Barbie dolls in the Philippines are safe, company says

MANILA, Philippines - Barbie dolls sold in the Philippines are safe, the exclusive Philippine distributor of the popular fashion doll said on Wednesday. Although most materials of Barbie dolls are made in China, California-based Mattel Inc., which markets the product, maintains the highest quality and safety standards, an executive of Richwell Trading Corp. said. “Being honest to the market has helped sustain the credibility of the item," Richwell’s marketing vice president Maye Yao Co Say told reporters during the relaunch of the doll, two months before Christmas, the peak of the toy sale season. During the launch, the company—which also sells Hotwheels cars, among others—expects sales to grow to double-digit levels by year-end. However, she declined to reveal sales figures. Richwell’s Barbie doll sales account for nearly half of the company’s total sales. Richwell is also the exclusive distributor of V-Tech Electronics, Shelcore Toys, Pigeon Baby products, Cosco, and Safety First, and show brands like Barbie, Chicco, and Sesame Street. The company will always make an effort to lower its product prices since it intends to make its toys affordable to many Filipinos. As a result of such initiatives, the most inexpensive Barbie doll is sold for P399 each. “We feel Barbie is beyond a toy. It’s a motivation for little girls, and now we have widened selections to include mom and daughter team," she said. - GMANews.TV