Pottering with toys is big business

You name it, they’ll have it. From the goblet of fire, the wooden cup of flames, the golden snitch —— a small, golden ball with silver wings—— to Hedwig replicas, children will soon be spoilt for choice. As Potter-mania grips Kolkata after the release of J.K. Rowling’s fifth book, Harry Potter and The Order of Phoenix, toy stores are busy stocking their shelves with Potter merchandise.
“We already have Harry Potter pencil boxes, school bags and tiffin boxes. We are planning to do it in a bigger way by a greater range of Potter merchandise,� said Goutam Jatia, CEO, Landmark. “At present we are being very selective about the Potter products. We are only keeping the licenced ones,� he said.
Apparently children are flooding toy shops asking for Potter goodies. “We have plans to stock Potter merchandise soon at our outlets throughout the country,� said a senior official of Toys Kemp.
But the Potter lincence seems to be a sore point for sellers. “We have to get a licence from Warner Brothers. It will not be viable if we try to sell this only in the local market. We hope to get the licence soon,� said Lob Gupta, CEO, Fantacy Creations, Fun Toys.
Psychologists are also amused at the tremendous response. “It’s amazing how he’s become popular. When Potter merchandise is selling like hot cakes in the US and UK, it’s only fair that our children also get treated to this fun. It will be very good if toy manufacturers and toy stores take the initiative,� said Saibal Roy, a city psychologist.