Mattel
Mattel income slides on drop in Barbie sales
Mattel quarterly profit fell short of analysts' expectations as price increases hurt sales of its iconic Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels cars, sending the world's largest toy company's shares down more than 7 percent in early trading.
Toymakers have been forced to offer discounts to lure customers, but Mattel raised prices this year to keep margins around 50 percent as the costs of labour, transportation and materials like resin rose.
The company's gross margins increased to 50.9 for the first quarter from 49.7 percent a year ago.
Mega Brands and Mattel join forces
Barbie and Hot Wheels themed Mega Bloks construction toys will be released in spring 2013.
Mega Brands has announced a multi-year global licensing deal to produce Mega Bloks construction sets based on Mattel's biggest girl and boy properties – Barbie and Hot Wheels.
Mattel ramps up app-based offering
A new partnership between Australian app developer, Halfbrick Studios and Mattel will see the firm introduce a game based on the Fruit Ninja app, while it is also extending its Angry Birds offering with a new title.
Launched in 2010, the Fruit Ninja app has seen in excess of 20 million sales across multiple user platforms including all Apple devices, Android phone systems and, most recently, Xbox 360.
Tattooed Barbie sparks controversy, media frenzy
Mattel has released a Barbie doll designed by Tokidoki, a Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand, and it is stirring up a controversy because the doll, which sports a pale pink bob, is covered with tattoos on her neck and shoulders.
No doubt, there are plenty of people who will object to the doll, but this is not a mainstream Barbie product intended for young girls. The USD50 doll is being marketed to adult collectors. Only 7,400 were made and, according to the Tokidoki website, they are all sold out.
Mattel announces sustainable packaging plan
Mattel has outlined its new Sustainable Sourcing Principles. The toy maker wants 70 percent of its paper packaging to be composed of recycled material or sustainable fiber by the end of 2011, increasing to 85 percent by the end of 2015.
Lisa Marie Bongiovanni, vice president of corporate affairs at Mattel, oversees the company's sustainability initiatives. She said: "We are committed to advancing the use of sustainably sourced paper and wood fibre across our business, beginning with packaging."
Barbie maker pledges to use recycled paper
The world's largest toy manufacturer, Mattel, has listened to demands from environmental campaigners to stop sourcing pulp used in its cardboard packaging from rainforests around the world.
The toy group was the subject of a global campaign by Greenpeace to force it to drop a supplier, the Singapore-based Asia Pulp and Paper, after packaging for Mattel's Barbie dolls were found to have contained fibres from trees found only in rainforests that are home to the endangered Sumatran tiger.
Mattel to buy Hit Entertainment?
Rumours suggest the toy company is the frontrunner in the sale.
Reports on Sky News and in The Express Online over the weekend have earmarked Mattel as the new leader in the acquisition race for Hit Entertainment.
Barbie shuts flagship store in Shanghai
US toy manufacturer Mattel's decision to shut its flagship store in Shanghai follows failures by other US retailers in China including Home Depot and Best Buy.
Barbie, the slender symbol of American consumerism, has shut up shop in Shanghai just two years after opening her biggest flagship store in China’s most populous city.
Mattel, owner of the iconic doll brand, said the bright pink, six-storey store had served its purpose of building brand awareness in the new market.
Mattel returns to profit
Toy maker Mattel has released a surprise first-quarter profit on strong sales across the board, helping to boost margins. Sales of Barbies and Hot Wheels brands improved.
For the quarter, the company reported net income of USD 24.8 million, or USD0.07 per share, compared to last year's first quarter net loss of USD51.0 million, or USD0.14 per share.
Inside Mattel's toy chest
Robert Eckert, Mattel Chairman and CEO, discusses how toy makers are focusing on value and technology to win sales this year.
To view the interview, visit CNBC or click on the image below:
