JEDDAH, 1 September 2007 — Children’s toy stores have reported a fall in sales after news emerged that some toys made in China contained lead-based paints and powerful magnets that could fall off and be swallowed by toddlers, according to a report in Al-Madinah newspaper.
Mohammed Yassin, an employee at a toy store located in downtown Jeddah (Al-Balad) said that there has been a noticeable decline in purchases, and customers have been particularly wary of any toys made in China. Yassin said he wasn’t sure his store had any of the potentially harmful toys, but he admits his shop hasn’t taken any measures to verify if it stocks the toys mentioned.
“No toys have been pulled off our shelves up to this day,” he said. “No inspector has visited our shop, either.”
Nevertheless, Yassin says customers have been more careful than anyone else. The ones that have come to the shop are buying more expensive toys not made in China.
Serag Al-Haq says his downtown Jeddah toy store is also witnessing a fall in sales.
“I am on the lookout for toys that are not made in China,” he said. “Customers are more concerned about the make of the toy than the toy itself.”
Mousa, owner of a number of toy stores in the city, said that he is avoiding made-in-China brands due to questions raised by his customers. “In the past our customers were attracted to China-made toys because of the low prices, but after the recent media reports things have completely changed,” he said.
