The Rise Of Techno Toys And Gifts
by: Steven Mallon
The market for technology-based gifts for the ‘big boys’ market continues to grow
As Christmas looms once more on the horizon, the retailers stock their shelves in the hope of a bumper season. Parents try their level best to appease the kids at great expense but the era of the train set and doll houses is over and the pressure and financial strain on parents increases. The increasing trend towards technology-based toys means increasingly sophisticated products at increasingly sophisticated prices.
The year's most wanted toys (www.toyretailersassociation.co.uk) reflect this trend with increasing emphasis on i-Pods and Sony PSP and a movement away from the traditional toys and gifts is more acute this year than any other. A case in point is this year’s most sought after gift - the Robosapien V2 as it pervades the stores and online retail pages (http://www.justtoys.com/toy.asp/Toy/31/buy/robosapien-v2.htm). Billed as a walking, talking humanoid, the Robosapien V2 threatens not only the place of traditional Christmas toys, but the traditional household pet as well. The Robosapien V2 is just the latest in a long line of recent products which mark a sea change in the type of gifts and toys that we shop for.
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The Rise Of Techno Toys And Gifts
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About The Author
Steven is an independent cultural commentator who contributes to a wide range of journals and magazines both online and offline E-mail – steven@hamsterage.com Phone – 0131 561 1791
Resources: http://www.toyretailersassociation.co.uk – Industry body for the UK toy retailers providing market analysis and overview http://www.justtoys.com – UK online toy store with strong focus on toys for grown ups such as Robosapien V2 and Doctor Who Toys http://www.standanddeliver.com – UK site providing audio visual furniture for Plasma TV’s and a range of home technology products.
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