What We Do
The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) provides leadership and resources to the specialty toy industry. Among our functions and programs are the following services for members:
- Leadership of the specialty toy industry
- We represent the interests of our members in national and trade media.
- We provide the specialty toy perspective in industry issues.
- Product sourcing and discounts
- We keep members informed about new manufacturers and toys through our quarterly newsletter
- We offers special services to our members at New York’s Toy Fair—including exclusive discounts for ASTRA members from some manufacturers.
- Members also get product discounts at ASTRA’s renowned Marketplace & Academy, the biggest gathering of the specialty toy industry each year.
- Programs to reach consumers
- Neighborhood Toy Store Day, which is celebrated on the second Saturday of November each year, promotes the advantages of buying specialty toys, and provides a free step-by-step guide to its members to help them maximize the PR value of this day.
- Best Toys for Kids, a leading toy list that represents the year’s top picks by local toy store owners nationwide, is promoted heavily during the holiday season on mommy blogs and in national and local parenting media outlet
- ASTRA’s online store locater gives consumers a quick and easy way to find a neighborhood toy store.
- Business Skill Development
- We provide many educational seminars at our annual Marketplace & Academy
- We create educational tools like the popular book Play for Profit: A Retail Business Plan for Toy Stores
- We offer periodic educational webinars
- Networking and idea sharing gives members access to a confidential online forum where they can discuss products, marketing ideas, hiring and training issues, and much more.
Welcome
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