Traditional toy sales inch up in 2006
From the Associated Press
The nation’s toy industry -- which has struggled as children grow out of toys faster and prefer gadgets such as iPods -- is showing some signs of revival.
Traditional toy sales, which exclude video game consoles and related items, eked out a 0.3% rise to $22.3 billion last year compared with a revised $22.2 billion in 2005 and $22.7 billion in 2004, according to market researcher NPD Group Inc.
The improved results are due to the concerted efforts by toy companies to woo children back to the toy aisles with products that incorporate technology.
