The day the cardboard box arrived in the mail, I couldn’t have been more excited. I scanned over the sender label and was thrilled to see that my first Zoobie had arrived in the mail!
Zoobies, for those who don't know, are convertible stuffed animals that come in a selection of critters inspired by an African safari.
No, I’m not a little kid, but I sure can get excited like one. I ripped open the lid and pulled out the green critter. My Zoobie was Kojo the Croc. I wasn’t expecting it to be so soft, but the plushy fur of my alligator was too soft not to cuddle.
I ran into the next room where my roommates were saying, "What? What?" and decided I would let them witness the first unraveling.
I opened the two Velcro fasteners on either side of his belly and his round body flattened out. Next, I unzipped the pouch at the back, and tugged at his insides. A second later, I was holding my Zoobie by his head and a fleece blanket cascaded to the floor.
Too cute!
Since they no longer offer complimentary blankets on airplanes in economy, his head would double as the perfect pillow I decided, and he would become my new travel companion.
This site is really cute too, complete with a funky African beat. All the little details make for a fun experience; discontinued items such as the antelope, are labeled "extinct" and each critter comes with information and photo views on it from different perspectives.
Convertible Travel Buddies
Zoobies
Trend Themes
1. Convertible Stuffed Animals - The popularity of Zoobies demonstrates a market for stuffed animals that double as travel accessories, opening up opportunities for the creation of new designs and features.
2. Eco-friendly Travel Products - Zoobies’ use of sustainable materials such as soy-based fabrics and packaging creates an opportunity for similar eco-friendly travel products in the market.
3. Personalized Travel Accessories - Zoobies’ critters come with information and photo views from different perspectives, creating an opportunity for personalized travel accessories tailored to individual preferences.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Industry - The success of Zoobies demonstrates the potential for convertible stuffed animals as a new sub-category in the toy industry.
2. Travel Industry - Zoobies’ popularity as a travel companion presents an opportunity for the creation of similar multi-functional travel products.
3. Eco-friendly Product Industry - Zoobies’ use of sustainable materials and packaging opens up the market for eco-friendly travel products beyond stuffed animals.