Tiber is retiring last years Furby models with new animal prints
SFindlay99
(Last updated 12:28 AM ET February 6)
Taking a play from Ty Inc.'s Beanie Babies, Tiger Electronics aims to turn the
toys into collectibles by retiring last year's models and coming out with new
ones with animal print patterns. Values of retired Beanie Babies far exceed the
$6.00 retail price.
http://nt.excite.com/news/r/990206/00/business-furby
By William Borden
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Chattering Furby, the hot-selling interactive toy, will
get some new companions as Tiger Electronics plans to turn Furby into a leading
brand like Barbie or Monopoly.
Tiger will offer smaller Furby Babies in pastel colors, a Furby electronic
game, carrying cases and kites, as well as Furby Buddies beanbags.
Tiger Electronics is expecting the expanded product line to help it double
sales of Furby merchandise to four million units this year from two million
units last year, Lana Simon, director of public relations for Hasbro Inc.'s
Tiger Electronics, said.
A shortage of the big-eared dolls during the holiday led to a secondary market
for the toys, with street prices going several times the roughly $30 retail
price.
"We're looking to make Furby a brand to be around for many years to come,"
Simon said. Hollywood talent agents Creative Artists Agency, which represents
Tom Cruise, have even been signed to represent Furby for media appearances.
Furby has become an important toy to Hasbro, which easily beat Wall Street
expectations Thursday when it reported 1998 results.
Taking a play from Ty Inc.'s Beanie Babies, Tiger Electronics aims to turn the
toys into collectibles by retiring last year's models and coming out with new
ones with animal print patterns. Values of retired Beanie Babies far exceed the
$6.00 retail price.
Furby sales have been fuelled more by publicity surrounding the October launch
than by advertising.
Tiger limited its television advertising for Furby before the holidays because
of shortages, Simon said. Television advertising for the products is expected
to resume this year.
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