Classic RB items to appear in dollar section of Target!

[Blondine Arc-En-Ciel]

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Exactly what companies were making what retro Rainbow Brite stuff between the end of Gen 3 and the start of Gen 4 and who was selling it?

[Clinozoisite]

They are still making the retro stuff.

Really? Who else is still manufacturing retro Rainbow Brite materials? Other than the revival in 2003/2004, I had not seen anything in store until this summer with Wal-Mart introducing new t-shirts.

[Wardah]

They are still making the retro stuff.

Really? Who else is still manufacturing retro Rainbow Brite materials? Other than the revival in 2003/2004, I had not seen anything in store until this summer with Wal-Mart introducing new t-shirts.

I was talking about the Dollar Spot stuff and the Madame Alexander dolls and the Walmart tees. Besides the revival back in 2003/2004 I have seen stuff in Hot Topic every once in a while.

I am just saying the retro stuff has nothing to do with this current line.

[Blondine Arc-En-Ciel]

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Yes, you'll always find a (very) few items like Hot Topic shirts but remember they were a major player in the Gen 3 release and the prices they charge mean a high profit margin even if the volume is low. it doesn't seem to be a big deal to make transfers for T-shirts, run of a few dozen or hundred and sell them on ebay and I think a lot of individuals and small companies are doing exactly that and mostly without authorization. The RB costumes you see on ebay are not, to my knowledge, licensed and the number on offer is much less than what you would have found a year ago when the were very popular. The Madame Alexander dolls are another exception to the rule and the same applies to them as to Hot Topic because of the relatively high prices they get for their wares. As for officially licensed products other than the exceptions mentioned above and the current and announced items in support of Gen 4, there normally isn't much of anything out there when there aren't any new Rainbow Brite dolls and toys available in the shops. That's why I think that anything that was announced but not on store shelves yet or in transit is going to be canceled if it hasn't been already.

The current Classic RB items at Target are, I'm sure, a one-time buy that was originally intended to support the Gen 4 dolls and to perhaps placate the fanbase given how we didn't exactly jump all over the new stuff. One-time buys happen all the time in retailing and they normally are used to support a sales event (perhaps linked to a holiday, as this may have been linked to July the 4th promotion in the USA), product launch or relaunch, or even the anniversary of the selling company. I once was employed for a retailer that celebrated its first century while I was there and believe me, there were all kinds of special events and sales used to promote the event. Many were one-time buys.

With the Gen 4 dolls making their exit, I see no reason that any company will have much interest in producing new Rainbow Brite items, Classic or otherwise. There's no longer anything to tie the new items to and probably won't be for another four years or so when the 30th anniversary rolls around.
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[Clinozoisite]

when the 30th anniversary rolls around.
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There are some days when I just feel old.

[Blondine Arc-En-Ciel]

when the 30th anniversary rolls around.
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There are some days when I just feel old.

I, my dear, AM old.

I bought Gen 1 toys as an adult for someone that was near and dear to me back then.

Now she's 29 and won't speak to me anymore.

[IndigoJoy]

My Target STILL hasn't gotten anything and the save spot is filled to the brim with back to school junk and also snacks like Goldfish. I am soooo disappointed.

[Blondine Arc-En-Ciel]

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I guess that not every Target store got the RB stuff in for whatever reason. Maybe they only bought so much of it to be sold in the stores with the highest turnover.
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[IndigoJoy]

*pouts* but I wanted some! I bought all the dolls from them! But I had to buy the horses from Meijer because Target didn't carry them. I still hope my Target will come through.

[Clinozoisite]

I spoke to a Target employee and she said that the size of your store depends on what merchandise was ordered for the dollar section. Smaller stores have smaller dollar sections, so only carried a limited number of items.

Of the four Target stores I checked, three had Rainbow Brite items. But only 2 of the stores had them in any large quantities.