The Entertainer reveals plans for 2026 store push
The Entertainer has revealed the first half of its expansion plans for 2026, following a 20% uplift in UK retail sales over the last twelve months.
The toy retailer’s plans include summer openings for a new, relocated and 25% larger store in the St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff, and the replacement of a competitor with a new shop at Castleford’s Junction 32 outlet in West Yorkshire.
Subscribe to TRBFollowing the success of its first outlet store at Dalton Park in County Durham last year, The Entertainer is also taking over 8,000 square feet of space at the Galleria Outlet in Hatfield for the launch of its first large scale outlet shop.
Andrew Murphy, TEAL Group chief executive, said: “As Britain’s Toy Shop, we’re constantly identifying opportunities to expand our UK business and improve the quality of our existing physical estate.
“I’m delighted with how our plans for 2026 are shaping up in that regard, with a fabulous upgrade in location, size and environment imminent for our very successful Cardiff St David’s store, a huge vote of confidence in our brand from the owners of J32 in Castleford and – first off the blocks – our biggest new store for well over a decade opening during May at The Galleria in Hatfield.”
In 2025, The Entertainer extended its Churchill Square store in Brighton, relocated its Cambridge and Bluewater stores, and opened new sites in Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays, Aberdeen’s Union Square, Rushden Lakes near Northampton, The Gyle in Edinburgh and The O2 in London.
Murphy also said there were more announcements to come regarding store plans, which would be good news for toy enthusiasts in Manchester, Bedford and the Channel Islands.
