The Sharper Image: Creating Better Desires

Stratospheric Financials

While wandering around the Hong Kong toy fair in 1998 Thalheimer (who seldom attends shows) came upon an item that was a raging fad in Japan and across Asia: a child’s rollerboard scooter.

“It was introduced on the back cover of the July 1998, catalog and did OK. Results were spotty and regional, with stores in Hawaii and Southern California selling 10 times the national average,” says Farrell.