Hasbro

La‑Z‑Boy Advances Distribution Revamp to Cut Costs

La‑Z‑Boy is progressing a multiyear distribution overhaul that will consolidate 15 regional centers into three centralized hubs. The company, now in year two of a four‑year program, expects to largely complete Midwest and Eastern hubs in 2026 after opening its Western facility in Arizona last year. CFO Taylor Luebke said the network redesign will create some short‑term friction costs but is forecast to lift margins by reducing warehouse square footage by about 30% and heavy‑furniture delivery mileage by about 20%. CEO Melinda Whittington also told investors La‑Z‑Boy will consolidate Joybird manufacturing into two La‑Z‑Boy plants in fiscal 2027. The program supports the company’s five‑year Century Vision initiative to grow margins and revenue.

Build‑A‑Bear reorganizes top leadership

Build‑A‑Bear has completed a leadership reshuffle: Chris Hurt has formally become CEO, succeeding Sharon Price John (who remains on the board). The company appointed Dave Henderson as chief growth officer (previously chief revenue officer) and expanded CFO Voin Todorovic’s responsibilities by adding the chief administrative officer title, per company filings. The changes come after Build‑A‑Bear reported Q1 revenue of $125.3 million, down 2.4% year‑over‑year, while net income rose about 19% to $18.3 million. The company lowered its fiscal 2026 revenue guidance to a range of $530 million to $550 million. The leadership updates are framed by management as aligning the organization around strategic priorities for profitable growth.

Tonies Wins Kids’ Attention with Audio-First Tech

Adweek profiles tonies in a Speed of Culture podcast episode where Ginny McCormick, chief experience officer at tonies, discusses the company’s audio-first, screen-free approach to storytelling and play. The conversation covers Gen Z parenting trends, how tonies gives children autonomy through device design, the Creative Tonies product that enables custom voice messages and AI-assisted story creation, and a collaboration with Hasbro to adapt classic board-game IP (Monopoly, Guess Who?) into audio experiences. Matt Britton hosts the episode and is the article author. McCormick draws on more than two decades of brand experience at companies including Zappos, Hasbro, Amazon and Reebok while framing audio-first technology as a way to foster independent, screen-free play.