Toy prices are expected to increase by more than 30 per cent next year, while the delays in stock coming out of China could mean some bestsellers are in short supply.

About 80 per cent of the world’s toys are manufactured in China. Gary Grant, chairman of The Toy Retailers Association and founder of The Entertainer, said and the impending price increase is greater than first feared. He added: “The delays have led to big shortages. We are struggling to stock key items across the board.”

On Woolworths’ web site, four of its top ten toys for Christmas were out of stock when Retail Week went to press, including Transformers Movie Arm Blaster and Dancing Iggle Piggle.

“As always, there are a few hot toys that have outstripped supply, but there are no widespread shortage problems,” said a Woolworths spokeswoman.

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