Toy sales boost during pandemic, good news for small toy stores KFSN Share: This holiday season, employees have something to be jolly about. "Excellent. We're actually up this year," said Patti McPike, employee. This is good news considering the store was closed for more than a month during shelter in place. The toy industry has seen a 20 percent increase in sales. Experts point to people's spending and the pandemic. "Twofold. I think they like to support local businesses and the kids have been inside for so long. They want to reward them, I don't know if that's the word. It's a place to come for the kids too," McPike said.