
![Grinch[2] Grinch[2]](https://globaltoynews.typepad.com/.a/6a0133ec87bd6d970b017c33956abc970b-500wi)
You know things are starting to look a little grim for this year’s toy sales when you see a headline like this one from CNBC: “Pink slips for elves? Toy sales down after early rush.” Toy sales were down between 5 and 6 percent through the end of the third quarter so we knew things were not faring well. Still, the 4th quarter is the industry’s power quarter and a strong end to the year could solve a lot of problems.
It’s not looking good, however, and here is how CNBC positions it: “After an early frenzy of shoppers socking toys away for the holidays on layaway, the brief glimmer of hope for a turnaround in the beleaguered toy industry has vanished.” It’s never good when the media characterizes you as beleaguered.
So, what’s going on? Here is what I think: