Entertainment

TTPM Forecasts Most In-Demand Toys and Kids Lifestyle Products for 2015 Holiday Season

October 2, 2015

To kick off its annual Holiday Showcase, TTPM released its 2015 TTPM Most Wanted List, which includes key holiday toy trends for the 2015 holiday season.

According to a media release, TTPM's Most Wanted List is an independently tested and curated list of the most in-demand toys and kids lifestyle products for the holidays. While compiling this list - culled from the site's more than 5,000 new product reviews this year - the TTPM editors noticed two intertwined themes:

"Traditional toy sales among the 8-plus demographic diminished in recent years as kids gravitated to personal electronics, and toy manufacturers stopped addressing this market segment as aggressively. However today's kids have never lived in a world without a smartphone, and they are discovering novelty and excitement in toys and products that provide exciting off-screen play experiences," said Jim Silver, CEO/editor-in-chief for TTPM.

"Whether tech or traditional, play continues to serve three basic functions for kids: it provides new experiences, allows kids to explore their worlds, and provides a platform for self-expression," said Chris Byrne, EVP and content director for TTPM. "What's so exciting about toys in 2015 is that it's not the tech but the ability to deliver those three functions that determines what will be a hit."

The 2015 TTPM Most Wanted List is broken out into four segments that illustrate the top toy and kids lifestyle trends for the holiday season:

-STAR WARS TOPS WISH LISTS FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES

Momentum from the Force Friday will continue well through the holidays. TTPM expects toys from the STAR WARS lines to fly off the shelves this year, with several of the hottest toys already on back order. TTPM included the following Star Wars toys on its Most Wanted List: Star Wars The Black Series Kylo Ren Force Fx Lightsaber From Hasbro, Star Wars Millennium Falcon R/C Quad From Spin Master, Star Wars The Force Awakens Bb-8 Droid From Sphero, And Lego Star Wars The Force Awakens Millennium Falcon From Lego.

-PRESCHOOL PLAY GETS POWERED UP WITH ENGAGING, INTERACTIVE PRODUCT DESIGNS

As in previous years, preschool toys remain integral to helping young children refine important cognitive skills. But this year, toy manufacturers have incorporated new, interactive features to amp up preschool play lines. The Bright Beats Smart Touch Play Space From Fisher-Price, Imaginext Ultra T-Rex From Fisher-Price, Go Go Smart Wheels R/C Speedway From Vtech, And Paw Patroller from Spin Master top the TTPM Most Wanted List's preschool section.

-ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY ENHANCES MAGIC OF CLASSIC PLAY PATTERNS

Classic play remains alive and well. For 2015, the updated classics on TTPM's list include: Girl Scouts Cookie Oven From Wicked Cool Toys, Shopkins Fashion Spree Fashion Boutique From Moose Toys, Hot Wheels Utlimate Garage From Mattel, Bunchems From Spin Master, Club Petz Lucy Puppy Dog From Just Play, Little Live Pets Cleverkeet From Moose Toys, The Peanuts Movie Happy Dance Snoopy From Just Play, Kidizoom Smartwatch Dx From Vtech, Furreal Friends Starlily, My Magical Unicorn From Hasbro, And Barbie Saddle 'N Ride Horse from Mattel.

-OLDER KIDS WANT TO PLAY, TOO

Play and technology come together seamlessly in toys targeting older kids who are discovering how much fun off screen play can be. This year, TTPM predicts the following products will be hits for kids in the 8 - 12 year range: Lego Dimensions Game From Warner Bros., Marvel Avengers Xpv Remote Control Hulk Smash From Jakks Pacific, Playmation Marvel's Avengers From Disney Consumer Products/ Hasbro Inc., And Nerf Rival from Hasbro.

TTPM is a product review site for toys, tots, pets and more.

More Information:

http://ttpm.com/mostwanted/

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

THE DAILY VIEW

  • Alexandra Scarborough
    Gilt and Sarah Jessica Parker Unveil SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Bridal Collection for Spring

    Sarah Jessica Parker, in partnership with Gilt, kicked off the exclusive launch of SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Bridal, Gilt’s first foray into bridal ready-to-wear that would have Carrie Bradshaw swooning.

    The collection includes dresses, skirts, bodysuits and other pieces, ranging in price from $295 to $2,395 and from sizes 0 to 14.

    "Collaborating with Gilt on my first bridal ready-to-wear collection was an opportunity I couldn't pass up," said Sarah Jessica Parker. "The team there is brilliant and allowed me to be imaginative and take risks as I was designing for the non-traditional bride. It has been quite fun to play around with colors, fabrics and details to create unique pieces for all kinds of brides." The collection, comprised of ten styles, is inspired by Parker's vision of a modern, non-traditional bride, and is designed to dress a woman for a variety of wedding milestone moments; from her bridal shower through her wedding reception. Styles offered are a unique mix of classic dresses and gowns, modern bodysuits, full skirts, and a jumpsuit. The color palette includes traditional bridal white, sleek black, plus pops of blush, poppy, light gray and blue.

    Designed in collaboration with Gilt, the collection was produced in New York City utilizing fabrics like cashmere and stretch crepe sourced from Spain, Italy and France.

    The pieces all feature carefully curated details like elegant bows, sophisticated cutouts, feathers, intricate embroidery and beautiful hand-stitched beading. 

    The actress and style icon is no stranger to chic bridal wear. Carrie Badshaw, famously played by Parker, took part in an elaborate bridal photo shoot in Sex and the City: The Movie. The shoot featured gowns from designers like Christian Lacroix and Lanvin. Parker famously wore a black wedding gown for her own wedding to Matthew Broderick in 1997.

    "Not only is Sarah Jessica Parker's style known around the world, her point of view is one-of-a-kind," says Tom Ott, Chief Merchant of Gilt. "Sarah Jessica brings her impeccable taste and fashion sensibility to life in this collection. We think our customers will be delighted with the offering which is stylish and well-priced in the bridal category."

    As part of the bridal launch, Gilt will also offer 15 exclusive styles from the SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker footwear line, each of which are complementary to the bridal collection. 

    To correspond with the bridal collection launch, Gilt City will present offers from some of Sarah Jessica Parker's favorite places in New York City.

    The offers were each chosen as a way to help brides plan for and celebrate the big day with highlights including, Leather Spa, Lars Nord Studio Tailoring, Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, among others.

    More Information:
    http://www.Gilt.com/SJP

  • Alexandra Scarborough
    Tea Forté Introduces ‘Matcha’ Collection

    Convenience meets tradition in Tea Forté’s new Ceremonial Matcha Bowl Set and the Matcha Single Steeps.

    The company said its spring harvested, shade grown, stone ground, organic matcha tea is best served in a centuries-old Japanese tea ceremony called chanoyu: a preparation technique known for its centering meditative qualities.

    "The launch of Tea Forté's Matcha collection represents our continued commitment to wellness and cultivating all the potential mental and physical health benefits of tea," says Tea Forté CEO Michael Gebrael. "In addition to our high quality Pure Matcha, we've also blended four distinct flavored Matcha varieties. Prepackaged in pouches measured out for a single serving, our Single Steeps Matcha is ideal for the office, travel, or to keep with you for a boost anytime."

    Tea Forté noted its handcrafted ceremonial tea bowl, handmade bamboo whisk and measuring ladle “encourages serene enjoyment of our premium Kosher, gluten-free and vegan matcha blends.” These include: Pure Matcha, Chocolate Matcha, Coconut Matcha, Ginger Matcha, and Chai Matcha.

    According to a release, in addition to its distinctive taste, matcha is prized for its health benefits. Steeped green tea contains only the antioxidants that can be extracted in water, while with matcha, the whole leaf is consumed.

    Available now in select stores and online at teaforte.com.

 

 

QUICK 5


Expedia.com has released a year-end look at U.S. traveler behavior and trends for 2017, analyzing data to identify the most in-demand destinations, hotels, activities and more.

Among other insights, the roundup revealed:
  1. Labor Day was the busiest weekend for car rental
  2. Disney Theme Parks topped the list of things to do
  3. The average hotel stay was two nights
  4. Top destinations based on 2017 air travel included major global cities like New York, London and Bangkok
  5. Popular tourist destinations included Orlando, Cancun and Las Vegas