"Star Wars" toys generated sales of more than $700 million in the United States in 2015, making them the No.1 property in the toy industry during the year, a retail research group said.
Sales of toys such as Kylo Ren light sabers, BB-8 droids and models of the Millennium Falcon spacecraft totalled more than those related to movie franchises "Jurassic World," "Minions" and "Avengers" combined, NPD Group said on Wednesday.
Led by "Star Wars" merchandise, toy sales in the United States rose 6.7 percent to $19.4 billion in 2015, making it one of the strongest performances for toy sales in years, NPD Group said.
Sales took off on Sept. 4, or "Force Friday", when retailers launched merchandise in anticipation of the opening of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," the first Star Wars film produced by Walt Disney Co.
"With the early release of 'Star Wars' toys on Force Friday, 'Star Wars' managed to become the number-one property for the year," NPD said.
READ: Star Wars characters turns first day of school into fun at SK Kubang Kerian 3
Toymakers Hasbro Inc and Mattel Inc are some of the biggest licensees of "Star Wars" products.
Toys based on characters from the new movie were tough to find after Christmas, said Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of toys and sporting goods review website TTPM.
Disney said last week that new toys and collectibles related to the movie are rolling out at Disney stores and mass retailers across the United States.
Many new products feature the female scavenger Rey, the lead character in "Force Awakens." Some customers had complained she appeared under-represented on store shelves filled with male characters from the film.
Disney said it kept some Rey products under wraps to prevent revealing key plot points before the movie's release. The company also underestimated the character's popularity, said Paul Southern, the head of "Star Wars" licensing in Disney's consumer products division.
After the film debuted, sales of Rey products at Disney retail stores grew three times faster than other "Force Awakens" characters, a company spokeswoman said. Others, such as a limited edition Rey and BB-8 figure, sold out quickly.
"Rey came in with a huge amount of momentum and ultimately above what we were expecting," Southern said. "We really struggled to keep Rey on retail shelves."
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" has become the highest-grossing film of all time in the United States and Canada, beating 2009's hit 3D sci-fi movie "Avatar".
Reuters
Thu Jan 21 2016

A collection of Star Wars Stormtrooper toys is seen in the home of its owner Pablo Perez in Monterrey, Mexico Dec 12, 2015. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril/Files

Floods recede in Beaufort, but residents remain wary of downstream water flow
While floods in Beaufort are receding, residents remain on alert for downstream water flow that could bring floodwaters from inland areas.

Govt to ensure establishment of SEGiM aligns with introduction of Gig Workers Bill
The government intends to ensure that the establishment of the Malaysian Gig Economy Commission (SEGiM) is in line with the introduction of the Gig Workers Bill.

UK steel industry warns of damage as Trump tariffs come into force
US President Donald Trump's tariffs on UK steel "couldn't come at a worse time," the industry has warned as the levy on US imports is introduced, reported PA Media/dpa news.

Penang allocates RM49.45 million for Phase 1 of i-Sejahtera Programme
The Penang government has allocated RM49.45 million for 274,151 recipients under Phase 1 of the i-Sejahtera Programme this year.

PM Anwar calls on all parties to be agents of unity, help unite people of different races
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on all Malaysians to join hands to become agents of unity and assist the MADANI Government in its efforts to unite all Malaysians

Women representation in senior management fall to 36.2 pct in 2025
The Grant Thornton Women in Business Report reveals a concerning decline in the representation of women in senior management positions in Malaysia.

Singapore Airlines prohibits usage, charging of power banks from April 1
Singapore Airlines (SIA) passengers will not be allowed to use power banks or charge them throughout their flight effective April 1.

Captain of cargo ship arrested over fatal collision in North Sea
The cargo ship captain involved in the North Sea's deadly collision has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

No plans to follow us in repatriating illegal immigrants - KDN
For the period up to March 9 this year, the total number of deportations from Immigration depots was 9,199 people.

Air pollution responsible for nearly 7 million deaths annually worldwide
A report by the World Air Quality Index indicated that only 17 per cent of cities worldwide meet the recommended air quality standards.

At least 137 Gazans killed in Israeli attacks since ceasefire
According to the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor , Israel has been killing an average of seven Palestinians every two days.

Malaysia strengthens semiconductor supply chain with ASEAN member countries - Liew
Malaysia does not intend to compete with neighbouring countries or other ASEAN member states in its efforts to strengthen supply chains.

Six men arrested for alleged misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil in Semenyih
Six men, including five foreigners in their 30s, were arrested for alleged misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil.

Hamas says new round of Gaza ceasefire talks has begun
expressing optimism that the talks could lead to "tangible progress"

Ukraine says ready to accept 30-day ceasefire with Russia
Ukraine conveyed its readiness to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, as delegations from Kyiv and Washington met in Saudi Arabia.

Musk's SpaceX agrees Starlink cooperation with Airtel in India
Tech billionaire Elon Musk plans to enter the Indian internet market with his Starlink satellite system, reported German news agency dpa.

Trump announces higher steel and aluminium tariffs for Canada
US President Donald Trump plans to impose additional high tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Canada.
![[COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress [COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-03/81741686561_EMIR.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress
Promoting Malay language doesn't mean disparaging or undermining other languages, we can uplift it without diminishing others.

What is driving the bloodshed in Syria?
The violence has pitted the Islamist-led government's security forces against fighters from Assad's Alawite minority.

Only seven countries met WHO air quality standards in 2024, data shows
Only Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia and Iceland made the grade, according to IQAir.