Widespread toy recalls (such as the recalls of toys based on Batman and One Piece, see ''Batman,' 'One Piece' Toys Recalled') are affecting holiday plans for toy purchases, according to a Harris Poll conducted by Harris Interactive.  Over-all toy purchases, purchases of toys made in China, and purchases of toy brands that have been recalled will all be down this year, if the poll results bear out.    

 

The survey of 2,565 U.S. adults conducted between October 9th and 15th found that one third of Americans plan to buy fewer toys this holiday season, 45% plan to buy fewer toys manufactured in China, and 40% plan to buy fewer toys from brands that have been recalled. 

 

The impact was higher in higher income groups, with members of households with incomes over $50,000 a year significantly more likely to reduce toy purchases over-all, purchases of toys made in China, and purchases of toy brands that have been recalled than members of households with incomes below $50,000.

 

Of course, behaviors may not match expectations that far out, consumers could change their minds and spend more or less than they expect.  The timing of the poll was before the most recent recall, of 4.2 million Aqua Dots for having beads with a toxic coating, so the run of bad news that might scare off toy purchasers certainly didn't slow down after the poll was taken.