Lego outpaces toy market with 13 per cent sales increase

Lego’s sales of its colourful plastic bricks outpaced the overall toy market in the first half of the year, driven by strong demand in Europe and North America, according to the Denmark-based toymaker.

The surge in Lego’s sales contrasts with a stagnating global toy market and tepid sales for rivals such as Barbie-maker Mattel (MAT.O) and Hasbro (HAS.O), the firm behind My Little Pony.

The family-owned Lego company said sales from January through June rose 13 per cent to 31...