Mattel Chief Executive Officer Bob Eckert thinks retailer Toys ‘R Us is doing a great job improving their supply chain, in turn allowing Mattel’s toys to spend less time in the delivery truck and more time on the store shelf.
    Mattel just started shipping its Barbie Girls music player to stores, and Eckert was astounded when an analyst mentioned during Monday’s earnings conference call that she had seen the item last Friday on a Toys ‘R Us store shelf. 
    “I have not seen it anywhere at retail, including Toys ‘R Us yesterday in the particular store I was at … it certainly isn’t widely available at retail in any of the major customers yet,” Eckert said. 
    Mattel is hoping the doll-shaped digital music player is a strong holiday item and helps boost its lagging U.S. Barbie sales. The music player turns into a live character at Barbiegirls.com.
    “We just started shipping it, so maybe that’s insight into the improved supply chain at Toys ‘R Us that they received it and got it on the shelf so quickly,” Eckert said. 
    “The Toys ‘R Us stores look terrific to me right now … Toys ‘R Us I think is doing a terrific job, and I think we’re well aligned with them, but just shopping their stores and seeing how they’re presenting toys to me is a big improvement,” he continued.