Introduction
It’s hard to believe a decade has passed since we first introduced our toy department….Up to that time we had offered Puzzles and resource products in our retail offering. We could see challenges coming our way around that time due to the introduction of iPads into schools and what we thought was coming- a paperless office……
We had just 3 years previously embarked on a complete renovation of Stakelum Office Supplies retail store on Parnell Street. We needed to increase our footfall and offer our current customers a better choice. We also had the benefit of joining Toymaster - which is a buying group for independent toy retailers. This opened the doors to Lego, Mattel, and Hasbro who possibly would not have dealt with us as an “office supplies company”.
Also as a parent myself I felt there was an opening for a toy shop with a gearing towards educational toys.
We started with two small display units made by a local joiner – Gus Molumby. Today at peak season half the shop is given to the display of toys!
Toys that have been popular over the years
Our Generation dolls were initially released to the market in 2017, and we were the first retailer in Tipperary to carry the full collection.
The big Christmas 2019 hit was the Harry Potter Lego night bus, followed in 2020 by the LOL surprise house. There has been a Pokémon surge in recent years, and Squishmallow craze occurred last Christmas.
The arrival of TV programs during the past ten years has coincided with the popularity of toys for younger children. The brief list of those is as follows: Thomas the Tank, Teletubbies, Octonaughts, Peppa Pig, Bluey, and, of course, Cocomelon...
Lego and Barbie have had the most successful toy lines over the past ten years. Children and adults continue to be enthralled, and we are extremely interested in what the next decade will bring.
Choosing What Toys to Sell
This is always a difficult decision each year as there is so many factors to consider when choosing new lines. My staff & I try to keep an eye on emerging trends & each year I travel to Toy Trade Shows in London & Birmingham to place orders with suppliers for the following year. This Is a great chance to meet with other retailers & discuss trends. We also take into consideration the feedback from our customers and their preferences. It's important for us to understand what our customers are looking for in a toy store and what they want to see more of. This helps us to make informed decisions on which products to stock and which ones to pass on. A real emerging trend is the sustainability aspect to each toy & the materials gone into producing the product. Keeping on top of emerging trends such as this is important for us & our customers.
Making a splash
Because of my own passion for swimming and pool expertise, we first introduced swimming pools in 2018! During covid and the scorching summer of 2020, when we offered free nationwide delivery, the demand increased significantly. We have different sizes of pools, from 6 feet to 24 feet!Our garden pools come from two well regarded suppliers in Bestway & Intex, ensuring durability and longevity. We also offer a range of accessories, including pool covers, cleaning equipment, and water treatment products such as the pool starter kit & chlorine granules. This product range has to be a favourite of mine & is a key line which we will aim to continuously grow.
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