TECHNOLOGY UNDER THE TREE - Techy toys set to play a starring role in Christmas wish lists Little hands and minds will be kept busy with up to the minute techno toys that are set to dominate childrens Christmas lists this year, says the Toy Retailers Association (TRA) today. The TRAs annual Dream Toys list, the only official prediction of Christmas best-sellers, reveals a trend towards interactivity for todays increasingly techno-savvy kids. The list also reflects this years big and small screen successes, with toys inspired by Transformers the Movie, Dr Who, preschool favourite Roary the Racing Car, and game show Golden Balls.
This years Dream Dozen, in alphabetical order: Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old?, Hasbro (RRP 19.99) Baby Annabell, Zapf Creation (RRP 39.99) Barbie Girls, Mattel (RRP 49.99) Doctor Who Dalek Sec Hybrid Voice Changer Mask, Character Options (RRP 29.95) Flytech Dragonfly, Character Options (RRP 34.87) Golden Balls, Vivid Imaginations (RRP 19.99) GR8 Art Bindeez Super Deluxe Studio Centre, Character Options (RRP 19.95) In The Night Garden Blanket Time Igglepiggle, Hasbro (RRP 34.99) Puppy Grows and Knows Your Name, Mattel (RRP 44.99) Roary R/C Car, Vivid Imaginations (RRP 24.99) Say What?, Radica (RRP 24.99) Transformers Movie Leader:Optimus Prime, Hasbro (RRP 39.99)
Gary Grant, Chairman of the TRA, comments: This years Dream Dozen once again demonstrates the versatility of the toy industry. The technological advancements used in many of the toys we reviewed this year were quite amazing, and demonstrate how forward thinking manufacturers can be. Responding to the everchanging demands of children is what makes this industry so innovative. The result is a truly eclectic mix of toys that will appeal to young and old alike.
In the Girls category, Mattels Barbie ranges remain a firm favourite, with Barbie Princess Rosella doll, inspired by the latest Barbie DVD, making the Girls Top 12. Bratz, the dolls with a Passion for Fashion, also hit screens this year with BratzThe Movie, and enter the Girls Top 12 with the movie-inspired Funky Fashion Makeover Body. For animal lovers, the Grand Hotel from Sylvanian Families (Flair), Littlest Pet Shop Display and Play Pet Town Playset and My Little Pony Ponyville Teapot Palace (both Hasbro) will be firm favourites long after Christmas. Girls Top 12 Toys for Christmas Baby Annabell BABY born Boy with Magic Eyes Barbie Princess Rosella Doll Bratz the Movie Funky Fashion Makeover Body Grand Hotel from Sylvanian Families Flair RRP 89.95 RRP 29.95 Zapf Creation Zapf Creation Mattel Vivid Imaginations RRP 39.99 RRP 34.99 RRP 19.95 RRP 32.99
Littlest Pet Shop Display and Play Pet Hasbro Town Playset My Baby My Little Pony Ponyville Teapot Palace My Take Along Dolls House Polly Pocket Race To Mall! Puppy Grows and Knows Your Name Rose Petal Cottage Mattel Hasbro Playmobil Mattel Mattel Worlds Apart
RRP 49.95 RRP 29.95 RRP 24.95 RRP 29.99 RRP 44.99 RRP 79.99
Its an equally bumper year for Boys, with a range of TV and film-inspired toys. Hasbro brings the popular Transformers license to life with the Optimus Prime Voice Changing Helmet and Transformers Ultimate Bumblebee. Spider-Man is back to battle another day with the Spider-Man Ultimate Web Blaster (Hasbro). Ben 10 is a new addition to the boys character crowd, with the Alien Laboratory and a Watch Omnitrix F/X (both Bandai) set to keep mini scientists busy well into the New Year.
Boys Top 12 Toys for Christmas Ben 10 Alien Laboratory Bandai RRP 24.95
Ben 10 Omnitrix F/X Cars Mega Mack Playtown Creator Monster Dino

Bandai Mattel Lego

RRP 12.95 RRP 39.95 RRP 69.95 RRP 29.95
Dr Who Dalek Sec Hybrid Voice Character Options Changer Mask Dr Who Figures Assortment Spider-Man Ultimate Web Blaster Stretch Power Ranger Character Options Hasbro Character Options
RRP 6.95 RRP 39.99 RRP 14.95 RRP 39.99
Transformers Movie Leader: Optimus Hasbro Prime Transformers Optimus Prime Voice Hasbro Changer Mask Transformers Ultimate Bumblebee Hasbro

RRP 29.99

RRP 79.95 RRP 19.99
WWE Money In The Bank Ladder Match Vivid Imaginations Playset
There are plenty of treats in store for little ones too, and the Pre-School category sees some well-loved faces that will be familiar to parents as well as children. My Friend Rupert Bear (Martin Yaffe) and the Thomas and Jeremy Airport Set (Tomy) recall classic childrens favourites. Joining them are toys inspired by hit pre-school programme In the Night Garden (Talking Plush Assortment by Hasbro) and Dora the Explorer (Doras Laptop by VTech). Pre-school Top 12 Toys for Christmas Bed-time Lullaby Fifi Vivid Imaginations RRP 16.99 RRP 29.95
Bob the Builder Snap Trax Car Wash Martin Yaffe & Garage Doras Laptop Fisher-Price Smart Cycle Fisher-Price Stride to Ride Lion VTech Mattel Mattel
RRP 25.99 RRP 99.95 RRP 34.99 RRP 34.99
In The Night Garden Blanket Time Hasbro Igglepiggle In The Night Garden Talking Plush Hasbro Assortment My Friend Rupert Bear Martin Yaffe

RRP 14.95

RRP 29.95
Peppa Pig Campervan Playset Roary R/C Car Thomas & Jeremy Airport Set V-Smile Learning System
Character Options Vivid Tomy Vtech
RRP 19.95 RRP 24.99 RRP 39.95 RRP 49.99
The post-lunch Christmas afternoon will fly by with this years Games selection. TV gameshows still feature heavily, and Drumond Parks Family Fortunes game makes it into the Games Top 12. Tween favourite High School Musical also makes an appearance with Hasbros Mystery Date game. Mattels Ratatouille Kitchen Quake is a high-energy fun fest to liven up Christmas parties. Old favourites get a new look with Monopoly Here & Now UK Edition and Game of Life Twists and Turns (both Hasbro). Games Top 12 Toys for Christmas 20Q Handheld Radica RRP 8.99 RRP 19.99
Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Hasbro Old? Eternity II Family Fortunes Game of Life Twists and Turns Golden Balls High School Musical Mystery Date Monopoly Here & Now UK Edition Ratatouille Kitchen Quake Game Rubiks Revo Say What ? Splashy the Whale Game Tomy Drumond Park Hasbro Vivid Hasbro Hasbro Mattel Drumond Park Radica Character Options
RRP 34.95 RRP 24.99 RRP 29.95 RRP 19.99 RRP 14.95 RRP 19.99 RRP 19.99 RRP 14.99 RRP 24.99 RRP 14.95
The Hip n Kool category, covering the latest must-haves for funky kids, is as exciting as ever. This Christmas will be getting off to a flying start as two brands go head to head with the latest indoor flight technology. Dragonfly by Character Options will be battling it out with Silverlits PicooZ R/C Helicopter for a space under the tree. Theres plenty in this category for girls as well, with the Pixel Chix Roomies House (Mattel) and the Girl Tech Video Journal (Radica) both Christmas must-haves for young fashionistas.
Hip n Kool Top 12 Toys for Christmas

Amazing Lexie Barbie Girls Digi Makeover Eye Clops Flytech Dragonfly FurReal Squawkers McCaw Girl Tech Video Journal Nintendog Trick Trainers PicooZ R/C Helicopter Pixel Chix Roomies House Tamagotchi Connexion Jinsei Plus (V4) U.B. Funkeys
Mattel Mattel Radica Vivid Imaginations Character Options Hasbro Radica Tomy Silverlit Mattel Bandai Radica
RRP 99.95 RRP 49.99 RRP 59.95 RRP 39.99 RRP 34.87 RRP 69.95 RRP 39.99 RRP 9.95 RRP 19.91 RRP 44.95 RRP 12.95 RRP 19.99
The Creative Top 12 will be keeping minds and hands busy well into 2008 with a range of inspiring new play sets. Spinmasters Lil Luvables Fluffy Factory and Tomys Cinderella Aquadraw are sure to be firm favourites with little girls, while Marvins Freaky Body Illusions (Marvins Magic) will be a hit with boys with a taste for the gruesome! The classic Crayola set returns in a new guise with the Crayola Illumination Station (Vivid Imaginations). Creative Top 12 Toys for Christmas Aqua Beads Cinderella Aquadraw Cordz Crayola Illumination Station Dora the Explorer Draw & Drive Golden Coin Maker Flair Leisure Tomy Flair Leisure Vivid Imaginations Golden Bear John Adams Toys RRP 14.95 RRP 29.95 RRP 19.95 RRP 19.99 RRP 24.99 RRP 14.95 RRP 19.95
GR8 Art Bindeez Super Deluxe Studio Character Options Centre GR8 Scrapheap Welder Lil Luvables Fluffy Factory Marvins Freaky Body Illusions Moon Sand Castle Super Grafix Character Options Spinmaster Marvins Magic Box Spinmaster John Adams Toys
RRP 19.95 RRP 24.99 RRP 24.95 RRP 19.95 RRP 19.95
The TRA revealed its predictions for the official Top Toys for Christmas at the Dream Toys 2007 media preview. This was held at St Marys Church, Bryanston Square, Wyndham Place, Marylebone London on 10 October 2007.
-ENDSFor further press information contact the Dream Toys Press Office at Grayling on 1100.
Notes to Editors 1. Dream Toys is a media only event organised by the Toy Retailers Association and the British Toy and Hobby Association. 2. This is the 41st year that the Toy Retailers Association has announced the Top Toys for Christmas. The Media Preview includes the latest new toys in the market as well as the Top 12. 3. The TRA has around 400 members accounting for 75% of toy retailers, while the British Toy and Hobby Association represents over 148 members accounting for over 90% of toys sold in the UK market. 4. The independent predictions are based on the Toy Retailers Associations 50 years experience as the voice of retailers and take into account what consumers are requesting, what excites children and the latest trends in new products.
Images For access to the online image gallery at www.ToyRetailersAssociation.co.uk/Gallery please contact the Dream Toys Press Office on 1100 for a User ID and Password. Please note these will be case sensitive.

REF.: TRA/08/0129 DATE: 31st January 2008

News Release

.AND THE WINNER IS! At a ceremony this evening, (Thursday 31st January 2008) the Toy Retailers Association celebrated the top toys of 2007 and the companies behind them. The awards party for 2007 was held during the British Toy Fair at ExCel in London's Docklands which runs until Saturday (2 February). Almost 400 toy industry executives gathered for the event at the International Hotel in Canary Wharf. The Toy Retailers Association has been promoting the role of the toy retailer, recognising and rewarding outstanding products and promoting the value of toys to the consumer since 1950. It represents more than 75% of the toy trade in the UK. The first awards were made to the nations top retailers following nationwide nomination open to the whole industry and rigorous inspection by Mystery Shopping experts AmberArch. The awards were presented by Chief Executive of Vivid Imaginations, Nick Austin on behalf of the panel of judges and sponsors, Vivid itself, Hasbro, Ravensburger, Mattel, Flair and trade magazines Toy News and ToysnPlaythings. Members of the Toy Retailers Association include Toys R Us, Hamleys, Gamleys, The Entertainer, Early Learning Centres, John Lewis, and ToyWorld plus the Byrnes group in Ireland and many independent shops including members of the Toymaster and Youngsters buying groups, and medium sized retailers. Each group had their own winner but the overall winning Toy Shop of the Year went to: The Entertainer in Crawley The Association's president Val Stedham told guests The professionalism of so many of our retail shops with a minimal percentage difference between them made or judges task very difficult this year. The Entertainer Crawley came through as a very worthy winner.
The awards to suppliers this year were made first by the Association Chairman, Gary Grant, who then handed over to special guest presenter and industry character extraordinaire Martin Grossman of OzBozz who despatched each award winner with a certificate, and a suitably humbling putdown ending with the much coveted Toy of the Year Award. Judged by the expert retailers of the TRA and based on a series of criteria not only market performance throughout 2007, they were as follows: 2007 WINNERS Toy of the Year Boys Toy Girls Toy Pre-School Toy Outdoor Game Creative Toy Film License of the Year Boys Collectable Girls Collectable Innovative Toy Innovative Toy Pre-School Range of the Year Puzzle
In the Night Garden Blanket Time Igglepiggle Ben 10 Omnitrix F/X Rose Petal Cottage Playhouse Roary The Racing Car R/C Roary Flashing Storm Scooter High School Musical DVD Board Game Moon Sand Sandcastle Set Transformers Doctor Who Figures Sylvanian Families Flytech Dragonfly Picoo Z R/C Helicopter Peppa Pig Rubik's Cube Original
Hasbro Bandai Worlds Apart Vivid Imaginations H Grossman Mattel Spinmaster Hasbro Character Group Flair Leisure Character Group Silverlit Character Group Drumond Park
These awards recognise the excellence of the chosen toys, said Toy Retailers Association president Val Stedham. Many factors, not least the impact that a product has on the toy industry as a whole, are considered when selecting the winners. Val Stedham also introduced 1 new award and 3 Special Recognition Awards: We all know that the 14 major awards presented tonight are only the absolute tip of the iceberg There are some great toys and companies out there that deliver consistency of quality, service and value year after year but who, maybe because of the type of product or the vastness of their range, are less likely to receive an award. So tonight we are recognising some of them Complementary Supplier of the Year Special Recognition Awards Special Recognition Awards Special Recognition Awards ENDS Notes to Editors 1. The Toy Retailers Association (formerly British Association of Toy Retailers) acts as both a watchdog and persuader to ensure fair play for toy retailers. It also represents the toy retail sector on government panels and safety organisations in the UK informing and advising members on current and future legislation, as well as ethical practices in respect of toy safety, requirements under the Health and Safety Executive, consumer and employment rights. Gemma Cards Orchard Toys Casdon Schleich Gemma Cards Orchard Toys Casdon Schleich

2. In association with The British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA), all Toy Retailers Association members are Approved Lion Mark Retailers - that is they adhere to a strict Code of Practice on selling toys. For further information please contact: Toy Retailers Association (formerly the BATR) Gainsborough Waterfront Enterprise Centre Lea Road GAINSBOROUGH DN21 1LX Secretary: Derek Markie Tel Fax Email enquiries@toyretailersassociation.co.uk Website www.toyretailersassociation.co.uk Other contacts: ToyNews contact editor Ronnie Dungan on ToyNews is the leading trade publication for the UK toy industry NPD: contact Frederique Tutt on 580 NPD is the foremost supplier of research information to the Toy Industry