Target and Toys R Us have HO stuff...sort of

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

After Wal Mart took the plunge and offers models/toys in many different scales, their competitors seem to be taking note, specially when HO vehicles are concerned.

Target started last year, in December. Their Christmas section was located several shelfs from the diecast aisle, and they were offering Winner Circle's sets of HO Nascar Racers. After the Holiday was over, these were not to be seen, but as of August they started to show of, with regular packaging. Set of 3, at $7.99 each.

As of August, Toys R Us modified its diecast aisle. This way, Matchbox and RC2/Johnny Lightning have its own area, the Fresh Cherries been brought, but only the 3 inch cars are seen. However, they brought tha Malibu semi tractors - the ones which have the make/model marked at the plastic base that holds the truck.

Of course, no much yet, but I would imagine that Target may bring the 1/87 Hot Wheels and Toys R Us may get the Hot Wheels and Fresh Cherries.Alas, Toys R Us also has a series of semi trailers at their home brand (former Zylmex and Realtoy units).

[Cor_DutchArt]

???Ehhhhh....

Toys R Us worldwide?

[Eric]

Cor,

Even if this is only speculative, it is very likely that the Dutch TRU shops won't carry them. TRU in the Netherlands is a division of Blokker/Giraffe if I remember correctly. After TRU wanted to withdraw from the Dutch market they (Blokker) bought the TRU stores and were allowed to use the TRU name and logo.

Eric

[BillC]

I don't know about Target, but it might be worth keeping your eyes open at Toys "R" Us next year.

[Cor_DutchArt]

admin said:

Cor,

Even if this is only speculative, it is very likely that the Dutch TRU shops won't carry them. TRU in the Netherlands is a division of Blokker/Giraffe if I remember correctly. After TRU wanted to withdraw from the Dutch market they (Blokker) bought the TRU stores and were allowed to use the TRU name and logo.

Eric

Thanks for your information Eric!

[swampdaddy]

Hi all: It's been a decade or more but Target once carried dozens of varieties of the BIG RIGS (made by Zylmex) in HO. There was a cab over that looked vaguely like an International. Three variants of long hood cabs with and without sleepers. Almost all had two 20' containers on a simplified chassis, some regular semi-trailers, a few tankers.

Cabs were die cast, container chassis ditto. All else was plastic. The cabs may have been a bit undersized for HO but the containers were right on. Detail was poor; but, they were only $1.97 each. So, at that time I bought dozens simply for the containers (to fill up my storage yards) which were at that price far cheaper than others then available.

Over the years, Target has has some HO (labeled as such) though in most cases there was no detail worth buying so I never really checked to see how close to scale they were.

Swamp Daddy

[stanhas87]

Dear Harry:

Target also had the Road Champs Tractor/Trailers, and these were the first one to mold the Kenworth T600. The Zylmex were the Mack Cruiseliner, a Modern International with sleeper plus the assortment of Pets and Kenworths. Now Toys R Us are stocking these (the Zylmex ones) and I managed to see the Mack plus another one (by Realtoy) which I was unable to recognize.

Nick K

[hovehicle]

It looks like Walmart will be getting some competition from Toys-R-Us next year! That is great news. Hopefully, it will be a brand new line other than the Malibus, Fresh Cherries and Reel Rides. If it's good quality diecast at a decent price it will be another major plus for the hobby.

Vito L.

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

I confirmed this fact on my weekly visit to Target and I comprehend why GM authorized the NASCAR Vehicle version.

Yesterday night's visit made me realize that the individual packs of Winner Circle's NASCAR racers are now sold at Target. Is interesting to notice that at first, by Christmas 2006, apecial sets were sold at the Christmas (not diecast alley) section; by mid-2007, there were the three-pack versions, and now individual packs, and yes, the Impala been spotted and yeah, mine. That was the last one, and from the two Cases they had, one was already empty and the second one had only six cars left, that including the Impala. So these sell; hence, on my view, GM's decision.

So Target can be considered as an HO-Vehicle (not only trucks, as in the past, but cars as well). Regarding Toys R Us, nothing been really happening regarding further HO lines.

By the 1990's, NASCAR was all the craze on the Diecast Alley and the former George's Toy Show was a proof of that with so many dealers having the wares of RC2, Action and many others, including Revell, Mattell. By 1997 I would be hearing the compalints how things were slowing down, and by this Century, as RC2 pulled their Racing Minaitures off the shelfs, NASCAR would almost not seen at the Store's Shelfs. As of last year, Target has expanded its Racing Space, and it seems that their Sets were selling well, hence the Individual Packs now.

[hovehicle]

In reply #3 in this thread Bill C. states that Toys-R-Us might be worth watching because I'm assuming there will be a new line of HO vehicles, or at the least an expansion of HO vehicles, possibly already in existence. I know Bill just said they will be worth watching; I added my own thoughts on what could happen at Toys-R-Us. Hopefully, a new line does get introduced in 2008 that brings us more quality, affordable HO vehicles.

Vito L.

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

It seems that the HO NASCAR Racers from Winners Circle are quite popular; Wal Mart, Target and now KMart stock them. Also, I saw the 1/87 scale Norscots being present at the Pasadena's Walgreens and Burbank's KMart, but that does not seem to be the case now.