Australia’s Moose Toys won Girl Toy of the Year for the Shopkins Scoops Ice Cream Truck based on votes from toy retailers, media, TIA members and consumers. Echoing the most-coveted industry award, Shopkins was also recently named the 2015 top-selling toy in the US, for the Shopkins 12-pack, according to The NPD Group.
“Winning an award last year was incredible,” said Paul Solomon, Co-CEO of Moose Toys. “But to come back this year, and win Girls Toy of the Year again is surreal! We cannot thank our fans, retail and licensing partners enough for supporting the success of Shopkins. We are just so happy to see that all of our hard work on this brand has resonated with kids – and adults.”
Mr. Solomon explained that since its launch in 2014, Shopkins has carved a swathe through its competitors in the toy aisle, selling more than 240 million Shopkins characters worldwide. Last year the brand won US Girl Toy of the Year plus the Australian Development Award from the Australian Toy Association. A recent charity auction in the US saw a one-of-a-kind Shopkins character, Gemma Stone, sell for over US$21,000, to benefit the Toy Industry Foundation.
“In its 16th year, the TOTY awards continue to celebrate the toy industry and toys that inspire children to be creative and imaginative with how they play,” said Ken Seiter, US TIA vice president of marketing communications. “Our judging panel of experts, including members of TIA, is very excited to award the Shopkins Scoops Ice Cream Truck as the Girl Toy of the Year. The brand’s impact on the industry and its encouragement of imaginative play makes it an ideal recipient.”
Mr. Seiter explained that Shopkins’ quick rise to the top of the industry has helped catapult Moose Toys from 25th position a year ago, to the industry’s ‘sixth ranked toy manufacturer in the US’, according to The NPD Group. With the recent release of Shopkins Season Four leaving empty pegs as it hits retail shelves, the innovative Australian toy company continues to make waves in the US with its creativity, keen eye for trend-spotting and a simple mission of making children happy.

Shopkins SCOOPS-ICE-CREAM-TRUCK Wins Girls Toy of the Year at New York Toy Fair