Familiar toy names like Lego, Barbie, Furby and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles appear on this year's list of hot toys for Christmas.
But Howard Davidowitz offered a little bit of perspective.
"There are a lot of old names," said Mr. Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz and Associates, a national retail consulting and investment banking firm headquartered in New York City. "Some (toys) are the same but most are reconceptualized."
Among the familiar names on Mr. Davidowitz's list is Hot Wheels.
"Hot Wheels All-Terrain made by Mattel is on fire," he said. "Doc McStuffins checkup doll is super hot. The Never Lands Pirates Jake's Musical Pirate Ship Bucky is fantastic. There are also Microchargers Time Track and Gelarti Designer studio, both by Moose Toys - and all of the stuffed Furby."
Hasbro's Furby toys leads the list of toys for girls, and is also on lists of popular toys from Boscov's, Toys R Us and Wal-Mart. Scranton native Richard C. Levy was one of the creators of Furby.
Monopoly Millionaires leads the list of toys for boys and girls, along with the Crayola Digital Light Sensor and Crayola Marker Air Brush and the Playskool Rocktivity Walk 'N Roll Rider.
Most toys for boys and girls are computer toys, like the Leapfrog LeapPad 2, the Tabeo electronic kids' tablet, the V-Tech Inno-Tab learning app tablet, the Wii U, the Little Tikes i-Tike Map, the Oregon Scientific Meep Tablet, various game apps, like the Wow Wee Game apps for the iPhone and iPad.
The Never Lands Pirates leads the list of toys for preschoolers. Other Fisher Price offerings this year include the Imaginext Batcave, the Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle play set and the Serving Surprises kitchen table.
Contact the writer: jdino@standardspeaker.comBoscov's
GIRLS
n Hasbro Furby
n LalaLoopsy Silly Hair Star Melody B. Sharp interactive doll
n Mattel Monster High Dolls
n Mattel Yippits Figit Friends
BOYS
n Lego Ninjago Epic Dragon Battle
n Mattel Hot Wheels Wall Tracks
n Remote Control Helicopters
n Beyblades
PRESCHOOL
n Hasbro Laugh Out Loud Elmo
n Fisher Price Serving Surprises Kitchen Table
n Fisher Price Imaginext Batcave
n Fisher Price Jakes Pirate Ship
Wal-Mart
GIRLS
n Furby
n Lalaloopsy Silly Hair Star Melody B. Sharp Interactive Doll
n Monster High Playset
n Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace Play Set
n Baby Alive Baby Wanna Walk Doll
n Barbie Sisters Cruise Ship
n Holiday Barbie 2012 Doll
n Novi Stars Dolls
BOYS
n Nerf N-Strike Elite Hail-Fire Blaster
n Beyblade Destroyer Dome Play Set
n Hot Wheels Terrain Twister R/C
n Air Hogs Hover Assault Radio-Controlled Helicopter
n Power Wheels Dune Racer 12-Volt Battery-Powered Ride-on
n Razor Pocket Mod Electric Scooter
n Playskool Rocktivity Walk 'N Roll