Groovy Girls vs. Bratz Dolls

(Groovy Girls Rock!) Parents Magazine had a page recently that showed a variety of what they called the “scary trend” of “sexy dolls” for little girls, including the very commercial Bratz dolls. They showed a lineup of such dolls, and at the end of the doll line was the delightful GROOVY GIRLS DOLLS by Manhattan Toy, which Parent’s Magazine was supporting.

Groovy Girls were one of our top sellers when we had our toystore. We refused to carry Bratz or Ty Girlz. Parents and Grandparents have thanked us for this, but many girls still want the peer-pressure dolls, i.e. Bratz.

Kids these days mostly want only the toys that they see on t.v. shows and commercials. If it isn’t a licensed product with a movie or tv show or video game to back it up, they are usually not interested in the other high quality specialty toys out there.  This is what is putting so many small independent toy stores out of business, they can’t buy the commercial products at bulk discounts that are available to Target, Walmart and ToysRUs.

Also, in order for some toy manufacturers and toy distributors to survive financially, they sometimes have to give in to the commercial world and start selling to the mass-market stores (where once they may have sold to the specialty market only). Groovy Girls soft dolls are one example of this, now being available at Target.

The good thing is, according to Manhattan Toy Reps, Groovy Girls are sold to the Specialty Toy Stores first, and 6 months later are open to the bigger chain store. Normally the “big box” stores undercut specialty toystore prices, wooing away even more of our customers, but in the case of Groovy Girl Dolls, they are not allowed to do so. This keeps it fair and gives the smaller store owners a chance. Since they usually offer better customer service and sometimes complimentary gift wrap as well, it’s a wonder more people don’t shop at the smaller specialty stores.

Groovy Girls Dolls are nearly perfect dolls for girls ages 3-8 years old. They are soft and easy to hold for the younger kids, and trendy, fashionable and teen-looking for the pre-teen girls. Groovy Girls offer diverse ethnicities, have cute clothing that is removable/changeable, and fun, hip hairstyles and cool hair colors. Groovy dolls are cheerful, smiling, happy-with-who-they-are girls, hip and confident and popular!

The Groovy Girl world is a fun one, with accessories, horses, cars, fashions, and a few Groovy Boys too! Until someone comes out with a Groovy Girls T.V. show however, these dolls may continue to take second place to the immodest, rib-baring, makeup wearing, hooker-looking Bratz and other “scary” dolls.

(Barbie is an exception to our rule, because Barbie dolls are classic, nostalgic retro toys. Barbie may be shapely, but she does not look like a street-walker!)

One thing parents and grandparents and caregivers can do to help the scary new doll trend: Don’t let your little girls watch the shows or buy the dolls that promote the heavy make-up and promiscuous fashions! Just say No.

We probably lost a lot of sales because we didn’t carry Bratz, but the positive feedback we got from the customers who support our stand on this issue was worth it! We were trying to do our part to help little girls not grow up so fast, by carrying the Manhattan Toy Groovy Girls line of dolls, including the little poseable, bendable Mini-Groovy-Girls dolls.  GROOVY GIRLS DOLLS RULE!