ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wal-Mart said yesterday it will test sales of biblical action figures whose makers say they are aimed at Christian parents who prefer their children play with Samson, Noah or Jesus rather than with a comic book character or Bratz doll.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. spokeswoman Melissa O’Brien said the toys made by One2believe, a Valencia, Calif., company, will be sold in 425 of Wal-Mart’s 3,376 discount stores and Supercenters.
One2believe Chief Executive David Socha said his products were part of a “battle for the toy box” with dolls and figures that he said carry negative messages.
“If you’re very religious, it’s a battle for your children’s minds and what they’re playing with and pretending. There are remakes out there of Satan and evil things,” Mr. Socha said.
Ms. O’Brien said the Bentonville, Ark., retailer thinks there is a demand for faith-based toys.
The toy line will be on some Wal-Mart shelves starting next month, mainly in the Midwest and South, but also in California and as far northeast as Pennsylvania, she said.
The figurines will be sold in 20 Wal-Mart stores in Virginia, including two locations on Carl D. Silver Parkway and Southpoint Parkway in Fredericksburg, according to a spokeswoman. None of the Maryland stores will carry them.
“It is a test. It’s not a national rollout,” Ms. O’Brien said.
The toys, based on biblical stories, include a 3-inch figure of Daniel in the lion’s den, a 12-inch talking Jesus doll and 13-inch Samson action figure.
Wal-Mart has always carried some faith products, mainly stationery, books and music, but this is the first line of toys with a faith theme, Ms. O’Brien said.
“I think there is an interest in faith-based toys, and we are testing it in our stores,” she said.
It is a leap in scale for One2believe, which so far has mainly sold its figures directly to churches and ministries and through its Web site, Mr. Socha said.
c Reporter Jen Haberkorn contributed to this story.
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