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Registration for the National Retail Hobby Stores Association (NRHSA) Conference & Table-Top Expo, Oct. 4-7, at The Orleans Hotel in
Las Vegas, is open to attendees and exhibitors.
The conference features a full schedule of educational seminars designed to help retailers run their stores more effectively and build relationships with…
The conference features a full schedule of educational seminars designed to help retailers run their stores more effectively and build relationships with…
The model rocket market is projected to grow from $1.42 billion in 2026 to $1.81 billion by 2030, according to recent forecasts, driven by STEM education, hobbyist experimentation, and the growth of online rocketry communities. Demand is also being supported by lighter materials, more customizable kits, and a shift toward reusable
recovery systems and multi-stage designs. Industry activity has expanded through education-focused programs, such as IN-SPACe’s model rocketry competition in India, and product collaborations, such as those between Blue Origin and Estes Industries.
North America was the largest region in the model rockets market in 2025. The Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.
recovery systems and multi-stage designs. Industry activity has expanded through education-focused programs, such as IN-SPACe’s model rocketry competition in India, and product collaborations, such as those between Blue Origin and Estes Industries.
North America was the largest region in the model rockets market in 2025. The Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.
Traditional toys and games are projected to grow from $111.4 billion in 2026 to $225.8 billion by 2036, according to research firm FMI, with a 7.3% consolidated annual growth rate (CAGR) fueled by demand for hands-on, screen-light play and products that support learning and development. Board games lead the category with about a 42% share, while online retail accounts for roughly 38% of sales, as parents compare age fit, features and reviews before buying. FMI says the Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe will remain key growth regions, with China, India, Brazil, the United States and Germany among the fastest-growing markets.
While online retail commands the largest share of distribution, hobby and toy specialty retailers and department stores maintain relevance through in-store demonstrations and experiential purchase environments, while institutional procurement programs represent an expanding supplemental channel.
Growth is supported by rising parental concern over screen exposure, stronger curriculum integration of educational toys, and sustained cross-generational purchasing patterns spanning children, parents, and extended families. Even as digital entertainment and mobile gaming intensify competition, manufacturers are reinforcing demand by positioning traditional toys as tools that support cognitive development, skill-building, and structured family interaction.
While online retail commands the largest share of distribution, hobby and toy specialty retailers and department stores maintain relevance through in-store demonstrations and experiential purchase environments, while institutional procurement programs represent an expanding supplemental channel.
Growth is supported by rising parental concern over screen exposure, stronger curriculum integration of educational toys, and sustained cross-generational purchasing patterns spanning children, parents, and extended families. Even as digital entertainment and mobile gaming intensify competition, manufacturers are reinforcing demand by positioning traditional toys as tools that support cognitive development, skill-building, and structured family interaction.
Hasbro has expanded its U.S. supply chain by opening a new 600,000-square-foot distribution center in Midway, Georgia, to improve speed and efficiency across both retail and direct-to-consumer
channels.
The facility — Hasbro’s first fully developed, leased and branded warehouse in the U.S. — is located in Liberty County, less than an hour from the Port of Savannah. It will play a central role in the company’s North American logistics network, complementing existing operations in California and Illinois.
Company officials said the site is expected to handle roughly a quarter of Hasbro’s U.S. distribution volume while enhancing
omni-channel fulfillment capabilities.
“By opening our first company-leased U.S. distribution center, we’re expanding our supply chain capabilities to deliver products faster and more efficiently,” said Stephanie Beal, chief supply chain officer at Hasbro.
For retailers, the investment signals continued focus on faster replenishment, improved inventory flow and stronger support for both in-store and e-commerce demand.
channels.
The facility — Hasbro’s first fully developed, leased and branded warehouse in the U.S. — is located in Liberty County, less than an hour from the Port of Savannah. It will play a central role in the company’s North American logistics network, complementing existing operations in California and Illinois.
Company officials said the site is expected to handle roughly a quarter of Hasbro’s U.S. distribution volume while enhancing
omni-channel fulfillment capabilities.
“By opening our first company-leased U.S. distribution center, we’re expanding our supply chain capabilities to deliver products faster and more efficiently,” said Stephanie Beal, chief supply chain officer at Hasbro.
For retailers, the investment signals continued focus on faster replenishment, improved inventory flow and stronger support for both in-store and e-commerce demand.
Wes’s Model Car Corner is acquiring the assets of Gofer Racing Products, a longtime name in model car decals and accessories, in a move both owners say is designed to preserve the brand and keep orders flowing with minimal disruption. Retiring Gofer owner Henry Mason said the sale is driven by his health and his inability to keep up with the business, while Wes Hurst said the transition should be smooth for dealers and distributors.
Mason said he chose Hurst because of their long business relationship that dates back to the NASCAR boom years. “Wes is a straight shooter,” Mason said, adding that he is glad the brand will have “a very good home.” Hurst said the goal is to keep the Gofer name alive while folding fulfillment into Wes’s existing retail and e-commerce operations in eastern Tennessee.
Under the deal, Hurst is buying Gofer’s inventory, cabinets, trademarks, website, and other assets, and he said open accounts will continue to be treated as they have been.
He also said orders will ship from Wes’s facility, which uses UPS daily, a change he believes will improve speed and reliability. “We want to try to make it as seamless a transfer as possible,” Hurst said.
The acquisition also drives new product plans. Hurst said Wes’s Model Car Corner intends to develop photo-etched parts under the Gofer name and for Wes’s existing products, such as modifieds, trailers and new dirt late-model kits. Mason said he is pleased that Hurst’s family, including his wife and daughter, may also be involved in the business, bringing added energy and technical know-how.
For hobby shop owners, the message is continuity: same brand recognition, new ownership, and no immediate change in how accounts are handled. Mason said he expects the transfer to help preserve decades of Gofer Racing’s market presence, noting that he does not want the brand to disappear after more than 50 years in the hobby.
Mason said he chose Hurst because of their long business relationship that dates back to the NASCAR boom years. “Wes is a straight shooter,” Mason said, adding that he is glad the brand will have “a very good home.” Hurst said the goal is to keep the Gofer name alive while folding fulfillment into Wes’s existing retail and e-commerce operations in eastern Tennessee.
Under the deal, Hurst is buying Gofer’s inventory, cabinets, trademarks, website, and other assets, and he said open accounts will continue to be treated as they have been.
He also said orders will ship from Wes’s facility, which uses UPS daily, a change he believes will improve speed and reliability. “We want to try to make it as seamless a transfer as possible,” Hurst said.
The acquisition also drives new product plans. Hurst said Wes’s Model Car Corner intends to develop photo-etched parts under the Gofer name and for Wes’s existing products, such as modifieds, trailers and new dirt late-model kits. Mason said he is pleased that Hurst’s family, including his wife and daughter, may also be involved in the business, bringing added energy and technical know-how.
For hobby shop owners, the message is continuity: same brand recognition, new ownership, and no immediate change in how accounts are handled. Mason said he expects the transfer to help preserve decades of Gofer Racing’s market presence, noting that he does not want the brand to disappear after more than 50 years in the hobby.
Hasbro has expanded its U.S. supply chain by opening a new 600,000-square-foot distribution center in Midway, Georgia, to improve speed and efficiency across both retail and direct-to-consumer channels.
The facility — Hasbro’s first fully developed, leased and branded warehouse in the U.S. — is located in Liberty County, less than an hour from the Port of Savannah. It will play a central role in the company’s North American logistics network, complementing existing operations in California and Illinois.
Company officials said the site is expected to handle roughly a quarter of Hasbro’s U.S. distribution volume while enhancing omni-channel fulfillment capabilities.
“By opening our first company-leased U.S. distribution center, we’re expanding our supply chain capabilities to deliver products faster and more efficiently,” said Stephanie Beal, chief supply chain officer at Hasbro.
For retailers, the investment signals continued focus on faster replenishment, improved inventory flow and stronger support for both in-store and e-commerce demand.
The facility — Hasbro’s first fully developed, leased and branded warehouse in the U.S. — is located in Liberty County, less than an hour from the Port of Savannah. It will play a central role in the company’s North American logistics network, complementing existing operations in California and Illinois.
Company officials said the site is expected to handle roughly a quarter of Hasbro’s U.S. distribution volume while enhancing omni-channel fulfillment capabilities.
“By opening our first company-leased U.S. distribution center, we’re expanding our supply chain capabilities to deliver products faster and more efficiently,” said Stephanie Beal, chief supply chain officer at Hasbro.
For retailers, the investment signals continued focus on faster replenishment, improved inventory flow and stronger support for both in-store and e-commerce demand.
After three years in business, Lebanon Valley Hobbies has outgrown its Cleona location and reopened in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. Owner Jason Fidler said the new store will have a larger sales floor and more room for race tracks, including a Mini Z layout.
Fidler moved out of his house of 26 years and, two months later, relocated the store.
“Take it easy on us!” Fidler asked his Facebook followers. “We will be adding inventory weekly, as we didn’t want to move a lot.” Fidler remodeled the store with paint, flooring, and new fixtures.
Fidler moved out of his house of 26 years and, two months later, relocated the store.
“Take it easy on us!” Fidler asked his Facebook followers. “We will be adding inventory weekly, as we didn’t want to move a lot.” Fidler remodeled the store with paint, flooring, and new fixtures.
HobbyTown opened the first two of five stores in the Houston area. These stores will be corporate owned rather than franchises and are designed to combine physical and online retailing. The new locations in Spring and Shenandoah feature collectibles such as Funko Pops and Gundam figures, as well as RC vehicles, LEGO sets, and model kits.
The refund process of eligible IEEPA tariff refund claims is under way, and importers should be actively checking the status of eligible tariff refund claims.
Limited refunds began with Phase 1 through CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) system operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. CAPE will consolidate refunds of multiple IEEPA duties, including interest, rather than processing refunds on an entry-by-entry basis.
While refunds are a real thing, the process may make it difficult for small importers to make claims, according to the Hobby Industry Coalition.
“For many small and mid-sized importers, this creates a practical burden: the process is real, but tracking remains the responsibility of the importer and its broker,” HIC said in an email to its members.
Members should avoid treating expected refunds as received cash until funds are actually paid, the HIC said.
Even where entries appear eligible, timing can vary. Certain entries, including extended, suspended, under-review, or warehouse entries, may require different timing or additional review before refunds are issued.
Companies should also be cautious about relying on third-party claims, online tools, or unofficial estimates without confirming results through their broker, ACE/CAPE records, or professional advisors.
The legal refund generally flows to the Importer of Record. How the importer handles the refunds is a separate accounting, tax, and customer relations question.
Companies may be in different situations: Some importers absorbed tariff costs directly and may need refunds to repair balance sheets, restore working capital, reduce debt, or rebuild inventory.
Some importers applied specific tariff surcharges to dealers, distributors, or customers, which may create different expectations. Some importers raised prices generally, without a separate tariff line item, making the relationship between the original tariff cost and later refund less direct.
HIC is not recommending a single approach. Each company should review its own facts with its broker, accountant, legal counsel, and management team before making commitments.
Limited refunds began with Phase 1 through CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) system operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. CAPE will consolidate refunds of multiple IEEPA duties, including interest, rather than processing refunds on an entry-by-entry basis.
While refunds are a real thing, the process may make it difficult for small importers to make claims, according to the Hobby Industry Coalition.
“For many small and mid-sized importers, this creates a practical burden: the process is real, but tracking remains the responsibility of the importer and its broker,” HIC said in an email to its members.
Members should avoid treating expected refunds as received cash until funds are actually paid, the HIC said.
Even where entries appear eligible, timing can vary. Certain entries, including extended, suspended, under-review, or warehouse entries, may require different timing or additional review before refunds are issued.
Companies should also be cautious about relying on third-party claims, online tools, or unofficial estimates without confirming results through their broker, ACE/CAPE records, or professional advisors.
The legal refund generally flows to the Importer of Record. How the importer handles the refunds is a separate accounting, tax, and customer relations question.
Companies may be in different situations: Some importers absorbed tariff costs directly and may need refunds to repair balance sheets, restore working capital, reduce debt, or rebuild inventory.
Some importers applied specific tariff surcharges to dealers, distributors, or customers, which may create different expectations. Some importers raised prices generally, without a separate tariff line item, making the relationship between the original tariff cost and later refund less direct.
HIC is not recommending a single approach. Each company should review its own facts with its broker, accountant, legal counsel, and management team before making commitments.
The American Toy Specialty Retailing Association (ASTRA) is piloting a program with DoorDash to test whether consumers will use the platform to engage with toy retailers. The organization was seeking toy retailers that use Shopify for their website to participate in the 90-day pilot
program, according to Ashley Kreisman, program specialist.
The pilot program will help ASTRA and DoorDash understand how the typical DoorDash customer engages with toys. DoorDash customers are actively discovering new retailers, and 31% say DoorDash introduced them to a store they wouldn’t have otherwise tried. The toy category remains largely untapped, with only about 3% of DoorDash users currently having access to a top-tier toy selection.
Participants will get exposure to a large, local customer base, with 32 million DoorDash customers within 10 miles of ASTRA stores, and an easy way to offer same-day delivery, with orders fulfilled by Dashers, not store staff. Stores won’t pay a commission to DoorDash during the trial.
The NRHSA Membership & Partnership Committee, led by Kirk Wiggs, is currently working to establish a similar relationship in the near future.
The pilot program will help ASTRA and DoorDash understand how the typical DoorDash customer engages with toys. DoorDash customers are actively discovering new retailers, and 31% say DoorDash introduced them to a store they wouldn’t have otherwise tried. The toy category remains largely untapped, with only about 3% of DoorDash users currently having access to a top-tier toy selection.
Participants will get exposure to a large, local customer base, with 32 million DoorDash customers within 10 miles of ASTRA stores, and an easy way to offer same-day delivery, with orders fulfilled by Dashers, not store staff. Stores won’t pay a commission to DoorDash during the trial.
The NRHSA Membership & Partnership Committee, led by Kirk Wiggs, is currently working to establish a similar relationship in the near future.
Early registration for the NRHSA Conference & Table-Top Expo, Oct. 4-7, at The Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, is open through June 30.
The conference features a full schedule of educational seminars designed to help retailers run their stores more effectively and build better relationships with their suppliers. Exclusive retailer-only sessions connect store owners with leading companies. Demo sessions for aircraft, boats, and cars let retailers see products in action and take the controls for a test drive.
The Table-Top Expo features dozens of exhibitors showcasing new products. Some vendors offer show discounts on volume purchases and shipping, boosting retailers’ bottom lines. NRHSA members get even more benefits, including additional registration discounts. For more information and to register, visit nrhsa.org.
The conference features a full schedule of educational seminars designed to help retailers run their stores more effectively and build better relationships with their suppliers. Exclusive retailer-only sessions connect store owners with leading companies. Demo sessions for aircraft, boats, and cars let retailers see products in action and take the controls for a test drive.
The Table-Top Expo features dozens of exhibitors showcasing new products. Some vendors offer show discounts on volume purchases and shipping, boosting retailers’ bottom lines. NRHSA members get even more benefits, including additional registration discounts. For more information and to register, visit nrhsa.org.
In the colorful, upbeat board game Upstaged! by Koalatie Games, players become competing music producers aiming to form the next big musical trio.
Family RC has survived 13 years by leaning into what big-box and online sellers cannot easily replace: a hands-on community, a welcoming atmosphere, and the chance to actually use what you buy. In an environment where margins matter, and Amazon looms in the background, Tim Vallad and his daughter, Melissa Burdo, have built a shop in Clinton Township, Michigan, that feels less like a retail store and more like a clubhouse for hobbyists.
If that’s too long, try this: A father-daughter team shows why Family RC is so much more than the store name.
If that’s too long, try this: A father-daughter team shows why Family RC is so much more than the store name.