Collectible Doll Market & Pullip

With Barbie dolls reporting a decline in sales last month, it got me thinking about the collectible doll market and its’ future survival.

While browsing the Net on the topic, I came across an article that was written nearly a decade ago about the future of the doll industry.

I thought the article was very informative & most interesting because the survival tips given are extremely relevant & useful in 2013.

Let’s take a brief look at the suggestions and compare them to the Pullip brand/market (we’ll compare 2003 to present 2013).

The Survival Tips for Manufacturers

Don’t Over Produce
2003: 1-2 Pullip dolls released each month ✔
2013: Up-to 5 dolls released each month X

Keep Lines Limited
2003: Pullip dolls were released in a limited amount ✔
2013: Pullip dolls released in an unlimited amount X

Innovate
2003: Each doll had a unique, different personality and style ✔
2013: Several dolls look like earlier released dolls but in different clothes (example: fans are saying, Ally looks like Kiyomi . . . .) X

Convince Collectors That Collectible Dolls are Worth It
2003: The brand use to attend doll shows, convention, etc to promote upcoming dolls & preview concept ideas. The average price for a Pullip was $90. Fans couldn’t wait for each release. ✔
2013: The brand doesn’t attend nearly as many events therefore products are not being prompted as they were in 2003. Collectors are not buying like they once were because they are not convince they should add a member to their family (aka part with their $$). In fact with the lack of marketing/spreading of the brand, many collectors are unaware of new releases while others fans do not think these doll are worth the retail price. X

The Survival Tips for Collectors

Do More With Less!
2003 & 2013: Pullip fans are doing it right! They have always done more with less by customizing their dolls. ✔
(If you haven’t started, checkout our helpful tips on How to Enjoy Your Pullip Even More)

Final Thoughts
When the Pullip brand came out in 2003, they were hitting the survival targets right on the mark however now with the steep down turn of the economy they have totally moved away from the targets that made them unique and desirable.

And this has left both the fans & retailers wondering about this market’s future.

Let’s hope that the brand can readjust (soon) and get back on the right track of producing dolls that fans & collectors desire and can’t wait to own.

You can read the entire article, that inspired this post, Collectible Dolls Market: What Does the Future Hold? Here (Site No Longer Available)