Top Toys Could Be Tough to Find Caroline Allen - Channel 3 News October 29, 2002

South Burlington, Vermont - October 29, 2002

It's barely Halloween, and the seasonal scramble for this year's hottest holiday toys is on. "I try to get a jump on things early," said shopper Jerry Kolva.

As always, kids know exactly what they're looking for. We asked Martin Miles of KB Toys in South Burlington for a preview of this year's must-haves. Topping the list are Bey-blades, spinning tops that compete with one another. "They're very popular," Miles said.

Movies like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings are recent box office hits, and now their merchandise is in demand. "There's several different characters and they want them all," Miles added. And for kids who want a more hands-on toy, the Spiderman action glove is flying off the shelves. "It's basically just a glove and you put a can of something similar to silly string in it and when the child presses a button, it shoots out a web," he said.

Of course, Barbie is an annual favorite, and this year's Rapunzel Barbie is no different. But it could be especially tough to get your hands on this year's hottest items. Labor troubles on West Coast docks have raised the possibility of shortages on toy store shelves. Part of the reason is that most of these products are shipped over from Asia, like the Yu-Gi-Oh! figures, that are also a big hit this season. So retailers are doing all they can to stock up for the holidays now.

But as the economy remains on shaky ground, consumers will be trying to make the most of their holiday dollar, and will be searching for a cool deal on many of these hot items.

Caroline Allen - Channel 3 News