Hasbro hit hard by tariffs just before the holidays
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images"The Force" and "Frozen" couldn't save toy maker Hasbro from the US-China trade war. Hasbro added that the company was forced to post higher shipping and warehousing expenses as retailers shifted the timing of their orders as a result of tariffs. Hasbro also reported flat sales growth in the unit that includes toys for younger kids, including Power Rangers, Playskool and Mr. Hasbro and Mattel have bounced back since then and have increased their presence at other top retailers such as Amazon, Walmart and Target. But tariffs could still wind up being the Grinch that steals Christmas sales for both toy companies this holiday season.
Hasbro buys Peppa Pig owner for $4 billion
A child poses with Peppa Pig during GOOD+ Foundation's 2018 NY Bash sponsored by Hearst on May 31, 2018, in New York City. (CNN) - Hasbro is buying the company that owns popular children's cartoon Peppa Pig, expanding its push into entertainment with a bet on preschoolers. The entertainment company, which trades on the London Stock Exchange, also owns the animated brands PJ Masks and Ricky Zoom. The deal will combine those titles with Hasbro's popular brands, including My Little Pony, Transformers, Play-Doh, Monopoly and Power Rangers. Hasbro has sought to recover from the closure of Toys "R" Us, a major partner by striking creative new deals.