Thursday, March 31, 2016

How does a toy manufacturer (Hasbro) respond to population ageing? Make a toy cat.



I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when the innovation group at the giant toy manufacturer (Hasbro) were exploring ideas for new products to take advantage of zillions of older people.

Somebody comes up with the idea of making a toy cat? Well why not, the Japanese created Paro, the toy seal and that was nearly a decade ago.





It is very easy to laugh at these videos but there are two serious points.

All companies should be considering the product implications of demographic change. Less children means less toys being sold, so how should a company like Hasbro respond?

The second point, is that these animal-like products appear to provide some types of older people with enjoyment. Not for us to be judgemental . Dick Stroud





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