$10 toy hamster might be holiday seasons big hit

The nation's biggest toy-store chain is placing its holiday bets — and because the stakes are high, the prices are lower.

If Toys R Us' testing is any indication, a $10 toy hamster might be a runaway hit.

Chief Merchandising Officer Karen Dodge said her staff of buyers spends the better part of the year mulling what will be the top toys for gift-giving. Some they test in small markets and gauge consumers reaction.

"We get the read on that, extrapolate, and go from there," she said. This year, for example, they tested Zhu Zhu Hamsters — the interactive squeaking toy rodents — in Arizona. They sold out, Dodge said.

Toys R Us' holiday hot list of toys it plans to heavily promote and stock this year, released Thursday, features just a handful of toys over $100.

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