Although inflatable toys are becoming more popular, most of them are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other toxic compounds that raise quality and safety concerns among parents. PVC contains harmful compounds such as lead, phenol, and phthalates that can potentially threaten children’s health. Moreover, inflatable toys are very fragile. They get easily punctured even by a small impact, and once they are damaged, they become almost useless. Many manufacturers provide patches to cover the punctured area. However, the toys may still leak if the patch is not applied correctly. Thus, the safety and quality concerns regarding inflatable toys can potentially hinder the market in the years to come.
Another factor that increases consumer concerns is the environmental issues related to inflatable toys. Inflatable toys are usually made of PVC, which is a highly toxic, nondegradable, and non-recyclable plastic. PVC is one of the most widely produced and used plastics on the planet. It is the most common type of plastic utilized in the inflatable market. The manufacturing and disposal of PVC are not only harmful to human health but also exceedingly harmful to the environment. PVC production is hazardous because it releases dioxin, which is one of the most toxic man-made chemicals.
The recycling of PVC is also hazardous to the environment because raw PVC has high amounts of chlorine and toxic additives, which can cause significant harm to the environment. PVC takes decades to degrade after it is manufactured and releases microplastics after it breaks down. These microplastics are ingested by marine animals, which endangers their life. Thus, the products made with PVC pose a significant threat to the entire ecosystem. Consumers have become increasingly conscious of the environment. They are trying to reduce their carbon footprints by minimizing the use of plastic and plastic products. As inflatable toys are made of PVC, the sustainability concerns related to inflatable toys have increased significantly. This factor can restrict the growth of the inflatable toys market in the coming years.
North America Inflatable Toys Market Segmentation
The North America inflatable toys market is analyzed on the basis of end-use, type, distribution channel, and country. Based on end-use, the market is segmented into residential and commercial. In 2020, the residential segment held a larger share in the market. Based on type, the market is segmented into inflatable pool, inflatable animal, inflatable ball, and others. In 2020, the others segment held the largest share in the market. Based on distribution channel, the market is segmented into supermarkets and hypermarkets, specialty stores, online retail, and others. In 2020, the supermarkets and hypermarkets segment held the largest share in the market.
Based on country, the market is segmented into the US, Canada, and Mexico. The US contributed significantly to the market in 2020.
Bestway Inflatables and Material Corp.; General Inflatable; Happy Inflatable Co. Ltd.; HearthSong; Intex Marketing Ltd; Jet Creations Inc; Joyin; Little Tikkes; and Waddle & Friends, Inc. are the leading companies in the regional market.