The NPD Group report that toy sales within the UK dropped by 2.8% in 2017 pointing at Brexit, under-performing licenses and issues around counterfeit toys as the primary causes. Total revenues for the year are reported as being £3.4 billion meaning that despite the decline the UK is still positioned as the largest market in Europe with three years of growth between 2014 and 2016.

Natasha Crookes, director of public affairs and communications for the BTHA stated that "the increasing breadth and depth of counterfeit toys is a real concern, with over £400 million worth of sales being lost to the industry, as well as the cost to companies from the theft of innovative design".

When asked to comment on the growing UK Collectable market Ms Crookes commented that they were "an unstoppable force within the industry". Figures show that the sector grew by 17%, dominated by Fingerlings, with the category now making up 9% of the overall value and 19% of all units sold. Frederique Tutt, global toy analyst for the NPD Group added that they "have seen significant year on year growth" in Collectables.

Doll play-sets, pre-school figures and action figures also all saw strong 2017 sales so it was not all doom and gloom outside of the collectable sector.

The NPD Group have now released the UK toy sales charts for September 2009.

UK September 2009­ £ Sales - Value­

1. First Steps Babywalker - VTech
2. Kidizoom Camera - VTech
3. Ben 10 Alien Force 10cm Figures - Bandai
4. Transformers Movie Deluxe Figures - Hasbro
5. Star Wars Clone Walker - Lego
6. Hot Wheels Basic Car Assortment - Mattel
7. Smart Trike Plus Girls - Mookie Toys
8. Baby Annabell Doll - Zapf Creation
9. Bakugan Starter Pack - Spin Master UK
10. Cars Vehicle Assortment - Mattel

UK September 2009 Unit Sales - Volume

1. Hot Wheels Basic Car Assortment - Mattel
2. Littlest Pet Shop Get The Pets - Hasbro
3. Play Doh Single Tub - Hasbro
4. Cars Vehicle Assortment - Mattel
5. Ben 10 Alien Force 10cm Figures - Bandai
6. Matchbox 1/75 Minatures - Mattel
7. 12 Coloured Pencils - Crayola / Vivid
8. Super Tips Bright 12 - Crayola / Vivid
9. Transformers Movie Legends Assortment - Hasbro
10. Bakugan Booster Pack - Spin Master

UK 2009 YTD £ Sales - Value­

1. Ben 10 Alien Force 10cm Figures - Bandai
2. Kidizoom Camera - VTech
3. First Steps Babywalker - VTech
4. Bakugan Starter Pack - Spin Master UK
5. Hot Wheels Basic Car Assortment - Mattel
6. Cars Vehicle Assortment - Mattel
7. Smart Trike Plus Girls - Mookie Toys
8. Ben 10 Ultimate Omnitrix - Bandai
9. Star Wars Clone Walker - Lego
10. Ben 10 Alien Force 15cm DNA Figures - Bandai

1. Hot Wheels Basic Car Assortment - Mattel
2. Cars Vehicle Assortment - Mattel
3. Ben 10 Alien Force 10cm Figures - Bandai
4. Gogos III Explorer Pack - Martomagic
5. PR Jungle Fury Figures - Bandai
6. Bakugan Booster Pack - Spin Master
7. Ben 10 Alien Force 10cm Assortment - Bandai
8. Gogos CB Evolution Booster - Martomagic
9. Littlest Pet Shop Get The Pets - Hasbro
10. Super Tips Bright 12 - Crayola / Vivid

ToyNewsMagazine are reporting that US toy sales dropped by three percent for the period August 2008 to August 2009.

The figures from NPD also show that sales were down two per cent year-to-date for the first eight months.

Some categories did see sales rises. Building Sets  were up 21 per cent, Action Figures and Accessories seven per cent and Arts and Crafts four per cent.

In a follow-up to our story "Transformers Top Toy Property With UK In July," we can now bring you more information regarding the performance of the Transformers brand for that month.

According to NPD figures the Transformers range sold £2.6 million at retail within the UK for the month of July, giving it a 33% share of the entire action figure market.  In fact, 12 out of the top 20 best selling new items for the month of July were from the Transformers range!

In terms of the normal sales charts here are the Top 10 for July.  The Transformers items are marked in a bold, itallic text.

UK July 2009 - £ Sales - Value)
1. Little Tikes Cozy Couple 30th Anniversary Edition - MGA
2. Transformers Movie Deluxe Figures - Hasbro
3. Transformers Movie Legends Assortment - Hasbro
4. First Steps Babywalker - VTech
5. Kidzoom Camera - VTech
6. Hot Wheels Basic Car Assortment - Mattel
7. Smart Trike Plus Girls - Mookie Toys
8. Ben 10 Alien Force 10CM Figures - Bandai
9. Bakugan Starter Pack - Spin Master
10. Ben 10 Alien Force 15cm DNA Figures = Bandai

UK July 2009 (Unit Sales - Volume)
1. Hot Wheels Basic Car Assortment - Mattel
2. Transformers Robot Heroes - Hasbro
3. Gogo's Crazy Bones Evolution Booster - Magic Box
4. Transformers Movie Legends Assortment - Hasbro
5. Gogo's Crazy Bones III Explorer Pack - Magic Box
6. Cars Vehicle Assortment - Mattel
7. Plasticine 8 Pack - Flair
8. Ben 10 Alient Force 10CM Figures - Bandai
9. Transformers Movie Deluxe Figures - Hasbro
10. Bakugan Booster Pack - Spin Master

As we are about to tick-over into March we thought it was about time to bring you the UK sales figures for January 2009.  As you may have guessed Transformers does not make either list with Bandai's Ben 10 series continuing to lead the way.

UK January 2009 (£ Sales - value)
1. Ben 10 15cm Action Figures - Bandai
2. Star Wars Clone Wars Basic Figures - Hasbro
3. Dr Who 5" Figures - Character Options
4. Ben 10 10cm Assortment - Bandai
6. Cars Vehicle Assortment - Mattel
7. Power Rangers Jungle Fury - Bandai
8. Bakugan Starter Pack - Spin Master
9. Hot Wheels Basic Car Assortment - Mattel
10. In The Night Garden Talking Plush - Hasbro

UK January 2009 ( Unit Sales - Volume)
1. Hot Wheels Basic Car Assortment - Mattel
2. Cars Vehicle ASsortment - Mattel
3. Match Attax Cards 08/09 - Topps
4. Ben 10 Figures 10CM Assortment - Bandai
5. Dr Who 5" Figures - Character Options
6. SE Die-cast vehicles - Mattel
7. Star Wars CLone Wars Basic Figures - Hasbro
8. Ben 10 15cm Action Figures - Bandai
9. Power Rangers Jungle Fury Figures - Bandai
10. Bakugan Booster Pack - Spin Master

We're please to be able to once again bring you the latest batch of NPD sales figures for the UK toy industry.  As always all four charts are included from the November Sales and Year-To-Date

UK November 2008 - £ Sales
1. Kidizoom Camara - VTech
2. Fur Real Biscuit My Lovin Pup - Hasbro
3. Baby Annabell Doll - ZAPF Creation
4. V Smile TV Learning System - Vtech
5. Kid Tough Digital Camea - Mattel
6. Ben 10 Deluxe Omnitrix - Bandai
7. ITNG 12" Talking Plush - Hasbro
8. Ben 10 Figures 10cm - Bandai
9. Ben 10 Figures 15cm - Bandai
10. BG Bounce N Spin Zebra - Mattel


UK November 2008 - Unit Sales
1. Match Attax Cards 08/09 - Topps
2. Hot Wheels Basic Car Assortment - MAttel
3. Ben 10 Figures 10cm - Bandai
4. Cars Vehicle ASsortment - Mattel
5. Ben 10 Figures 15cm - Bandai
6. ITNG Mini Plush - Hasbro
7. ITNG Basic Plush - Hasbro
8. HSM Singalong Micrphone - Vivid Imaginations
9. 20Q - Mattel
10. Ben 10 DEluxe Omnitrix - Bandai


UK Year to date £ Sales
1. Ben 10 FIgures 10cm - Bandai
2. Cars Vehicle Assortment - Mattel
3. INTG 12" Talking Plush - Hasbro
4. Ben 10 Figures 15CM - Bandai
5. Kidizoom Camera - Vtech
6. ITNG Mini Plush - Hasbro
7. Ben 10 Omnitrix FX Watch - Bandai
8. Hot Wheels Basic Car Assortment - Mattel
9. Power Rangers - Operation Overdrive Figures - Bandai
10. First Steps Babywalker - Vtech


UK Year To Date Unit Sales
1. Hot Wheels Basic Car ASsortment - Mattel
2. Cars Vehicle Assortment - Mattel
3. Ben 10 Figures 10cm - Bandai
4. Match Attax Cards 07/08 - Topps
5. Transformers Movie Legends - Hasbro
6. ITNG Mini Plush - Hasbro
7. Power Rangers Operation Overdrive Figures - Bandai
8. Ben 10 Figures 15cm - Bandai
9. MAtch Attax Cards 08/09 - Topps
10. WWE Ruthless Aggression - Vivid

Its been a while since we bought you the last NPD UK sales charts, so we thought it was time to publish the July figures:

July 2008 (£)
1 Ben 10 Figs 10cm Assortment Manufacturer - Bandai
2 Cars Vehicle Assortment - Mattel
3 Ben 10 15cm Action Figures - Bandai
4 All Surface Swingball - Mookie
5 Wall-E Deluxe Action Figure - Vivid
6 Hot Wheels Basic Car Assortment - Mattel
7 In The Night Garden Mini Plush - Hasbro
8 In The Night Garden 12" Talking Plush - Hasbro
9 Dr. Who 5" Figures - Character Options
10 High School Musical Country Club Friends - Mattel

July 2008 (units)
1 Hot Wheels Car Assortment - Mattel
2 Cars Vehicle Assortment - Mattel
3 Ben 10 Figs 10cm Assortment - Bandai
4 Bubbles Billion Tub 8 oz - Placo Products
5 In The Night Garden Mini Plush - Hasbro
6 Transformers Movie Legends - Hasbro
7 Ben 10 15cm Action Figures - Bandai
8 Speed Racer Die-cast Vehicles - Mattel
9 Wall-E Basic Action Figures - Vivid
10 Power Rangers Operation Overdrive 12.5cm Figures - Bandai

Year-to-date (£)
1 Cars Assortment - Mattel
2 Ben 10 Figs 10cm Assortment - Bandai
3 Ben 10 Ominitrix F/X watch - Bandai
4 In The Night Garden Mini Plush - Hasbro
5 Transformers Movie Legends - Hasbro
6 Power Rangers Operation Overdrive 12.5cm Figures - Bandai
7 In The Night Garden 12" Talking Plush - Hasbro
8 Hot Wheels Basic Car Assortment - Mattel
9 Ben 10 15cm Action Figures - Bandai
10 Transformers Movie Deluxe - Hasbro

Year-to-date (Units)
1 HOT WHEELS BASIC CAR ASSORTMENT - MATTEL
2 CARS VEHICLE ASSORTMENT - MATTEL
3 BEN 10 FIGS 10CM ASSORTMENT - BANDAI
4 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS - HASBRO
5 POWER RANGERS OPERATION OVERDRIVE FIGURES - BANDAI
6 ITNG MINI PLUSH - HASBRO
7 WWE RUTHLESS AGGRESSION - VIVID
8 BEN 10 15CM ACTION FIGURES - BANDAI
9 DR WHO 5-INCH FIGURES - CHARACTER OPTIONS
10 BEN 10 OMNITRIX F/X WATCH - BANDAI

So after seven months of sales Transformers managed to keep two positions within the monetary chart but only one within the units.  We expect that the Movie deluxes disappeared from the charts after August, but the Movie Legend line is looking strong and may well hang in the chart for the second year, though it does need a bit of a boost if it can retain its title as Action Figure Unit Sales of the year.  Still no sign of the Transformers Animated toys though, which is not too suprising.  We hope to have the August figures for you soon

Its time for us to once again bring you the NPD retail charts, this time for the month of June 2008.  Its bad news for Transformers in terms of revenue generated as the brand falls out of the top 10 revenue chart completely.  In terms of units sold, those Movie Legends hung in their in 6th spot.  Overall, Transformers sales were high enough to keep both the Movie Legends and the Movie Deluxe figures in the Year To Date chart at the half way mark of 2008.  In general the number of action figures sold fell, though Transformers, Ben 10 and Indiana Jones all performed pretty well.  None of the Movie tie in lines (Indy, Hulk and Ironman) performed anywhere near as well as Transformers and Spider-man 12 months ago, though shelf space was getting limited with other movie tie-in figures being released in July. Anyway, here are the charts

UK June 2008 (£ Sales)
1 BEN 10 FIGURES 10CM ASSORTMENT - BANDAI
2 CARS VEHICLE ASSORTMENT - MATTEL
3 BEN 10 15CM ACTION FIGURES - BANDAI
4 BEN 10 OMNITRIX FX WATCH - BANDAI
5 ALL SURFACE SWINGBALL - MOOKIE
6 ITNG MINI PLUSH - HASBRO
7 INDIANA JONES WHIP ROLEPLAY - HASBRO
8 ITNG 12-INCH TALKING PLUSH - HASBRO
9 HOT WHEELS BASIC CAR ASSORTMENT - MATTEL
10 HSM COUNTRY CLUB FRIENDS - MATTEL

UK June 2008 (Unit Sales)
1 HOT WHEELS BASIC CAR ASSORTMENT MATTEL
2 BEN 10 FIGS 10CM ASSORTMENT BANDAI
3 CARS VEHICLE ASSORTMENT MATTEL
4 MATCH ATTAX CARDS 07/08 TOPPS
5 SPEED RACER DIE-CAST VEHICLES MATTEL
6 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS HASBRO
7 ITNG MINI PLUSH HASBRO
8 POWER RANGERS OPERATION OVERDRIVE FIGURES BANDAI
9 BEN 10 15CM ACTION FIGURES BANDAI
10 DR WHO SONIC SCREWDRIVER CHARACTER OPTIONS

Year To Date (£ Sales)
1 CARS VEHICLE ASSORTMENT MATTEL
2 BEN 10 FIGS 10CM ASSORTMENT BANDAI
3 BEN 10 OMNITRIX FX WATCH BANDAI
4 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS HASBRO
5 POWER RANGERS OPERATION OVERDRIVE FIGURES BANDAI
6 ITNG MINI PLUSH HASBRO
7 ITNG 12-INCH TALKING PLUSH HASBRO
8 HSM COUNTRY CLUB FRIENDS MATTEL
9 HOT WHEELS BASIC CAR ASSORTMENT MATTEL
10 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE DELUXE HASBRO

Year To Date (Unit Sales)
1 HOT WHEELS BASIC CAR ASSORTMENT MATTEL
2 CARS VEHICLE ASSORTMENT MATTEL
3 BEN 10 FIGS 10CM ASSORTMENT BANDAI
4 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS HASBRO
5 POWER RANGERS OPERATION OVERDRIVE FIGURES BANDAI
6 ITNG MINI PLUSH HASBRO
7 WWE RUTHLESS AGGRESSION VIVID
8 BEN 10 15CM ACTION FIGURES BANDAI
9 DR WHO 5-INCH FIGURES CHARACTER OPTIONS
10 BEN 10 OMNITRIX FX WATCH BANDAI

Its that time again to bring you the latest UK toy sale charts courtesy of NPD. This time, the charts are for May 2008 as well as an updated on the year-to-date figures. Once again Transformers features thanks to the Movie Legends figures rising two positions in the £ Sales charts, whilst holding on to the number four spot in the unit sales.

£ Sales
1 BEN 10 COLLECTABLE FIGURES - BANDAI
2 CARS VEHICLE ASSORTMENT - MATTEL
3 BEN 10 OMNITRIX FX WATCH - BANDAI
4 HSM COUNTRY CLUB FRIENDS - MATTEL
5 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS - HASBRO
6 ALL SURFACE SWINGBALL MOOKIE TOYS
7 BEN 10 15CM ACTION - BANDAI
8 NEBULUS FOLDING SCOOTER ASSORTMENT - H GROSSMAN
9 IN THE NIGHT GARDEN MINI PLUSH ASSORTMENT - HASBRO
10 HOT WHEELS BASIC CARS - MATTEL

Unit Sales
1 HOT WHEELS BASIC CARS - MATTEL
2 CARS VEHICLE ASSORTMENT - MATTEL
3 BEN 10 COLLECTABLE FIGURES - BANDAI
4 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS - HASBRO
5 POWER RANGERS OP OVERDRIVE 12.5CM FIGURES - BANDAI
6 BUBBLES BILLION TUB 8OZ - PLACO PRODUCTS
7 IN THE NIGHT GARDEN MINI PLUSH ASSORTMENT - HASBRO
8 WWE RUTHLESS AGGRESSION - VIVID
9 BEN 10 15CM ACTION - BANDAI
10 GREMLIN WATER WARRIORS - BUZZ BEE TOYS

Year-To-Date £ Sales
1 CARS VEHICLE ASSORTMENT - MATTEL
2 BEN 10 COLLECTABLE FIGURES - BANDAI
3 BEN 10 OMNITRIX FX WATCH - BANDAI
4 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS - HASBRO
5 POWER RANGERS OP OVERDRIVE 12.5CM FIGURES - BANDAI
6 IN THE NIGHT GARDEN MINI PLUSH ASSORTMENT - HASBRO
7 IN THE NIGHT GARDEN TALKING PLUSH - HASBRO
8 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE DELUXE - HASBRO
9 HSM COUNTRY CLUB FRIENDS - MATTEL
10 HOT WHEELS BASIC CARS - MATTEL

Year-To-Date Units Sold
1 HOT WHEELS BASIC CARS - MATTEL
2 CARS VEHICLE ASSORTMENT - MATTEL
3 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS - HASBRO
4 POWER RANGERS OP OVERDRIVE 12.5CM FIGURES - BANDAI
5 BEN 10 COLLECTABLE FIGURES - BANDAI
6 IN THE NIGHT GARDEN MINI PLUSH ASSORTMENT - HASBRO
7 WWE RUTHLESS AGGRESSION - VIVID
8 DR WHO 5-INCH FIGURES - CHARACTER OPTIONS
9 BEN 10 OMNITRIX FX WATCH - BANDAI
10 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE DELUXE - HASBRO

Its time again to bring you the latest batch of UK toy sales charts, courtesy of the N.P.D. As usual, all Transformers related records appear in bold and in capitals.

April saw Transformers sales continue to slow, but overall both the Movie Legends and Movie Deluxe figures managed a good showing despite the lack of new releases in that period. Sales were helped by the fact that Transformers ranked 24th in the advertising expenditure list for the month, the 10th highest Hasbro property.

Ben 10 continued its dominance of the chart and will prove to be the big test for the Transformers Animated figures, which are of course out in stores now.

April 2008 (£ Sales)

1. Cars vehicle assortment - Mattel
2. Ben 10 Omnitrix FX watch - Bandai
3. Power Rangers Operation Overdrive 12.5cm figures - Bandai
4. HSM Country Club friends - Mattel
5. Ben 10 collectable figures - Bandai
6. ITNG mini plush - Hasbro
7. TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS - HASBRO
8. Ben 10 15cm action - Bandai
9. Hot Wheels basic cars - Mattel
10. ITNG 12-inch talking plush - Hasbro

April 2008 (Unit Sales)

1. Hot Wheels basic cars - Mattel
2. Cars vehicle assortment - Mattel
3. Power Rangers Operation Overdrive 12.5cm figures - Bandai
4. TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS - HASBRO
5. Ben 10 collectable figures - Bandai
6. ITNG Mini-plush - Hasbro
7. WWE Ruthless Aggression - Vivid
8. Ben 10 15cm Action - Bandai
9. Ben 10 Omnitrix FX Watch - Bandai
10. TRANSFORMERS MOVIE DELUXE - HASBRO

Year-To-Date (£ Sales)

1. Cars vehicle assortment - Mattel
2. Ben 10 Omnitrix FX watch - Bandai
3. Power Rangers Operation Overdrive 12.5cm figures - Bandai
4. TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS - HASBRO
5. ITNG mini plush - Hasbro
6. Ben 10 collectable figures - Bandai
7. ITNG 12-inch talking plush - Hasbro
8. TRANSFORMERS MOVIE DELUXE - HASBRO
9. Hot Wheels basic cars - Mattel
10. Tamagotchi Connexion - Bandai

Year-To-Date (Unit Sales)

1. Hot Wheels basic cars - Mattel
2. Cars vehicle assortment - Mattel
3. TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS - HASBRO
4. Power Rangers Operation Overdrive 12.5cm figures - Bandai
5. Ben 10 collectable figures - Bandai
6. ITNG mini plush - Hasbro
7. WWE Ruthless Aggression - Vivid
8. Dr Who 5-Inch figures - Character Options
9. Ben 10 Omnitrix FX watch - Bandai
10. TRANSFORMERS MOVIE DELUXE - HASBRO