Tag Archives: interview

Following the 11th annual Rubik’s UK Championships last weekend, what’s it like to be a speedcuber in amongst all the action? Jade Burke catches up with John Adams’ Laurence Livsey, who is a speedcuber with a current solve time of 6.97 seconds under his belt, to see which events he took part in and how he solved the mystery of the Rubik’s.

Having first opened its doors in 2007, The Toy Box is celebrating its ninth birthday this year. Here, the retailer’s directors - Sharon and Mark Horsman - talk to Jade Burke about their hopes to expand its new Kids Clothing Agency, the battle against dropping footfall and why they believe Teeny TYs will be this year’s sell-out toy.

After securing funding last year on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, Accentuate is marking its year’s success with a new social media campaign for fans to win Argos gift vouchers. Jade Burke catches up with Accentuate co-creator, Graeme Fraser-Bell.

Since the opening of her first toy store in Hinckley, Caroline Hubbard, owner of Hubbard’s Toy Cupboard, has revealed that a second store could be on the cards in the future. Here, Jade Burke finds out why fantastic customer service is key to the business and how the retailer stands out from the local competition.

Chicco is rolling out a string of TV adverts this year to promote its latest Fit n Fun product line. Here, Mitch Levene, MD of parent company Artsana UK & Ireland, talks to Jade Burke about why Chicco is venturing into the small screen, its plans to celebrate Euro 2016 and how more retailers can get on board with the toy line-up.

Frances Cain, founder of A Girl For All Time, has taken to Kickstarter to launch the company’s latest doll line, Your Modern Girl. Designed to make play more creative, Cain tells Jade Burke why the range boasts limitless potential, how further expansion is on the cards and why representing diversity is key to the firm’s ethos.

Last year marked Cardea Solutions debut in the plush toy arena with its Cardea Cuddlies collection, and now it seems the company wants to expand on its offering in this competitive marketplace.

With a brand new site on the way in the summer for customers to buy from, the future is looking bright for Wigwam Toys in Brighton. Here, Clair Letton, owner, tells Jade Burke about childhood Monopoly tournaments, the importance of the local community to the business and what issues are currently impacting the store.

After the success of its Discovery Store concept last year, Build-A-Bear Workshop’s senior MD Roger Parry is planning to triple its UK office’s size to help facilitate growth. Here, he reveals to Jade Burke the details of the firm’s new strategy, why licensing is a major push, and what’s the key to the company’s continued success.

This year marks the Independent Toy & Gift Show’s fourth event, and exhibitor-wise, it’s set to boast ‘the strongest line-up ever’. Jade Burke catches up with Miles Penhallow, head of toys and children’s gifts at plaY-room, to see what visitors heading to Cranmore Park can expect from next week' show.