It's not even Thanksgiving, and some stores are already running out of hot toys. Blame cautious buying by retailers trying not to get stuck with unsold inventory, as they were last year. Among the items in short supply is a surprise hit: Zhu Zhu Pets, toy hamsters programmed to scamper around a plastic "home" whose rooms are connected by tunnels. Thernsets are sold out at Target.com and Wal-Mart.com. Some who scooped up Zhu Zhus early for $9.99 each are reselling them for twice that on Amazon.com and eBay. Meanwhile, the maker, tiny Cepia in St. Louis, isrnscurrying to get more shipments trom China.
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