I read in an interview with Andrea Schauer that they have an agreement with the toystores not to increase the number of products any further.
In a consequence this means, they have to discontinue one set for each newly introduced set.
She also stated that playmobil does not really like it, as they do have to discontinue even well selling sets sooner or later...
So, I think the strategy of playmobil will change. We all realized how the number of "special" sets is increasing dramatically... They bundle up most discontinued sets and give them to the big chains in germany like REAL or resamble them for TARGET-Sets. They already did it for the construction sets and the first dino series and for severeal fire and police bundles.
I expect sooner or later bundles to appear that cover discontinued themes...
vikings...
romans...
egyptians...
well, maybe someday even a MERRY MEN'S BUNDLE...
I start to like the idea...
best,
socrates