Toys n Playthings June 2021

Page 13

RETAIL

NEWS

The Entertainer debuts in Spain

The Entertainer opened its first branded store in Spain last month. In 2018 The Entertainer has extended the high street toy its Quiet Hour to run every day retailer acquired the Poly in every one of its 171 stores across the country. The chain of 39 toy shops in initiative aims to create a Spain and has now rebranded the Poly store calmer environment for autistic people and shoppers who may in the south-east coastal find the return to the high city of Valencia. The street a stressful experience. store will adopt many of Previously running on The Entertainer’s UK Saturdays and during school retail practices such as holidays, Quiet Hour now demonstrations and operates every morning for the character meet-andfirst hour of opening. The greets, in line with social retailer has been awarded an Autism Friendly Award by distancing guidelines. the National Autistic Society Gary Grant, founder for its commitment to and executive chairman supporting autistic customers of The Entertainer, said: and their families. “We have been operating in Spain through our Poly stores since 2018 and heavily investing in the Spanish market, but now is the perfect time for us to introduce The Entertainer to the people of Spain. “We have spent 40 years perfecting our unique customer experience and are excited to bring this to Spain for families to enjoy. The Entertainer Valencia is a significant landmark for our operations in Spain and we’re excited to develop and grow The Entertainer further across the region over the coming months and years.”

Did you know?

Tonies pops up

in Harrods

Children’s audio player brand tonies hosted a pop-up at London department store Harrods’ fourth floor toy department last month. Open throughout May, the pop-up featured some of the best-selling Tonies from tonies’ collection of more than 100 characters including stories such as The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, Stick Man, and Zog. Offering content to entertain and educate children up to 10 years-old, the range also featured Peppa Pig and a selection of Disney classics including the Lion King, the Jungle Book and Toy Story. Accessories were available too, including Tonie-Carriers. With enough space to hold 20 favourite Tonies, these carry cases come in six shades to match the Tonieboxes’ six colourways. Tonies described the pop-up as ‘the perfect day out destination for families and children who have spent months at home during the pandemic’.

John Lewis store revamp John Lewis & Partners Edinburgh opened its doors to customers on 14 May following a multi-million pound refurbishment. Billed as a new shopping landmark for the Scottish capital, the branch in St James Quarter boasts a new range of services and experiences. There are several fun interactive areas dotted around the shop to encourage parents to relax while their kids play. These include a tepee, giant soft play cube game, digital coffee table with touch-screen top, and soft-play vegetable patch, plus an interactive Hornby Flying Scotsman model in the toy department,

JUNE 2021 News Retailnm-3.indd 1

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28/05/2021 19:44


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On The Farm - a round-up of farm-related toys and games

7min
pages 55-57

Dress Up & Roleplay – TnP fi nds out what’s popular for pretend play

8min
pages 52-54

Don’t Miss - a sneak peek at unmissable products for buyers

1min
page 58

Tech Toys & Gadgets - a look at the latest innovations

16min
pages 36-41

What’s New – fresh launches that you need to get your hands on

7min
pages 32-33

The Big Interview - with Bandai UK CEO Nic Aldridge

7min
pages 34-35

TnP Ambassadors - our tiny testers try out MV Sports’ Nerf Inline Scooter with Mini Blaster

3min
pages 30-31

Retail Interview - with Mapes of Millport joint owners Scott and Deborah Ferris

8min
pages 28-29

Retail Interview - with Hobbycraft senior buyer - kids & hobbies Joseph Pulfrey

5min
pages 22-23

Coffee Break - with Big Potato Games account manager Hannah Cornish

5min
page 21

Retail Interview - with OnBuy.com founder and CEO Cas Paton

11min
pages 24-27

Trade Talk - suppliers reveal their predictions for the second half

4min
page 19

Toy Talk - retailers share their reopening experiences

4min
page 20

Indie Opinion - Diary of a Toy Shop by Hazel McCarthy, owner of Toy Corner in Galway

5min
page 18

Retail Opinion - John Ryan examines alternatives to stand-alone high street stores

5min
page 17

Gaining Insight - The Insights Family discusses the digital world’s impact on kids

3min
page 16

Retail News - what’s happening on the retail landscape

2min
page 13

People News - all the movers and shakers

4min
page 12

Licensing News - what’s hot in licensed products

3min
page 15

Leader - with Clare Turner

3min
page 5

Trends Column - the U.S. Toy Association shares outdoor toy and game picks for 2021

15min
pages 8-11

News - the latest toy industry headlines

4min
pages 6-7
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