On a recent shopping trip with a seven-year-old who had a bit of birthday money to burn, it was clear just how much competition there was for his spending power. The first stop was a clothing store, where, after some indecision, a Ninja Turtle fleece top was purchased. The next port of call was a sporting goods store, where the tough decision between soccer boots, a cricket bag or wickets was mulled over. The bookshop did not get a look-in, despite my efforts to persuade him otherwise, and the toy shop would have been entirely sacrificed if I had agreed to go to the Nike store. But what was left of his stash would not have gone far in that haven of brand power, and I didn't want his excitement to be dashed. If on a shopping excursion the toy store is a third choice, it is no surprise that this retail category is taking strain. In the US and UK, Toys R Us is shutting shops. And Lego, the Danish toymaker, recently reported an 8% decline in revenue, its first in 13 years.Euromonitor to...
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