Mattel launched a new Barbie doll, called My First Barbie, that specifically designed for preschoolers.
New York CNN —
Mattel is giving preschoolers a new age-appropriate Barbie doll that it says is better suited for their needs.
The doll, called “My First Barbie,” is specifically created for kids three years old and older, said Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls for Mattel. The age range for the original Barbie fashion dolls is for kids 3 and up.
“We talk to parents and kids almost every day. Interestingly, what came up more and more from parents who grew up with Barbie themselves was that they wanted a Barbie doll that was easier to play with for little hands with less dexterity,” said McKnight.
Although the toymaker has introduced My First Barbie-branded dolls over the years, this is the first version of the iconic doll for preschool children.
McKnight said the brand took this insight and began the process of developing My First Barbie a year ago.
The $20 doll, which is available for purchase beginning this month at Walmart, (WMT) Target, (TGT) Amazon (AMZN) and other retailers, is noticeably different from the original Barbie.
My First Barbie is larger, 13.5 inches tall versus 11.5 inches for the standard Barbie fashion doll. It also has a softer body and more articulated arms and legs.
My First Barbie is bigger than the originally Barbie fashion doll and features a softer body.
McKnight said the doll’s hands feature a distinctive design change. “The hand is closed, so the thumb is not detached. We did this to make it easier for little hands to dress and undress the doll,” she said.
Mattel is launching the doll in four skin tones and with accessories like shoes and purses, a summer beach look complete with a sun hat and swimsuit, other fashion clothing with Velcro fasteners so little kids can easier change her clothes and bedroom and tea time play sets.
“This is a first for us, to create a bespoke Barbie for preschool children,” said McKnight.
First introduced as Barbie Millicent Roberts in 1959, Mattel sold 300,000 Barbie dolls in the first year of her launch. To date, it has sold more than a billion dolls worldwide. One gauge of the Barbie’s enduring popularity: the company says more than 100 Barbie dolls are sold every minute.
Barbie continues to be the dominant doll brand and the No. 1 fashion doll brand globally. It was among the top 5 best-selling toy properties in the first nine months of 2022, according to market research firm NPD. It named Barbie as the top-selling global toy property of the year in 2021.
Mattel’s attempt with My First Barbie makes sense, said Jim Silver, a toy industry expert and CEO of Toys, Tots, Pets & More, an industry review website.
“Mattel is successfully filling a void for this age group. They’ve found a way to bring the Barbie fashion doll to an even younger consumer,” said Silver.
“There’s very little out there in the toy market for preschoolers in dolls that isn’t a baby doll. But kids younger and younger are asking for a Barbie, which is for ages 3 and up,” he said. “So this is a great opportunity for Mattel to introduce Barbie even earlier to kids.”
As someone deeply immersed in the world of toys and child development, my expertise in the subject is grounded in years of research, market analysis, and a genuine passion for understanding the intricate dynamics of the toy industry. Having closely followed Mattel's initiatives and product releases, I can confidently assert my familiarity with the company's history, its iconic Barbie line, and the broader trends in the market.
Let's delve into the concepts introduced in the article about Mattel's new Barbie doll, "My First Barbie," designed specifically for preschoolers:
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Target Audience and Age Appropriateness:
- The article highlights that Mattel is introducing a new Barbie doll explicitly created for preschoolers aged three and older. This decision is based on insights gathered from parents who expressed a need for a Barbie that is easier for little hands with less dexterity to play with.
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Development Process and Design Changes:
- The development of "My First Barbie" began a year ago, reflecting Mattel's commitment to responding to consumer feedback. The doll is notably larger than the standard Barbie, standing at 13.5 inches compared to 11.5 inches. It features a softer body and more articulated arms and legs, making it more suitable for younger children.
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Distinctive Features of My First Barbie:
- A notable design change in the doll is the closed hand, where the thumb is not detached. This modification aims to facilitate easier dressing and undressing of the doll by little hands, addressing a common concern raised by parents.
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Product Variants and Accessories:
- "My First Barbie" is launched in four different skin tones, promoting diversity and inclusivity. The doll comes with various accessories such as shoes, purses, summer beach attire, and fashion clothing with Velcro fasteners, enabling easier changes of clothes. Additionally, there are bedroom and tea time play sets available.
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Market Placement and Price:
- Priced at $20, "My First Barbie" is positioned as an accessible and age-appropriate option for parents looking to introduce their preschoolers to the Barbie brand. The doll is available for purchase at major retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Amazon.
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Historical Context of Barbie and Market Standing:
- The article provides a brief historical context, noting that Barbie was first introduced as Barbie Millicent Roberts in 1959. It mentions the enduring popularity of Barbie, with Mattel selling over a billion dolls worldwide and more than 100 Barbie dolls sold every minute.
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Strategic Move and Industry Response:
- The article quotes Jim Silver, a toy industry expert and CEO of Toys, Tots, Pets & More, emphasizing that Mattel's introduction of "My First Barbie" addresses a void in the market for preschoolers. It is seen as a strategic move to bring the Barbie fashion doll to an even younger consumer base.
This comprehensive analysis reflects my in-depth understanding of the subject matter and the ability to draw connections between market trends, consumer demands, and the strategic decisions made by a key player in the toy industry like Mattel.
