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Plush pets unleash next big craze

Soft, cute and furry, Webkinz are flying off store shelves with a fury.

By MADHUSMITA BORA
Published April 3, 2007

	Jami-Lyn Fehr, 10, of Palm Harbor, selects her 52nd Webkinz pet, a Chihuahua she had already named "Buddy," on Monday at Amy's Hallmark in Clearwater.
[Times photo: Douglas R. Clifford]

So, who's busting the popularity charts in the Easter Bunny's basket?

Not the decorated eggs, the spring sweets or stuffed rabbits, according to area retailers.

You win if you guessed Webkinz, those fuzzy, plush pets with a virtual presence. Since January, the Dalmatians, the koalas, the gray and white cats and their cousins have been flying off the shelves. And with Easter just days away, their demand has hopped, skipped and sky-rocketed.

Local retailers sigh as they recount their growing waiting lists. Some are putting up signs on the marquee notifying customers about their unavailability. Yet others are setting their competitive spirits aside and navigating shoppers to stores lucky enough to have them on the stock.

"Oh, my God, every phone call is about the Webkinz," said Penny Midulla, owner of Dog Lovers in Tampa, who ran out of stock recently. "The demand by far exceeds the quantities available."

At Estella's, another Tampa store, sales associates are receiving calls from as far as Orlando.

"Don't we wish we did have them," said Patti Taylor, a sales associate.

It's a wish that's shared by retailers across the country.

"They are universally popular," said Megan Ferington, spokeswoman for American Greetings. "Our vendors can barely keep up with the demand."

There are about 50 Webkinz now, including retirees Cheeky Cat and Cheeky Dog, which are going for more than $200 each on eBay and amazon.com. Each Webkinz comes with a tag and a secret code that allows owners to register on the Webkinz World Web site and raise them virtually. Canada-based manufacturer Ganz told Network World that it has sold more than 1-million Webkinz.

Some retailers say the toys are close to surpassing the legendary popularity of Beanie Babies and Cabbage Patch dolls.

"I don't get the feeling this will end any time soon," said Mary Conte, owner of Buds Blooms and Beyond in Tampa.

Madhusmita Bora can be reached at mbora@sptimes.com.

[Last modified April 2, 2007, 22:40:32]