Buzz on Target’s ‘Toy Story 3’ Products, Disney’s Future

Target celebrates the June 18 release of Disney’s “Toy Story 3” movie with an exclusive collection of 100-plus products for children. The character-driven assortment spans toy, entertainment, boys’ apparel, kids’ bedding, party supplies and back-to-school categories and features the familiar faces of Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Graphic tees, pajama sets, swim shorts, a raincoat, caps, and light-up sandals and sneakers round out the offerings, which retail between $6.99 and $22. Other exclusive items include toddler blankets, toy gift packs by Mattel, the “To the Rescue” Nintendo DS video game and a Lego building set.

Target is promoting the affordable collection with in-store POP, playful overhead and eye-level displays in toy departments as well as an online “Toy Story 3” boutique that provides an interactive experience with the movie’s characters. According to Reuters, Walt Disney Company anticipates retailers to sell $2.4 billion in “Toy Story 3” merchandise this fiscal year and plans to extend the franchise after its theatrical run with short “Toy Story” cartoons for television and online.

In related news, during a press briefing last week, Disney Consumer Products (DCP) chairman Andy Mooney reported that the company’s 2009 worldwide sales dropped about $3 billion from the year prior to $27.2 billion. Working out of the economic downturn, Mooney said DCP plans to cultivate its core franchises and emerging properties, focusing on fewer retail programs meant to drive bigger sales, plus more seasonal programs and online markets. Visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com.