RETAIL INTERVIEW THE WORKS
Working well Theresa Gatton, head of category - kids & seasonal at value specialist retailer The Works talks about toys, trends and trading through the pandemic with TnP What’s your background? I started as a store manager for Partners The Stationers (now Ryman) in 1992, then moved over to a buyer’s role in 1995 responsible for kids’ arts & crafts. I have been a buyer for several different stationery companies, and my first stint at The Works was from 2003 until 2008. I joined Poundland as a senior buyer in 2008 until 2013, covering many different categories from stationery, clothing accessories and baby to homewares. I finally returned to The Works in 2013 and I’ve just completed eight years of service. Throughout my buying career, I have always been involved in kids’ arts & crafts, and then toys for the last eight years.
Tell us a bit about The Works. Headquartered in Coleshill, near Birmingham, The Works is a leading retailer of value
Guess what…
gifts, arts, crafts, toys, books, and stationery. With 527 stores (typically sized 2,000sq ft) nationwide on high streets, in retail parks and shopping centres, and as concessions in various locations - and a fully functioning website - our mission is to offer customers a unique and enjoyable shopping experience, built on core principles of value, variety and quality.
“
We pride ourselves on always being the first to market on trends and constantly changing our ranges to ensure our stores are fun and exciting to shop
”
How would you describe your toys and games range? It’s an all-year round exciting product offering, suitable for children aged from 0 to 12, at affordable pricing. Our strapline is: ‘What Will You Discover’ we are always first to market with new trends. Our key categories are kids’ books, arts & crafts, jigsaws, educational, toys & games and outdoor toys. We specialise in our own brands such as Make & Create, Corner Piece & Out 2 Play, along with licensed products such as Disney, Peppa Pig, CoComelon, Thomas, L.O.L. and many more. We
Only a small proportion of The Works’ product lines are permanent, with the majority changing on a regular basis to match consumer tastes and trends. Regular ‘newness’ refreshes The Works’ product offering - about 400 core SKUs with more than 10,000 new lines are introduced each year 28
Retail Interview The Worksnm.indd 1
also buy branded clearance lines that include many different brands. We deal with hundreds of suppliers from direct factory sourcing, clearance companies, key book publishers, licensed and specialist toy importers.
How do you find products? Trade shows, Far East travel, strong supplier relationships, and proactive trend spotting through social media [platforms] such as Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
What's your selection criteria? Based on where it sits with our current product offering, quality, and affordable pricing. We have a strict auditing and safety testing process which we work to. Another major part in our selection process is working hard with our suppliers to ensure we are not creating any unnecessary waste packaging, even if it means the item is much smaller in size. Our customers are savvy shoppers and are no longer satisfied with boxes of fresh air and plastic. Our ‘ReWorked’ logo clearly lets our customers know where we have made a significant change to minimise waste packaging.
What are your current best sellers? Fidget frenzy is here to stay for a while! Our current best sellers are the
toysnplaythings.media 02/09/2021 17:48
