Harry Potter toys, games also hot sellers
By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Jeffrey Woodland, assistant manager for K B Toys at Ala Moana Center, shows a Harry Potter LEGO, expected to be one of the more popular purchases this year.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser |
And what more American way to celebrate this British phenomena than to buy the merchandise — whole-Hogwarts.
Granted, there are no Diagon Alleys in Hawai'i for would-be wizards and witches to purchase their wares, but there are an ample number of Muggle merchants eager to fill the void. In stores or online, Potter fans can load up on a full array of toys, games and magical miscellany, from action figures ($5.99 and up) at Toys-R-Us to Harry Potter-style glasses ($99.95) at LensCrafters.
The hottest Harry items so far have come from LEGO. Terry Amano, manager of Toys-R-Us in 'Aiea, said demand for Harry Potter LEGO sets has been intense, with weekly shipments selling out in days. The sets, which cost $6.99 to $118, are hot sellers also at K B Toys and Hobby Shop in Ala Moana, according to store manager Robin Lo.
Potter author J.K. Rowling already has gone on record with her uneasiness about the merchandising likely to accompany the debut of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." Warner Bros., which has held the rights to Harry Potter since 1998, is said to have licensed properties to more than 50 companies with a set of guidelines intended to retain the spirit and integrity of the Potter books.
The products, which are available at stores and through amazon.com, include:
- Harry Potter Diagon Alley Shops (LEGO Systems Inc., $10.99).
- Harry Potter Casting Stones Game (Mattel, $12.99).
- Harry Potter Sorting Hat and Glasses (Elope Inc., $27.99).
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for Game Boy Advance (Electronic Arts, $39.99).
- Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle (LEGO Systems, Inc. $89.99).
- Harry Potter Battling the Mountain Troll Statue (Mattel, $119.99).
