LIONEL available at Hobby Lobby, Menard's, and others.

[GregM]

In the Dec/Jan issue of WOOD magazine on page 94 the Heartland America advertisement lists the Lionel Pennsylvania Flyer train set for $149.99.  They list shipping as $23.96 but there is a special code for free shipping.  Just goes to show, Lionel is exploring many different sales channels for their starter sets.

[Andrew Falconer]

In December and January at the Portage, MI location of TARGET in the Toy Department there was an aisle of hard to categorize items. That aisle is where the LIONEL Train Sets wound up being located. It must be the same for most TARGET locations.

Andrew

[Jumijo]

 

Exactly, Kurt. More of a "oh, look what I found" than "hey, look at that"!

Regardless of that, Lionel is making a successful effort to merchandise their offerings to a mass market. People outside the hobby ARE becoming aware of the name Lionel again and are purchasing the company's toy trains. 

[kpolak]

I can only quess that Target did better last year selling Lionel via their web sales than the in-store sales. Even though the exposure is much less for Lionel, it still gets more product out there and under the trees. Better than nothing I suppose.

Bobby

From what I remember reading last year, those who did see Lionel sets at Target said they were not prominantly displayed. Several said they were on shelves up too high for kids to see well.

I was just in a large Target and didn't see any sets there at all. 

Our Target located Lionel at the on the bottom end of a shelf, by the wall.  I'm sure marketing ($$$) play a part in product location.  Reminded me of going to a garage sale, and finding something interesting in a back corner.

Kurt

[Jumijo]

No sets in the Lakeland, Florida stores either.

I can only quess that Target did better last year selling Lionel via their web sales than the in-store sales. Even though the exposure is much less for Lionel, it still gets more product out there and under the trees. Better than nothing I suppose.

Bobby

 

From what I remember reading last year, those who did see Lionel sets at Target said they were not prominantly displayed. Several said they were on shelves up too high for kids to see well.

I was just in a large Target and didn't see any sets there at all. 

[Andrew Falconer]

What is interesting about Menard's is that the sets will go on sale for one week only depending on what sales are happening between Thanksgiving and the end of January clearances. If a Chicago & North Western Set sticks around to the final weeks, then I might get it. There are so many item in The Train Barn and other area hobby shops that I will have to think about it. If it were a GP38 Diesel Set with the 1980's Colors and Graphics on a Waffle-Sided Boxcar, Covered Hopper, and Intermodal Spine Flat Car, I would not hesitate to get it.

Andrew

[BobbyDing]

To all,

I re-checked the Target website and they listed all the items as being available on-line only, not in stores.  I wonder why Lionel agreed to this as this gets you zero exposure to the general public.  Unless you are actively looking for sets online, you are not going to find them casually browsing the net.  On the other hand, Lionel has less exposure to a returned goods cost.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

No sets in the Lakeland, Florida stores either.

I can only quess that Target did better last year selling Lionel via their web sales than the in-store sales. Even though the exposure is much less for Lionel, it still gets more product out there and under the trees. Better than nothing I suppose.

Bobby

.

[SchemerBob]

Now if Lionel could only get into Wal Mart.....

It's a good thing Lionel's NOT in Wal-Mart...that way, you never have an excuse to step in there ever again!!

[cbq9911a]

Getting back to Menards - the sets disappeared very quickly from my local Menards (NW Chicago Suburbs).

[Boyd]

Now if Lionel could only get into Wal Mart.... But I bet Wally World would want the sets for just a little over cost.

[krapug1]

 

Last year, all of the Fortunoff stores in NY/NJ had a Lionel display up and running for Christmas. 

Fortunoff has 4 sets listed on their website.

Considering that their larger stores (Westbury, Woodbridge and the like) have Christmas Departments that rival what legendary stores like JL Hudson used to do, I would think that Lionel is part of the mix.

Ken

[cheapclassics]

To all,

I re-checked the Target website and they listed all the items as being available on-line only, not in stores.  I wonder why Lionel agreed to this as this gets you zero exposure to the general public.  Unless you are actively looking for sets online, you are not going to find them casually browsing the net.  On the other hand, Lionel has less exposure to a returned goods cost.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[krapug1]

I did notice that on the Sears site, they have the Polar Express Set listed.

So I guess they are no longer working with MTH ?

Ken

[kpolak]

I saw two listed on the Brookstone site, Cascade Range, and Penn Flyer.

[dwiemer]

Dillard's has had them too.  I have yet to see them this year, but I am sure they will.  Last year, they had PE, Nascar and some G scale.

[cheapclassics]

To all,

I have seen sets at Menard's, but I have been to two Targets in the area and have not seen any there.  I have not checked out Linen's and Things or Hobby Lobby, but I plan to do so this weekend.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

 

[laz 57]

BOSCOVs in PA, and Jersey have them.

laz57

[Wes Whitmore]

My Marards has finally stocked the North Western Freight and Wisconsin Central Passenger sets, as well as a bunch of Fastrack pieces.

Wes

[krapug1]

For those in the North East and Mid-Atlantic regions, Boscov's continues to sell K-Line By Lionel and Lionel. Their website lists some of their stock. Perhaps Lionel will start to make some exclusives for them the way K-Line used to.

Target has a number of sets (4) listed on their website, as well as Fastrack.

Last year Macy's Herald Sqaure store set up a Specialty Toy Department on 8 (near Santa Land), and it featured Lionel sets and a small operating layout. Hopefully that will be repeated this year.

Speaking of Macy's, in the State Street Chicago store, FAO Schwatz has opened a branch, I wonder if Trains are part of the mix ??

Does Sears still offer an annual MTH set ?

I have always preached that getting QUALITY train sets into mass-merchandisers is a essential part of expanding the hobby.

Ken

[Mr_Ash]

my local hobby lobby had a few Lionel sets when I was there a few weeks ago, they also had a couple diffrent Bachmann G  (Big Haulers) sets and some HO with atleast 1 On30 set

[Jumijo]

 

I think either Linen's & Things or Bloodbath & Beyond is selling Lionel too. 

[Andrew Falconer]

This week the stockers at Menard's in Portage, MI have stacked up the LIONEL.

Many boxes of FasTrack. There are 3 of the Chicago & North Western Freight Sets and 2 of the Wisconsin Central Passenger Sets out on the shelves. There is no room for more.

The Wisconsin Central Passenger Set is a "Soo Line" set done as if the Wisconsin Central had not been a hidden subsidiary between 1910 and 1960. 

Andrew

[weldman87]

After reading your post I went to towerhobbies and look up trains there. the only trains that came up were ho and g scale. no lionel yet.

 

[Jumijo]

 

Target will be selling them again this year.  

[anjdevil2]

AND if you get the 40% off coupon from Hobby Lobby...such a deal!!!!

[Andrew Falconer]

LIONEL starter set items have been made available at retailers such as Hobby Lobby and Menard's.

What other retailers have been selling LIONEL sets?

Will there be new LIONEL sets at Menard's?

What about a Menard's NASCAR Train Set? 

Andrew