The new logos of the toy retailer Smyths Toys have long been emblazoned above the entrances to the former Toys'r'Us branches. The Irish company celebrated the launch of the Smyths Toys brand in the DACH region with a big welcome party last Saturday, March 30, 2019. Together with partners LEGO, Mattel, Ravensburger, Hasbro, Rubies, Playmobil, Spin Master and SuperRTL, every Smyths Toys Superstore became a playground with various play stations and a big competition. The era of Toys'r'Us is finally over.
The world as a playground
Even before the first strips of confetti flew through the air at the welcome parties taking place nationwide (and also in Austria and Switzerland), the toy giant "Smyths Toys" had advertised the company brand with the help of TV commercials. The fact that Smyths Toys has replaced Toys'r'Us has not gone unnoticed by customers - nevertheless, the Irish toy company is now aiming to become a fixture in retail in the DA-CH region, just like Toys'r 'Us has been at its best.
True to the motto "Make the world your playground!", the first official Smyths Toys event took place last Saturday. With plenty of child-friendly action and excitement at the play stations from LEGO, Barbie, Beyblade, Dragons, Ravensburger, Rubies and NERF, among others. However, it should not stop there. "We will continue to focus on events in the future," reveals Marie-Charlotte von Heyking, Team Lead PR, Event and Local Marketing at Smyths Toys in the DACH region. Next on the agenda is a Pokemon tour to celebrate the release of the first movie about the popular pocket monsters.
Smyths Toys is about "offering customers an experience" that can only take place in stationary retail, explains von Heyking. In any case, the focus of Smyths Toys is primarily on the shops - and they also want to use the advantages of the stationary toy shops. Many Smyths Toys Superstores have outdoor stations where children can try out toys beforehand, depending on the season, of course.
"keep it simple"
Smyths Toys motto
Instead of complicated structures, Smyths Toys rely on simple but effective service factors. "Our motto is 'Keep it simple'," says Marie-Charlotte von Heyking. "Our focus is on customer service," the PR manager continues. You want to consciously take time for the customers who visit the superstores. This not only contributes to customer loyalty, but also makes the "big difference to online trading". "Our main business is in the branches," says von Heyking.
The idea doesn't seem completely new, but it still seems to be modern in a certain way, to want to dedicate itself to the wishes of the customers again.
Photo: André Volkmann
“Smyths Toys” has children and their parents as its core target group, but the main features are also presented to children up to around 14 years of age. This becomes clear not least in the TV commercial, the jingle of which sounds “rap-like”, as the PR manager describes it. The portfolio of Smyths Toys not only includes well-known products from toy manufacturers such as LEGO or Playmobil, but also "quality" own brands: "I would buy those too," says Marie-Charlotte von Heyking.
A first tour of the superstore in Cologne-Marsdorf as part of the welcome party makes the fundamental differences to the former - and seemingly drab - Toys'r'Us branches clear: tidy aisles, set up "eye-catchers", well-stocked shelves - before Above all, employees who are in a good mood convey a good feeling; also in adults. The foundations have been laid, now it's a matter of staying the course. "We have to strengthen the brand now," reveals von Heyking about her upcoming task.
Photo gallery: Opening of the Smyths Toys Superstores
The family company Smyths Toys, which was founded in Ireland more than thirty years ago, today has more than 200 locations in Ireland, England and the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and its own online shops and plays a leading role in the European market for toys and baby products . With its wide range of toys, outdoor, multimedia and baby products, Smyths Toys has the most extensive range in the industry.
Thanks to the multi-channel approach, extremely high service standards and product quality at always affordable prices, the Smyths Toys concept should offer its customers great added value. Information on the Internet at www.smythstoys.com.
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