Santa’s sleigh to be lighter as people buy fewer toys

LONDON – Santa Claus may not have as much to give this year because hard up shoppers in Europe and the United States are prioritizing food and household staples, global toy makers and industry experts said. Consumers worldwide have struggled to cope with high inflation and sluggish economic growth. The holiday season, which begins with Black Friday at the end of November and lasts roughly until the end of December, is expected to be especially tough for retailers selling discretionary items, executives say. Favourites such as Barbie dolls, Transformers action figures and Hot Wheels cars will still be at the top of children’s wish list, said Loo Wee Teck, consumer electronics industry manager at Euromonitor International. But many parents can’t…