Lookin' good with Toymaster
Group to invest in improving the appearance of stores across the country
Toymaster held its annual Suppliers Meeting in Swindon on Wednesday 28th March 2012, at The Village Hotel in Swindon.
After a 22nd consecutive year of profitability, the company has announced a £350,000 Brand Enhancement fund.
The financial package will be used to help improve the exterior appearances of the stores throughout the country, and will assist in any further improvements that the members wish to make on the stores.
The monies paid back to members under the Brand Enhancement rebate are shared out based upon fees paid and turnover at cost via the group in the previous year.
Ian Edmunds, Marketing and Operations Director, Toymaster, speaks exclusively to Toys 'n' Playthings on the matter.
Ian stated: "All of the feedback that we had from the Suppliers' Meeting was very positive. We started these meetings because we wanted to give feedback to our suppliers. Back in 2006 and 2007, we lost a few members, and then in 2008 Youngsters disappeared, so it is important to keep the communication strong on how things are going. In recent years, as the group’s financial position has improved we have a lot more sales-orientated personnel at the meeting, rather than the financial.’’
"We constantly strive to assist our members, we don't ever get complacent. Last year, we put on a November sale, to keep up with the supermarkets, along with more offers in our consumer catalogues and fliers. We also subsidised the purchase of 160 Sato label machines to help achieve better in-store implementation of the offers by making them more visible to the consumer," he adds.
Ian continues: "Toymaster trades as a mutuality and under the terms of this status returns excess funds to its members via Brand Enhancement, for them to spend on their store. This year we are using the Brand Enhancement money to improve signage at the front of the stores. We've heard a lot about independent stores having to close down over the past couple of years, so it's a good opportunity to further improve the stores' appearances and really help them stand out. £350,000 will go a long way!’’
The event further enabled the team at Toymaster to demonstrate transparency to its members and suppliers, and to uphold the the healthy long-lasting relationship. The team updated suppliers on the company's financial performance for the year and highlighted further initiatives for the remainder of the year.
Social Links