Retailer's predictions see "tech finally add play value to toy market".
Technology has finally found a way to add real play value to toys, according to the London toy retailer Hamleys as it unveils its top toys for Christmas 2015.
With six months still to go until the business end of the year commences, the iconic toy store has once again made its prediction for the Top Ten Toys hitting shelves this year.
This year, the retailer is placing particular emphasis on innovation within the traditional as it believes technology has now discovered a way to benefit real play value of toys.
Leading the line-up in the technology stakes is the Little Live Pets Clever Keet, a bird that arrives with its own perch play-set and the ability to talk, sing, dance and swing.
The Little Live Pets Clever Keet is suitable for kids aged five and upwards and retails for £60.
Meanwhile, the i-Que Intelligent Robot is expected to make a splash this year with its ability to engage children with sound effects, speech, a range of jokes and interactive quizzes that can be played via its accompanying app.
The i-Que Robot will be hittng shelves this August with the price tag of £65.
LeapFrog has made the retailer’s list this year thanks to the launch of its new LeapPad Platinum and range of toys-to-life inspired Imagicards. Billed as ‘the next step in children’s technology,’ the updated tablet features a front and back camera, music player, enhanced parent controls and more.
Suitable for children aged three and upwards, the LeapPad Platuinum retails for £120.
My Friend Freddy joins the line-up this year as ‘the bear who really knows you.’ Designed to bring technology to pre-schoolers, the connected cuddly bear can converse and engage with kids via its app.
My Friend Freddy Bear carries the price tag of £40 and will be available from August this year.
Peppa Pig makes an appearance this year, with the Once Upon A Time Princess Rose Peppa, a smart toy that sings ring-a-ring-a-roses when her hands are held and a circle is formed.
At £20, Peppa joins the Skate and Sing Elsa that can command the dance floor with an array of moves while singing the hit song from the Disney title, Let It Go. Elsa retails for £40.
“This year, we have seen technology find a real place within the toy market and actually add to a toy’s play value,” Hamley’s buyer, Laura Olver told ToyNews. “Tech is no longer there just for the sake of it, and we are really excited with our line up this year.”
With the traditional toy sector a staple of the toy retailer’s offering, Hamleys is championing new innovation within the arts and craft sector, too. Joining the list this year is Wackytivities Toys’ Kinetic Sand and Mookies’ new 3D Maker, a kit that allows kids to create and bake their own 3D accessories.
“It’s great to see the arts and craft sector finally seeing some innovation to bring it up to date with the tech toy sector,” said Olver. “Art and craft is a staple of what we do at Hameys and new innovations in these sectors are really helping us to continue to drive it forward.”
The collectables market also features in this year’s Top Ten with the Shopkins Scoops Ice Cream Truck Playset, retailing at £20 and predicted to be a top selling line in a range that has consistently performed well for the retailer.
Completing the line-up this year, and billed as its hero play-set of 2015 is the Interactive Tracey Island, based on the iconic island from the latest animated series, Thunderbirds Are Go!
Suitable for kids aged three and upwards, the play-set carries the price tag of £80.
“Tracey Island is going to be somewhat of a hero line for us this year, we think. And at £80, it’s a good price for a lot of toy,” said Olver.
