Smyths, Mattel and Character Options triumph at toy awards

Jetpack Buzz (Mattel), Character and Smyths triumphed at last night's annual Toy Industry Awards winning Toy of the Year, Supplier of the Year and Toy Retailer of the Year, respectively.

Organised by the British Toy & Hobby Association with the Toy Retailers Association (TRA) – the awards were presented at a prestigious event at Banqueting House in Central London following the first day of the 58th Toy Fair at Olympia. 

BTHA Chairman Christine Nicholls announced the winners of the Toy Retailer of the Year Awards, including a new Retail Week award recognising the best in toy store design, which went to the Disney store.  Acting TRA Chairman Alan Simpson unveiled the Supplier of the Year Awards. A total of three of Special Recognition Awards were presented to James Galt, Ravensburger and Orchard Toys, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.  And Flair CEO Peter Brown was the acclaimed recipient of the Personality of the Year award. The full line up of winners follows:

TOY RETAILER OF THE YEAR WINNERS:

Independent Toy Retailer of the Year         Dominoes

Multiple Toy Retailer of the Year             Smyths

Online Toy Retailer of the Year                 Argos

Toy Catalogue of the Year                     Argos

Toy Retailer (Grocer) of the Year               Tesco

Retail Week Award for Best Store Design     The Disney Store

Overall Toy Retailer of the Year             Smyths

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARDS:

Craze/Pocket Money Toy       Lego Mini Figures, Lego               

Girls' Toy                           Barbie Puppy Swim School, Mattel         

Boys' Toy                                                        NERF N-Strike Recon CS-6, Hasbro          

Feature Plush Toy                                           Zhu Zhu Hamsters, Character Options   

Toy License                                                    Toy Story 3, Disney        

Creative Toy                       Moon Sand™ Bake Shop, Spin Master   

Pre-School Toy                   Fireman Sam Deluxe Fire Station Playset, Character Options     

Innovative Toy                                                 Air Hogs® Vectron Wave, Spin Master   

Construction Range               Lego City, Lego

Game                                                              Pig Goes Pop, Drumond Park     

TRA Special Recognition Award     Orchard Toys                    

TRA Special Recognition Award     James Galt                         

TRA Special Recognition Award     Ravensburger                   

Supplier of the Year                                        Character Options          

Personality of the Year           Peter Brown                                     

Toy of the Year                                               Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear, Mattel                

Christine Nicholls, Chairman of the BTHA: “Congratulations on behalf of the BTHA to all the winners of this year’s Toy Retailer Awards – it is a pleasure to see such a high standard of entry. Recognition must also go to our worthy runners-up and a big thank you to everyone for taking part.”

Alan Simpson, Acting Chairman of the TRA, added: “There were many toys which could have featured in this year’s awards and it was an extremely difficult job to narrow the list down, but, on behalf of the TRA, I would like to congratulate all our winners and we look forward in 2011 to another year of innovation”

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