Canadian Transformers News and Discussion Forum

[RNSrobot]

Originally Posted by Philtastic

Putman Investments, the company that bought TRU, and also owns Sunrise Records, FYE, and HMV Retail UK, amongst others, also owns the Everest Toys distribution company, which was actually started by his parents. (https://retail-insider.com/retail-in...ail-interview/, https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/can...ound-1.5026218)

I believe the higher prices on Hasbro items are a kickback to Everest, and/or a shady accounting scheme, though I have no proof, and it's just a hunch. That being said, I know Toy Snowman gets stock directly from Hasbro, so I don't think size is an issue here. Toys R Us is massive, and they could get the best contracts with Hasbro, if they wanted. But it's not in their interest, because of their common ownership with Everest.

Lego is Lego, and McFarlane is distributed by Grosnor in Canada, so it makes sense that the items TRU hikes prices on are the ones they distribute themselves. Also, Hasbro's recent price hikes give them a bit of cover, and they could say it's not their fault. But obviously, they are far exceeding Hasbro's new MSRP at this point.

On the flipside, McFarlane doesn't have the same pressure to raise prices because they are a private company, and are not beholden to the whims of shareholders by squeezing their profit margins. If Todd wants to absorb the extra costs, instead of passing them onto consumers, he's free to do that, and, for the most part, that seems to be his current game plan.

Of course, this is all just based on cursory research, and a rudimentary understanding of business practices, and I have no proof one way or the other. But it's not difficult to put two and two together?

Some really good points here. Toy Snowman, A3U, and other smaller online retailers sell their toys at MSRP or maybe a buck or two above. There's no reason for TRU to be hit with a penalty.

I would say it's a fair cop to say Hasbro is squeezing out profits for shareholders. Out of one side of their mouth they claim record profits, and the other cry about rising costs. It can't be both. The ten buck jump when Siege hit was pre-pandemic, pre-insane shipping costs. IMO they're compensating for dwindling sales by increasing prices. But that's the reality of trying to have constantly rising profits. It's not realistic or viable long-term. Constant increasing growth is impossible.

Wouldn't be shocked at all if the higher prices on Hasbro shit has to do with padding or kickbacks.