Mattel magic! Harry Potter range of toys in India by next year

Papiya De in Mumbai

Mattel India, the largest player in the Indian branded toys market, is planning to launch the Harry Potter range of toys in India next year. Mattel India’s managing director, Ms Sangeeta Talwar told The Financial Express: “We will initially do a soft launch and test if the Indian market is ready for the new range and then take it forward.”
The $6-billion Mattel has the license to manufacture the Harry Potter range of toys internationally and has already launched the range in the US and other western markets. After the Harry Porter series met with phenomenal success among children across the globe, Mattel picked up the exclusive right to manufacture this range.

Globally, the peak season for sale of toys coincides with Christmas and New Year and during this time most of the toy companies offer their new products in the market. The Harry Potter range is going to be Mattel’s winning formula for this year. The initial response available proves that it will be hugely successful and will hold the sales for Mattel this season.

Back home, Mattel India, too has chalked out elaborate plans to make the best out of the season. Mattel has in its kitty 20 introductions, which includes “Glam girl Barbie,” Barbie with a washing machine in which if you pour water the clothes actually change colour. What is also on offer is new track sets, formula circuits for the Hot Wheels range, Fire Ball and a number of other variations. In India, the season starts earlier around October and continues right up to January.

Ms Talwar also informed that the Indian company will look at bringing in other products from Mattel’s international range over the next three to four years. “We want to give the Indian children an opportunity to avail the best in the world,” says Ms Talwar. The company would look at introducing products like Pictionery, Scrabble, Mansteel — the latest avatar of He-Man of yesteryears, in India.

With its Fisher Price range, targeted at toddlers, Mattel is also launching developmental activities along with many toys’ associations, paediatricians and playschools to educate parents on how toys help the child in understanding the adult world better. The Fisher Price range is now available with a catalogue explaining which toy helps in improving which sense and motor activities for the child.