Fuzzy Critters With High Prices Offer Lesson in New Concepts

New York Times, March 26, 2007 — IF the face of e-commerce 1.0 was the Pets.com sock puppet, will the new face of e-commerce be a Webkinz? The cuddly stuffed animals, which are in exceedingly high demand among the elementary school set, have also gained notice among Internet executives for their ability to bridge the online and offline worlds. And although no one expects others to replicate the breakaway success of Webkinz in, say, the automotive industry, analysts said there are many lessons to be learned from these plush toys.