Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks wants more price points under $20, and a Retail Brew report says the Ross closeouts hurt the brand’s perceived value. New photos detail the Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime trailer, with room for Bumblebee, a Deluxe car and four Titan Masters. Takara Tomy’s retooled 40th Selection Lio Convoy and the Hasbro EarthSpark Deluxes get official images. In What We Got This Week, Brian lands a G1 Grand Max at half the usual price.
News
Toy Turnaround: Hasbro’s Chris Cocks on Q2 Earnings and Beyond
In a Toy Book interview, Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks called direct to consumer the company’s biggest growth channel last year. He also wants to focus on price points under $20. The crew noted that is rough for Transformers outside the small and evergreen lines. One host pointed to recent rollbacks, such as $19.97 Deluxes at Walmart, as possible price testing. One host explained that cutting owned inventory frees up cash, and he wondered whether Walmart’s Transformers stock is on consignment. Another host doubted it, since Walmart runs its own toy inventory. [Source: The Toy Book]
Hasbro Streamlines Supply Chain Amid Slumping Physical Toy Sales
Retail Brew reports that Hasbro raised profits without raising prices by cutting inventory and adjusting supply goals. The article says the massive closeout to Ross and other discounters hurt the perceived value of the affected lines. The crew agreed that discount bins teach fans to wait for $7 toys instead of paying $25. [Source: Retail Brew]
Takara Tomy Transformers 40th Anniversary TF-40A Lio Convoy Official Images
Takara Tomy’s 40th Selection Lio Convoy is an extensively retooled Legacy Lio Convoy. Most changes are to the lion parts, including a new mane, plus a new deco and possibly new accessories. The result is closer to Beast Wars II on screen. One host still prefers the Robot Masters version, and another recalled the original toy as a disappointment after years of wanting it. [Source: TFW2005]
Hasbro EarthSpark Deluxe Aftermath and Jawbreaker First Look
Stock images show Hasbro’s EarthSpark Deluxe Aftermath and Jawbreaker. The crew who bought the Takara Tomy versions feel vindicated. Still, one host wants the Hasbro Jawbreaker because its colors are completely wrong but vibrant and cute. The Hasbro Deluxes are deco changes only. [Source: Snakas Blog]
TFND Shows Off Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime and Trailer Details
New photos show the Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime trailer interior in detail. It holds Studio Series 86 Bumblebee plus a smallish Deluxe car, and four Titan Masters fit with Roller. The scale shots line up well with other Studio Series 86 figures. The crew thinks Hasbro addressed feedback on the Earthrise trailer. The one gripe is that Optimus Prime’s backpack still cannot be stored in the trailer. [Source: Snakas Blog]
Amazon Exclusive Bludgeon Behind the Scenes
Mark Maher shared behind-the-scenes notes on the Amazon exclusive Bludgeon. His original concept added a new turret shell for the tank mode, but it did not make budget. His post includes a papercraft mockup of that proof of concept. One host thought the deco resembled the 2001 Robots in Disguise Bludgeon. Another host said both simply draw loosely on the original toy’s inner robot colors. [Source: Mark Maher on Instagram]
Transformers One Halloween Costumes Revealed
Transformers One Halloween costumes are out, including a light-up Matrix of Leadership for about $15. Brian bought one even though it showed as temporarily out of stock, and he plans to buy every one he sees. One host noted Walmart’s Halloween section has carried similar accessories before. [Source: TFW2005]
Rare Transformers Toys Are Helping Children in Poverty
The BBC covered the Toy-Fu charity table at TF Nation, which sells Transformers to help feed children in poverty. One host was happy to see the effort recognized. Another noted that a YouTuber who works with the group posted a video about the stock heading to TF Nation that weekend. [Source: BBC News]
What We Got This Week
Don
Don ordered the Takara Tomy EarthSpark Hashtag, Jawbreaker and Aftermath from Suruga-ya, since free shipping made them cheaper than US retail.
Matt
Matt got the new Transformers album from Amazon as an art piece that will likely never leave its cellophane. He also drove an hour and a half to Target for Studio Series 86 Ratchet and Brawn, and he loves Brawn’s screaming, one-eye-squinting head sculpt.
Rob
Rob got EarthSpark Aftermath from Suruga-ya for about $28. He agrees the Japanese paint is much better than the US version’s. He also finally bought Legacy Strongarm for $16 on Amazon. He calls it decent but would like another take on the character. One host’s tip: pop the fenders off their pegs and clip them into the backpack to free up the arms.
Chris
Chris got the Transformers One Lunchables, and he enjoyed them.
John DeLuna
John got Legacy Cybertron Hot Shot, big for a modern Deluxe and fine if you lack the original. He loves Ferak on the Cyclonus mold, even more than as Cyclonus. He also got Studio Series 86 Springer, which he likes, though its Siege-style engineering is still fiddly.
Brian Kilby
Brian got a G1 Grand Max from ArtFire2000 for about half the usual price. It has the Pretender shell but is missing the shell weapons, and some tower latches are broken. Still, it displays beautifully with good stickers. The crew noted Grand Max and Fortress Maximus make great long-term restoration projects.