Slashing Prices This Holiday Season

Barbie: She’s nothing but a cheap doll. At least at retailer Target. CNN Money reports that in an effort to draw shoppers this holiday season, the big box store is slashing prices on toys by 50 percent.

The drastic measure says a lot about the retail environment, which has suffered plenty during this recession and will lean heavily on the holiday season to give sales a boost. The move also counters similar cuts made at Wal-Mart, which said it would be selling 100 toys for $10 (each) starting in September.

All this is good news for wallet-watching parents. And don’t think these sale prices are for learning games, erector sets or other toys that just get dusty on kids’ shelves. The promotions are aimed at popular toys that the kids actually want. At Target, Barbie is just $5. GI Joe figurines have been marked down to $15. At Wal-Mart, they’re offering Transformers, Tonka trucks and Legos all for under $10.

Parents: get out your wrapping paper. There's gonna be a lot of gifts this year.

Sounds like a good year to be a kid. Wait a minute. Isn't every year a good year to be a kid?

Photo courtesy Brani's fashion dolls, via flickr.