Aug 10, 2007

Shoppers avoiding ‘Made in China’By Associated PressAZCentral.com

New York – When Lisa Landry thinks ahead to holiday shopping for her 9-month-old boy, Ari, her concern isn’t which toy is most exciting. It’s which is safest.

“I’ll be looking for anything that won’t harm our child,” she says. “It may not be super-fun.”

Already crossed off from her shopping list: Toys made in China. The string of recalls of Chinese-made toys has Landry, of New York City, and legions of parents across the country leaning toward toys made elsewhere, including Europe and the United States.

That is creating a huge headache for retailers and toy makers at just about the worst possible time: They made the bulk of their manufacturing and wholesale orders months ago, when most of them envisioned row after row of toys from China on their shelves. More than 80 percent of toys sold in U.S. stores are made in China.

Now they’re scrambling to make adjustments for customers who may want something else.

Toys “R” Us Inc. is looking at ways to expand its assortment of American-made toys and is expanding its assortment of organic products, though most of the holiday ordering is in place, according to spokeswoman Kathleen Waugh.

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