NEW YORK – The conversion of Hess stores to the Speedway banner isn’t going to stop one holiday tradition: the Hess Toy Truck.
Hess announced that the 2015 Hess Fire Truck and Ladder Rescue will be available for sale online starting Sunday, November 1, at http://www.hesstoytruck.com. The Hess Toy Truck has been a holiday tradition since 1964, and is one of the longest running toy brands on the market.
“The Hess Toy Truck has been a cherished tradition on the East Coast for 50 years, so we wanted to continue that tradition and bring smiles to kids’ faces,” Justin Mayer, general manager of Hess Toy Truck, told Fox News.
The news source adds that Hess trucks are moving into a new era without the company’s retail presence. Online ordering was introduced in 2012, and now the website is the primary way for customers to purchase the latest Hess truck, and Hess added free shipping since its stores are no longer an option. “We think this is going to be a great year for us,” Mayer added.
This year’s Hess Toy is a red Fire Truck with oversized tires, swiveling chrome-detailed fire hose nozzles, LED lights including a high-powered pivoting LED searchlight, a slide-out ramp and four sound effects. The accompanying Ladder Rescue features a rotating extension ladder with a movable nozzle and push-activated friction motor.
Hess is adding a new surprise this year: 100 lucky customers will find an individually numbered Silver Edition Fire Truck and Ladder Rescue when they open their 2015 Hess Toy Truck package.
In addition to online ordering, customers can also purchase the Fire Truck and Ladder Rescue at 10 select shopping malls starting November 12:
- New York: Queens Center, Kings Plaza, Green Acres and Broadway
- New Jersey: Paramus Park, Woodbridge Center, Willowbrook and Cherry Hill
- Pennsylvania: Willow Grove Park and Capital City
“Families have the tradition of going to the store. We call it the annual pilgrimage,” Mayer said. “We wanted to continue that tradition.”