IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Toy Shop UK is a consumer- led, online directory that helps toy suppliers, retailers and licence holders promote their businesses
to an audience of up to 10,000 unique visitors per day.
Popular weekly
giveaways, the esteemed Independent Toy Awards and special supplier listings are just three of the ways that Toy Shop UK can help you increase your online presence and complement your other marketing
INDEPENDENT SURVEY
activities this year. Contact Michael Hawkins (
michael@toyshopuk.co.uk or 07786 295756) for more information.
www.toyshopuk.co.uk
WE’RE NOW way past the half way point in 2014, so it’s time to check in with ToyShop UK’s listers to see how they are doing compared to last year. The good news is that 58 per cent of those asked said that business is better now than at the same point last year. Several indies had
expanded and could thank a second shop for the brighter outlook this year, while others had taken risks with different ranges that had paid off. “Now we have been open a few years we have had more confidence in expanding our outdoor toy range, something in the past we have been hesitant to do and kept to a minimum,” said Tracie Peacock-Quinney of Ella’s Toy Shop.
Needless to say we are thrilled with our growth. We have worked hard to refine our offering and spread the Jollys word, and will continue to do so.”
Megan Boyce Megan’s Jigsaws “We are up 30 per cent year-on-year turn over. This is mainly down to Facebook campaigns.”
Sam Haggett Moving Pictures “We are doing much better than last year but we have moved location and have a lot more footfall on a daily basis, which has definitely helped. Also, we are hosting more themed days with special offers and other activities going on which really helps to give sales a boost. This is definitely a way to get people through the door and spending money with you rather than looking elsewhere.”
www.toynews-online.biz
“The expansion into outdoor toys has proved popular and has increased our sales dramatically.” Others believe the
strength of crazes such as Loom Bands and the ongoing enthusiasm for all things F
rozen is helping
make 2014 a year for the indie to remember. Luan Hall of Faries ‘N’
Frogs added: “I think the Loom Band craze has had a huge part to play in my increase in sales over the last quarter. And long may it last.”
Helen Gourley, owner of Dunblane-based Toy Hub, has enjoyed a boost this year thanks to the Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow. “The Commonwealth Games has had a major impact on our town with more tourists than ever.
Colin Tindall Rainbow Gifts “For the year, we so far have continued to see steady growth, albeit we have seen a dip over the last four weeks. We are hoping for a promising change in August as people come off their annual holiday and begin their shopping for Christmas. Last year we saw this as the turning point and had a fantastic run all the way to the end of the year. For our small independent shop this is when we make our profits to carry us for a full year.”
John Wallin Spotty Green Frog “Since we took over the business in 2012 our sales have doubled every year. In 2012 our sales doubled from 2011 levels. In 2013 they doubled again. So far sales for 2014 are up 58 per cent. I put this down to several things.
“This has resulted in an upturn in business even with us operating reduced hours in comparison to last year,” explained Gourley. Elsewhere, 27 per cent of those asked said trading is about the same as last year, while 15 per cent felt trading has been worse this year. Those retailers listed stated online competition as a key factor in worse trading this year, while others felt they couldn’t compete with the larger firms slashing prices. Samantha Heywood-Cox of All 5 Senses admits that business is not going the way she had hoped, while Mike at ToyZone247 notes the rollercoaster nature of online trading. “The larger online stores
are price cutting and we can’t compete,” he said.
Firstly we have traditionally always been a supplier to schools and nurseries. We have hired more sales reps and we have started attending their trade shows more often to increase their awareness of our products.
In the last 12 months
we have made several presentations at NHS hospitals up and down the country and have started receiving several orders for educational toys and wooden toys for their paediatrics wards. We have also tripled the amount of products that we sell to over 3,000 items. While the public sector still accounts for over 80 per cent of our business, our consumer business has increased from virtually zero to just under 20 per cent. We put this down to parents seeing our products in schools and hospital as well as our growing Internet presence.”
Helen Gourley Toy Hub
“The Commonwealth Games has had a major impact on our town with more tourists than ever. This has resulted in an upturn in business even with us operating reduced hours in comparison to last year. The Frozen and Loom Band crazes have also helped to drive traffic into the store, which has resulted in higher than average purchases. Frozen products have been so hard to come by that people have started shopping for Christmas already grabbing whatever stock they can when they see it.”
Mike ToyZone247 “It’s up and down at the moment. The larger online stores are cutting prices all over the place and we just can’t compete.”
September 33
How does trading compare to the same time last year?
58% – Better
27% – About the same 15% – Worse
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