While you’re in the store, remember to observe how the various toys are being sold: pay attention to categories, pricing, packaging, product displays, and the amount of retail shelf space devoted to each category, etc. This information will be especially important if you should later decide to manufacture your invention yourself.
Read the industry trade magazines, especially after the new items have been previewed by toy buyers at Toy Inflatable Tent For Sale Fair and other major tradeshows. Check your library’s Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature (see “toys, games” for feature stories about new toy industry products) to follow the consumer press; consider both seasonal updates (e.g., outdoor and ride-on toys will be covered more heavily in the spring) as well as news during the holiday shopping season. You may also want to obtain copies of annual reports of publicly-owned toy manufacturers and toy retail chains.