Jul 17, 2007

Webkinz a big hit at small retailersBy Cosby WoodruffMontgomeryAdvertiser.com

Webkinz could be on the way to becoming one of this year’s biggest toys, and one of the reasons may be because it is not being marketed to the biggest stores.

At first glance, a Webkinz is pretty much like any other stuffed animal, but to many pre-teens it is much more than that.

A Webkinz stuffed animal comes with a secret Internet code that allows the buyer to create the pet an online home in Webkinz World, where it must be fed, entertained and cared for. Owners play games to earn “KinzCash” that can be spent on the Web site buying online products for the animal to enjoy in cyberspace.

It is one of the fastest sellers at small gift shops and has become a hot seller with almost no advertising.

Ganz, the Canadian company that makes and sells the little stuffed animal menagerie, believes that both of these could be reasons the product is so successful.

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