Heading to Dallas

I always feel some keen anticipation as I head to a toy industry show. I like everyone am interested in the new products. There are, however, a number of other facets that interest me even more as they help me sense what kind of a year we are going to have in 2008 and 2009.

Here are some of the things I will be watching in Dallas:

• What is the mood of the industry? What are our hopes and worries? Last year we went through a harrowing series of recalls and price increases. This year we are facing a global economy that is going to test all of us. We are recession resistant but how emotionally resilient are we?
• Beyond the mood of the industry, I will also be looking to see if any manufacturers or retailers are showing signs of being shaky. We lost Sababa recently and Boscov’s was just purchased out of bankruptcy. Are there more to come?
• Are prices are continuing to go up or is the “recession” going to halt or slow some of those increases.
• How are manufacturers coping with price increases? Is it affecting the way products are made and look?
• Are there any toys that can be classified as Toy 2.1. In other words, toys that aren’t just new but change the very nature of play.

See you in Dallas.