Entertainment
Entertainment explores the business and consumer trends driving the UK entertainment retail market, from gaming and film to music, books, and media. This section covers trading performance, brand strategy, licensing deals, and product innovation across both physical and digital channels. Retail Sector’s Entertainment coverage delivers insight for retailers, suppliers, and category managers seeking to understand how shifting consumer behaviour, technology, and partnerships are shaping sales and growth in this fast-evolving sector.
-
Mar- 2021 -18 March
Toys ‘R’ Us acquired by WHP Global
Tru Kids, the parent company of Toys “R” Us, has announced that WHP Global, a brand acquisition and management group, has acquired a controlling stake in the firm. The deal will include WHP’s takeover of Toys “R” Us, Babies “R” Us, Geoffrey the Giraffe, and 20 other related brands. Operating…
Read More » -
Oct- 2020 -29 October
Hornby returns to profit as revenue surges 33%
Hornby has made a return to profitability in the first half of its financial year. The hobby products company, specialising in model trains, has increased its revenue by 33% to £21.1m following a business restructuring and new product launches. The business reported a statutory pre-tax profit of £17,000 compared to…
Read More » -
21 October
Geek Retreat plans on opening 100 more stores
Games and fantasy company Geek Retreat has confirmed its plans to open another 100 stores over the next two years according to the BBC. The new 100 store plan is predicted to create around 600 new jobs. The retailer said it plans on opening sites in Bournemouth, Northampton and Liverpool…
Read More » -
Sep- 2020 -3 September
Lego reports double-digit growth in H1
The Lego Group has reported that revenue rose by 7% to DKK 15.7bn (£1.87bn) in the six months ended June 30, 2020. In the same period, consumer sales grew by 14% against the year before, while operating profit was DKK 3.9bn (£466m), an increase of 11% against the first half…
Read More » -
Aug- 2020 -20 August
The Rolling Stones to open flagship Carnaby Street store
The Rolling Stones have announced they will officially open their first flagship store in London next month. The RS No. 9 Carnaby will now launch on Carnaby Street on 9 September. The venture has been created in partnership with Bravado, Universal Music Group’s merchandise and brand management company. The store…
Read More » -
4 August
Dixons Carphone to axe 800 jobs
Dixons Carphone is set to axe 800 management roles in a bid to restructure and streamline the company. The Currys PC World owner confirmed it has now begun a consultation process with affected employees. It comes as the group is looking to shake up its management structure. It now plans…
Read More » -
Jul- 2020 -30 July
Game sells Belong arenas to Vindex in $50m deal
Mike Ashley’s Game Digital has revealed it is set to sell its Beyond Esports gaming arenas to US-based start-up Vindex in a deal worth $50m (£38.5m). The deal sees Vindex acquire the Belong Gaming Arenas brand and all associated IP from the largest video games retailer in the UK and…
Read More » -
Mar- 2020 -6 March
Lego outperforms wider toy market, confirms plans for 150 new stores
Toy giant Lego has defied the wider toy market by recording a “strong” sales and profit performance while also confirming plans to open a further 150 physical stores in 2020. For the full-year ending December 2019, The Lego Group announced that revenues increased by 6% to DKK38.5bn (£4.4bn). Consumer sales…
Read More » -
Jan- 2020 -6 January
HMV to close three stores and warns of more if rent negotiations fail
HMV has confirmed that three of its stores will close this month and has warned that a further 10 could close if rent negotiations with landlords fail to secure improved terms. In a statement released over the weekend the music retailer revealed it will be closing its Bury St Edmunds,…
Read More » -
3 January
UK music sales hit 14-year high
2019 marked the fifth consecutive year of growth in the consumption of recorded music in the UK, according to figures released by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The equivalent of 154 million albums were either streamed, purchased on physical formats or downloaded – up by 7.5% in volume on the…
Read More »
