Smyths
 The current logo, in use since 2006 | |
 A Smyths shop in Cardiff | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 23 December 1986 Claremorris, County Mayo, Ireland |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | , Ireland |
Number of locations | 297+ shops |
Area served | |
| Products | Toys Video games |
| Revenue | €2.49 billion[1] (2023) |
| Owner | Smyth family [2] |
Number of employees | 7,985[3] |
| Website | smythstoys |
Smyths is an Irish multinational chain provider of children's toys, games and entertainment products with over 297 shops throughout western and central Europe. The business is owned by the Smyth family.[4]
The company is headquartered in Galway, with other offices in Belfast and London.
The group's turnover reached €1.465 billion in pandemic-hit 2020 with the majority of sales coming from the UK market while in 2023 the group turnover exceeded €2 billion.[5]
History
[edit]Smyths started out as a family newsagent on Main Street, Claremorris, County Mayo in 1935 before branching out into toys in 1986.[6][7] The original newsagent's shop in Claremorris remained in business under the Smyth's brand until late 2023.[8]
The company is run by three brothers, Tony, Padraig and Thomas Smyth. A fourth brother and director, Liam, died in July 2023.[9] Smyths is the UK and Ireland's largest toy retailer.[10]
Expansion to central Europe
[edit]On 24 April 2018, Smyths acquired Toys "R" Us shops in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.[11] In 2019, all the remaining shops in those countries were rebranded to Smyths.[12]
In July 2022, Smyths acquired French toy chain PicWicToys in France out of receivership, taking over 41 shops, 2 warehouses and a head office.[13][14]
Shops and subsidiaries
[edit]| Country | Number of shops |
|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland | 21 |
| Northern Ireland | 7 |
| England | 103 |
| Wales | 7 |
| Scotland | 6 |
| Germany | 72 |
| France | 45 |
| Austria | 17 |
| Switzerland | 11 |
| Netherlands | 4 |
| Totals | 297 |
In total as of November 2024, Smyths operates over 297 shops across 7 countries: 21 shop in Ireland, 7 in Northern Ireland, 103 in England, 7 in Wales, 6 in Scotland,[15] 72 in Germany, 16 in Austria,[16] 10 in Switzerland,[17] 45 in France and 4 in the Netherlands.[18][19][20]
References
[edit]- ^ Deegan, Gordon (26 November 2024). "Revenues at Smyths toys hit record €2.49bn". The Irish Times. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ "Meet the Smyths, the Mayo family turning toy retailing into child's play". The Irish Times.
- ^ Deegan, Gordon (26 November 2024). "Revenues at Smyths toys hit record €2.49bn". The Irish Times. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ Kehoe, Ian (19 November 2023). "The march of Smyths Toys: Rewinding the week that was". The Currency. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "Toy giant Smyths sees group turnover hit €1.46bn". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
- ^ https://www.galwaybeo.ie/news/ireland-news/beloved-irish-shop-closing-after-8837444
- ^ "Smyths Toys Unlimited Company | Irish Legal & Business Services Company & Director Check". Solocheck. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
- ^ https://www.galwaybeo.ie/news/ireland-news/beloved-irish-shop-closing-after-8837444
- ^ "Liam Smyth obituary: Founder of Smyths Toys and proud Mayo man". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ "Toy mega store for Rayleigh Weir", Essex Echo, 13 September 2008
- ^ "Smyths Toys to buy Toys R Us in Germany, Austria and Switzerland". Irish Times. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ Kurth, Luke (12 January 2019). "ToysRUs wird zu Smyth Toys: Die ersten Filialen tragen neue Namen". Stone Wars (in German). Retrieved 27 June 2019.
- ^ "Smyths Toys acquires PicWic Toys". 6 July 2022.
- ^ "Smyths acquires PicWic Toys as it expands into France". independent. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
- ^ "Store Finder & Opening Hours". Smyths Toys. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ "Marktsuche".
- ^ "Marktsuche".
- ^ Deegan, Gordon (17 September 2018). "Smyths Toys' UK sales top half-billion mark for first time". Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
- ^ "SMYTHS TOYS UK LIMITED - Overview". Companies House. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
- ^ Anita (19 January 2023). "Breaking News: Smyths confirms store expansion in The Netherlands". Toy World Magazine | The business magazine with a passion for toys. Retrieved 11 November 2024.