The Toxic Toy Trouble Scares Up Talk of an Import Czar
Wednesday, August 15, 2007PAUL KANGAS: After the recall of millions of tainted toys from China, there are calls tonight for an import czar to help protect consumer safety. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer says the recalls show current safeguards are not working. Meanwhile, toy sellers are working hard to make sure the holiday selling season is profitable. Stephanie Dhue reports.
STEPHANIE DHUE, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT CORRESPONDENT: The toy story for this Christmas is shaping up now as retailers begin to stock their shelves for the holiday season. Lynne Stierman owns this boutique toy store in Vienna, Virginia. The shop, called Once Upon a Time, doesn't sell Mattel toys. But the recall has caused her to think twice about the merchandize she's buying now.
LYNNE STIERMAN, CO-OWNER, ONCE UPON A TIME: We haven't ordered a lot since the recalls, but I think we are more diligent about where things come from and quality control, things like that, then we probably were before.
DHUE: Stierman doesn't expect the recall to soften overall sales this holiday season, as kids will still want toys and the grown-ups won't want to disappoint. Some parents are already reconsidering what types of toys they may purchase.
IRENE KOZMAN, PARENT: I definitely will change my habits this Christmas and I'm going to be looking for where toys are manufactured and it does make me a little bit skeptical about what kind of system we have to check the products.
DHUE: But some moms say they can't worry too much about what their kids put in their mouths.
ANNE MARSH, PARENT: I'm a low key mom and I'm careful with my boys, but it's not going to change what I buy.
DHUE: Consumers who want to steer clear of Chinese-made toys face a challenge. Nearly 80 percent of toys sold in the U.S. are made in China. Toy analyst Sean McGowan expects sales to hold up for the holidays.
SEAN MCGOWAN, TOY ANALYST, WEDBUSH MORGAN SECURITIES: I don't think the recent recalls are going to have much of a measurable impact on holiday sales for this holiday season unless of course it spreads to a lot more products, a lot more factories and a lot more marketing companies.
DHUE: Analysts say a lot will depend on how confident consumers are that manufacturers are testing the materials in their toys and pulling any products that are unsafe. Stephanie Dhue, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT, Vienna, Virginia.
