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Scrabble scores sales surge on 60th anniversary

Josie Clarke,Pa
Tuesday 18 November 2008 06:37 EST
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Scrabble has become Britain's best-selling boardgame 60 years after its launch, sales figures show.

Sales of the popular word game increased by 30 per cent in the first nine months of this year compared with the same period last year, according to market researcher NPD.

The longtime staple of the games cupboard has seen a surge in popularity following online and computer versions of the game.

Facebook's version Scrabulous also attracted half a million players every day before it was shut down by Hasbro, the owner of the US rights to the game.

It is thought to be the first time Scrabble has taken the top spot since at least the mid-1980s when the popularity of Trivial Pursuit was at its height.

Mattel games marketing manager Wendy Hill said: "This year has been a great year so far for Scrabble. A number of factors may have contributed to these results.

"Many people are choosing to enjoy nights in and there is also increasing interest in brain training-style puzzles and games, Scrabble, of course, being one of the easiest to master."

Scrabble has been translated into 29 languages and can be bought in various forms from Junior to Deluxe.

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