18 November 2021: eBay, Australia’s most visited shopping site1, has revealed this year’s expert-picked, data-backed toy trends ahead of Christmas to help guide parents on the hottest buys. And what’s old is new again with items from the past top of the wish list.
eBay’s top toy trends for Christmas are:
- Absolute retro: All adults remember their favourite childhood toys and this year some long-forgotten toys are making a comeback. eBay data shows sales of Sea Monkeys are up 54 per cent3 and the Pokémon category has increased by 69 per cent4 - ready for a new generation of parents to enjoy with their children.
- Old meets new: Classic toys have had makeovers to reflect social trends. Barbie Loves the Ocean is a doll line made from recycled plastic with a variety of skin tones, shapes and sizes. Meanwhile LEGO has gone hi-tech with the Super Mario Adventures with Luigi Starter Course - featuring an LCD screen and motion sensors so Luigi can react in real time to a LEGO obstacle course, bringing the classic video game into the real world.
- New innovations: Toys like the Chillafish Skatescootie which is a scooter that converts to a skateboard are expected to be popular on eBay. And there’s the Gotta Go Turdle that not only sings, dances and eats but also comes equipped with a toilet for when it has “gotta go”!
eBay Australia’s Sophie Onikul said, “We know many parents are fatigued from home schooling, so it’s no surprise to see only 16 per cent of parents saying science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) toys are a priority, compared to 42 per cent pre-pandemic. Instead, they’re embracing the resurgence of retro favourites such as Sea Monkeys and Pokémon so they can introduce their own kids to the toys they loved growing up.
“eBay is a cultural barometer that sees purchases on the site reflect what’s happening in the world. With environmental concerns currently making headlines across the globe, we’re seeing eco-friendly versions of classics like Barbie as well as plush toys made from plastic waste popular among those conscious about their footprint. New toys such as a scooter that converts to a skateboard are also hugely popular following the Olympics that saw skateboard sales up by 51 per cent on site.”
eBay research shows parents will spend an average of $195² on each child - only $4 more than last year, and less than half (45 per cent)2 are excited about buying presents for their kids.
“Considering over a quarter (28 per cent)2 of Australians say Christmas shopping is more stressful than visiting the dentist, eBay is the best place to find toys for kids of all ages, taking the stress out of Christmas shopping with a huge range of toys from 40,000 retailers including Big W, Myer and Toys “R” Us,” adds Onikul.
Shoppers can find all the top toys at www.ebay.com.au/toys.
eBay’s top toy picks of 2021:
Notes to editors
Download product imagery here for all eBay’s top toy picks for Christmas 2021.
For more information, please contact:
Samii Avdic, Pulse
T: 0402 609 749 | E: samii.avdic@wearepulse.com.au
Natasha Moate, Pulse
T: 0435 524 039 | E: Natasha.Moate@wearepulse.com.au
About eBay:
eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader that connects millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world. We exist to enable economic opportunity for individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations of all sizes. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2020, eBay enabled over $85 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.
Footnotes:
1. Similarweb, 2021
2. 3Lonergan research amongst 1,030 Australians aged 18+ years old, commissioned by eBay Australia, 8-14 October 2021
3. eBay internal data, 27 Dec 2020 - 27 May 2021 vs 28 May 2021 - 28 Oct 2021
4. eBay internal data, Jan-Sept 2019 vs Jan-Sept 2020