Slumping Barbie-maker Mattel to cut 2,200 jobs

Slumping Barbie-maker Mattel to cut 2,200 jobs

Slumping US toymaker Mattel announced Wednesday it will cut 2,200 jobs after reporting another steep loss in the second quarter, sending shares sharply lower.

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Barbie dolls, made by Mattel, are displayed on a shelf at a Target store on July 25, 2018, in San Rafael, California. (AFP Relaxnews pic)

Mattel, the maker of Barbie, Hot Wheels and other toy mainstays, said the job cuts account for 22% of its global non-manufacturing staff.

Mattel had 35,000 employees at the end of 2017.

The company also plans to sell manufacturing sites in Mexico.

“Mattel is a company with great potential. We see a lot of opportunities, but there has been a big discrepancy between our financial performance over the last few years and where the company should be,” said chief executive Ynon Kreiz.

“With that said, we are in turnaround.”

Mattel reported a loss of US$240.9 million in the second quarter, bigger than the US$56.1 million in the year-ago period.

Revenues fell 13.7% to US$840.7 million.

Results were dented by the bankruptcy and liquidation of giant toy retailer Toys “R” Us.

Mattel’s brands had a mixed performance in the second quarter, with Barbie and Hot Wheels reporting higher sales, but revenues at American Girl and Fisher-Price/Thomas & Friends falling.

Shares sank 9.2% to US$14.80 in after-hours trading.

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