We're turnin' the corner! Toy manufacturers warn of gloomy Xmas

[Bluebear]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The two top U.S. toymakers posted disappointing third-quarter results on Monday, citing uncertainty in the economy and cautious retailers, and tempered expectations for the crucial holiday season.

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"We are currently dealing with broad consumer uncertainty related to higher gasoline prices and a lackluster employment picture which translates into uninspiring consumer confidence levels," Mattel's Chief Executive Robert Eckert said on a conference call.

He said retailers are "less than sanguine" about taking inventory. Most retailers are deciding shelf space based on past performance and would rather "chase demand" than take goods early.

Toymakers and retailers depend on the winter holiday season for most of their profits. Roughly 50 percent of toy sales are rung up in the fourth quarter alone, according to the NPD Group, a New York-based market information company.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=568&ncid=568&e=8&u=/nm/20041018/bs_nm/manufacturing_toys_earns_dc_2

[GinaMaria]

1. Mattel could do better if they didn't advertise with Sinclair!

I won't buy Mattel until they stand up for the American people.