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Retail News - what’s happening on the retail scene
The Entertainer rocks with spring competition for families
The Entertainer last month launched The Entertainer Rocks, a competition that encouraged families to head outdoors in the search for special pebbles this spring.
The Entertainer Rocks is a nationwide competition that encouraged families to explore their local areas and enjoy some spring fun together, with the chance of winning a £20 gift card to redeem at The Entertainer.
Until 30 April, children across the UK were tasked with finding their town’s special pebble, which featured the retailer’s iconic brand character Jack. By simply returning the stone to their local store they received a prize.
With pebbles hidden in 171 towns and cities, each home to an Entertainer store, searchers had to be eagle-eyed as there was just one pebble to find in each location. The competition offered a great opportunity for locals to come together to seek out the limitededition stone and win exclusive prizes.
Gary Grant, founder and chairman of The Entertainer, said: “We’re continually exploring new ways in which we can encourage families across the UK to spend time together and explore the great outdoors, so we hope our visitors enjoyed The Entertainer Rocks activity together this spring.”
Oscar collaborates with Squishmallows
Oscar, the Smyths Toys Superstores’ animated icon, is adding another single to his growing discography by collaborating with toy company Jazwares.
The video for his new single, Welcome to Squishville, takes viewers through his journey through the town, where he meets with a selection of Squishmallows favourites. This single follows Oscar’s success on YouTube (which boasts more than 35 million views) where he often collaborates with other celebrated characters. Oscar is signed to Sony Music’s Magic Star label. This pop-inspired number sees Oscar break out his guitar-playing skills. The song details Oscar’s adventures in Squishville, and his connection to each of his new friends. In the video, Oscar performs Welcome to Squishville in front of a crowd of his new pals, including Squishmallows favourites Cam the Cat, Fifi the Fox, and Lola the Unicorn. Oscar cruises around Squishville on a levitating platform, before encouraging the Squishmallows to join him.
Jazwares marketing director Alexandra Painter said: “This collaboration is a testament to the phenomenal growth in the popularity of Squishmallows. We are thrilled to welcome Oscar to perform in our beloved Squishville. Welcome to Squishville is an unbelievably catchy pop song from Sony Music that perfectly captures the positive and inclusive values of Squishville by Original Squishmallows.”
She added: “Teamed with the music video, produced by Moonbug Entertainment, Oscar’s new single provides an opportunity for fans to engage with Squishville and the Squishmallows Squad in a whole new way.”
Welcome to Squishville is the latest in a series of singles from the animated singing sensation.
Care Bears head to Primark and Home Bargains
Sambro has developed a new range of Care Bear baby plush toys, which have launched in Primark and Home Bargains.
The range, designed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the property, will see thousands of units delivered across selected Primark and Home Bargains stores.
Care Bears celebrates its 40th anniversary with collaborations spanning multiple categories, including fashion, accessories, homeware, cosmetics, games, crafts, seasonal, travel and the metaverse.
The Care Bear baby plush range will feature a choice of five plush Care Bear characters including, Cheer Bear, Wish Bear, Bedtime Bear, Share Bear and Sunshine Bear.
Each bear has its own unique colour, belly badge and rattle in its tummy, making it an ideal comforting and sensory toy for babies.
Collette O’Kane, Sambro chief operating officer, said: “The Care Bears resonate with fans of all ages, and we love hearing that fans who grew up with the brand 40 years ago are now introducing their own children to the Care Bears.’’
The Entertainer donates during Autism Week
The Entertainer, the familyowned high street toy retailer, partnered with the National Autistic Society (NAS), the UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families, to support World Autism Acceptance Week last month.
To mark the event, The Entertainer donated 10% of all profits of Ready Steady Dough lines sold both in-store and online at TheToyShop.com to the NAS during the week.
The Entertainer has an Autism Friendly Award from the NAS for its commitment to supporting autistic customers and their families, and offers a quiet hour each morning across its 184 stores, in which music is paused and lights are dimmed where possible, to create a calming environment.
Mark Campbell, CEO of The Entertainer, said: “We’re continually exploring new ways in which we can make The Entertainer stores a happy, safe and comfortable place for autistic customers.’’
Asmodee partners with GAME
Asmodee has joined forces with GAME.co.uk for a special in-store experience.
A total of £10,000 can be won each week in-store and online from 15 April until 19 May. Plus, everyone who purchases one of the selected Asmodee games is guaranteed to win GAME Reward Points, giving them money off their next purchase. The games included in the offer are: Dobble, Catan Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders, Carcassonne, Splendor and Unlock!.
James Arnold, Asmodee marketing director, said: “We’re really excited for this exclusive partnership as GAME is an important retailer for our board games. We’re committed to working increasingly closely and investing in marketing with retailers to drive both of our businesses. The mechanic is simple and we know game fans will enjoy taking part and winning those all-important cash prizes.”
To be in with the chance of winning, game fans simply purchase an Asmodee Game at a GAME store or online, visit www.gamerolltowin.co.uk and enter the unique code from the receipt to see if they’re a winner. If they aren’t lucky enough to win a cash prize, they will still receive their GAME points to spend back in-store or online.
Nick Arran, GAME managing director, added: “Teaming up with Asmodee was a natural choice as our customer base are big fans. Anything that makes their visit to our stores or online more enticing is a hit with us.’’
The partnership is being supported by digital posters in store windows, social media posts and website banners on GAME and Asmodee UK pages, inclusion in mail outs to customers, POS in-store, plus games in stores are also stickered.
THE ‘FAB’ FOUR RETAIL 100
It’s rare that four people with a combined buying and merchandising knowledge gained from working for a major retail group come together to offer their 100 years of experience to suppliers and retail buyers to aid them in their working practices, writes Malcolm Naish.
Turning traditional consulting on its head by working collaboratively with clients, together they will work to drive sustainable and profitable growth for the brands that they engage with.
The ‘Major’ that all four worked with for so many years was John Lewis, and their belief is that there is a better way to do business by forming a bespoke solution to fit client’s business needs. The ‘fab four’ are: Elaine Hooper, Anna Berry, Neil Amer and Sara Allbright
During their time with John Lewis, the categories that they covered included toys, gifts, homeware, tableware, glassware, Cookshop, seasonal & beauty.
Over my many years working in most of the above product categories, the majority of my advertisers would consider The John Lewis Partnership as a major business partner, therefore the ‘fab four’s’ knowledge of buying and merchandising should be of huge help to both the supplier and retailer.
With a hands-on approach, their aim is to provide professional guidance to clients both large and small.
They realise that one size does not fit all and that every solution is handcrafted and uniquely tailored to each different case.
Retail100 is able to cover business planning, assortment review, sourcing, customer, brand, on-line and sustainability. This also includes private label product development, licensing, critical path management and innovation.
They are already working with a number of clients and would welcome hearing from interested parties. Please take a look at their website www.retail100consulting.co.uk and you can email them directly at Hello@retail100consulting.co.uk
Hamleys unveils new gaming space
Hamleys, on London’s Regent Street has opened its newest retail space dedicated to gaming.
The space allows customers to play the very best in video gaming with state-of-the-art technology, learn tips and techniques from gaming experts, experience gaming challenges and then take home the top-rated tech and accessories from leading brands.
The purpose-built area is located on the lower ground floor and has the latest consoles, bestselling games and accessories from brands including Xbox, Nintendo, Razer and more.
Hamleys also received a drop of the bestselling PS5 and Xbox Series X & S, just in time for launch with units available to purchase on the night.
The retailer says that the immersive and interactive area offers the only dedicated multibrand, gaming space in London, with interactive zones to play and explore, with a ‘Pit Stop’ Racing Area, Razer laptops and other state-of-the-art tech, showcasing BAFTA Games Awards winner Forza Horizon 5, Fortnite, Gran Turismo 7, Rocket League, and Minecraft.
Hamleys Gamers will be on hand every day giving their tips and tricks on how to win points, level-up and become a gaming champion. It also features the Hamleys Streaming Pod, where budding streamers can grab some cool content on the go, shot in the one of the most Instagrammable gaming spaces in town. The specially designed 3,000sq ft space, complete with 13 play zones, and LED lighting, brings a new direction for Hamleys, “It’s hugely exciting to be able to open a dedicated area to gaming within Hamleys and become a serious player in the category, bringing the ‘online’ in-store, and giving customers the innovation they come to Hamleys for,’’ said Sumeet Yadav, CEO, Hamleys. “Unveiling this space gives us the opportunity to deliver the very best in products, knowledge and experiences in the gaming sector. We look forward to taking this area from strength to strength, partnering with the best in the gaming industry and becoming the hottest launchpad for the next innovation in gaming.” To celebrate the launch, Hamleys hosted the ultimate Gaming Night, hosted by YouTuber and Twitch star, SunPi, and included guests such as Syndicate and Archie Hamilton showing racers just how it’s done with his super speedy Forza lap times, alongside Williams Esports Test Drivers. With a DJ, live entertainment and more, guests were given the opportunity to take coaching tips from the Hamleys Gaming Pros, race against Archie and see Fortnite pros scoring big on one of the hottest games on the market.
