U.S. toy industry grew 22% in April at peak of epidemic

The new crown pneumonia epidemic continues to affect sales figures because many families stay at home. NPD Group's data shows that the total sales of the US toy industry in April increased by 22%. This number may come as a surprise, as overall retail sales dropped sharply last month, hitting a record low. According to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, National Trade Federation (NRF) and Dow Jones (Dow Jones), retail sales fell by 12.3% to 16.4% in April. NPD data shows that the sales of outdoor and sports toy products have surged, increasing by 51% over the same period last year and accounting for 53% of the total sales increase last month. Juli Lennett, NPD's toy industry consultant, said: As families across the United States continue to cope with school closures and cancellation of organized sports activities, parents and children are turning to their backyards to keep themselves active and busy. Across the country, outdoor spaces are replacing nurseries, campuses, and sports fields. As the weather gradually warms, these spaces become more and more important for families who wish to seek shelter outdoors while adhering to extensive social distancing measures. In outdoor and sports toys, according to the NPD, the sales of swimming pool toys increased by 161%, followed by a surge of 107% in skateboards/motorcycles, a surge of 81% in playground equipment, and an increase of 78% in riding toys. , Water/beach toys and accessories increased by 47%, and sports activities and games increased by 25%.