Toy World spoke with Toymaster about its enhanced focus on retailer-supplier relationships, the opportunities ahead for indies and what its new office space offers members and suppliers.
The Toymaster head office, located in Northampton, has been revamped. Previously, the 17-strong Toymaster team was located on the ground floor, now the team has been moved upstairs, and downstairs has been transformed into a mostly open-plan, multi-purpose space with a raft of uses.
“We’re so proud of this building and we’re delighted with how the refit and upgrade has turned out,” enthuses Yogi Parmar, Toymaster’s managing director. “It’s so much brighter and has a more spacious feel, and it means our members and suppliers can now use it for their own needs too. As a mutuality, having an office our members can utilise for their own training needs is important to us as well as reflecting the group’s ethos. If a member wants to hold a supplier meeting here, for example, they need only ask. And suppliers can use the space for meetings with their national sales team.”
Despite the challenges of 2023, the group actually slightly outperformed the industry, with Sales up +2.57% versus 2022 even though Purchases were down -4%.
Over the past couple of years, Toymaster has placed an increased emphasis on supporting not only its members, but its suppliers too. With more than 160+ on the books, including all the major brands through to smaller, innovative start-ups, this requires plenty of work from the team. But as Yogi sees it, Toymaster is a valuable partner to toy companies. By working with Toymaster, companies can gain access to the group’s full suite of members, be guaranteed payments both on time and in full, and the support and service of a trusted, respected group dedicated to selling only suppliers’ brands – Toymaster doesn’t have an own-label programme that companies must compete against for shelf space in its members shops, which is one of the group’s major perks.
Harrogate remains firmly on the calendar for Toymaster’s biggest event of the year – the May Show. Taking place from 21st – 23rd May at the Majestic Hotel, the event was sold out within just weeks of the exhibitor registration opening. Over 100 suppliers are set to showcase their ranges at the event, which – demonstrating the generosity and altruism of the group – is open to Toymaster members as well as non-members.
Those attending the Toymaster May Show will also be able to chat with the team about the myriad perks that membership offers.
To read more about Toy World’s visit to the Toymaster HQ and what Yogi Parmar has to say about Toymaster, indie retailers and the upcoming May Show, click here.
You can also find our bumper Toymaster supplement here, to aid your preparations for the upcoming May Show in Harrogate.
