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Matt Crossick/EMPICS Entertainment

Late shoppers may be penalised as stores run low on toys and tablets

This is not a drill. Furbys are heading towards extinction and iPad Minis are all sold out.

RETAIL EXCELLENCE IRELAND has warned that Christmas shoppers should not leave all of their purchases until the last minute as retailers are concerned about stock shortages leading into the final festive weekend.

Stores are worried that they will run out of certain “hot” products before Christmas.

There has been a surge in sales of consumer electronics such as e-Readers with some retailers reporting a 1000 per cent increase in demand for tablets. iPad Minis have already run out and mid-range smart phones from €99 to €150 are in short supply.

Popular toys that are flying off the shelves include:

  • Password Journal
  • Furby
  • Monster High
  • Master Moves Mickey
  • Ninja Turtles
  • Orbeez Foot Spa

Console games such as Call of Duty and the new Wii U console are also in high demand and short supply.

Downton Abbey and Love/Hate fans might want to get moving as retailers say box sets may prove difficult to buy approaching the final weekend before Christmas.

Do you have any suggestions for stores which still stock the most coveted items right up until Christmas? Let us know in the comments section below.

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55 Comments
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    Mute Mick
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    Aug 7th 2014, 10:11 AM

    “first time mum Zuri and experienced dad Kumar.”
    Player

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    Mute Johnny
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:04 AM

    The mane thing is you explained the joke

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:07 AM

    That fact gives me pride. But I did paws briefly before explaining it.

    195
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    Mute Johnny
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:30 AM

    Dang can’t think of any more. I’ll have to draw the lion here so…

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    Mute Eanna Brophy
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:34 AM

    Cub your enthusiasm!

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    Mute Mike O'Sullivan
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:41 AM

    So you’re feline proud Paul.

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    Mute whynotme
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    Aug 7th 2014, 10:06 AM

    He is the King of the Journal ,after all !

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    Mute kimmycat
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:08 AM

    Cuteness overload

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    Mute Luke
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:44 AM

    Beautiful creatures . majestic

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    Mute Babs Foran Walsh
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    Aug 7th 2014, 1:02 PM

    I’m sick to my teeth of hearing “I don’t agree with zoo’s, no animal should be caged”… In imagination land that’s a brilliant idea, all animals roaming free etc. Reality check, If it wasn’t for these “prisons” a lot of these animals would now be extinct. Case in point, Longleat in England started a conservation in the 1960′s with Africa for the rhino, can’t remember whether its the white or black one. Anyways, since they started the breeding and re-population programme, its now come off the endangered list. All because idiots think no 1 its some kinda of magic Viagra, and 2, a “lovely ornament”… So I’m a firm believer in zoo’s, well until we can sterilize these idiots so they can’t reproduce.

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    Mute aido m
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    Aug 7th 2014, 1:15 PM

    Well said babs

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    Mute Sean Sean
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    Aug 7th 2014, 10:39 PM

    Babs, you’re talking out of your arse!

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    Mute Georgina Beacom
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    Aug 7th 2014, 1:01 PM

    So cute. While I don’t like the idea of keeping wild animals in zoos, for reasons of safe keeping until we can stop poachers and hunters this is what we can provide. I am not saying all zoos are good. But some do their best.

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    Mute Noddy W3106
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    Aug 7th 2014, 11:10 AM

    Beautiful animal, would be even more so in it’s own habitat.

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    Mute Michelle Blessing
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    Aug 7th 2014, 2:33 PM

    Without reverting to name calling and with all due respet to Dublin Zoo, the bottom line is that Zoos are an entertainment business, their financial product is the animals the house and the revenue those animals produce. Baby animals generate huge footfall resulting in huge revenue for zoos.

    Animals retained in zoos are denied everything that makes their lives meaningful. Every part of their lives is controlled and manipulated. They have no choice in what or when they eat, whom they mate with, or whom they live with. They are housed in structures that are not even close to the rainforests, plains, and jungles that are their indigenous habitats.

    Instead of providing lifetime care, zoos routinely trade, lend (i.e. chinese pandas are all on loan), sell, barter, and distribute animals they no longer want—despite knowing that many species form lasting bonds that are important to their long-term health and happiness. Removing animals from bonded social groups and forcing them to adjust constantly to new routines, different caretakers, and unfamiliar cagemates is disruptive and traumatic. Most animals go mad in captivity.

    Zoos have ingeniously managed to tag the world “conservation” on to their product to gloss over the reality of their existence. Zoos do not save animals from extinction, they only breed them to replenish their stock. Another argument as to why a lot of animals cannot be reintroduced back into their natural habitat is because they no longer have a natural habitat due to world over-population which is increasing. So I agree with you on the sterization suggestion but as well as me, it should really include a few more humans in that.

    I don’t mean to be ‘preachy’ but there is another side to zoos and I am entitled to my own opinion.
    Please watch “Earthlings”, “Blackfish” and “The Ghosts in Our Machine”. It might be of further help to you.

    As a fellow sentient being, the same as the fellow sentient beings held in zoos, ask youself this question, “Would I like to live my whole life like that?”.

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    Mute Peter Nodwell
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:35 PM

    On the ball

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    Mute Michelle Blessing
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    Aug 7th 2014, 11:41 AM

    I don’t agree with Zoos.

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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Aug 7th 2014, 11:46 AM

    Thankfully zoos can’t talk so it’s a one sided argument.

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    Mute Hairy lemon
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    Aug 7th 2014, 2:31 PM

    I didn’t know India had lions… I thought they were only found in Africa. Learnt something new today!

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    Mute Anthony Egan Bartley
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    Aug 8th 2014, 7:39 AM

    Should name the cub Gismo

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