Parents across the US are dashing to buy the mechanical rodent known as the Zhu Zhu, currently the most in-demand Christmas gift for children.
They could be hard to come by though.
Retailers like Toys “R” Us and Walmart have been losing stock of the toys as parents continue to make requests for them. Meanwhile, opportunists at eBay have been selling them for as much as $100 each; the elusive toys otherwise only retail for $8.
In research conducted by the NPD Group, Zhu Zhus now rank among the five fastest-selling toys of 2009, in league with old favorites like G.I. Joe. In this view, Zhu Zhu’s maker, Cepia, could pocket $70 million in profits.
Loosely translated in Chinese as “piglet,” the Zhu Zhu is essentially a squeaking and chirping piece of artificial intelligence covered in faux fur. It is engineered to respond randomly to a touch and can scoot around reflexively.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. Largely made for 4-year old tots, the Zhu Zhu comes with a wide array of accessories, for which parents stand to shell out as much as $50. A single slide costs around $35, while a skateboard retails for nearly $13, the full-fledged “hamster city” selling for $130.
With daughters Natalie and Ashley, Cepia founder Russell Hornsby started conceiving the Zhu Zhu in 2008. At that time, the trio just discovered a 45-million strong demographic for live hamsters; they were willing to gamble on such market to splurge on artificial pets.
Such sales pitches grew to a crescendo this Yuletide, spawning a hysteria unseen since the debuts of Tickle Me Elmo, Pokemon, and Cabbage Patch dolls.
So-called Zhu Zhu parties have even been held. Throughout 2009, there were 300 of these affairs, in which parents could bond over their children, who would in turn bond over Zhu Zhus.
Now Wal-Mart has ordered more of the toys, to be shipped via 747s from China. In addition, the store has started holding Zhu Zhu sales twice a week, just so parents could satiate their children in time for Christmas morning.