The capybara, the world's largest rodent, is currently enjoying a surge in popularity, becoming the latest trendy animal to feature prominently in holiday shopping offerings. From capybara slippers and purses to plush toys and bath bombs, this South American creature is adorning a wide range of products, following in the footsteps of past favorites like axolotls, owls, hedgehogs, foxes, and sloths.
Industry experts attribute the rapid rise and fall of these trendy animals to the influence of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The cycle of popularity is accelerated, with new must-have animals emerging each season to capture consumers' attention.
The demand for plush toys, driven by the comfort sought during the pandemic, has seen a significant increase, with sales up 115% for plush animals in the first nine months of this year compared to 2019. This surge in sales is also fueled by a growing interest in exotic species featured in online content, games, and movies.
Adults are increasingly purchasing unique and collectible plush toys for comfort and stress relief, leading to a rise in sales to this demographic. Stuffed animals are becoming ageless items, with a focus on self-care and relaxation.
Toy makers are constantly on the lookout for the next popular animal or creature to feature in their products. Build-A-Bear Workshop, known for its customizable stuffed animals, closely monitors social media and industry trends to introduce new toys. The company takes around a year to develop a new product but can expedite the process if a trend emerges.
Annual trade shows serve as a platform to identify emerging trends, with digital interactive pets like Punirunes gaining popularity in Japan and expected to make waves in the U.S. Companies like Build-A-Bear can also create their trends, as seen with the success of the Spring Green Frog introduced in 2020.
The appeal of capybaras, known for their friendly and calm demeanor, is attributed to the relaxing effect of watching videos featuring them. A holiday-themed capybara toy, the 'cookiebara,' has already sold out, indicating the strong demand for these unique plush animals.
