'Totally on trend': Why a 'booty shakin' llama is one of this year's hottest toys
With the holidays around the corner, one of the most exciting items for kids this year might be “The Booty Shakin’ Llama,” according to “The Toy Guy” Chris Byrne.
Byrne, an analyst with more than 30 years of experience in the toy industry, predicted in an interview with YFi AM on Tuesday that the llama “is going to be a best-seller.” Pets Alive Boppi The Booty Shakin Llama is made by Zuru and is sold at Walmart (WMT), Target (TGT) and online on Amazon (AMZN).
“It’s totally on trend, it's totally fun, it's consumable. It's silly, you know, and there's a certain level of comedy,” Byrne said. “It's also a fairly TV-friendly activity, and that really helps get the mass communication out there.”
The llama first debuted at the New York Toy Fair in February and became a global hit. It was named toy of the year at the Toy Fair gala in Melbourne, Australia and was named one of the 12 toys of Christmas by British TV show “This Morning.” The llama sells for $17.99, and Walmart has dibs on the exclusive sale of the purple llama.
Another hot toy this year is the “Pop Pops Snotz Slime Hammer” made by Yulu. Kids can use the hammer to slam slime “bubbles,” some of which contain surprise collectible toys.
“Collectability really does drive the toy industry, and it has since Pokemon. It has really since the '60s and the '70s. People buy these things,” Byrne said. The hammer is sold at Target, Amazon, and Walmart for $16.99.
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