Still need to pick up one of these for Xmas? Then you’ll have to Hatch another plan...
Parents crack up after shops sell out of this year’s top toy EARLY BIRD EMPTY NEST
PARENTS who haven’t secured a Hatchimal for their little ones this Christmas are scrambled as Ireland has officially sold out of the toys.
The latest batch of egg animals which arrived in stores just a few days ago has been snapped up in record time.
Now some disappointed children may have to wait until 2017 to get their hands on them.
Last month the makers admitted they are in short supply.
They said: “The consumer response to Hatchimals has been extraordinary, exceeding all expectations.
“Some of our first shipments have already sold out.
“While additional products will hit retail shelves in November, we anticipate this inventory will also sell out quickly.
“We have increased production and a whole new batch of Hatchimals will be ready to hatch in early 2017.”
Crowned one of the best toys of 2016, Hatchimals have taken the country by storm with retailers including Smyths, Argos and Littlewoods Ireland struggling to keep up with the demand.
SPECKLED
The cuddly chicks arrive in brightlycoloured speckled eggs and must be loved and cared for before they begin to peck their way out.
Once born, children have to “raise” them through three more stages from baby to toddler to kid.
Retailing at €74.99 there are five different species to collect – Pengualas, Draggles, Owlicorns, Burtles, or Bearakeets – and the lucky owner won’t know what they have until it hatches. Urging people not to buy from unauthorised retailers, the makers added: “This is a special season and we don’t want anyone to be disappointed, nor do we support inflated prices from non-authorised resellers.
“We are working on creative solutions to help kids and their parents withstand the wait.
“In the interim, some retailers are developing pre-sale and/or rain-check programmes for redemption in January.”