Margarita Fashion

As soon as Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters were stocked and placed onto the shelves they vanished before the morning stopped. Such is the life of this toy of the year. Zhu Zhu mania is coming near to the ludicrous — making a secondary market where the tremendously inexpensive toys ( $8 at Walmart ) become, well, pricey toys ( $35.88 for one and $98 for a three-pack on Amazon.com ).

Zhu Zhu Pets

When the loads came in this past weekend at some Walmart stores and were spotted on shelving, customers were defied the right to get them at the register. The sales were blocked. This is a statement by Walmart posted under the news page on the Zhu Zhu Pets net site because so many would be purchasers were turned away empty handed :

“Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters are among the most sought after toys this holiday season and are quickly selling upon arrival in stores. Walmart stores have been receiving new shipments this week in preparation for their Sunday ad circular. Zhu Zhu Pets™ hamsters are currently ‘blocked for sale’ at stores to ensure the product is available on Sunday when advertised. Unfortunately, a few were mistakenly placed on the sales floor too early which caused the confusion at the registers. We apologize for the situation and any confusion. Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters will be available for sale at Walmart stores again on 11/8/2009.”

Toys R Us turned up with a plan at many stores limiting purchases to one per family. Store bosses claimed they anticipated more deliveries of the Zhu Zhu pets and their accessories but could not commend delivery times.

Zhu Zhu Pets

Some retail researchers have asserted stores under-ordered. The effects of not having the toys folks most need when they desire them. Over the following month, as Black Fri comes and christmas draws closer, it will become clearer whether or not that was the issue or if patrons were being drawn in by a clever ploy to make desired items appear in short supply. What’s going to be on the list of most-desired toys isn’t that major a puzzle to the retailing giants, who use their important tools and resources to work it out.

“Select Toys R Us stores in Phoenix tested Zhu Zhu Pets earlier in the year,” Toys R Us spokesman Bob Friedland has been quoted as saying. “The fun and interactive nature of the Zhu Zhu Pets hamster excited children. In the test, we saw Zhu Zhu Pets selling well and knew it could be a hot toy.” Such testing is done constantly round the country, he claimed. Friedland related the issue of supply should be aimed at makers. Mike Nakamura, boss man man of the Chicago-based toy company Senario, told WalletPop the Zhu Zhu phenomenon appears legitimized. “It follows the same format as the Beanie Babies or Webkinz. It’s collectible,” he told. “Those don’t come along all of the time.” Dan Fishback, chairman of DemandTec — an establishment that turns buyer behavior into science, recounted even the idea a toy can be tricky to get can excite demand. “It needs to be understood that it’s tough to get,” he announced in an interview.

Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster

“It doesn’t have to be hard to get.” Thinking back at some past hits,eg tease Me Elmo, Fishback stated that it is less about the toy and more about how it is promoted.

Christmas may come only once a year – but when it arrives, it is a very important time for retailers. It can make all the difference between a good year and a disaster. So it’s no surprise that so much effort goes into predicting what the top selling items will be every year.

It’s especially critical in the toys and games market. Every year there seems to be one special toy that is the “must have” toy of the year. In no particular order we have seen Buzz Lightyear, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tickle-Me-Elmo, Beyblades, Cabbage Patch Kids and Furbies claim the crown in previous years.

Usually most of these toys will enjoy one year at the top of the list. Whilst most of these toys are still available today, they won’t be number one this Xmas. Many of them won’t even break into the top twenty.

However, there are some perennial favorites which are ever popular choices year after year and have stood the test of time across generations of youngsters. For example, again in no particular order, would be Lego, Monopoly, Scrabble, Cluedo, Barbie, G.I. Joe and train sets. Admittedly, it’s unlikely that any of these will be the top selling this Christmas – but they will be in the top twenty or thirty toys year after year.

Based upon the current volume of sales, this year’s hot toy looks like being Zhu Zhu Hamsters – furry, robot hamsters which interact using artificial intelligence. However, as in earlier years, demand seems to be greater than supply. It’s already hard to find them in the shops. You can however, see them on eBay – at prices well above the ticket price. This appears to happen each year and toy suppliers have been accused of deliberately restricting supply to create a buzz on more than one occasion in the past.

This really isn’t uncommon. Whether or not it’s a deliberate strategy by the manufacturers is debatable, but it has almost become an annual occurrence these days. Typically, just a few weeks after Christmas, last year’s expensive hot toy will be history. The more traditional toys however, will still be used and enjoyed for a long time to come. Many of these toys will even be transferred from one generation to the next. That’s why toys like Hornby Dublo train sets, Lego, Scrabble etc. represent such excellent value for money and are always a welcome addition to any child’s toy box.