As the next wave of retailers reopen their doors, PreschoolNews.net/ Progressive Preschool safely headed out to catch up with retailers. First up was Wally’s Toy Shop in Thame, Oxfordshire, managed by Sam Walker.
Sam explained that the store had been able to offer a delivery service during the lockdown period, especially when it came to supplying outdoor products as families were looking to make the most of the good weather.
“It was so lovely that people were able to offer their support,” Sam commented, speaking to PreschoolNews.net on the first official day of non-essential shops being able to open their doors in England (June 15).
Key products selling during that time included play sand, paddling balls and “a lot” of board games and puzzles: “we were ransacked for puzzles very early on but we managed to get a few more in and they just flew off”.
On the first day back, Sam commented: “It was a slow start, but I kind of expected that, with people getting used to coming back into shops. We’ve enjoyed the last few hours; people have been coming in lots and we’ve had a queue outside, so it’s been really nice.”
On the question of stock levels, Sam said the store was lucky to start lockdown with a “fairly full shop” and said that had struggled a bit to get certain things in.
“I think we’ll be a bit more careful going forward, initially, just to make sure that we’re not over-stocked and that we’ve got enough to keep us going but not too much coming in. We’ll just play it by ear; hopefully business will pick up and we’ll get into it.”
You can check out the full interview below:
