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The show floor was abuzz with retailers and exhibitors working on 4th-quarter buying deals.
The national franchise network expands with corporate stores to build its brand.
Boom Supersonic announces the Boom Prize for the first RC airplane to break the sound barrier.
Keith Pruitt reviews AMT 1/25 1965 Dodge Coronet 500 Hardtop HEMI, Tamiya 1/35 US Light Tank M24 Chaffee European Theater, and Academy 1/35 UH-60M Black Hawk.
With exciting customer appreciation days, hobby shops share the love.
Richard N. “Dick” Maddox, former President and COO of Lionel and Senior Vice President of Sales
and Marketing at Bachmann Trains.
Walter W. “Bud” Reece Sr., Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Bachmann Trains.
Walter W. “Bud” Reece Sr., Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Bachmann Trains.
The 2026 edition of the North East Toy and Gift Show (NETS) is scheduled for August 30–Sept. 1, 2026, at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The show was created in 2024 as an economical way for specialty retailers to review full lines of products and interact directly with vendors, without having the expense of going to New York or Atlanta.
Because of the central location, retailers are able to bring their staff to learn about products, and vendors are able to garner direct feedback on their products and programs. Because the show runs at the start of the 4th quarter, retailers are ready to buy, and vendors are ready to ship.
This year’s event features the 5th Annual Game and Kit Night and special networking events. For more information, visit www.netoyshow.com.
The show was created in 2024 as an economical way for specialty retailers to review full lines of products and interact directly with vendors, without having the expense of going to New York or Atlanta.
Because of the central location, retailers are able to bring their staff to learn about products, and vendors are able to garner direct feedback on their products and programs. Because the show runs at the start of the 4th quarter, retailers are ready to buy, and vendors are ready to ship.
This year’s event features the 5th Annual Game and Kit Night and special networking events. For more information, visit www.netoyshow.com.
Squishy format toys like NeeDoh and other sensory-oriented products are squeezing out triple-digit growth in both dollars and units sold, according to Circana, the retail toy consulting group. U.S. sales were up 13% through April compared to 2025, driven by trending licenses and formats that resonate across generations.
Adult consumers accounted for 35% of total industry growth, while women represented more than 50% of overall sales.
Despite price sensitivity, Circana found that more consumers gravitate toward mid-tier and premium price points. While entry-level products face mounting pressure, higher-priced items help generate increased revenue, even as unit growth remains more moderate.
Social media and viral posts expose consumers to new sensory toys.
“Strong retail performance and social-driven discovery are transforming sensory toys from a niche segment into a scalable growth category,” said Kristen McLean, vice president of client insights for Circana.
The toy industry’s promising start to 2026 reflects a unique intersection of resilient demand and evolving consumer behavior. “Growth is being driven by enthusiasm for trading cards, collectibles, and licensed properties across age groups, reinforcing toys as a bright spot despite broader pressure on discretionary spending,” McLean said.
Adult consumers accounted for 35% of total industry growth, while women represented more than 50% of overall sales.
Despite price sensitivity, Circana found that more consumers gravitate toward mid-tier and premium price points. While entry-level products face mounting pressure, higher-priced items help generate increased revenue, even as unit growth remains more moderate.
Social media and viral posts expose consumers to new sensory toys.
“Strong retail performance and social-driven discovery are transforming sensory toys from a niche segment into a scalable growth category,” said Kristen McLean, vice president of client insights for Circana.
The toy industry’s promising start to 2026 reflects a unique intersection of resilient demand and evolving consumer behavior. “Growth is being driven by enthusiasm for trading cards, collectibles, and licensed properties across age groups, reinforcing toys as a bright spot despite broader pressure on discretionary spending,” McLean said.
Authorities in California recovered more than $2.2 million in stolen merchandise in a raid led by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Among the pallets of goods were Tamiya hobby products and 29 pallets of Horizon Hobby parts and supplies. Also among the recovered merchandise were 22,000 boxes of
TaylorMade golf balls and computer server and switch components.
The CHP said the items came from three different thefts, and the crew may be responsible for dozens of robberies.
The goods were stored in a warehouse in Anaheim, and two people in the building were released after investigators found they were unwitting participants in the scheme.
Losses incurred by the trucking industry, insurance companies and railroads exceed $10 billion annually nationwide, and about $225,000 for each incident.
The CHP said the items came from three different thefts, and the crew may be responsible for dozens of robberies.
The goods were stored in a warehouse in Anaheim, and two people in the building were released after investigators found they were unwitting participants in the scheme.
Losses incurred by the trucking industry, insurance companies and railroads exceed $10 billion annually nationwide, and about $225,000 for each incident.
Stepping onto the manicured, nearly two-mile-long runway at the Triple Tree Aerodrome in Woodruff, South Carolina, you instantly realize why
the Joe Nall event is called the Mecca of RC aviation. The collection of campers, pilots, spectators, and, of course, airplanes stretched nearly as far as I could see.
This year, with the generous support of the National Retail Hobby Stores Association and the Academy of Model Aeronautics, I was able to attend this “Oshkosh” of model aviation and capture its raw energy in photos and video for our Hobby Life community.
The Triple Tree Aerodrome operates under a beautiful philosophy: “Events at Triple Tree are people events…the airplanes happen to show up.” For hobby shop owners, this is a great reminder that we are not only selling a box off a shelf but also a lifestyle and a community.
On the main flight line, international flags waved over the grass runway as massive airplanes screamed through the sky. The airshow highlights were a turboprop Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, and, stealing the show, a Breitling L39 skimmed the runway twice right in front of me. Turbine and gas RC planes lined the spectator fence, waiting their turn to take to the air.
Moving down the line, we visited the Pat Hartness historic hangars to see a full-size T-28 Trojan and two PT-17 Stearmans nested there. The nostalgia of full-scale vintage aircraft reminds us of the deep heritage that hooks lifelong customers.
Then we made our way to the 3D flightline, where high-performance aerobatic machines defy the laws of physics, executing mind-bending torque rolls and low-altitude knife edges, driven by their astronomical power-to-weight ratios.
Yet, amidst the roar of aircraft worth thousands of dollars, the most impactful moment was watching a young child playing behind the flight line with what was probably a Firefox foamy, looking up in pure wonder at the spectacle of extreme RC.
Every master pilot handling an advanced 3D machine or turbine jet started exactly like that kid with a piece of foam or balsa wood. Joe Nall proves that the future of our industry lies in bridging these generational gaps, and we, as hobby retailers, share the responsibility of fostering a welcoming, passion-first environment in our shops to inspire the next generation of model aviators.
the Joe Nall event is called the Mecca of RC aviation. The collection of campers, pilots, spectators, and, of course, airplanes stretched nearly as far as I could see.
This year, with the generous support of the National Retail Hobby Stores Association and the Academy of Model Aeronautics, I was able to attend this “Oshkosh” of model aviation and capture its raw energy in photos and video for our Hobby Life community.
The Triple Tree Aerodrome operates under a beautiful philosophy: “Events at Triple Tree are people events…the airplanes happen to show up.” For hobby shop owners, this is a great reminder that we are not only selling a box off a shelf but also a lifestyle and a community.
On the main flight line, international flags waved over the grass runway as massive airplanes screamed through the sky. The airshow highlights were a turboprop Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, and, stealing the show, a Breitling L39 skimmed the runway twice right in front of me. Turbine and gas RC planes lined the spectator fence, waiting their turn to take to the air.
Moving down the line, we visited the Pat Hartness historic hangars to see a full-size T-28 Trojan and two PT-17 Stearmans nested there. The nostalgia of full-scale vintage aircraft reminds us of the deep heritage that hooks lifelong customers.
Then we made our way to the 3D flightline, where high-performance aerobatic machines defy the laws of physics, executing mind-bending torque rolls and low-altitude knife edges, driven by their astronomical power-to-weight ratios.
Yet, amidst the roar of aircraft worth thousands of dollars, the most impactful moment was watching a young child playing behind the flight line with what was probably a Firefox foamy, looking up in pure wonder at the spectacle of extreme RC.
Every master pilot handling an advanced 3D machine or turbine jet started exactly like that kid with a piece of foam or balsa wood. Joe Nall proves that the future of our industry lies in bridging these generational gaps, and we, as hobby retailers, share the responsibility of fostering a welcoming, passion-first environment in our shops to inspire the next generation of model aviators.
Hobby Smith, a store that specializes in tabletop games such as
Warhammer: 40k and Bolt Action, relocated to a larger shop after just a year in operation in Colorado Springs. Jessica and Rafael Rodriguez moved to the larger space in response to an enthusiastic community response.
The new location is a little over a mile away from the original spot. It has more than double the space than before, with about 2,500 square feet for shopping, gaming, and painting, Jessica said. The store was closed for four days during the move. Hobby Smith previously offered limited space for gamers to build, paint, and tweak their units, with three tables set up for gaming sessions. Given the store’s popularity, the Rodríguezes found themselves longing for more space.
“Everyone has been super supportive. We’ve grown way faster than we thought we would in the first year, which has been awesome,” Jessica said.
The larger new location means the store can carry even more games and may allow it to expand into other hobbies, like plastic models. The two have coordinated with the Japan-based giant Tamiya to bring its products, including paint, tools, glue, and model kits, to their store. Even with limited space at the old location, Rafael and Jessica continued to introduce new brands and games as their customer base grew.
“Over the last year, we’ve brought in different brands that we didn’t have before. We have Star Wars Legion, and now we have Monument Hobbies paints and Magic: The Gathering and lots more,” Rafael said.
The new location is a little over a mile away from the original spot. It has more than double the space than before, with about 2,500 square feet for shopping, gaming, and painting, Jessica said. The store was closed for four days during the move. Hobby Smith previously offered limited space for gamers to build, paint, and tweak their units, with three tables set up for gaming sessions. Given the store’s popularity, the Rodríguezes found themselves longing for more space.
“Everyone has been super supportive. We’ve grown way faster than we thought we would in the first year, which has been awesome,” Jessica said.
The larger new location means the store can carry even more games and may allow it to expand into other hobbies, like plastic models. The two have coordinated with the Japan-based giant Tamiya to bring its products, including paint, tools, glue, and model kits, to their store. Even with limited space at the old location, Rafael and Jessica continued to introduce new brands and games as their customer base grew.
“Over the last year, we’ve brought in different brands that we didn’t have before. We have Star Wars Legion, and now we have Monument Hobbies paints and Magic: The Gathering and lots more,” Rafael said.