US Toy Makers See a Boost Amid Coronavirus

The coronavirus, which has shut down factories and design offices in China, has given U.S. toy makers a boost, reports the New York Post.

Channel Craft, a manufacturer and distributor of authentic American toys out of Pennsylvania, told the news outlet it had its best toy fair in decades last month at the Toy Fair – New York's massive industry trade show – as the coronavirus started spreading beyond China, where the outbreak started.

American Plastic Toys, which has factories in Pennsylvania, told the Post it was talking to retailers about helping them with their "contingency plans," though the company has not received calls for additional orders.

"At this point we haven't received calls for additional fall items, but I think it's in the back of everyone's mind," President John Gessert said.

KC Olafsson, the owner of two Monkey Fish Toys stores outside Philadelphia, said she is buying more "from manufacturers who are not making product in China" in case there is a supply problem.

The coronavirus has started to decline in China, "but the factories are not nearly at full capacity," said D.A. Davidson analyst Linda Bolton Weiser. Toy makers "won't be able to make up the business if their factories are not in full production by May."

• Lego Earnings Rise, Expects to Avoid Big Hit from Virus
• Big-Box Giants' Sales Miss Spurs Concerns About the Consumer