Christian owned toy chain opens 35th store

The UK’s largest independent toy shop chain - The Entertainer - founded by Christian entrepreneur Gary Grant and his wife Catherine in 1981, has now opened its 35th store. And it's sticking to its Christian principles.

After launching the country’s largest toy store within a shopping mall at Birmingham’s Bullring, The Entertainer chain last week doubled its floorspace at Kingston-on-Thames to 10,000sq ft.

The Entertainer is based in Amersham, Buckingham-shire, with more than £30m in annual sales. Stores do not open on Sundays, and managing director Gary Grant (pictured), is happy to continue the policy – in the face of sometimes fierce pressure. “The Alliance which runs the Bullring centre accepted our practice, because they were pleased with what we are retailing in six days.”

Gary has previously hit the headlines for refusing to stock Harry Potter merchandise. This year, the Yu-Gi-Oh collectible card range will not be found on The Entertainer shelves.

“I didn’t feel too unhappy with the cards themselves, but then I had a look at the names of the ranges and they included things like Prince of Darkness.” The decision may well have serious financial implications.

“The game and puzzle category of the toy market, which includes Yu-gi-oh, is way ahead of everything else,” said Gary, “and now we have chosen not to stock it. When you turn your back on a range of products that are clearly in high demand, you are almost forcing our customers to buy them somewhere else.”

But the verse, ‘I honour those that honour me’ (1 Samuel 2:30) is one that defines Gary’s approach to business. “It doesn’t always mean that it can be quantified in financial terms, but, on the other hand, you have to do what you feel comfortable in doing. If my goal is either bottom line profit or turnover, then I would have to ‘park’ my faith for about six days a week and only bring it out on Sundays and I can’t do that.”

Gary’s support of J John continues this year when The Entertainer will give out a copy of the evangelist’s book, Christmas Treasures, to everyone who spends £15 and over. “We’re hoping to hand out 200,000 booklets through the stores,” said Gary. “The booklet contains all sorts of facts and figures about Christmas, and details the birth of Jesus.”

Twenty stores in the chain also have large-scale Nativity scenes in their windows, with the Cardiff display blessed by the city centre chaplain. “That’s never happened to us before! We finally sourced a company to make the cribs, and it has been interesting to see the response. The shopping centre in Cardiff even sent out a press release about it because they saw it as something very unusual.”

Say thanks to your minister!

Care for the Family and Premier Christian Radio are working together on the fourth annual Thank You! Clergy Appreciation Week, running from Sunday (23 November) to 30 November.

Peter Kerridge, Premier’s managing director, said: “Across Britain a staggering 53% of pastors have considered leaving the ministry. They work day in day out putting all their energy, heart and soul into the life of their church, but often get little praise or thanks in return. So why don’t you get involved? Do something to show your minister that he or she is really appreciated.” For more information, write to Care for the Family, PO Box 488, Cardiff, CF10 7YY (029 2081 0800).

Praise for stand against choosing your child's gender

LIFE has praised the HFEA’s decision to refuse parents the right to choose the sex of their child for social reasons.

National chairman, Professor Jack Scarisbrick said: “This is a much better outcome than we had expected … ‘Family balancing’ represents the worst of our society’s obsession with ‘rights’, and ‘choice’. These should not extend to fertility and family – we do not have the right to children and we most certainly do not have the right to choose them. They are a gift.” More at www.lifeuk.org

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