Board Games Enjoy Big Sales
Board Games Enjoy Big Sales
By LISI de BOURBON, AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - The recession and fears of terrorism may be killing business
most places, but not at Marvin Gardens.
From Monopoly to Scrabble to Cranium, board games are enjoying a surge in
sales as people try to enjoy themselves in the safest, most economical place
they know - their homes.
Families are spending more time together following the Sept. 11 attacks, and
the recession is forcing many people to spend less. Retailers and
manufacturers say that kind of behavior typically sends sales of games and
puzzles up, and it has so far this year.
Hasbro says sales of its classic board games - including Trivial Pursuit,
Monopoly, Clue, Pictionary and Scrabble - have seen a low, double-digit rise
during the first three quarters of this year, compared with the same period
in 2000.
What's significant is to see that much growth,'' said Mark Morris, a
spokesman for Pawtucket, R.I.-based Hasbro Inc., owner of Parker Brothers
and Milton Bradley. ``You have to remember, these games have been around for
a while. Scrabble is 53, Candy Land is 52 and Monopoly is 66 years old. It
really speaks to a trend that people have rediscovered board games.''
Susan Nielsen, 39, said she and her husband introduced her two boys to
Tripoley when they were visiting her parents over Thanksgiving in Walla
Walla, Wash., and were instantly hooked.
I think it's wonderful family time,'' said Nielsen, who lives in Spokane,
Wash. ``It gives us time to visit and talk and be with each other.''
A self-proclaimed board game fanatic, Nielsen said she plans to give
Tripoley, which combines Michigan Rummy, Hearts and Poker, to three
different people as Christmas presents.
Low on money and tired of television, Rachel Lukawski and her boyfriend
recently spent an entire Saturday at home in Chicago doing battle against
each other on Scrabble and Monopoly boards.
We had so much fun,'' said Lukawski, 24. ``We were talking about how cool it
would be if you could rent a board game and return them a few days later.''
AreYouGame.com, a San Francisco-based Web site that sells board games and
puzzles, expects volume to more than double this year, said company
president Jim Stern. Cranium, Battle of the Sexes, Harry Potter (news - web
sites) games, chess, backgammon and mah-jongg are doing particularly well,
he said.
There's nothing better than doing things that really bring people together,
especially during a time of uncertainty,'' Stern said. Also, we're seeing an
increase in online sales because people are taking more comfort in shopping
in the safety of their own homes.''
Bigger outfits such as K-B Toys, Toys R Us and Zany Brainy also are enjoying
brisk sales of board games, although they declined to release a specific
breakdown of holiday season sales. Most said that board game sales had been
moving higher even before the onset of the recession and the terrorist
attacks.
It was a good trend to begin with,'' said K-B Toys spokesman John Reilly.
``It just got better.''
