Games and Puzzles was one of seven toy super-categories showing declines in sales through U.S. chain and online retailers tracked by NPD Group in 2018, according to information released by the company  Monday.  The bankruptcy of Toys ‘R’ Us was the biggest macro factor affecting sales, leading to a 2% decline in U.S. toy sales for the year. Sales in 2018.

NPD did not reveal the extent of declines in Games and Puzzles for the year; it just revealed that only four of eleven super-categories had growth in 2018:  Action Figures and Accessories, Dolls, Youth Electronics, and Arts and Crafts.

The decline in Games and Puzzles comes after some growth years: sales in the super-category were up 3% in 2017 and 18% in 2016 (see "Games Growth in Chains, Online Slows in 2017").  A big factor in the growth, and undoubtedly a factor in the decline was the impact of sales of the Pokemon TCG which had big years in 2016 and 2017, creating tough comps for 2018.  And although other retailers tried to make up for the loss of the 800 Toys ‘R’ Us stores, the decline in retail doors and square footage undoubtedly also had an impact.

Dolls had the fastest growth rate of any super-category in 2018, with Action Figures second.  Jurassic World, Marvel Universe and Beyblade drove most of the growth in the Action Figure super-category, according to the report.