Barbie's Career Move Leads to Warning

Toymaker Mattel announced disappointing earnings yesterday, missing analysts projections by $0.10 per share. One reason profits were discouraging has been the decline in popularity of the iconic Barbie doll, sales of which fell 12% — the fourth quarter in a row that Barbie turnover declined year-over-year.

Toymaker Mattel announced disappointing earnings yesterday, missing analysts projections by $0.10 per share. One reason profits were discouraging has been the decline in popularity of the iconic Barbie doll, sales of which fell 12% — the fourth quarter in a row that Barbie turnover declined year-over-year.

She’s had countless wardrobe changes, new hair colours and tried out 150 jobs. But this time, 55-year-old Barbie may need more than a career makeover to stay alive, as her popularity wanes amid competition from newer dolls and rising interest in smartphones and tablets. Mattel Inc., the world’s largest toymaker, said global sales for its iconic Barbie doll fell 15% in the second quarter ended June 30, the steepest drop since mid-2009. Barbie sales have slumped in eight of the past 10 quarters.

The first Barbie-themed restaurant has opened in Taiwan, where Barbie dolls were originally manufactured. Barbie has inspired many things in her 54-year existence: little girls’ imaginations, artwork and feminist ire among them. Now Barbie Cafe, a restaurant dedicated to the doll, has opened in Taiwan and it’s as pink and plastic as one might expect.

(EL SEGUNDO, Calif.) — Mattel’s third-quarter net income rose 16 percent, buoyed for demand for dolls like Monster High, Barbie and American Girl as well as strength domestically and abroad. Its performance beat Wall Street expectations. The stock rose nearly 6 percent in premarket trading on Wednesday. The quarterly results come as toy makers gear up for the holiday season, which can account for up to half of their annual revenue.

(EL SEGUNDO, Calif.) — Mattel’s third-quarter net income rose 16 percent, buoyed for demand for dolls like Monster High, Barbie and American Girl as well as strength domestically and abroad. Its performance beat Wall Street expectations. The stock rose nearly 6 percent in premarket trading on Wednesday. The quarterly results come as toy makers gear up for the holiday season, which can account for up to half of their annual revenue.