The Toymaster and AIS buying groups have rejoined the Toy Retailers Association with group memberships which cover all their members.
These new members, as well as being part of AIS and Toymaster, will now benefit from Toy Retailers Association guidance and advice and will be invited to take part in government discussions on issues that directly impact their businesses.
Alan Simpson, chairman of the TRA, commented: “This is a great day for all of us that work in toy retail; the more members the TRA has, the greater the representation to government and the more impact we can have. It is so important that, within the industry association, we represent the hundreds of independent toy retailers that are members of Toymaster and AIS.”
He added: “Seeing these two great member organisations back in the TRA recognises the recent changes we have made to the association and our ambition to more actively represent the toy retail trade in important discussions.”
Rosie Marshall of AIS said: “We felt our members would benefit from the safety guidance and advice that the Toy Retailers Association has introduced, as well as the association with industry events such as DreamToys and the Toy of the Year Awards. Most important, however, is to ensure we have a voice for our industry when it matters, and supporting the TRA ensures that”.
Yogi Palmer of Toymaster added: “Knowing some of the important discussions that are taking place currently on business rates and anti-competition practices, it felt like the right time to rejoin the toy retail association and to add our voice to those discussions. We are also delighted that our very own Paul Reader is the new DreamToys chairman and will be representing the industry to the media in the crucial Christmas buying season. It seemed like the perfect time to bring the organisations back together”.
Membership of the TRA includes: a listing on “find my toy shop” for the general public to find an independent toy store; representation of the industry to the media on toy related business issues; representation of the industry to government on important issues that impact toy retail; safety advice and guidance; an industry newsletter and help and support for retail members.
The Toy Retailers’ Association now represents more than 2000 toy retail outlets across the UK and Ireland.
Anyone interested in joining, or who would like to get in touch, should contact the director general, Natasha Crookes at n.crookes@toyretailersassociation.co.uk.
