Savvy kids' list

Unlike last year, when cash registers were ringing thanks to all things Pokmon, toy stores are predicting sales will be spread out among a range of products, many technology-related.

So far, the greatest demand is for scooters, which rolled onto the scene in March, according to PlayDate Inc., a New York marketing company that did a nationwide survey of toy-sellers.

Suzanne Doroski, general manager at Little Richard's toy store in Colorado Springs, said the Razor Scooter has been the hottest item for kids since its debut.

"The big push doesn't really happen until after Thanksgiving," Doroski said.

Tami Fleetwood, general manager of the Kay-Bee Toy and Hobby Shop in the Chapel Hills Mall, said it's too early to tell what items will be hot-sellers, but Razor Scooters are selling well, in addition to such musical toys as keyboards and drum sets and to the Poo-Chi, an electronic stuffed dog that does tricks.

Other toys expected to be big hits include an interactive doll made by Playmates, called Amazing Babies; electronic pets made by a handful of manufacturers; Mattel's Harry Potter trivia game; and Hasbro's Hit Clips, miniature electronic devices that play music.

It is not as clear," said Sean McGowan, a toy analyst at Gerard Klauer & Mattison, who oversaw the PlayDate survey. The survey of the nation's top 12 toy retailers was released last week at a gathering in New York of 38 toymakers and retailers.

This holiday season, sales predictions by toy retailers have been complicated by a slowdown in consumer spending and a worldwide shortage of computer chips, which may affect retailers abilities to meet demand for certain high-tech toys.

For instance, Toys R Us will not heavily advertise Sony's PlayStation 2 game consoles because the Tokyo-based company has warned that a chip shortage has forced it to halve its North American delivery, said George Staley, the retailer's president of the U.S. division.

Jeff Gleckler, a general manager at the Colorado Springs Circuit City at 345 N. Academy Blvd., said the PlayStation 2 won't even be available until the end of the month and he wasn't having any problems with supply and demand for the home video game station.

What will keep toy retailers busy, Staley says, is the continuing strong demand for scooters, particularly the higher-priced, branded versions.

Staley said Toys R Us is also banking on consumer interest in robotic pets, particularly Poo-Chi, from Hasbro's Tiger Electronics division; Tekno, from Manley Quest; and Rocket the Wonder Dog, from Mattel's Fisher-Price.

Independent toy analyst Chris Byrne says the owing sophistication of children is giving the toy industry headaches.

"They have a strong consciousness of the vast array of products out there, and they have become discriminating shoppers," he said.

To boost their bottom lines, traditional and online toy retailers are developing their own line of toys, which they hope can become a holiday must-have.

Toys R Us is promoting its line of plush stuffed animals, while Etoys trumpets its offerings of 600 new products, from children's furniture to toys. {TEXT}

Hot holiday toys

Best-selling toys overall: Scooters by a variety of suppliers.

Other big hits: Amazing Babies by Playmates; Celebration Barbie by Mattel; electronic dogs by a variety of manufacturers; miniature bikes and skateboards; Gundam by Bandai; "Harry Potter" Trivia Game by Mattel; Lego Soccer Championship Challenge by Lego; Let's Pretend Elmo by Mattel; Singing Dolls by Toymax

Best-selling PC game: Interplay's Baldur's Gate II, Shadows of Amn Age of Empires

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Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.

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