Zhu Zhu pets - the gang of five motorized toy hamsters with artificial intelligence that interact with their environment and kids - are, without a doubt, the must have toy for 2009's festive season. In fact, demand is so high that Toys R Us decided not to include them in their Xmas catalog so as not to disappoint shoppers.
The five hamsters are named Num Nums, Mr. Squiggles, Chunk, Patches and Pipsqueak. Apart from the individual hamsters, there is a huge selection of toys and accessories (tracks, tubes, wheels, cars, skateboards etc.) available for the kids to arrange in different combinations.
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 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. - 30320
The five hamsters are named Num Nums, Mr. Squiggles, Chunk, Patches and Pipsqueak. Apart from the individual hamsters, there is a huge selection of toys and accessories (tracks, tubes, wheels, cars, skateboards etc.) available for the kids to arrange in different combinations.
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 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. - 30320
About the Author:
Want to find out more about the Zhu Zhu Pets, then visit Harold Peterson's site on Zhu Zhu Hamsters and find out where you can still find them.
