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Author Topic: Playmobil USA  (Read 178 times)

Offline Rasputin

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Playmobil USA
« on: December 04, 2025, 20:48:17 »
I asked AI “What happened to Playmobil USA “

Playmobil USA has not disappeared, but its parent company, the Horst Brandstätter Group, has been undergoing a significant restructuring due to declining sales and increased costs. The company is cutting jobs and is reorganizing to become more efficient, which has resulted in a reduced presence in some US stores and a narrower product selection in the market. While some retailers have stopped carrying Playmobil, the products are still available through other authorized retailers, and the company is exploring new product lines and strategies to boost growth.

Reasons for the changes

Declining sales: The company's sales have dropped significantly in recent years, a trend that accelerated in 2022/2023 and continued in 2023/2024.

Rising costs: Playmobil has been hit by rising costs for materials, energy, and transportation, alongside general economic issues like inflation and weak consumer spending.

Internal restructuring: The company is undergoing a major restructuring, including cutting nearly 700 jobs worldwide, to become more lean and powerful.

Reduced US retail presence: The restructuring has led to a reduced product offering in some US stores, and some retailers have stopped carrying the brand entirely, leading to speculation about a scaled-back US presence.

What Playmobil is doing now

New strategies: The company is working to return to growth by launching new products and exploring new markets, like digital media and products for older children.

New products: A new play system for children aged 7-12 is planned, in addition to a focus on licensing and expanding the range of their independent character lines.

Focus on core brands: The company is refocusing its efforts on core brands and product lines to improve profitability.

Available through other retailers: While the official Playmobil USA website is no longer active, products can still be purchased from authorized retailers and their websites
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Offline Rasputin

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Re: Playmobil USA
« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2025, 20:54:29 »
I called the 800 number

First in cue , still took 15 minutes to answer

They took the order and gave me 40% off but a few items I wanted were now out of stock. Also they have no idea why Germany refuses to send the Re-re-released western. Playmobil USA  have requested it for the last 2 years and have many customer  requests for them .

Playmobil USA had no idea their website is sending error messages for the last 4-5 days. Brilliant strategy during  Black Friday, cyber Monday & Christmasy shopping

Way to go German toy company , absolutely the way to stay competitive in the world market

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If you hear the sound of the bell which will tell you that Grigori has been killed, if it was your relations who have wrought my death, then no one in the family will remain alive. They will be killed by the Russian people. :prays:

Offline Ismene

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Re: Playmobil USA
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2025, 06:52:01 »
They keep sending discounts, but there's nothing I want to buy. We never did get the spare Victorian floor. I'm starting to lose interest in Playmobil. Lately, it's been "here is this cool new thing . . . but not for you."
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Offline GrahamB

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Re: Playmobil USA
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2025, 09:27:50 »
Things aren't quite that bad here in the UK; despite the impact of  'Brexit,' we do still enjoy a similar service to that in other European countries, though many stores have stopped stocking PM (notably The Entertainer, an extensive high street chain). When I wanted one of the Naruto figures which was not showing up online anywhere in the UK, I contacted customer services and asked if they could give me details of any retailers which might have stocks, they came up with just two in the whole country (both of which had sold out). Maybe that's a reflection of the popularity of Naruto here. But not supplying Western theme to the US markets is just plain barmy!

I'm sorry if that sounded gloaty. :-[ I am willing to help US (and Canadian) playmofriends get sets they want by buying over here, but of course the US import duties now in operation don't help! PM me if I can help.  :)

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Offline Rasputin

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Re: Playmobil USA
« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2025, 14:45:05 »
Quote from: Ismene on December 05, 2025, 06:52:01
They keep sending discounts, but there's nothing I want to buy. We never did get the spare Victorian floor. I'm starting to lose interest in Playmobil. Lately, it's been "here is this cool new thing . . . but not for you."

Similar thoughts, unfortunately I want/need so many sets even if 3/4 were out of stock I’d still have orders to place

Oh crimeny , the elusive Victorian floor extension. It was bad enough they discontinued the whole classic Victorian theme way too early ….but ya, we never got the extra floor

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If you hear the sound of the bell which will tell you that Grigori has been killed, if it was your relations who have wrought my death, then no one in the family will remain alive. They will be killed by the Russian people. :prays:

Offline Rasputin

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Re: Playmobil USA
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2025, 14:52:22 »
Quote from: GrahamB on December 05, 2025, 09:27:50
Things aren't quite that bad here in the UK; despite the impact of  'Brexit,' we do still enjoy a similar service to that in other European countries, though many stores have stopped stocking PM (notably The Entertainer, an extensive high street chain). When I wanted one of the Naruto figures which was not showing up online anywhere in the UK, I contacted customer services and asked if they could give me details of any retailers which might have stocks, they came up with just two in the whole country (both of which had sold out). Maybe that's a reflection of the popularity of Naruto here. But not supplying Western theme to the US markets is just plain barmy!

I'm sorry if that sounded gloaty. :-[ I am willing to help US (and Canadian) playmofriends get sets they want by buying over here, but of course the US import duties now in operation don't help! PM me if I can help.  :)

Interesting, at Playmobil USA I tried to order 2 of the tiny house sets. It was 60% off for Black Friday . Then when I finally got them on the phone, it’s out of stock with no intention of restocking…..their answer …go to Amazon ….unfortunately out of stock

a company that has direct to customer sales, referring customers to 3rd party vendors. The company makes more money selling direct to consumers …..? Oh …you have to actually run your business correctly

Thank you very much for the offer to help your fellow Playmobil addicts
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If you hear the sound of the bell which will tell you that Grigori has been killed, if it was your relations who have wrought my death, then no one in the family will remain alive. They will be killed by the Russian people. :prays:

Online Pynedor

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Re: Playmobil USA
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2025, 15:01:06 »
Quote from: Rasputin on December 05, 2025, 14:52:22
Interesting, at Playmobil USA I tried to order 2 of the tiny house sets. It was 60% off for Black Friday . Then when I finally got them on the phone, it’s out of stock with no intention of restocking…..their answer …go to Amazon ….unfortunately out of stock

a company that has direct to customer sales, referring customers to 3rd party vendors. The company makes more money selling direct to consumers …..? Oh …you have to actually run your business correctly

I agree that it'd be best to continue to sell directly, but I imagine that currently the number of sales through Amazon vastly outnumber those through their direct site. For that reason, the majority of their stock is probably sent to Amazon warehouses for distribution. :(
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