The Entertainer is the UK’s largest independent toy retailer, founded by husband-and-wife team Gary and Catherine Grant in 1981. Since its first shop in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, the retailer has expanded to over 160 stores across the UK.
It aims to offer a child-friendly retail environment and its offer is shaped by the Christian values of Gary Grant, who continues to head the business. The Entertainer’s shops do not open on Sundays.
The retailer is embarking on an aggressive expansion plan, particularly in the Middle East and Asia. Current franchised stores exist in Azerbaijan and Cyprus, while more are planned to open in Egypt and Kazakhstan.
In December 2018, it acquired the 57-strong Spanish toy retailer Poly out of administration. The Entertainer is part of TEAL Group Holdings, which includes Addo and Early Learning Centre.
In recent years, the chain has undergone modernisation, with locations being refitted and relaunched when needed. Robust sales growth has been reported over the years and since its investment in multichannel, online sales now account for around a quarter of the overall total.
Tesco and The Entertainer are to extend their partnership across the grocer’s stores in the UK and Ireland from this spring.
Entertainer CEO and former John Lewis director Andrew Murphy and retail expert Mary Portas are among the industry names recognised in the new year honours list.
With the macroeconomic environment looking gloomier than ever, we spoke to some of the UK’s biggest retailers to get their take on whether this year’s festive season will be feast or famine.
The Entertainer has posted sales growth that outperforms the wider toy market but said it “remains cautious” about its short-term outlook.
Former John Lewis Partnership (JLP) chief operating officer Andrew Murphy has joined The Entertainer as its chief executive.
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