The new store, which opened on 15 May, replaced the brand’s previous store and offers “an enhanced shopping experience designed to better serve the local community and growing fanbase”. 

The site features “a more spacious and playful environment,” enabling customers to explore Miniso’s product ranges “in a vibrant new setting”.

It also showcases a range of trending vinyl plush collectibles, viral blind boxes, plush toys, beauty essentials, accessories, and snacks. 

Miniso UK chief operating officer Saad Usman said: “We’re thrilled to be unveiling our new and improved store at Brent Cross Shopping Centre. 

“This relocation marks an exciting step forward for Miniso, allowing us to create a more engaging and dynamic space for our customers. 

“Brent Cross has always been an important location for us, and this new store enables us to better serve the local community while showcasing even more of the products and collections our fans love.”

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The 8,000 sq ft site will open on 30 May and will be the first store to trade under the toy retailer’s new sub-brand “The Entertainer, Toys for Less”. It will sell the company’s best-loved brands at “significantly discounted prices”.

The first Toys for Less store will be almost twice the size of an average The Entertainer store and will stock over 5,000 different toys. The majority will sell for 30 per cent less than in The Entertainer’s other 150 shops. 

The range of toys, games and collectibles will include Lego, squishy dumplings and fidget toys alongside licensed ranges from Pokémon, One Piece, Toy Story 5, Paw Patrol and Barbie.

Additionally, it will sell the business’s Early Learning Centre, Meccano and Addo private label ranges.

The Entertainer group CEO Andrew Murphy OBE said: “Our Toys for Less outlet store in Hatfield will be our biggest new store for over a decade and is an important extension to our existing trading approach. 

“While there will be further Toys for Less stores opening later this year, these are very much complimentary to our 150-strong core estate and will not replace them or compete in our existing catchments” 

“We’re very excited to join the great line up of shops at The Galleria and to be bringing Hertfordshire customers truly incredible deals on the toys, games, puzzles and collectibles that they love.” 

The Galleria Hatfield leasing director Graham Clark added: “We’re delighted to welcome The Entertainer to The Galleria. 

“This exciting new outlet store is a fantastic addition to our retail mix, bringing a much-loved family brand to the centre and enhancing our offer for visitors of all ages. 

“The opening reflects our continued commitment to attracting leading names and delivering great value and experiences for our guests.”

“We’re confident The Entertainer will be a huge hit with our shoppers, and we look forward to seeing the store thrive as part of our community.”

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The business said, for the 26 weeks ended 2 November 2025, total like-for-like (LFL) sales increased by 0.3%, underpinned by a strong performance in stores, which account for more than 90% of group revenue.

Store LFL sales rose 4%, significantly ahead of the wider UK non-food retail market, which recorded growth of 0.6% over the same period.

Total revenue edged down 0.3% year on year to £123.8m, reflecting the timing of store openings and closures, as well as a sharp decline in online sales.

E-commerce revenue fell 36% following operational disruption linked to the transition to a new third-party fulfilment partner.

Despite the online headwinds, profitability improved year on year and adjusted EBITDA losses narrowed to £1m from £2.8m, while the adjusted loss before tax reduced to £5.1m from £6.5m.

The improvement was driven by strong store LFL growth, product margin expansion of 330 basis points and ongoing cost saving initiatives, partially offset by external cost pressures. Net debt also reduced to £5.3m, down from £8.5m a year earlier.

Trading in the first 11 weeks of the second half, covering the key Christmas period to 18 January 2026, was reported as being in line with board expectations.

Store LFL sales increased by 1.2%, outperforming a wider non-food retail market decline of 0.4%, supported by demand for value-led family activities and a strong response to Black Friday promotions, said the retailer.

CEO Gavin Peck said: “The strategic initiatives delivered in the first half of the financial year have been critical in driving a strong performance in-store and an improvement in profitability year-on-year.

“Along with the wider sector, we have felt the impact of a challenging consumer backdrop, however we continued to see a positive response to our excellent value and new products over the festive period.”

Online sales remained heavily constrained, with LFL sales down 51.8% due to continued fulfilment challenges, resulting in total LFL sales declining 4.2% over the period. The group said that as peak volumes have eased, the year-on-year online sales decline has begun to reduce, with work ongoing alongside its fulfilment partner to address the issues.

The business said the results mark further progress against the ‘Elevating The Works’ strategy, centred on positioning the business as the UK’s leading destination for affordable, screen-free activities.

During the first half, the retailer invested in brand marketing focused on encouraging families to spend quality time together, while launching new products across all categories to drive year-round relevance.

Operationally, the business continued to improve store standards and consistency across the estate. The Works added a net two stores during the period, with seven openings, five closures and one relocation, and remains on track to add a net five stores in FY26.

Efficiency initiatives also progressed, including sustained product margin growth and improved distribution centre productivity following investment in a new mezzanine level. The group reiterated its target to deliver £2m of cost savings in FY26.

Peck added: “Guided by our strategy, alongside the hard work of our colleagues and support of our loyal customers, we are well-positioned to deliver sales and profit growth in the remainder of the financial year and beyond.”

Looking ahead, business said it remains on track to deliver full-year results in line with market expectations.

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The firm, which is famous for its viral Labubu dolls, currently does not run its own factories and works with local manufacturing partners.

Pop Mart said that the partner-led network would boost capacity and improve global access to new items.

The brand’s production bases were previously in China and Vietnam.

In a statement on Monday (5 January), the company said: “It’s a strategic move to expand and strengthen our supply chain to improve resilience, efficiency and service to our customers.”

It comes after Pop Mart recently launched a new store in Liverpool One shopping centre, forming its largest UK shop.

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The new 4,500 sq ft shop will be located on Kalverstraat and offers consumers a range of music, film, TV and literature products. It will also offer a more extensive collection of Vinyls and CDs than The Hague store, with a dedicated section for K-Pop.

The chain is a familiar sight on UK high streets and was bought in 2019 by Canadian firm Sunrise Records after it fell into administration. It was originally founded in the UK in 1921 as His Master’s Voice and opened its first dedicated store on London’s Oxford Street.

The firm currently has over 120 stores across the UK.

“We’re constantly striving to create new community hubs for fans to come together and share their love of music and pop culture,” said Phil Halliday, managing director at HMV and Fopp.

“The shop will cater to a range of interests, stocking all genres of music from K-Pop to Heavy Metal, the best film and TV shows around, as well as a great selection of fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels. We’re confident that we’ll bring something new to Kalverstraat and we can’t wait to open the doors next year.”

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In the 26 weeks to 2 November, total sales at the retailer edged down 0.3% to £123.8 million, while like-for-like sales rose 0.3%.

Store like-for-likes were up 4% as the business pushed ahead with its ‘Elevating The Works’ strategy, citing stronger customer-focused marketing, refreshed ranges and better in-store standards.

Online sales, which now account for less than 10% of revenue, tumbled by 36%, reflecting operational disruption linked to its transition to a new third-party fulfilment partner.

The retailer said it expects to optimise store performance through its peak trading period and remains on course to deliver full-year pre-IFRS 16 adjusted EBITDA of £11 million, in line with market expectations.

Chief executive Gavin Peck said: “We are pleased with the progress made in the first half of FY26, having delivered a number of important strategic initiatives, a strong performance in-store and ongoing margin growth.

“Our focus on delivering screen-free activities for the whole family is resonating with customers and, notwithstanding the challenging retail backdrop and ongoing online capacity constraints, we are on track to deliver further strategic and financial progress in the remainder of the financial year and beyond.”

The Works also confirmed that Simon Hathway will step down as non-executive director in early January to take up a full-time executive director role at B&M.

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The new shops will be in Peterborough, England, Cork, Ireland, and The Hague, the Netherlands, Retail Week reported.

The entertainment retailer’s Peterborough shop is set to launch in Queensgate Shopping Centre later in the year.

The Cork store will open in Merchants Quay Shopping Centre, forming HMV’s third Irish shop, with the intention of “strengthening its position in the Irish market”.

Its store in The Hague, which is currently in its later stages of development, marks its first site in the Netherlands, as well as its third EU market after Belgium and Ireland.

HMV managing director Phil Halliday said: “We’re constantly striving to create new homes for communities of fans to come together and share their love of music and popular culture. 

“That’s why we’re so thrilled that, after five years of working on a deal, we’re finally able to open a new store in Peterborough and meet the strong public demand.

“We are also set to open our first store in The Netherlands and a third store in Ireland before the end of the year, in The Hague and Cork respectively.” 

He added: “We plan to continue focusing on opening stores in Ireland and across mainland Europe as our main targets for expansion, where it currently makes more sense to do so from a business point of view.”

Earlier this year, it was reported that Budget tax hikes forced HMV to pause its UK expansion.

Speaking at the time, Halliday said the company had hoped to open up to 10 more UK stores this year but had to pause those plans as it worked to maintain profitability despite strong sales growth.

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Experts from The Entertainer, who select toys specifically for Tesco shoppers, have chosen their top 10 most wanted toys, based not only on current popularity and desirability but also affordability too.

And they predict that two toys in particular, an Elphaba Doll from the Wicked: For Good film coming out in November and a Creeper Construction Kit from this year’s Minecraft movie are set to figure high on many youngsters’ Christmas lists.

Tesco’s top 10 list contains Christmas toys to excite kids of all ages but also potential stocking fillers to suit all pockets too.

In the list are classic brands and current favourites such as Hot Wheels, Early Learning Centre and Bluey.

A nostalgic favourite, Meccano, is also making a comeback this Christmas – relaunched with modern sets to inspire a new generation of young creators.

Pauline Chisholm, Tesco head of strategy and partnerships, said: “Every parent knows how choosing the right Christmas toy for their youngsters can be a really daunting experience.

“Our choices, made by experts who live and breathe toys all year long, have been carefully considered and based on the type of toys which have been popular throughout the year and which are likely to be on many children’s Christmas wish lists.W

She added: “Toys related to films are always popular with youngsters which is why we’ve included a Minecraft construction kit and also a doll figure from the forthcoming Wicked: For Good film which launches in November.

“There is something from everyone in our top 10 toys with prices ranging from £8 to £35.”

Tesco’s top 10 toys for Christmas are:

Wicked Elphaba Doll – £35

Lego Minecraft The Creeper Construction Set – £30

Gui Gui Beautify Your Slime Cloud Craft Set – £10

Meccano 2 in 1 Race Car Construction Set – £35

Marshmallow Madness Game – £20

Early Learning Centre Wooden Little Town Train Set – £12

Bluey Beach Cabin Playset – £29

Snuggle Buddies Seb Sloth Soft Toy – £12

Fuggler Festive Fuggs Gingerbread Man Soft Toy – £8

Hot Wheels The Hot Ones Crash Speedway Frenzy Playset – £20

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The retailer is set to supply toys to Hobbycraft and TGJones shops across the UK under the partnership, according to Retail Week.

The Entertainer will begin the ranging and merchandising of products in a selection of Hobbycraft and TGJones shops on a pilot basis, with plans for a wider rollout. 

TGJones is set to trial the tie-up in its Toys R Us shop-in-shop concessions across Bluewater, Epsom, Hitchin, Wimbourne and Fleet.

Hobbycraft will pilot the toy selection throughout its Glasgow Fort, Orpington, Stevenage, Chelmsford, Crawley and Woking sites. The move sees Hobbycraft move into the toy category for the first time.

A wide range of toys and games are set to be sold, including items from brands such as Paw Patrol, Lego, Disney and Barbie.

The collaboration forms an extension of The Entertainer’s Toy Box Retail Solution, a B2B2C service that provides customised sourcing, ranging, wholesale and concession support of toys for retail businesses.

The Entertainer CEO Andrew Murphy said: “We’re thrilled to announce our new partnership with Modella Capital, and look forward to growing together across the UK through TGJones and Hobbycraft. 

“The nature of our partnership, where we will be supporting the Modella team as they execute their toy offer under a third-party toy retail brand, is further evidence of the versatility of the ‘Toy Box’ services we are uniquely able to offer all types of multi-category retailers across the world.”

Hobbycraft CEO Alex Wilson said: “Working with The Entertainer allows us to bring customers something new and engaging, while staying true to our focus on inspiring creativity and delivering memorable experiences. 

“The launch of toys sections in selected locations expands our offer in an exciting way, giving families more reasons to visit, shop and enjoy a wider range of products designed to spark imagination across all ages.”

TGJones CEO Sean Toal added: “This new and exciting partnership with The Entertainer allows us to grow our existing range of toys in TGJones stores. 

“Our customers already love our toy range and I’m sure this partnership will continue to grow the category at TGJones.”

Last month, The Entertainer unveiled a festive tie-up with Disney, which included sponsorship of the retailer’s Christmas gift guide for 2025.

The partnership sees a host of Disney’s key lines take centre stage in chain’s festive gift guide catalogue.

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The 2,000 sq ft site is set to open on 4 October and will sell a selection of the retailer’s brands at discounted, outlet prices.

The new store will stock an exclusive range of toys and games, including leading brands such as Lego, Barbie and Paw Patrol, alongside its Early Learning Centre and Addo private label ranges.

To mark the occasion, Paw Patrol’s Marshall character will be in the store from 10am-3pm for photo opportunities with fans.

The Entertainer is also offering shoppers the chance to win a trolley dash experience on the store’s opening day. The experience will give one customer the chance to fill their trolley with as many toys as possible within one minute, to take home for free.

The Entertainer group CEO Andrew Murphy OBE said: “The opening of our first ever outlet store is the latest in a series of exciting developments for The Entertainer and we’re excited to join the great line up of shops at Dalton Park.

“As the UK’s largest toy retailer, we’re delighted to be able to offer our customers even better value across the toys, games, puzzles and collectibles that they love.

“We can’t wait to welcome customers to our new outlet store – which we hope will be just the first in a series of outlet openings as we finish the year on a high.”

In May, The Entertainer opened its first ‘Generation 5’ store at Bluewater Shopping Centre, marking a new chapter for the toy giant.

The business also unveiled a new partnership with Disney earlier this month, which includes sponsorship of its Christmas gift guide for 2025.

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