Toy Talk - retailers share their reopening experiences

Talking retail

If you would like to take part in Toy Talk, we’d love to hear from you. Please email clare@lemapublishing.co.uk

TnP loves to hear your views. As shops have been open a few weeks, we ask retailers how they think summer trading will look

Jayne Rees

Owner, Eve's Toy Shop Llandeilo, Wales

Tell us about Eve's Toy Shop. We have one shop, which opened in 2002 in the small Welsh town of Llandeilo, and an online presence.

I would describe our range as traditional, concentrating on wooden toys sourced from the UK and Europe. We squeeze a lot into our little shop, but our key product categories are newborn & baby, toddler toys - and then we jump into the older category with lots of imaginary play, discovery & science toys, arts & crafts and a small selection of outdoor play.

We have about 20 key suppliers including Tenderleaf Toys, Djeco, Jellycat, Galt, Haba, Schleich, Le Toy Van, Usborne Books, Jura, Brio, Lottie, Bertoy, Learning Resources, Lanka Kade, Orchard Toys, Thames & Kosmos, Clockwork Soldier and Corolle dolls. These companies make beautiful toys that fit perfectly with our ethos. How has reopening been for you? We were excited to reopen. We worked hard while the shop was closed and gave it some much-needed TLC. To be honest, after being closed for such a long time, the little back-up money that was left after Christmas was all but gone. In Wales we were forced to close four days before Christmas and obviously that's our busiest time, so we lost so much money. A few sleepless nights didn't make this time any easier, but we got through it.

Since reopening, it's been good: customers are eager to support us, and the ‘Shop Local’ campaign has definitely helped. Our first week was a great success. Holidaymakers were still around, due to children being on half term, and I managed a good night’s sleep at last! What’s selling well? During sunny weather we sell more outdoor toys: balls, windmills and so on. I was totally unprepared for the sun but we managed to sell out of buckets and spades that we had left from last year, so that was good. Any surprise purchases? Customers have started looking for christening gifts. These were pretty much cancelled last year so it's nice to see family and friends gathering together again, albeit outside at the moment. It gives me some hope that things are getting back to how they were. What are your predictions for summer trading? I think the summer could be a good one with many families choosing to stay in the UK rather than go abroad. We'll be keeping our shop well stocked with summer toys. We’re limited on space so there's no room for larger items like paddling pools or sand pits - but more buckets and spades are already on the way and I'm taking this month to try and put some sort of plan together. Wish me luck!

Jennie Hogg

Owner, Cachao Toys, Muswell Hill, London

Tell us about Cachao Toys. We opened in Muswell Hill in December 2015 and we also run a website.

How would you describe your range? Inspiring, well designed and with lots of play value. I've probably got stock from more than 30 suppliers at the moment (including cards, gift wrap and party supplies). Key toy brands include Brio, Schleich, Smart Games, Lottie, Djeco and Jellycat and House of Marbles. Key product categories? Usually it's the birthday party present that turns over ie the £10-20 toy, but as there hasn't been much partying going on this past year, it's hard to pin down one category. How has reopening been for you? So up and down! Very good to start… people are so happy that we're open again. What’s selling well? There have been lots of requests for party favour toys because even though kids aren't having parties, it's become a tradition to still give a party bag to everyone in the class on their birthday. And pocket money toys have been doing well: kids have been saving up to spend in a toy shop and each child wants something different to buy. What are your predictions for summer? I hope summer sees parties start up again. especially with the rules easing up. I imagine that as people might be around more than in 'normal' summers, they might want to make it up to their kids for having rubbish birthdays during lockdown. So I’m stocking up on party supplies as well as presents. I'm also getting all the outdoor toys like Swingball and sand toys that I didn't get last year because I was closed. What’s your favourite toy/game of all time? When I was a kid, my favourite thing ever were soft animals. I couldn't get enough. I also loved board games like Life and Monopoly.