Tablet computers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a new take on the 1990s' Furby are the hot toys retailers and manufacturers hope will spark a rebound from a dismal 2011 holiday season, according to a closely watched "Most Wanted" list released Friday.
The industry is not just counting on best-selling toys to generate joy at the cash register. Major retailers are pushing more attractive layaway plans to lure shoppers into stores before they go elsewhere this holiday season.
Competition will be stiff over layaway: who's the earliest, with no fee or a small fee. "This year, there is going to be more action early, and it's the battle of the layaway programs," said Jim Silver, editor in chief of TimetoPlay.com, which released its "Most Wanted List" of toys Friday. "Everybody is being super aggressive, announcing the hot items, saying 'come get it on layaway.' "
Walmart U.S. brought layaway back a month early this year - giving shoppers who live paycheque-to-paycheque more time to pay for holiday gifts.
Toys R Us offered layaway with no upfront fee, and soon after, Walmart cut its fee to $5 from $15. The fee will be returned with a Walmart gift card if all payments are made on time.
