Red-hot Elmo
If you're thinking Elmo for the kids this holiday season, you better start shopping soon.
White hot demand for T.M.X. Elmo — the latest version of the red furry character from Mattel Inc.’s Fisher-Price that has a more pronounced laugh and body movements — is creating a halo effect for other Elmo toys. Toy sellers such as KB Toys Inc. and Toys R Us Inc. are reporting a sales surge in Elmo games, Elmo chairs as well as older versions of the plush doll like Hokey Pokey Elmo.
“A rising tide lifts all Elmo,” says Chris Byrne, an independent toy consultant.
Harold Chizick, vice president of global marketing at Spin Master, says the toy maker has sold out its supply of 500,000 plush Elmo chairs to retailers, and noted that it won’t be able to ship any more this holiday season.
Associated Press