SUBMITTED BY Fred Hill

October 31, 2005 —

Since the release of Revenge of the Sith, figures have shown that Star Wars toys have ruled the market.

Oct. 27, 2005--According to recent industry figures from The NPD Group, "Star Wars" toys have become the No. 1 best-selling toy property in the country since "Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith" opened to record-breaking business in May.

Dominating the U.S. toy business, "Star Wars" toys commanded a mammoth 9.1 percent of total licensed and branded toy sales in the period from May through July -- 60 percent ahead of the next leading toy property, according to figures compiled by The NPD Group. "Star Wars" toys also were ranked as the top-selling boys' property, fueling double-digit growth in the key categories of action figures and accessories and building sets compared to the same time period last year, NPD reported.

Toys based on Episode III first went on sale April 2, six weeks prior to the film's May 19 premiere, and from the very first weekend sell-through significantly exceeded expectations. Lucasfilm Ltd.'s major toy licensees are Hasbro Inc. and LEGO Group...

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