It’s been a transformative year for mass market retailer Toys ‘R’ Us – and for the global toy marketing industry as a whole – thanks to some pretty innovative online initiatives. But hot holiday toy lists are pretty much indelible.
Toys ‘R’ Us has revealed the 36 new playthings that top its 2015 Holiday Hot Toy List, which was carefully crafted during a year-long selection process across an assortment of toys, games, dolls and collectibles. Top items include a couple of different Star Wars-themed toys (big surprise, not), Moose Toys’ Shopkins Fashion Boutique Playset and Spin Master’s Meccanoid G15 (pictured) and Paw Patrol PAW Patroller.
Topping the holiday list is the Fabulous 15, which the company anticipates will be the most sought-after items of the holiday season:
• Bright Beats Dance & Move BeatBo (Fisher-Price)
• Doc McStuffins Take Care of Me Lambie (Just Play)
• Imaginext® Ultra T-Rex (Fisher-Price)
• PAW Patrol PAW Patroller (Spin Master)
• Barbie Saddle ‘N Ride Horse (Mattel)
• Little Live Pets Clever Keet (Moose Toys)
• Journey Girls 2015 Italy Holiday Doll (Toys ‘R’ Us)
• LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack
• Shopkins Fashion Boutique Playset (Moose Toys)
• Smart Toy Bear (Fisher-Price)
• Star Wars BladeBuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber (Hasbro)
• NERF N-Strike Modulus ECS-10 Blaster (Hasbro)
• Star Wars R2-D2 Interactive Robotic Droid (Thinkway Toys)
• Guitar Hero Live (Activision)
• Meccanoid G15 (Spin Master)
Meanwhile, in addition to the Fabulous 15, the full 36-item 2015 Hot Toy List includes:
• Bright Beats Smart Touch Play Space (Fisher-Price)
• Lil’ Ocean Explorers 3-in-1 Adventure Course (Little Tikes)
• Go! Go! Smart Wheels Ultimate RC Speedway (VTech)
• DINOTRUX Mega Chompin Ty Rux (Mattel)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Giant Leonardo Playset (Playmates Toys)
• Pie Face Game (Hasbro)
• Bratz Hello My Name Is 5-Pack (MGA Entertainment)
• Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Starter Pack (Disney Interactive)
• Girl Scouts Cookie Oven (Wicked Cool Toys)
• Marvel Avengers XPV Remote Control Hulk Smash (Jakks Pacific)
• Playmation Marvel Avengers Starter Pack (Hasbro)
• Project Mc2 Doll with Experiment (MGA Entertainment)
• Skylanders SuperChargers Starter Pack (Activision Publishing)
• LEGO Friends Heartlake Airport
• Anki OVERDRIVE Starter Kit (Anki)
• Sky Viper Video Streaming Drone (Skyrocket Toys)
The retailer is also starting the celebrations early on social media. Throughout the fall, kids and their parents are encouraged to share their favorites from the#TRUHotToyList on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
Last year’s TRU Hot Toy List was unveiled not long after the the company released its TRU Transformation strategy, which set into motion several key exec appointments, new loyalty programs and enhanced in-store navigation plans.