Plush and Toys

Trends in Toys (From page 80)

of pacifier keeps kids busy while soothing them.” The pacifiers feature detachable plush toys for easy cleaning. She added, “I also sell rattles, but the pacifier sells the most. I also do well with nipple balm for pregnant women. I think those both sell well at least in part because of my affordable price point on them; the items are more expensive elsewhere. Also, it’s the specialness of these items: the plushies can attach to all pacifiers and the Nipple Crack nipple balm, well, the name brings you to it and it’s really a necessity for breastfeeding moms.”

Hellpap said store positioning is key to boost sales of these items as add-ons to other purchases. “I have the pacifier plushies up near the counter near a display of bows. The nipple balm I keep over by the kids’ clothes, and I cross-merchandise them between our maternity clothing side and children’s clothing.”

The store first opened in the middle of the pan- demic after the lockdown began to lift, Hellpap said. “I expected it to be slow, but between advertising and my location, the fact that I’m the only type of store like this in the area, things were slow, but that helped. I also do curbside pick-up for my store, and I usually have only one person at the counter.” She also performs rigorous cleaning and sanitizing precautions at her 1,200-square-foot shop.

In Scottsdale, Ariz., at Kidstop, Owner Kate Tanner said outdoor toys are the big trend in toys and gifts at her store. “Being in Arizona, we are blessed with great weather, which has led to a 50-60% increase in outdoor toy purchases during the pandemic. Scooter sales have really gone up. Really anything for active family fun does well.” Tanner revealed, “It’s really so nice to see parents interact with their kids. I think people are tired of Zoom and tech, and when we post email blasts on family fun items, we see a lot of re-

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