The UK toy industry suffered from “difficult” trading conditions last year due to declining consumer confidence in the wake of Brexit and early parliamentary elections, manufacturers said. The British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) – which represents over 80% of the industry in the UK – released new figures showing …

Pat and Liza Berwanger, owners of The Village Toy ShopPHOTO COURTESY OF LIZ BERWANGER For Winnetka’s Stephanie Simpson, birthday parties are a regular part of her social calendar. As a mother of children aged 3, 5 and 7, she can hardly go a week without having to buy a new …

Canberra-based independent toy store The Good Toy Shop announced its final closure on February 14. Announcing the decision on its Facebook page, the store said that despite its love for customers and products, various factors, including digital disruption and rising costs, were behind the decision to close. However, it wasn’t …