Toymaster

Last updated

Toymaster
Company type Buying group association of independently owned toy retailers
Founded1977
Headquarters Northampton, UK
Website toymaster.co.uk

Toymaster is a British buying group association of independently owned toy stores, founded in 1977. [1] Whilst some members brand themselves as Toymaster, others choose to retain their own branding to promote their independence. [2]

Contents

Toymaster is famous for its mascot of an orange puppy wearing a yellow T-shirt and trousers. In 2012, the puppy was named Toby. [3] As of June 2021, the association has members spanning the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as outlets in Jersey, Guernsey and a store in Malta. [4]

Background

Toymaster in Otley, West Yorkshire. Toymaster - Westgate (geograph 1914781).jpg
Toymaster in Otley, West Yorkshire.

The member stores comprise a variety of different outlets, including toy stores, garden centres, department stores, post offices and others. [5] Its head office provides central support to its member retailers, mainly finance and marketing, including a year-round window display program to help independent retailers promote key toy brands within their stores. The central office also provides information and support to its member stores to help them trade more profitably. [6]

In 2012, Toby the mascot was given his own Apple iPhone app. [7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "(Subsection) What is Toymaster?". Archived from the original on 16 November 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012. Toymaster is a national association of locally owned specialist toy shops
  2. ↑ "Why Choose Toymaster?". Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012. The Toymaster buying group was conceived in 1977... ...and is made up of over 250 Independently owned and operated toy shops in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland
  3. ↑ Tyler, Lewis (15 June 2012). "The Toymaster puppy is named." Toy News Online. Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  4. ↑ "Home | Toymaster" . Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  5. ↑ "Toymaster nets 25 new member branches in latest British Garden Centres partnership". ToyNews. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  6. ↑ "Why Choose Toymaster | Toymaster" . Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  7. ↑ Tyler, Lewis (5 September 2012). "Toby Toymaster gets his own iPhone app". Toy News Online. Retrieved 5 September 2012.


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