy & Hobby in Middletown has seen race-car sets flying off its shelves."Race sets are gaining in popularity again, both with younger children and with their dads," said Diane Gervais of Amato's.Gervais said train sets are always popular."Certainly today, in our fast-paced world where we have video games, computers and all these electronic things to do, there's less time to do trains … but it's still very popular and people seem to make the time," Gervais said.Gervais said that the toy she is most excited about this holiday season is radio-controlled helicopters and airplanes. Gervais said that the toys have become much easier to fly and more affordable over the past year.At big toys stores, such as Toys "R" Us in West Hartford, gaming systems are expected to sell well this holiday season. The Nintendo Wii system is expected to be released in mid-November and Sony is launching its PlayStation 3 on Friday."Those are going to be two hot systems for this holiday season," said Kevin Murphy of Toys "R" Us.Also listed on the Toys "R" Us' hot list is the Elmo TMX and Speed Stacks, a new game that helps develop coordination and concentration."They stack up, then stack down. They're on a mat which is a precision timer. So, it actually times how fast you do that and you can compete with your friends," Murphy said.| Click here to e-mail newstips to Eyewitness News, or dial toll-free: 866-289-0333. Be sure to stay with WFSB.com and Channel 3 Eyewitness News for the latest Junior 3 updates. |  |
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