TAG | hornby oo
Although the Zhu Zhu Pets were only released in August of this year, they have become a runaway success already. Kids across the nation have just gone crazy for the cute little motorized hamsters that include artificial intelligence which allows them to interact with their surroundings, other Zhu Zhu hamsters and the kids who are playing with them.
Apart from the fact that these robot hamsters are small, cute and furry, kids just love the interaction. The team of hamsters – Mr. Squiggles, Chunk, Pipsqueak, Patches and Num Nums – have a library of forty different sounds which they produce when given the appropriate cue. For example, when they go into the bathroom of their hamster habitat, they make tooth brushing sounds. If they go into their hamster bedroom then they produce snoring noises.
However, lots of retailers have quite deliberately set stock levels of toys in general at unusually low levels this year. This is partly due to the current economic climate and partly due to the fact that stock levels were too high last year. A lot of retailers had to offer big discounts in order to clear their shelves.
It’s easy to see the reasoning behind the decision – but considering upon the evidence thus far, the retailers may have misjudged the mood of consumers. Popular toys such as the Zhu Zhu pets and Mattel’s Mindflex game are flying off the shelves. Demand is much higher than supply and it’s becoming hard to find these toys in the shops. This is only going to get worse in the run up to Xmas.
Now having realised their mistake, many retailers are now ordering new stock. However, most toys are produced in the Far East nowadays. This means that delivery will include a sea voyage of four weeks or so. Arranging new stocks in time for Christmas might be easier said than done.
As a consequence of the disparity between supply and demand, it is now possible to find Zhu Zhu hamsters on eBay for more than $ 150. That’s way above the recommended retail price – and these prices could rise higher still as we approach Xmas. It does seem like an excessive price to pay for a child’s toy which, although it is the latest fad, is highly likely to be yesterday’s news in just a few short months.
If you don’t want to pay an excessive price for the latest trend, then you could always look at more traditional gifts this year. Classic traditional toys such as Lego, Scrabble, Monopoly and Hornby Dublo train sets are classics for a reason. They are always a welcome addition to any kid’s toy collection and they will most likely still be in use and giving pleasure long after this year’s fad is forgotten.
