The Entertainer (retailer)
{{Short description|British toy retailer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox company
| name = The Entertainer (Amersham) Limited
| logo = The Entertainer.png
| former_name = {{Ubl
| Funtech Limited (September–November 1986)
| Peter James Limited (1986–2001){{Cite web |date=1986-09-24 |title=THE ENTERTAINER (AMERSHAM) LIMITED overview |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02057757 |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Companies House |language=en}}
}}
| type = Limited company
| industry = Retail
| founded = {{Start date and age|1981|df=yes}}
| founder = Catherine and Gary Grant
| locations = 166
| area_served = {{Ubl
}}
| brands = {{Ubl
| Gamleys (defunct)
| ToyZone (defunct)
}}
| owner = TEAL Group Holdings
| hq_location = Amersham, England
| subsid = {{Ubl
|Addo
}}
| homepage = {{url|https://thetoyshop.com}}
}}
File:The Entertainer, Southside Wandsworth.jpg, London]]
The Entertainer (Amersham) Limited is a British toy retailer, founded in 1981 by Catherine and Gary Grant. It is based in Amersham, the town of its first location.
As of November 2024, the retailer has 166 stores across the United Kingdom, Jersey, the Isle of Man, as well as some franchises in Asian territories.{{Cite web |last=Beevers |first=Angela |date=2024-11-11 |title=The Entertainer halts new store plans due to National Insurance increase {{!}} Retail Bulletin |url=https://www.theretailbulletin.com/general-merchandise/the-entertainer-halts-new-store-plans-due-to-national-insurance-hike-11-11-2024/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Retail Bulletin {{!}} Daily UK Retail News |language=en}} It operates a concession partnership with the supermarket chain, Tesco, with 850 concessions in the UK and Ireland.{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Georgia |date=2024-10-16 |title=The Entertainer opens over 850 toy concessions in Tesco - Retail Gazette |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2024/10/the-entertainer-tesco/ |access-date=2024-12-09 |language=en-GB}} The retailer has had an online business since 1999, called TheToyShop.com.{{Cite web |title=Ecommerce at The Entertainer |url=https://www.retail-week.com/retail-navigator/the-entertainer/ecommerce-at-the-entertainer/7037692.supplierarticle |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=Retail Week |language=en}}
History
In 1981, married couple Catherine and Gary Grant took over The Pram and Toy Bar in Amersham, with Catherine coming up with 'The Entertainer' as its new trading name.{{Cite web |date=2001-07-19 |title=Toy shop chain celebrates 20 years |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/3567.toy-shop-chain-celebrates-20-years/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=Bucks Free Press |language=en}}
In 1985, they purchased their second shop, located in Beaconsfield.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-23 |title='Loved' town toy store bids farewell after three decades |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/22571654.entertainer-beaconsfield-closes-toy-shop/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=Bucks Free Press |language=en}} In April 1991, ten years after the acquisition of the toy shop in Amersham, the chain opened its third shop in Slough. The company then underwent massive expansion and, by 2001, the chain had opened its 25th shop, located in the Victoria Centre in Nottingham.{{Cite news |date=2015-11-02 |title=How one O-level led to a multi-million pound toy empire |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-34637437 |access-date=2024-05-16 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} By November 2008, the chain had 50 stores.{{Cite news |last=Wood |first=Zoe |date=2009-12-17 |title=The Entertainer's Gary Grant: the Christian toyshop entrepreneur |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/dec/17/gary-grant-entertainer-toyshop |access-date=2024-12-05 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
In February 2013, The Entertainer extended to Pakistan and Dubai through franchise agreements.{{Cite web |last=Holland2013-02-20T13:57:00+00:00 |first=Tiffany |title=The Entertainer to open first overseas stores in Pakistan and Dubai |url=https://www.retail-week.com/the-entertainer-to-open-first-overseas-stores-in-pakistan-and-dubai/5046412.article |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Retail Week |language=en}}
In March 2014, the retailer opened its 100th store in Aylesbury.{{Cite web |last=Bulletin |first=Retail |date=2015-01-30 |title=The Entertainer to open its 100th store {{!}} Retail Bulletin |url=https://www.theretailbulletin.com/general-merchandise/the-entertainer-to-open-its-100th-store-30-01-2015/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Retail Bulletin {{!}} Daily UK Retail News |language=en}}
In May 2014, a location opened in Abu Dhabi.{{Cite web |date=2014-06-04 |title=Toy shop entrepreneur tells his life story |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/11253683.toy-shop-entrepreneur-tells-his-life-story/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Bucks Free Press |language=en}} In November 2014, a store in Azerbaijan opened in partnership with The Zeta Group.{{Cite web |last=www.amiroff.az |first=Amiroff Creative Agency {{!}} |title=The Entertainer Azerbaijan |url=https://thetoyshop.az |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=The Entertainer Azerbaijan |language=az}}
In September 2018, a partnership began with Matalan, opening 59 in-store concessions under the name 'Totally Toys'.{{Cite web |date=2018-10-04 |title=The Entertainer boasts 38% rise in profits - Retail Gazette |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2018/10/entertainer-boasts-38-rise-profits/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |language=en-GB}}
In December 2018, The Entertainer announced it had rescued Poly Toys in Spain from administration, with 57 stores and 350 jobs saved.{{Cite web |last=ricky |date=2018-12-17 |title=The Entertainer announces acquisition of Spanish toy retailer Poly |url=https://toyworldmag.co.uk/the-entertainer-announces-acquisition-of-spanish-toy-retailer-poly/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=Toy World Magazine {{!}} The business magazine with a passion for toys |language=en-GB}}
In February 2019, The Entertainer purchased Early Learning Centre from Mothercare, which included 520 international franchise outlets.{{cite web |last= |first= |date=25 May 2020 |title=The Entertainer Selects Mapp to Drive Insight-Led Customer Engagement |url=https://martechseries.com/sales-marketing/b2b-commerce/customer-acquisition/entertainer-selects-mapp-drive-insight-led-customer-engagement/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=22 June 2020 |website=Martech Series}}
In March 2020, the retailer closed all 172 of its stores temporarily, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |date=2020-03-23 |title=The Entertainer to close 172 stores nationwide |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/18327681.entertainer-close-172-stores-nationwide/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=News and Star |language=en}}
In May 2021, The Entertainer converted one of its Poly Toys stores in Spain to The Entertainer fascia.{{Cite web |last=Jahshan |first=Elias |date=2021-05-12 |title=The Entertainer launches first store In Spain - Retail Gazette |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/05/the-entertainer-launches-first-store-in-spain/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |language=en-GB}}
In October 2020, The Entertainer started a trial programme with Asda, replacing the supermarket's existing toy aisles with branded concessions in selected stores.{{Cite web |last=Quinn2020-10-14T10:10:00+01:00 |first=Ian |title=Asda launches 'store within store' concept with toy retailer The Entertainer |url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/store-design/asda-launches-store-within-store-concept-with-toy-retailer-the-entertainer/649356.article |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=The Grocer |language=en}} The programme ended in February 2022.{{Cite web |last=Newbold |first=Mark |date=2021-11-18 |title=The Entertainer and Asda to end in-store partnership February 2022 |url=https://www.fanthatracks.com/news/collecting/the-entertainer-and-asda-to-end-in-store-partnership-february-2022/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=Fantha Tracks {{!}} Daily Star Wars News |language=en-GB}}
In September 2022, The Entertainer signed a new trial agreement with Tesco, placing in-store concessions in 35 supermarkets.{{Cite web |last=Tugby2022-09-08T14:04:00+01:00 |first=Luke |title=Tesco and The Entertainer launch concession partnership |url=https://www.retail-week.com/grocery/tesco-and-the-entertainer-launch-concession-partnership/7042342.article |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=Retail Week |language=en}} In January 2024, Tesco announced they would extend this agreement to 850 stores throughout the UK and Ireland.{{Cite web |last=Hawthorne2024-01-05T07:21:00+00:00 |first=Ellis |title=Tesco and The Entertainer partnership rolled out to 850 stores |url=https://www.retail-week.com/grocery/tesco-and-the-entertainer-partnership-rolled-out-to-850-stores/7045286.article |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=Retail Week |language=en}}
In March 2024, it was announced that Poly Toys in Spain would begin liquidation procedure.{{Cite web |last=Anita |date=2024-03-19 |title=The Entertainer owned Poly Toys begins liquidation procedure |url=https://toyworldmag.co.uk/the-entertainer-owned-poly-toys-begins-liquidation-procedure/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=Toy World Magazine {{!}} The business magazine with a passion for toys |language=en-GB}}
In April 2025, it was announced the Tesco concession partnership would expand to include over 2,000 Tesco Express stores.{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Aoife |date=2025-04-23 |title=The Entertainer to launch in over 2,000 Tesco Express stores - Retail Gazette |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/04/the-entertainer-tesco-express/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |language=en-GB}}
Religious views
Both Catherine and Gary are devout Christians, and as such the retailer does not open on a Sunday; which is considered the Lord's Day in Christianity.{{Cite web |last=Macintyre |first=James |date=2017-07-27 |title='God just got me': How this businessman's Christian conversion is helping spread a revolution across the retail industry |url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/god-just-got-me-how-this-businessmans-christian-conversion-is-helping-spread-a-revolution-across-the-retail-industry/111203.htm |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=www.christiantoday.com |language=en}} The retailer does not stock toys that resemble realistic firearms, or toys with themes that revolve around witchcraft or creatures with magical powers, such as Harry Potter and Pokémon. The retailer does also not stock anything to do with Halloween for this exact same reason.{{Cite news |date=2016-08-19 |title=No Potter and no Halloween - welcome to the new toy store that's founded on superstition |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/fionola-meredith/no-potter-and-no-halloween-welcome-to-the-new-toy-store-thats-founded-on-superstition/34977212.html |access-date=2024-05-16 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} Gary has remarked that he only wishes to sell toys that he considers to be "wholesome".{{Cite news |date=2016-08-19 |title=No Potter and no Halloween - welcome to the new toy store that’s founded on superstition |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/fionola-meredith/no-potter-and-no-halloween-welcome-to-the-new-toy-store-thats-founded-on-superstition/34977212.html |access-date=2024-10-12 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.thetoyshop.com/}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Entertainer (Amersham) Ltd., The}}
Category:Retail companies established in 1981
Category:Retail companies of the United Kingdom