eBay's Experts Predict the Top 50 Toys and Trends That Will Make This Season Merry

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, eBay, the world's most dynamic marketplace, reveals the definitive list of top toys and trends for the holiday season. From Fortnite Monopoly to FurReal Munchin' Rex and everything in between, eBay's 2018 predictions feature the season's hottest picks based on the platform's trending toy data¹ and selected by eBay's team of toy experts.

eBay is also introducing Toytopia, the ultimate destination for every child's wish list. With millions of toys – from the new and impossible-to-find, to classics for kids of all ages – eBay is home to an unrivaled selection across action figures, dolls, STEM toys, family games, trains and more.

"We've studied our recent data and industry trends to determine the top toys for this holiday season to help shoppers find the perfect gift for every child's wish list," said Michael Mosser, eBay's General Manager of Lifestyle, Media and Toys. "The top 50 most in-demand toys span trends and categories from surprise dolls, action figures, building toys and furry friends, with some standout newcomers stealing the show as instant hits for the season."

eBay's Top Eight Toy Trends:
From collectible surprises to toys with a "gross-out factor," eBay's top eight trends for the holiday season include:

1. Surprise Matters: Tiny collectible toys that surprise will be giant hits this season. From L.O.L. Biggie Pet Figures, to L.O.L. Surprise! Bigger Surprise, to the ultimate wish list item, L.O.L. Surprise House with 85+ Surprises, excitement around L.O.L. Surprise! dolls are on the rise. In fact, more than 148K L.O.L. Surprise! toys were sold on eBay in the past six months. And Hatchimals are currently one of the top-15 most popular toys in sales, with Hatchimals CollEGGtibles leading in popularity and this year's latest innovation, HatchiBabies already buzzing.

Don't forget to watch out for standout newcomers this year. Between personality-packed Feisty Pets, loveable Lil' Gleemerz, Scruff-a-Luvs and Party Popteenies (little dolls inside of confetti poppers), these tiny toys will result in huge smiles on kids' faces.

2. Furry Friends: Everyone wants to nurture a new pet or collect a whole litter. eBay's favorites include Crate Creatures, FurReal Ricky, WowWee Fingerlings Hugs Bella, Pomsies, WowWee Fingerlings Untamed Raptors, and Crayola Scribble Scrubbies Color & Wash Collectible Toy Pets.

3. Disgustingly Awesome: Pimples, poops, farts and slime - this year's toys get silly, gross and sometimes smelly - literally. New games and toys like Don't Step In It! and WowWee's What's that Smell? will keep everyone laughing throughout the holiday season. Slime and squishy sequins are also topping lists - new toys like the Poopsie Surprise Unicorn that magically oozes slime or fun sequin color reveals with Shimmeez are hot wish list items.

4. Comeback Kids: Remember Polly Pocket, My Little Pony and Nerf Guns? This year nostalgic toys are coming back for a new generation of kids to enjoy with their parents. First launched in the 1980's, both Polly Pocket and My Little Pony got a reboot this year as seen in the Polly Pocket 2018 Compacts and the My Little Pony Ultimate Equestria Collection. Additionally, Nerf upped its ante with the Nerf Prometheus Blaster, featuring increased precision and firepower, while LEGO contains to top kids' wish lists with LEGO Mindstorm proving to be a holiday favorite for the season.

5. Tech It Out: Toys keep getting smarter and more high-tech. Gifts predicted to shake things up include the Air Hog Supernova flying orb, FurReal Munchin Rex and Baby Alive Super Snacks Snackin' dolls. Additionally, the PlayStation Mini, set for release in early December, is already topping predictions for best-selling items this holiday season.

6. Action Packed: Beloved book, comic, movie characters and superheroes take toy form in one of the season's top trends, as seen in Marvel's Spider-Man Collector's Edition PlayStation 4. Following the release earlier this fall, Marvel's Spider-Man video game and limited-edition PS4 Pro bundle generated an 89% increase in PS4 sales. For those that prefer magic over Marvel, 20 years after the legendary children's book American debut, Harry Potter still tops wish lists. The LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall is already one of the most popular items for the season. Other top gift picks this year include everything from Transformers Energon Igniters Nitro Series Bumblebee to pocket-sized Aquaman and Fortnite Funko Pops.

7. Never Board: Fornite Monopoly gives a modern twist to an iconic classic, and new games like Pie Face Cannon Game and Soggy Doggy top this year's wish lists. Rounding out the games for group play? Gift Magic: The Gathering - Game Night Trading Set and Catan: Settlers of Catan Board Game.

8. Unplugged Fun: Toys that encourage imagination, creativity or to simply to get outdoors round out the list of trends. Get creative juices flowing with gifts like the KidKraft Storybook Mansion, the Cool Maker KumiKreator Friendship Bracelet Maker, the Wonder Workshop Dash Robot or the Fisher Price Think & Learn Rocktopus. These toys will keep kids engaged and using their brains - even during the holiday break. Get kids moving and grooving in style with bikes, scooters and cars. eBay's top picks include the Razor E175 Motorized 24V Kids Scooter, the Pocket Bike 40cc 4-Stroke Engine and the Black 6V Bentley Kids Ride-On Car.

The 50 Hottest Toys of the Season:

With a selection that only eBay's marketplace can deliver, shoppers can find in-demand holiday toys and gifts at eBay.com/toytopia all season long. 

eBay By the Numbers

• eBay has 1 billion plus listings
• eBay has 175 million active buyers worldwide
• 71% of items ship for free in U.S., UK and DE
• 2/3 of eBay packages in the U.S. are delivered within three business days or less
• 81% of all merchandise sold on eBay is new, and our wide selection keeps growing
• 89% of items sold on eBay are Buy It Now – no bidding necessary
• 63% of the eBay platform involves a mobile touchpoint
• 414 million downloads of eBay Inc. apps across the globe

About eBay
eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY) is a global commerce leader including the Marketplace, StubHub and Classifieds platforms. Collectively, we connect millions of buyers and sellers around the world, empowering people and creating opportunity through Connected Commerce. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, Calif., eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2017, eBay enabled $88.4 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.

¹Toy sales from eBay.com from March through September 2018

SOURCE eBay Inc.

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