Tuesday, February 1, 2005

FAO Schwarz to Hold Monthly Auditions for Unique Toys

New Program Provides Opportunity to Independent and Specialty Toy Manufacturers

NEW YORK, February 21, 2005 – Legendary toy retailer FAO Schwarz today unveiled a program directed at providing inventors, manufacturers, and distributors of unique toys the opportunity to have their products evaluated and, if selected, carried in the FAO Schwarz stores. Each year, FAO Schwarz will announce its schedule of toy auditions for the year, providing toy creators with an ongoing forum for presenting their products to senior management from America's oldest and most prestigious toy store. Today's announcement coincides with the start of the 102nd American International Toy Fair in New York City.

Famous for its commitment to bringing unique, high-quality merchandise from all over the world to its customers, FAO Schwarz will invite applicants to demonstrate their products to a panel of expert judge. The panel will include FAO Schwarz President and Chief Merchandising Officer David Niggli, members of the FAO Schwarz merchandising team, and other FAO Schwarz officers.

"At FAO Schwarz, we are proud to offer special, one-of-a-kind items and we have a commitment to supporting the artisans, craftspeople, inventors, and companies that create such toys," said David Niggli. "People come to FAO Schwarz to discover items that are truly wonderful, and our toy audition program will help us identify the creative individuals who design such toys. Small, specialty suppliers often find it very difficult to introduce their products to large or important retailers, and we feel it is important to support such suppliers and bring their most outstanding work to the attention of the millions of children and adults who look to FAO Schwarz for the best in toys."

The first toy audition will be held on March 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Center Stage Theatre at 48 West 21st Street. For a current schedule click here. For more information, call (212) 239-7363.

About FAO Schwarz
Founded in 1862 by Frederick August Otto Schwarz, FAO Schwarz has enchanted children and adults alike for more than a century with its unequaled collection of toys. In New York, FAO Schwarz is located at 767 Fifth Avenue, at 58th Street (212) 644-9400. The FAO Schwarz store in Las Vegas is located at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace (702) 796-6500. Customers can also shop online at www.FAO.com or place orders toll-free by calling (800) 426-8697.