# Stickers and building sets help drive toy sales ahead of Christmas rush

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/stickers-and-building-sets-help-drive-toy-sales-ahead-of-christmas-rush/
- Published: 2026-11-11T00:16:44+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T01:24:39+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Business (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx5ynyg6j375o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Business

## Key points

- UK toy sales rose 17% up to October.
- Traditional toys are driving demand.
- Nearly half of sales come before Christmas.

## Summary

UK toy sales rose 17% up to October compared with the same period last year, reaching their strongest growth in a decade, despite pressure on household budgets. The figures suggest traditional, hands-on play is helping drive demand as families and the toy industry head into the crucial Christmas shopping period.

Sales of toys priced between £5 and £10 have grown, while toys and games bought by people over 12 saw a 22% rise in value in the first half of the year. Squishy toys, stickers and building sets are popular; connected toys account for less than 1% of sales. Nearly half of annual toy sales happen before Christmas, and parents are paying attention to both cost and safety.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.