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David Stanley Ford

Zhu Zhu Pets, Kindle top holiday wish lists
Some of the season’s hottest toys are already sold out

BY JENNIFER PALMER    Comments Comment on this article3
Published: November 5, 2009

Tickle Me Elmo is back this year but will be up against what retailers say are some tough contenders — furry, electronic hamsters — in this year’s battle of the hot holiday gifts.

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Santa will no doubt be hearing many requests for the popular hamsters, called Zhu Zhu Pets. Toys R Us listed the hamsters on its "2009 Holiday Hot Toy List” released in September. The Original Tickle Me Elmo, a Toys R Us exclusive, was on the list this year, too.

Lines of parents trying to get their hands on Zhu Zhu Pets have been reported at toy stores since September, and the critters are currently sold out on the Web sites of major retailers Walmart, Target and Toys R Us.

Retail price for the hamsters, which come in four styles, is around $10. But because of the demand, there are listings on Web sites such as Amazon, eBay and Craigslist for three times that amount and even more for a complete set.

"These are definitely a hot item,” said Bob Friedland, a spokesman for Toys R Us.

Other popular toys this year will be the Disney Princess: Just One Kiss Princess Tiana Doll, Wii Sports Resort, Disney Netpal (a netbook computer), and Little Superstar Jammin’ Band Musical Microphone from Fisher Price, Friedland said.

PayPal and eBay are predicting the season’s top items to be Twilight Barbie dolls, Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle and the "Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen” DVD, said Beth Strobel, PayPal’s online personal shopper.

Adult wish list
Adults, however, have another hot item topping their wish lists: Amazon’s Kindle, an electronic reader that lets users download books and newspapers. The newest model of the device sells for $259.

An Amazon spokesperson said Kindle quickly has become "the most wished for, the most gifted and the bestselling product” across millions of items sold on Amazon.com.

Other electronics, such as Apple’s iPod Touch and iPhone, Wii game systems, and other techie delights also will be popular this year, retailers say.

Shoppers waiting for Black Friday sales may miss out on some of the most wanted items.

"In anticipation of weak demand, many retailers scaled back on inventory levels to prevent unplanned markdowns at the end of the season,” said Tracy Mullin, president and chief executive of the National Retail Federation. "Once the most popular items are gone, retailers won’t have anywhere to get them, so if there was ever a holiday season to buy early, this is it.”

But expect the fur to fly this weekend: according to the Zhu Zhu Pets Web site, Walmart is building up its stock for a sale on Sunday.

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David Stanley Ford


Related Topics: Culture and Lifestyle, Science and Technology, Technology, Hobbies and Pastimes, Holidays, Games, Computer Technology, Computer Hardware and Peripherals, Video Games, Laptops, Toys


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I lucked out and got three of the critters and the kitchen/bedroom playhouse tunnel at WalMart in early October. At the time, I didn't know they were popular. I've never seen commercials on tv for them, but I don't watch childrens programs. I remember being on the quest for Power Rangers when my boys were little. The things we do for our kids. Happy Hunting!
char, oklahoma city - Nov 7, 2009 at 6:51 am
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Nice write up, Jennifer. As a parent, I'm familiar with most of these toys (for better or for worse, lol). With kids in 2nd grade, kindergarten and a very little one, all I hear is, "Daddy we want one of them little mouses." The "mouses," of course, are Zhu zhu pets. We had actually seen them in toy stores a few months back and I planned on buying some to surprise them at Christmas. Note to self: next time, DON'T WAIT! I go back a week later and the clerk laughed at me when I asked to buy some. Real nice. Well, last week I finally broke down and bought some online from the only place I could find selling them (if you're still looking, give GetZHuZhu.com a try). I did check on EBay first and that just furthered my frustration at waiting.... had I known these things would have gone for so danged much, I would have bought the whole lot of them at the time! Hindsight is 20/20. Good luck to the other parents out there, and if your kids dont know about ZhuZhu pets yet.... keep them in the dark! ;)
Barry - Nov 5, 2009 at 9:31 am

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