Morning:
8°c
Woolworths demise is joy for toy shops
Rosamun Urwin18 Feb 2009
LONDON'S independent toy shops have seen sales soar by up to 40 per cent since the collapse of Woolworths.
Figures show how the "Woolworths bounce" has protected small stores from the worst high street trading conditions in 25 years.
Every small toy store has seen sales increase by at least 10 per cent since the chain went bust in December, according to the Toy Retailers Association.
Some have experienced their best ever start to the year.
Gary Grant, chairman of the Toy Retailers Association, said the "pocket money pound" was driving sales. "It is incredible how well independent stores have done since 15 December, when people stopped being able to find what they wanted in Woolworths.
"Families who popped into Woolies for collectable toys such as Power Rangers and Pony in my Pocket are all going to the local toy shop instead."
Woolworths was Britain's third biggest toy retailer after Argos and Toys 'R' Us, with about 11 per cent of the market. It is set to launch an online sales site but tens of thousands have already switched allegiance to local stores, Mr Grant said.
At Just Williams in Herne Hill sales last month were more than 50 per cent up on the previous January, while total takings on some days were up 40 per cent.
Owner Vicky Brown said: "We are much, much busier than usual - and I think a huge part of that is down to Woolworths. What we're seeing is small, independent shops really coming into their own."
She added that they have been doing particularly well on Saturdays, with about three times as many customers coming into the store as before.
Maria Chalidze, of Hop Toy Shop in Hackney, said: "Woolworths was my only major competitor in the area, so I seem to be gaining a lot of customers from them.
"I have been pleasantly surprised by business and it doesn't just seem to be people coming in and spending their Christmas money."
Stephen Alambritis, spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "No one wants to see a giant like Woolworths go down, it leaves a hole in the high street, but their downfall is to the small toy shops' benefit."
How one trader fared when big chain closed branches
Vicky Brown, 35, owns Just Williams, a toy shop in Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill. The store opened just over three years ago and sells items from dolls and Sylvanian Families to science kits, games and arts and crafts.
Sales last month were up by a third on an average January. Mrs Brown, pictured above, said: "Our shop is in Herne Hill and there were Woolworths in four neighbouring areas - Peckham, Camberwell, Norwood and Brixton.
"After they closed, word of mouth about our shop has spread - I suppose parents are talking in the playground about where to go now. We're finding our customers are coming from a lot further afield."
Cheaper toys have been selling particularly well: "Our bread-and-butter is sales under £10 - children spending their pocket money or parents buying things for their kids to give as presents at parties or to put in party bags."
Reader views (1)
Good Luck to these retailers however I fear it won't last long because the supermarkets will be aiming to take the place of woolies as soon as is possible.
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford England, 18/02/2009 16:14
Report abuse
