BRAMPTON, ON, Nov. 21 - As moms across Canada prepare their lists and check them twice, Zellers has the inside scoop on what their kids really want this holiday season. For the second year in a row, Zellers is sharing the surprising results of its national Kids Wish List survey, a poll of Canadian children on what is the ultimate gift this year.
"Kids are very specific about what they want for holiday gifts," says David Strickland, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Zellers. "The Zellers Kids Wish List provides Mom with the exact list of items her kids are wishing for so she doesn't have to guess about which gifts will win those holiday smiles."
Surprise! Classics still cool with kids
Toys such as Yu-Gi-Oh! (card game and action figures), Bratz (fashion dolls) and Bob the Builder are generating considerable holiday buzz this year, yet still didn't make the children's list of favourites. Toys like LEGO, Barbie and Hot Wheels appear near the top of the lists, and prove that some classics still have what it takes to capture a child's imagination when put head-to-head against the buzz-generating new toys.
"Parents will be pleased and perhaps a little surprised to know that their kids are asking for many of the toys that kept them enthralled as children," says Strickland. "By tying into the most popular movies, TV shows, video games and sports, LEGO, Barbie and other toys have managed to retain that 'coolness' factor with kids through the years. Plus, at Zellers, we guarantee that all the toys we carry will be at the lowest possible price. We are so confident in our prices that we will match any competitor's advertised toy offers."
Tots take to interactive technology
Toys that are tops with tots under the age of three this year prove that technology is helping foster an early love of learning. Two of the top five toys -- Dora the Explorer (talking dolls) and Leap Pad (talking books) -- use interactive technology to teach language and problem solving skills.
Spelling magic for Mom
In October 2002, Zellers asked children across Canada to cast their vote for the five toys they would most like to receive this holiday season. Based on a random sample of 1200 on-line responses, Zellers pinpointed the top five toys in the eyes of girls and boys and tots under three, with some help from mom and dad.
Top five toys for boys
- LEGO
- Hot Wheels
- Electronic gaming - Nintendo Game Boy and GameCube(TM) and Sony PlayStation(R)2
- Action heroes - Fisher Price Rescue Heroes and Ruff N' TUFF
- Spider-Man - action figures and playsets
Top five toys for girls- LEGO
- Rapunzel Barbie
- Dora the Explorer
- Holiday Celebration Barbie
- Diva Starz
Tops for tots (3 and under)- Little Tikes Playsets
- Fisher Price Playsets
- Dora the Explorer
- Leap Pad - talking interactive books
- Mega Bloks - Learning Station and Girlfriend's Home
Keeping Mom in the know
Zellers talks to kids and Moms across Canada and monitors key shopping trends to ensure Moms can find the gifts they want without surprises when they hit the aisles. "Kids are the ultimate toy critics. By knowing what's exciting to them, plus what's generating industry buzz, Zellers can deliver the most comprehensive toy selection to Mom," says Strickland.
Helping Mom make winning toy-shopping decisions can save her considerable time and money, given the many other demands of the holiday season. According to the Canadian Toy Testing Council, Canadians spend about $1.5 billion each year on toys alone. "Sharing a little valuable inside knowledge about her kids' gift wishes early on will hopefully help Mom ensure that she gets her kids exactly what they are asking for," says Strickland.
To save even more time, Mom can go to www.zellers.com and search the on-line toy database. The toys are sorted by age and price range making it even easier for Mom to find that gift her child is hoping for.
Perfect wrap on the holiday spirit
Mom can also save some valuable gift-wrapping minutes and share in the spirit of this holiday season by participating in Zellers' gift box fundraiser. Holiday-themed gift boxes in two sizes and designs are available at Zellers in exchange for a $1 donation to support community-based organizations, such as hospitals and women's shelters, and the national charitable partners under Zellers Friends of the Family Fund.
Zellers Friends of the Family Fund is a dedicated corporate foundation that supports local and national organizations that focus on family causes in the areas of health, wellness and education. Through this fund and its various partners, Zellers is able to help Canadian families during times of need, crisis or simply when they need a friend.
Zellers is the mass merchandise division of Hudson's Bay Company, Canada's largest department store retailer and oldest corporation.
As part of the Hudson's Bay Company Family of stores, Zellers helps its customers turn everyday shopping into rewards through the Hbc Rewards program. Customers earn points when shopping at the Hbc family of stores - the Bay, Zellers, Home Outfitters and Hbc.com - and at Esso stations and Travelodge hotels across Canada. Customers also earn bonus points when using their Hbc, Bay or Zellers credit cards.
