Kenner “Brings force to toy stores” in 1980
It’s amazing just how well Kenner did with their Star Wars action figures and vehicles when the original trilogy was first released in theaters. Millions of toys sold — reportedly over 40 million in the first year alone — the line was a juggernaut of marketing muscle that sucked down dollars left and right. Surprisingly, there were some in 1980 who weren’t convinced that Kenner would keep collecting ridiculous amounts of money from the line.
This July 7, 1980 article comes from The Bryan Times and is all negative and unfun with:
“When the toys first came out, people would buy anything with Star Wars written on it, but now they are concerned with the quality of the play value of the toys they are buying, said Judy Hodge, a buyer for a Covington, Ky., toy store. Plus, many kids already have Star Wars toys, so they’ll just probably add a few new ones to their collection.”
It’s clear to me that someone dramatically underestimated us kids of the eighties.
Related articles
- “Star Wars Toys’ Success Shocking” (battlegrip.com)
- 1982 Savings on Star Wars Action Figures and Toys (battlegrip.com)
- 1981 Children’s Palace Star Wars Ad in the Pittsburgh Press (battlegrip.com)