For a unique Xmas gift, avoid hamsters - 22/12/09

Parents looking for a unique Christmas gift would be advised to choose something other than a popular toy hamster, as its demand has outstripped supplies.

Character Group, the distributor of Go Go Pets, said that the "interactive hamsters" that squeak and scuttle across the floor has gained "overnight success" both in the UK and US this year.

The Surrey-based company, which expects sales of the toys to see "explosive" growth throughout next year, warned that demand for the toy hamster is "far outstripping our ability to satisfy ahead of Christmas".

The firm has even displayed a message on its website saying that the Go Go Pets toys are out of stock until further notice.

The toy firm faced a pre-tax loss of £2.2 million for the year to August 31 compared with a £5.2 million profit in the previous year, following the Woolworths collapse last year which hit Christmas sales.

However, its profits saw a "significant turnaround" in the second half of the year, with better products such as the Peppa Pig range and HM Armed Forces.

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