Retail News – from the shop floor and store head offices

The Entertainer trials Tesco concessions

Every little helps… And from October The Entertainer will be helping Tesco after announcing a deal that will see it opening branded concessions in 35 of the supermarket giant’s stores.

The trial will see the independent toy retailer selling wares from its range, taking in everything from Barbie, LEGO, Marvel and Paw Patrol, through to its exclusive range of Addo toys and products from preschool specialist Early Learning Centre.

The Entertainer will maintain oversight of product range, pricing and merchandising across the yet-to-be announced trial stores, as well as hosting events, character visits and more for children.

The Entertainer’s chairman and founder Gary Grant said: “We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to bring the wonder of The Entertainer to customers, so we’re very excited to announce this partnership with Tesco, which takes our products and experiences directly to families and children right in the heart of their local communities.

“The in-store collaboration will provide shoppers with the chance to shop our bestselling and affordable range of the latest toys and games, which will include products from Addo and Early Learning Centre, from more locations across the country than ever before.

“Our mission when we launched The Entertainer in 1981 was simple: to become the best-loved toyshop – one child, one community at a time - and we’re incredibly proud that this partnership will enable us to continue achieving this mission.”

Tesco’s head of strategic partnerships Louise Goodland commented: “We’re delighted to launch this trial with The Entertainer team, who are leading experts in their field. We’re excited to work alongside them and bring a new offer to our customers.”

Pokémon-tage

With the Pokémon World Championships taking place in London for the first time in August, and ongoing celebrations for Pikachu and pals, the brand took over Harrods’ toy floor for six weeks.

The Pokémon Company International helped put together the activity on the fourth floor of the worldfamous department store in London’s Knightsbridge. Themed around Pokémon and a Pokémon stadium, with graphics, display, digital screens and more highlighting trading cards, toys and video games. Giveaways, photo opportunities and costumed characters running into September helped further push Pokémon product on to visitors.

The immersive pop-up is the fourth collaboration between the company and the retail giant.

Mathieu Galante, licensing director (EMEA) for The Pokémon Company International, said: “With the Pokémon World Championships held in London for the first time, we wanted to celebrate the occasion with something special, and what better way than by creating this exciting experience in Harrods’ iconic store.

“We are thrilled to be back at Harrods where we have a track record of hugely successful collaborations, and we hope that this summer pop-up will be fun, engaging and inspiring for Pokémon fans old and new.”

Retailer shutters stores after Queen’s death

The Entertainer close all its stores on Friday September 9 as a mark of respect following the death of the Queen.

In a sombre message announced on social media and sent out to the trade on September 8, the retailer offered “our most sincere condolences to the Royal Family on the sad loss of Her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II”.

Its statement continued: “Following the announcement of the death of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II, and as a mark of respect, The Entertainer stores, warehouses and head office will be closed tomorrow and will reopen Saturday.

“We will also be closed on the day of the state funeral. Thank you for your understanding.”

The Retail Barometer

A new regular column in which retailers and more tell us about the positive – and negative – things happening in stores around the country. All comments are provided anonymously, but verified and checked by us at TnP…

For the chance to have your contributions included, email tim@lemapublishing.co.uk with what’s doing well and what’s not doing so well in stores, what’s making you happy, confident and optimistic for the future – and what’s giving you cause for concern…

Innovation – at a time when companies are clearly being cautious, it is wonderful to see investment in innovation and new products coming on to the market which are not just the obvious. Laurence King and Djeco win here for us – really interesting new products that have clearly been well designed and full of fun. Business – a blip in June, but still performing nicely despite cost of living fears. Supply chain – it has, almost every retailer we spoke to noted, really improved in the past 12 months… And as one told us: “We ordered for earlier delivery this year so we are not really concerned about delays in getting products and we think the supply chain has improved in the past few months.’’ Arts and crafts and the adult hobby

market – two sectors still doing the business in store Bricks-and-mortar retail – customers,

it seems, still love it (“the support from our customers has been fantastic since lockdown and is greatly valued and appreciated. The government needs to stop talking down bricks-and-mortar retail and support it. They don’t seem to value small businesses, their economic and social contribution and the jobs they provide.’’ As one retailer told us, “we are expanding, carefully and cautiously, but committing to a new shop and a new team and an expanded website…” Another of our fledgling barometer correspondents also told us they too were expanding with a new store… Brexit – “It is just starting to really hit and we have seen companies from Europe just giving up on the UK as it is too much effort. The impact on confidence and logistics is still to be felt.” Spiralling costs – Undoubtedly a concern. Stock prices are increasing daily. All other business bills are also spiralling up. The state of the British economy - is

a serious cause for concern. It’s really difficult to see where the industry is headed if the government doesn’t deal with the ridiculous price gouging by the energy companies, noted one retailer we spoke to. “Rising costs are a big issue,” added another, “especially electricity rates.”