When it comes to marketing a product, what is the importance of the name? That’s a hard question to answer, but based upon the sales results for Zhu Zhu pets, there does seem to be some impact on the product’s success.

At the moment the Zhu Zhu pets are occupying eight out of the top ten places in the Amazon Toys and Games bestseller list. Zhu Zhu pets are a collection of furry little robotic hamsters – along with various toys and accessories – and equipped with artificial intelligence so that they can interact with both kids and their surroundings.

Over and above the actual hamsters themselves, there are a number of different hamster toys and habitats which can be arranged in various different designs by the kids. The target age group is between 4 and 10 years old, and it’s not too hard to see why these kids are going nuts ofr the Zhu Zhu pets. The hamsters are small, cute and furry – and they make cute noises whenever they are stroked and petted. The freedom to redesign the hamster environments is also good fun as it uses the kid’s imagination.

From the parent’s point of view there are plenty of attractive aspects also. There’s no need to keep mechanical pets fed and watered, they don’t poop – so there’s no need to clean out the cage (and no smell) – and they don’t pop their little hamster clogs leaving the parents to explain that Hammy has gone to Hamster heaven.

So it’s no surprise that, despite being launched only at the back end of August, the Zhu Zhu pets are a such big hit with both parents and children. They may even be this year’s Xmas top selling toy if sales hold their current levels.

However, on the other side of the Atlantic, it’s a slightly different story. In the UK, Zhu Zhu pets are still being marketed under their old name of Go Go Hamsters. Even although the prices are very much lower, they aren’t enjoying anything like the same level of sales as are currently being seen in the USA.

Cepia, the company who market the Zhu Zhu hamsters in the USA, have done a great job of rebranding and promoting these toys. After a successful local test launch in the Phoenix area, these toys have been flying off the shelves since their national launch in August. Prices are starting to edge upwards as demand outstrips supply. In fact, as long as stocks hold out, it really is difficult to imagine what toy might displace these for the coveted Christmas number one slot.

Harold Peterson – Find out all about the Zhu Zhu Pets

  

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