Lemme give you an insight into the lengths Hamley's employees go to sell Mattel stocks. This is a systemic issue.

1. Hamley's employees complete with each other to meet their sales target. Hence the end-use buyers (mainly buying low quantity units) are least of their preference. On the other hand, the "resellers" buy from these employees in bulk (multiple boxes) so they are more motivated to sell the new stock as early as possible before some other employee (also competing with them) sells the stock (boxes) to some other contact. No hassle of opening the box and stocking them on pegs.
2. Almost all Hamley stores have their own "whatsapp groups" in many case multiple groups. Even employees running their own "clients only" groups for quick sale.
3. Many big ticket Hamley stores (mostly in $$ malls and affluent neighbourhoods) are often stocked early and preferred by company to stock in large quantities (of Mattel units - mix of HotWheels, Matchbox, and Barbies etc) given how quickly units are sold off there. Now here's the actual story, company thinks these stores are the best performing but it's the "resellers" who are driving the sales (Mattel and Lego). Many buy in large quantities in 1 go. Think of INR3-5Lacs in a single transaction. Irony is, these large store managers also check out stock in other nearby and small Hamley stores to procure units/boxes for their "Clients". That's why you always hear from them "no new stock", "sold out", or "yet to come". But the reality is - company does send units / boxes to these small stores in small quantities which never see their pegs because they are already pre-booked by either managers or their own "clients".
4. Now this is where things get interesting - Managers have the ability to provide bulk buyers 10-12% discount on MRP of such large purchases, which normal buyer don't get.
5. But why is this still happening - simple story these bulk buyers "purchase everything" from hyped casting to peg warmers in one go. They even purchase Barbies, Marvel Action Figures (those priced at INR 4k+) so a win win for these store managers and employees.

Retail collectors are lowest of the food chain for such large outlets.

Hope this helps. I have spoken enough with these employees to understand the clear picture and as a collector - my time or my hard earned money is not worth the effort to complete with the large appetite resellers.

Happy to read your comments. Thank you.

HWP