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.
The manufacturers, Cepia, are based in St. Louis and were founded in 2004. Six million units have been shipped since the Zhu Zhu Pets were launched in August 2009. Between now and Xmas, a further six million sales are predicted. At the moment, the Zhu Zhu Pets are spending, on average, between 30 seconds and 3 minutes on the shelf before being purchased.
Prices are starting to creep up as demand outstrips supply - both for the hamsters and their accessories. You can already find these for sale on eBay. Prices are, of course, higher than retail and can be expected to rise the closer we get to Xmas.
Cepia are forecasting sales of $ 300 to $ 400 million during the course of the next year. This will not be from Zhu Zhu hamsters alone - they plan to extend their range to include squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits and hedgehogs. Based upon the results of the Zhu Zhu hamsters, any small, cute and furry animal seems likely to appeal to kids.
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.
The manufacturers, Cepia, are based in St. Louis and were founded in 2004. Six million units have been shipped since the Zhu Zhu Pets were launched in August 2009. Between now and Xmas, a further six million sales are predicted. At the moment, the Zhu Zhu Pets are spending, on average, between 30 seconds and 3 minutes on the shelf before being purchased.
Prices are starting to creep up as demand outstrips supply - both for the hamsters and their accessories. You can already find these for sale on eBay. Prices are, of course, higher than retail and can be expected to rise the closer we get to Xmas.
Cepia are forecasting sales of $ 300 to $ 400 million during the course of the next year. This will not be from Zhu Zhu hamsters alone - they plan to extend their range to include squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits and hedgehogs. Based upon the results of the Zhu Zhu hamsters, any small, cute and furry animal seems likely to appeal to kids.
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Discover the Zhu Zhu Pets, at Harold Peterson's site on Zhu Zhu Hamsters and find out where you can still get them in stock.