A Norfolk toy shop has revealed its predictions for the top-selling Christmas toys this year - and the list might surprise you.
Langleys Toys, which has been in Norwich for 140 years, said business was still going strong, despite the cost of living crisis, with many parents opting to spread the cost of Christmas throughout the year.
And with many starting their festive shopping as early as July, manager Chris Goulding said some clear favourites had already emerged - along with a common theme.
"This year we've seen a real resurgence of retro toys that were popular in the 80s and 90s," he said.
"Trends always come back around, so if something has been popular before, then the chances are it will stand the test of time.
"That's been especially true with our top-selling products over the past few months."
1. NINETIES THROWBACK
According to the shop, the undisputed number one toy this Christmas is a true 1990s throwback: Pokémon cards.
Mr Goulding said the cards had been the shop’s top-selling product “almost every day for the past year”, with nostalgic parents more than happy to feed their kids’ appetite for the Japanese export.
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He added that a surprise favourite from the Pokémon universe had been the brand’s advent calendar, which contains booster packs, coins, and stickers.
And despite retailing at £45, Mr Goulding said customers had been tripping over themselves to get hold of them.
He said: “Pokémon is still a massive thing, and that’s definitely spurred on by parents who collected the cards when they were young.
“The brand marketing is very clever, and they keep things in short supply to build up demand.
“There’s also constant new releases, so there’s always something new to collect.”
2. OLD FAVOURITE
Coming in a close second on the shop’s bestseller list is another classic: Lego.
Mr Goulding said the Danish favourite was a hit “year after year”, with its huge range of products at every price point keeping it popular.
He added: “Anything to do with construction always does well, and Lego has the added advantage of being popular with kids and adults alike.”
3. NEW ENTRY
Third on the list is a new game from PlayMonster called Pigs on Trampolines.
Play involves bouncing plastic pigs off tiny trampolines and into a “pig pen”, with players collecting “mud pies” as points for successful throws.
Mr Goulding said the game was predictably flying off the shelves, with “anything to do with pigs” popular with young customers.
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He added: “Some things just capture kids’ imagination, and this is one of those.
“Games are always popular at Christmas, and we’ve also seen a huge demand for a more adult-focused board game based around the TV series Bridgerton.
“We’ve only just got those in the shop, but people have been requesting it for months, so I predict that will end up being very popular.”
LANGLEYS' TOP TEN MOST POPULAR TOYS 2023
1. Pokemon Holiday Calendar 2023 - £44.99
2. LEGO Icons Optimus Prime - £149.99
3. PlayMaster Pigs on Trampolines game - £19.99
4. Slime Party Sensory Putty, various scents - £7.99
5. Sylvanian Families Village Doctor Starter Set - £34.99
6. Doorables Stitch Collector Pack - £19.99
7. Robotime Luminous Globe - £49.99
8. Yoga Squishy Beanie by Marvel - £7.99
9. Vtec Toddler Tech Laptop - £26.99
10. Jellycat Nordic Spruce Christmas Tree plushy - £29.99
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