NEW YORK >> The annual scramble for the holiday season's hottest toys could be especially ugly this year because of labor trouble on the West Coast docks. Dock labor woes may leave
hot toys in short supplyA backlog of goods spells trouble for
The hot list
retailers who often order on short notice
Cargo slowdown delays Island Air machinery
By Anne D'Innocenzio
Associated PressThe 10-day shutdown and its aftermath have raised the possibility of merchandise shortages this Christmas season, particularly in the toy industry, which gets most of its products from Asia and relies on suppliers to deliver on short notice.
Given the backlog of goods on the docks, industry analysts believe some shipments might not arrive in stores until right before the Thanksgiving weekend.
Many stores that have already received shipments are worried they will not have time to reorder toys that prove to be surprise hits.
That could end up disappointing children -- and toy retailers, whose holiday season accounts for 50 percent of their annual sales.
"Now there's an added wrinkle to the chase," said David Novitsky, vice president and divisional merchandising manager at KB Toys Inc.
Mattel's Barbie as Rapunzel, which reached stores in September, is expected to be this year's hottest toy overall, according to PlayDate Inc., an independent marketing services company that surveyed 25 retailers.
Stores have also reported that anything connected with Yu-Gi-Oh! a Japanese game introduced in the United States in March, has become a big hit.
Also popular are MGA Entertainment's new collection of Bratz dolls called Funk 'N' Glow, and Toy Biz's Dual Action Web Blaster, tied to the "Spider-Man" movie.
LeapFrog's Learning System, which was launched in 1999 and continues to add software, should also be among the top 10 toys this season, according to PlayDate.
While there's no new video game console on the market, software makers have a number of new games. Rockstar Games' "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" and Electronic Arts' "Bond 007: Nightfire," are ones to watch, according to Sean McGowen, co-founder of PlayDate, and toy analyst at Gerard Klauer Mattison.
Most video game software makers produce the games domestically, so they are not expected to be affected by the West Coast port shutdown.
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The hot list
A list of what are expected to be the top 10 selling toys overall this holiday, according to PlayDate Inc., an independent marketing company. The product expected to be the top seller, Barbie as Rapunzel, leads the list; all others are in alphabetical order. Manufacturer suggested retail prices included.Barbie as Rapunzel (Mattel, $19.99) Doll features more than a foot of hair, a crown, gown, necklace and hair brush. Age 3 and up.
Bratz Funk 'N' Glow (MGA Entertainment, $29.99) Latest installment of this funky line of dolls has fiber optics sewn into their mini denim jackets, which light up in two different colors. Ages 7-12.
Disney Little Princesses (Playmates Toys Inc., $19.99 each) Collection of three 15-inch dolls. Comes with accessories for the doll and the child. Age 3 and up.
"We Did It" Dancing Dora the Explorer doll (Mattel's Fisher-Price, $30) Based on a Nickelodeon show called "Dora the Explorer," Dora moves her hat and says phrases in English and Spanish. Also sings the theme song from the show "We Did It." Age 2 and up.
Harry Potter, Basilisk Attack Playset (Mattel, $26.99) Kids can recreate a scene from the second movie "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" by acting out the battle between Harry and an evil creature called Basilisk. Age 5 and up.
LeapPad Learning System (LeapFrog, $49.99) Interactive book lets children use a pen to hear letters and words. Teaches such skills as reading, phonics, vocabulary and music. Ages 4-8.
Rescue Heroes (Mattel's Fisher-Price, $7.99) Characters, which are 6 inches high, range from firefighters and mountain rangers to veterinarians. Age 3 and up.
Spiderman Dual Action Web Blaster (Toy Biz, $16.99) Shoots nonstick "web" fluid from a can, attached to a red Spiderman glove. Age 4 and up.
Star Wars Lightsabers (Hasbro, $29.99) Gives the illusion of shooting a beam of light. It also has digital Star Wars sound effects. Age 4 and up.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Booster Pack Collectors Tins (Upper Deck, $19.99) Card game, an import from Japan. Age 9 and up.
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