Mattel plans to raise prices on some toys
to offset tariff costs
[May 06, 2025]
By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO
NEW YORK
(AP) — Mattel Inc., the maker of Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels cars and other
popular toys, said Monday that it would have to raise prices for some
products sold in the U.S. “where necessary” to offset higher costs
related to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
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Barbie Dream Besties, from Mattel, are displayed at the TTPM 2024
Holiday Showcase event in New York, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard
Drew, File) |
The
El Segundo, California-based company said the increases are
necessary even though it is speeding up its plans to diversify
its manufacturing base away from China. Trump imposed a 145%
tariff on most Chinese-made products.
Company executives told analysts on a conference call that China
currently accounts for 40% of Mattel's global production. The
company plans to move roughly 500 products this year from
manufacturers in China to sources in other countries, compared
to 280 products last year.
For some highly sought after toys, Mattel said it would enlist
factories in more than one country. To prevent possible
shortages, the company said it was focusing on getting products
to stores without interruptions.
The company said that even with price increases it expects 40%
to 50% of its toys will cost customers $20 or less.
“The diversified and flexible supply chain in global commercial
organizations are clear advantages to Mattel in this period of
uncertainty,” CEO and Chairman Ynon Kreiz told analysts.
Citing the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the president’s trade
policies, however, Mattel withdrew its annual earnings forecast
on Monday. The company said it would be “difficult to predict”
consumer spending and the company’s U.S. sales for the remainder
of the year without more information.
Mattel reported larger-than expected first-quarter sales but
also a wider loss. Mattel said sales rose 2% to $827 million for
the quarter that ended March 31.
The company's loss expanded to $40.3 million, or 12 cents per
share, in the quarter. That compares with a loss of $28.3
million, or 8 cents per share, in the year-ago period.
Analysts expected a loss of 10 cents on sales of $786.1 million
for the first quarter, according to FactSet.
Mattel’s shares were down less than 1% in after markets trading.
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