This year's must have toyfor Christmas is definitely the Zhu Zhu Pets. These are a squad of five different motorized hamsters featuring artifical intelligence. Each one has their own distinct personality and character traits and they interact with their environment and the children playing with them. Toys R Us decided not to include them in their 2009 Christmas catalog - because demand is so high.
The Zhu Zhu hamsters are Mr. Squiggles, Num Nums, Chunk, Pipsqueak and Patches. In addition to the hamsters themselves there is a wide range of toys and accessories available which can be use in different ways and which allows the children to use their imagination.
The Zhu Zhu pets are aimed at children in the age range of 4 to 10 years old and appeal to both boys and girls. They are not suitable for very small children as they contain moving parts and batteries.
Cepia, the manufacturers, are St. Louis based, and were established in 2004. They launched the Zhu Zhu Pets in August 2009 and have shipped six million units since then. A further six million sales are expected between now and Christmas. Currently, the shelf life of a Zhu Zhu hamster is - on average - less than three minutes.
Demand is outstripping supply right now and prices are beginning to creep upwards - for both the hamsters and their accessories. Sellers on eBay are already cashing in and you can expect to see more of this the closer we get to Christmas.
Cepia expect to sell between $ 300 and $ 400 million of toys over the next twelve months. They intend to extend their range to include hedgehogs, rabbits, chipmunks and squirrels - all of which should have a similar appeal to children as the Zhu Zhu hamsters. - 29953
The Zhu Zhu hamsters are Mr. Squiggles, Num Nums, Chunk, Pipsqueak and Patches. In addition to the hamsters themselves there is a wide range of toys and accessories available which can be use in different ways and which allows the children to use their imagination.
The Zhu Zhu pets are aimed at children in the age range of 4 to 10 years old and appeal to both boys and girls. They are not suitable for very small children as they contain moving parts and batteries.
Cepia, the manufacturers, are St. Louis based, and were established in 2004. They launched the Zhu Zhu Pets in August 2009 and have shipped six million units since then. A further six million sales are expected between now and Christmas. Currently, the shelf life of a Zhu Zhu hamster is - on average - less than three minutes.
Demand is outstripping supply right now and prices are beginning to creep upwards - for both the hamsters and their accessories. Sellers on eBay are already cashing in and you can expect to see more of this the closer we get to Christmas.
Cepia expect to sell between $ 300 and $ 400 million of toys over the next twelve months. They intend to extend their range to include hedgehogs, rabbits, chipmunks and squirrels - all of which should have a similar appeal to children as the Zhu Zhu hamsters. - 29953
