Turnover and pre-tax profits have risen at Toymaster during its latest financial year, according to new documents filed.

Buying group Toymaster has reported a revenue of £48.8m for the year to 31st January 2022, up from £39.9m in 2021.

The company also reported that pre-tax profits had climbed from £153,000 to £297,000 over the same period.

A statement from the board said: “The company’s sales to its members increased by 22% despite several enforced lockdowns in both years. However, with the Covid-19 pandemic continuing, the experience gained by members from the prior year enabled them to use more effectively the ‘shop local’ message, click and collect, click and deliver and their own websites.”

An overall retail sales increase of 11% was reported by members, although there were regional variations within this figure.

Toymaster is the largest buying group for independent toy retailers in the UK & Ireland, operating as a ‘mutuality’: the group is wholly owned by the members, who are all shareholders in Toymaster. As a not-for-profit, Toymaster gives back to its members, and the group’s mission statement is a simple one – ‘To Help Our Members Trade More Profitably’.

Efforts behind the scenes to ensure this philosophy is upheld require hard work and dedication from the entire Toymaster team. But with experienced and knowledgeable staff in place, the group has earned itself a reputation for being both exceptionally friendly and committed to offering the very best support to its members.

The board added that it has put policies in place over recent years to ensure the continued long-term viability of the group, and also stated: “The board is confident these measures, in conjunction with the long established and profitable modus operandi within the Northampton office, will assist in ensure the long-term viability of the group.”

The Toymaster May show returns next week after being forced to sit out its 2020 and 2021 iterations by the Covid-19 pandemic. Once again taking place at the Double Tree by Hilton Majestic Hotel in Harrogate, the three-day show runs from Tuesday 17th May to Thursday 19th May and will play host to a raft of big names within the industry – including a number so far absent from other 2022 trade shows.

At the show, the Toymaster team will be on hand to talk to retailers thinking about joining the group and how the group is continuing to develop its support and services year after year.

To read more about Toymaster, and the benefits of membership, see the article from our May edition here.