• A newly published NPD study reveals that more than 9 out of 10 US households purchased a toy in 2007. NPD’s Toys Market Dynamics found that 93.4% of US households bought one or more toys last year, spending a little more than $191 on average per household. Also, NPD just released first quarter 2008 retail toy sales stats which show the US toy industry generated US$4 billion in sales during the first 13 weeks of the year, or US$306.4 million per week, up 1% over last year’s weekly sales pace.
• Canadian pop group Barenaked Ladies is getting into the kids business with its new children’s CD Snacktime and to kick off the launch will appear on pubcaster CBC’s preschool block to perform two songs with puppet Mamma Yamma. The performance will air on May 19.