Elmo's back and retailers are tickled pink over the prospects of stocking what promises to be one of the hottest selling toys of the holiday season.
T.M.X. (the X stands for extreme) Elmo, the latest in the line of Tickle Me Elmo line of toys, is breaking new ground according to toy industry watchers.
"When I originally saw a picture of how it moves, I really thought there were some sort of wires, like a puppet, moving it," said Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of the trade publication Toy Wishes. "We've never seen a stuffed animal that has this type of movement."
Executives at chains including KB Toys and Toys R Us have said preorders for the new Elmo have exceeded expectations.
Rich Ryan, a Toys R Us buyer of preschool toys, told MarketWatch, "We've seen a lot of success with Elmo over the years. We expect it to be one of the best sellers chain-wide."
Mr. Silver said consumers should plan to shop early if they want to get their own extreme Elmo in time for Christmas. "If there are Elmos around December first, I will really be surprised," he said.
Elmo is already a hot seller with consumers lined up outside of stores across the country to buy the newest version. The toy, according to a Chicago Sun-Times report, is already being sold on eBay for $200. The toy's suggested retail price is $39.99.
Discussion Questions: Considering the demand for the product, should retailers selling T.M.X. Elmo sell the toy for a price higher than its suggested $39.99 retail? What would happen if the item were to be sold at a premium to the $39.99 price?