Editing Hamleys

{{short description|British multinational toy retailer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}

{{Infobox company
| name = Hamleys of London Limited
| logo = Hamleys_logo.png
| logo_size = 250px
| logo_caption = Official logo of Hamleys
| image = File:Hamleys, Regent Street - geograph.org.uk - 290931.jpg
| image_size = 280px
| image_caption = Hamleys flagship store on Regent Street
| former_name = Hamleys Limited (1988{{endash}}1994)<ref name="CompaniesHouse">{{Cite web |date=1988-08-17 |title=HAMLEYS OF LONDON LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02287862 |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=[[Companies House]] |language=en}}</ref>
| type = [[Reliance Retail|Subsidiary]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1760}}
| founder = William Hamley
| location = [[London]], England, UK
| locations = 11 in UK; 90 international franchises
| key_people = 
| area_served = Worldwide
| industry = [[Retail]]
| products = {{plainlist|
*[[Toy]]s
*[[Games]]
*[[Doll]]s}}
| revenue = [[British pound|GBP]] 5.5million<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/589680/hamleys-group-net-worth/ | title=The Hamleys Group net worth}}</ref> (2017)
| operating_income = 
| net_income = 
| num_employees = 
| owner = [[Reliance Retail]]
| homepage = {{url|https://hamleys.com}}
}}

'''Hamleys of London Limited''', [[trading as]] '''Hamleys''', is a British multinational [[Toy store|toy retailer]], owned by [[Reliance Retail]]. Listed in the ''[[Guinness Book of Records]]'' as the world's oldest toy store, it was founded by William Hamley as "Noah's Ark" in [[High Holborn]], [[London]], in 1760. It moved to its current site on [[Regent Street]] in London's West End in 1881. This flagship store is set over seven floors, with more than 50,000 lines of toys on sale. It receives around five million visitors each year. 

The [[Chain store|chain]] has 11 outlets in the United Kingdom and also has more than 90 franchises worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hamleys Stores - Find Hamleys Store Worldwide|url=https://www.hamleys.com//template.jsp|access-date=2020-06-18|website=Hamleys}}</ref> Hamleys became famous in the early Victorian era, with royalty among its customers. The store was granted its first [[Royal warrant of appointment (United Kingdom)|royal warrant]] from [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]] in 1938. It held a royal warrant from [[Elizabeth II]] from 1955 to 2022 (her death).

==History==
Hamleys is the oldest and in 1994 was the largest toy shop in the world.<ref name="oldest largest">{{cite book|title=The Guinness Book of Records 1994|page=134|author=Peter Matthews, Michelle Dunkley McCarthy|publisher=Facts on File|year= 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Guinness Book of Records 1991|page=135|author=Donald McFarlan, Norris McWhirter|publisher=Guinness|year= 1990}}</ref> It is named after William Hamley, who founded a toy shop called "Noah's Ark" at No. 231 [[High Holborn]], [[London]], in 1760. Ownership of the shop passed through the family, and by the time it was operated by Hamley's grandsons in 1837, the store had become famous, counting royalty and nobility among its customers.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/london/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8510000/8510277.stm|title=The history of Hamleys - London's famous toy shop|date=11 February 2010|access-date=9 May 2021|publisher=BBC News London}}</ref>

A branch at 200 [[Regent Street]] in the [[West End of London]] was opened in 1881. The original High Holborn store was destroyed by fire in 1901 and subsequently relocated to 86–87 High Holborn.<ref name="History">{{citation|url=http://myhamleys.com/experience/history.html|title=History - once upon a time a boy dreamed of owning a toy shop|publisher=Hamleys|access-date=4 August 2009}}</ref>

Hamleys suffered a downturn through the 1920s and closed, entering receivership, in 1931.<ref name="bbc"/> After ensuring that it would not alienate their suppliers,<ref name="BrightonToyMuseum">{{cite web|title=Category:Hamleys - The Brighton Toy and Model Index|url=https://www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk/index/Category:Hamleys|website=brightontoymuseum.co.uk|publisher=Brighton Toy and Model Museum|access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref> the [[Lines Bros]] toy company, Hamleys' largest creditor, purchased the company and reopened the Regent Street store by the end of that year, keeping it largely independent.<ref name="BrightonToyMuseum" /> The High Holborn branch, opened in 1901, would not reopen under the new ownership.<ref name="BrightonToyMuseum" />

In 1938, [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]], consort of King [[George V]], gave Hamleys a [[Royal Warrant of Appointment (United Kingdom)|royal warrant]].<ref name="bbc"/> During the [[Second World War]], the Regent Street store was bombed five times. In 1955, Queen [[Elizabeth II]] gave the company a second royal warrant as a "toys and sports merchant".<ref>{{cite news |title=Hamleys |url=https://www.retailappointment.co.uk/career-advice/company-a-z/companies-f-j/hamleys |access-date=30 June 2023 |work=Retail Appointment}}</ref>

[[File:"Bearer of Gifts", Paddington Bear, Hamley's - geograph.org.uk - 4268837.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of [[Paddington Bear]] in Hamleys (who bought the rights to the character) in London which was auctioned for the [[National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children]] (NSPCC)]]
In 1981, Hamleys would move to 188–196 Regent Street.<ref name="bbc"/><ref name="BrightonToyMuseum"/> The following year, it was purchased by the department store chain [[Debenhams]].<ref name="Debenhams1982">{{cite book |title=Report and Accounts for the 52 Weeks to 30th January 1982 |date=1982 |publisher=Debenhams plc}}</ref> Debenhams itself was the subject of a takeover in August 1985 by the [[Burton Group]].<ref name="BurtonGroup1985">{{cite book |title=Annual Report 1985 |date=1985 |publisher=The Burton Group plc}}</ref> Burton Group divested Hamleys in August 1986 to [[Queensway (retailer)|Harris Queensway]], a retail group led by [[Philip Harris, Baron Harris of Peckham|Philip Harris]]. At the time it was said that a strategic plan had been formulated to build on the strength of the brand to ensure the company lived up to its reputation.<ref name="HarrisQueensway1987">{{cite book |title=Annual Report and Accounts January 1987 |date=1987 |publisher=Harris Queensway plc}}</ref> The Harris Queensway group, including Hamleys, was taken over in 1988 to become Lowdnes Queensway. Hamleys was sold by Lowndes Queensway in May 1989 to a group led by Duncan Chadwick<ref name="HamleysofLondon1990">{{cite book |title=Report and Financial Statements 31 January 1990 |date=1990 |publisher=Hamleys of London Limited}}</ref> for £22 million.<ref name="Herald15Aug1989">{{cite journal |last1= |first1= |title=Shares in Lowndes Queensway suspended at company's request |journal=The Herald |date=15 August 1989 |volume= |issue= |page= |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11931995.shares-in-lowndes-queensway-suspended-at-companys-request/ |access-date=20 October 2022}}</ref>

Hamleys was bought in June 2003 by the [[Baugur Group]], an Icelandic investment company. When Baugur collapsed, its stake in the toy store was taken over by the Icelandic bank [[Landsbanki]]. In September 2012 Groupe Ludendo, a toy retailer based in France with shops also located in Belgium, Spain and Switzerland, bought Hamleys for a reported £60 million.<ref name=BBC>{{cite news |title=Hamleys toy chain sold to French firm Groupe Ludendo |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19627941 |newspaper=BBC News Online |date=17 September 2012 |access-date=17 September 2012}}</ref>

In October 2015 it was reported that Groupe Ludendo was negotiating the sale of Hamleys, possibly to a Hong Kong company owned by a relative of the owner of department store [[House of Fraser]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/asia-travel/china/hamleys-handover-mjzx8c626g8|title=Hamleys handover|first=Oliver|last=Shah|date=18 October 2015|work=[[The Times]]}}</ref> It was subsequently purchased by C.Banner, a large Chinese footwear and fashion wear conglomerate based in [[Nanjing]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Official website - C.banner International Holdings|url=http://www.cbanner.com.cn/en/about-corporate.html|website=cbanner.com.cn|publisher=C.banner International Holdings|access-date=6 September 2016}}</ref>

In May 2019, Indian retail company, [[Reliance Retail]], part of the [[Reliance Industries Limited|Reliance Industries]], announced that it has acquired Hamleys for £67.96 million (around ₹620 [[crore]]) using international bank receipt.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reliance Brands completes acquisition of Hamleys |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/reliance-brands-completes-acquisition-of-hamleys/articleshow/70274092.cms |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=The Economic Times}}</ref>

==United Kingdom stores==

===Regent Street===
[[File:London , Westminster - Hamleys Toy Shop - geograph.org.uk - 1739065.jpg|thumb|[[Regent Street]] shop interior in 2010, marking Hamleys' 250th birthday]]
Hamleys expanded and moved its flagship store in London from No. 200 [[Regent Street]] to its current site at Nos. 188–196, Regent Street, in 1981, which in 1994 was the largest toy shop in the world.<ref name="oldest largest"/>

Hamleys' flagship store has seven floors covering {{convert|54000|ft2}},<ref name=BusStand/> all devoted to toys, with different categories of toy on each floor. The ground floor is traditionally for stuffed toys (including [[Margarete Steiff GmbH|Steiff]]), and is decked out with a diverse array of stuffed animals, from regular teddy bears to more exotic plushes such as turtles and dolphins, and enormous life-sized giraffes and elephants.
Public transit is available via the [[Oxford Circus station|Oxford Circus underground station]].

===Other UK stores===

In 1987 Hamleys' second store opened in [[York]]. However, it closed less than 12 months later.<ref>{{citation
 |newspaper  = [[The Press (York)]]
 |date       = 18 October 2005
 |url        = http://archive.yorkpress.co.uk/2005/10/18/334483.html
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090704123716/http://archive.yorkpress.co.uk/2005/10/18/334483.html
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-date = 4 July 2009
 |title      = Hamleys returning to York after 17 years
 |access-date = 8 April 2009
 |publisher  = Newsquest Media Group
}}</ref>

In 1987 Hamleys opened a new store in one of the richest shopping streets in the [[United Kingdom]], [[Northumberland Street]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]. Surprisingly, it operated for only 12 months, and closed in 1988. It had seemed a "perfect combination" (Hamleys and Northumberland Street), but it did not work out. Then on 15 June 1987, Hamleys opened a new store in [[Milsom Street]], in the city of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], Somerset, and just like the other stores, it also closed within 12 months, on 10 June 1988.

At the start of 2022, there were thirty Hamleys stores across the United Kingdom, including sites at the [[St Enoch Centre]] in [[Glasgow]],<ref>Garavelli, Dani. [http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/features/-What-significance-does-the.5858729.jp "London toy shop Hamleys opens its doors in the St Enoch Centre, Glasgow, today."]. ''[[The Scotsman]]''. 26 November 2009</ref> at the [[Trafford Centre]] in Greater Manchester, at [[Lakeside Shopping Centre]] in Essex, [[Bluewater (shopping centre)|Bluewater Shopping Centre]] in Kent, [[St James Quarter]] in Edinburgh, [[St David's Centre]] in Cardiff, the [[Merry Hill Shopping Centre|Merry Hill Centre]] in the West Midlands, York, and at airports including [[Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]], [[Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]], [[Luton Airport|London Luton]] and [[Stansted Airport|London Stansted]],<ref>{{cite web|title=A new store at Stansted Airport is child's play for Hamleys|url=http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/new-store-Stansted-Airport-child-s-play-Hamleys/story-22877184-detail/story.html|website=Herts and Essex Observer|access-date=22 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219041817/http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/new-store-Stansted-Airport-child-s-play-Hamleys/story-22877184-detail/story.html|archive-date=19 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and also at [[Meadowhall (shopping centre)|Meadowhall Shopping Centre]] in Sheffield, Liverpool ONE, Cheshire Oaks Outlet, Gateshead Metrocentre and [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Balloo|first=Stephanie|date=2021-07-15|title=Iconic new store opens in Merry Hill - the first of its kind in Black Country|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/huge-new-store-opens-merry-21059850|access-date=2021-07-16|website=BirminghamLive|language=en}}</ref>
However, by 2023 Hamleys had closed all but 11 of their UK based stores.

==Global stores==
[[File:Hamleys, Emporia, Malmo.JPG|thumb|left|A Hamleys store at the shopping mall [[Emporia (shopping mall)|Emporia]] in [[Malmö]], Sweden]]

Hamleys' European footprint existed in Denmark (three small stores) and, since October 2008, the [[Republic of Ireland]], when it opened a {{convert|3250|m2|adj=on}} store in Pembroke Avenue, located adjacent to the Town Square in [[Dundrum, Dublin|Dundrum]], Dublin.<ref name="Dublin">{{citation
 |title       = Hamleys Toy Store Opens In Dublin
 |url         = http://britishembassyinireland.fco.gov.uk/content/en/article/hamleys
 |publisher   = British Embassy in Ireland
 |access-date  = 8 April 2009
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20081027102347/http://britishembassyinireland.fco.gov.uk/content/en/article/hamleys
 |archive-date = 27 October 2008
}}</ref><ref>{{citation
|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/commercialproperty/2008/0604/1212365140149.html
|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]
|title=€1 million rent for top toy store Hamleys in Dundrum
|access-date=8 April 2009
|date=4 June 2008
|last=Fagan|first=Jack
}}</ref> On 12 October 2012, a Hamleys store opened at [[Nacka]] in [[Stockholm]], Sweden. On 19 September 2013, a Hamley store opened as part of [[Steen og Strøm]] department store in [[Oslo]], Norway. In April 2014 the Hamleys Denmark toy chain closed all four of its Danish locations when its Nordic parent company, Kids Retails, filed for bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hamleys Denmark closes outlets following bankruptcy|url=http://cphpost.dk/news/hamleys-denmark-closes-outlets-following-bankruptcy.9131.html|access-date=4 April 2014|newspaper=cphpost|date=2 April 2014}}</ref>

Hamleys opened its first store outside Europe in [[Amman]], Jordan, on 18 June 2008. The three-storey store on Mecca Street is run by the group's [[franchisee]] Jordan Centre.<ref name="Amman">{{citation
|title=Hamleys opens first store overseas
|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/hamleys-opens-first-store-overseas-849851.html
|newspaper=[[The Independent]]
|last=Thompson|first=James
|date=18 June 2008
|access-date=8 April 2009
}}</ref> A [[Dubai]] franchise opened with two stores on 4 November 2008.<ref name="Dubai">{{citation
|url=https://pigtailpals.com/blog/news/hamleys-dubai-opens-today/
|publisher=Pigtail Pals
|date=4 November 2008
|access-date=15 June 2020
|title=Hamleys Dubai opens today
}}</ref>

[[File:Fourways Mall Hamleys.jpeg|thumb|Hamleys store inside [[Fourways Mall]] in [[South Africa]]]]
The first store in South Asia was opened in [[Mumbai]], India, on 9 April 2010.<ref name=BusStand>{{cite web|url=http://beta.profit.ndtv.com/news/show/uk-toy-retailer-hamleys-opens-first-store-in-india-34131|title=UK toy retailer Hamleys opens first store in India|publisher=NDTV|date=8 April 2010|access-date=8 April 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410210914/http://beta.profit.ndtv.com/news/show/uk-toy-retailer-hamleys-opens-first-store-in-india-34131|archive-date=10 April 2010}}</ref> The {{convert|22000|ft2|adj=on}} store is located in an upmarket shopping district in India's financial capital. A second store in India is located in the city of [[Chennai]] at the Express Avenue Mall. The {{Convert|11000|ft2|adj=on}} store has a [[Buses in London|London bus]] that customers can walk up through. It now has 78 stores in India, including three stores in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] with a recently opened store in Amritsar on 1 February 2018. Hamleys also opened its first store in [[Bhubaneswar]] at [[Esplanade One]] Mall On 10 January 2019. Hamleys also opened its first store in Lucknow at Fun Republic Mall. With this addition, the brand is now present in 26 cities with 50 stores across India. In [[Gujarat]], Hamleys opened its first store at Ahmedabad One mall with {{Convert|11000|ft2}} on 9 November 2014.

[[File:Hamleys Toy shop, India.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Hamleys, in [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India]]
Hamleys' opened a store in the Saudi capital [[Riyadh]] on 26 January 2012. The {{Convert|2100|m2|adj=on}} shop is located in the Panorama mall at Takhassusi Street's intersection with Prince Mohammed Road.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ameinfo.com/287948.html |title=Hamleys opens first store in Riyadh at Panorama Mall &#124; Hamleys &#124; AMEinfo.com |access-date=28 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922022124/http://www.ameinfo.com/287948.html |archive-date=22 September 2012 }}</ref>

In 2012 Hamleys opened its first store in Russia. It now operates two in [[Moscow]], one in [[Saint-Petersburg]] and one in [[Krasnodar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hamleys.ru/|title=Магазин Hamleys (Хэмлис) – плюшевые и интерактивные игрушки, детские товары, конструкторы, гаджеты|website=www.hamleys.ru}}</ref>

In 2013, Hamleys announced plans to open 20 stores across India in collaboration with [[Reliance Retail|Reliance Brands Ltd.]]<ref name=IndianExpress >{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/reliance-retail-aims-to-have-20-hamleys-stores-in-next-3-yrs/1068705/|title=Reliance Retail aims to have 20 Hamleys stores in next 3 yrs|date=3 February 2013|access-date=17 July 2013}}</ref> The company also announced that a store would open in the One Utama Shopping Mall in [[Kuala Lumpur]], in November 2013, the first in [[Southeast Asia]]. Malaysia is now a home for three Hamleys stores, with new outlets opened in the Quill Mall, Kuala Lumpur and in the satellite terminal of [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]].

In 2014, Hamleys opened its first store in the [[Philippines]]. The store opened in Central Square, Bonifacio Highstreet, [[Bonifacio Global City]], [[Taguig]] City.<ref>{{citation
|newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]
|date=22 December 2014
|url=http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/180492/ssi-group-brings-in-iconic-toy-brand
|title=SSI Group brings in iconic toy brand
|access-date=22 December 2014
}}</ref> A second Philippine Hamleys store is also set to open the following year.<ref>{{citation
|newspaper=[[Philippine Star]]
|date=22 December 2014
|url=http://www.philstar.com/lifestyle-features/2014/12/16/1403349/largest-toy-shop-world-opens-branch-philippines
|title=Largest toy shop in the world opens branch in the Philippines
|last=Vila|first=Alixandra Caole
|access-date=22 December 2014
}}</ref> Stores Specialists Inc. (SSI) Group is the exclusive distributor of Hamleys in the Philippines.

In 2015, an [[Abu Dhabi]] franchise opened with two stores in World Trade Centre Mall (WTC) and Yas Mall, [[Yas Island]].

[[File:Hamleys Toy shop Chennai Tamil Nadu India.jpg|thumb|upright|Inside Hamleys toy shop, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India]]
In July 2015, a store opened in [[Plaza Singapura]], [[Singapore]]. This is the first Hamleys store to be established in Singapore.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/british-toy-giant-hamleys-lands-in-singapore-8238262| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170729184837/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/british-toy-giant-hamleys-lands-in-singapore-8238262| archive-date = 2017-07-29| title = British toy giant Hamleys lands in Singapore - Channel NewsAsia}}</ref> Subsequently, a second store was introduced at [[Marina Bay Sands]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/british-toy-store-hamleys-opens-here|title=British toy store Hamleys opens here|last=hermes|date=23 July 2015|website=The Straits Times}}</ref>

On 27 August 2015, a store opened in [[Victoria & Alfred Waterfront]], [[Cape Town, South Africa]]. Six other stores have opened in [[South Africa]]: at [[Mall of Africa]], [[Sandton City]], [[Gateway Theatre of Shopping|Gateway Mall]], [[Fourways Mall]], [[Rosebank, Gauteng#The Zone @ Rosebank|The Zone @ Rosebank]] and [[Eastgate Shopping Centre, Johannesburg|Eastgate Mall]].

In November 2015, a store opened at [[Antara Polanco]] Fashion Mall in [[Mexico City]], its first store in [[Mexico]]. As of June 2018, there are four stores in Mexico: one in [[Querétaro City|Querétaro]] at [[Antea LifeStyle Center]], one in [[Veracruz (city)|Veracruz]] at Andamar Lifestyle Center and two in Mexico City at Antara Polanco Fashion Mall and [[Artz Pedregal]].

A store is present in [[Nicosia]], Cyprus. There is also a store in Malta.

In 2016, Hamleys opened a store in [[Prague]], Czech Republic, in Na Příkopě Street.

In 2017, a Hamleys store was opened in [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]], England to celebrate the UK City of Culture, in the shopping centre, Princes Quay.

Also in 2017, a store was opened in [[Warsaw]], Poland, at the Galeria Północna shopping mall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.property-forum.eu/news/new-shopping-mall-opens-in-warsaw/1145|title=New shopping mall opens in Warsaw|website=Property-Forum.eu|language=en|access-date=2019-07-23}}</ref>

In April 2018, it was confirmed that the [[Dublin]] store would close after being open for 10 years.

In December 2018, it was also announced that the Trafford Centre branch would close after a short time in operation.

In 2018, a proposal was announced to open a store in [[New York City]] near [[Herald Square]], though nothing has progressed as of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valente |first=Danielle |date=2018-12-13 |title=Hamleys, the world's oldest toy store, is coming to NYC |url=https://www.timeout.com/new-york-kids/news/hamleys-the-worlds-oldest-toy-store-is-coming-to-nyc-121318 |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=Time Out New York Kids |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-14 |title=Hamleys, the world’s oldest toy store, looks to open first US location in New York |url=https://brokerpulse.com/2018/12/14/hamleys-looks-to-open-first-us-location-in-new-york/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=Broker Pulse |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-12 |title=Cult Favorite British Toy Store Hamleys Is Finally Coming to the US |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/real-estate/a25555962/hamelys-british-toy-new-york-city-flagship/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=Town & Country |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barger |first=Kerry |date=2018-12-06 |title=Hamleys {{!}} SL Green {{!}} 2 Herald Square |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2018/12/06/british-toy-store-hamleys-close-to-inking-15-year-lease-at-2-herald-square/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=The Real Deal |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hamleys toystore eyes expansion into US market {{!}} Retail industry {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/nov/28/hamleys-toystore-united-states-expansion-stores |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=amp.theguardian.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zahn |first=James |date=2019-05-16 |title=Hamleys Has a New Owner, But Will the Iconic UK Toy Store Come to the U.S.? • The Toy Book |url=https://toybook.com/hamleys-reliance-retail/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2019 it was reported that an Indian Company [[Reliance Retail]] was planning to buy out the British toy store chain.<ref>{{cite news|title=Reliance Retail may buy out British toy store chain Hamleys|newspaper=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/reliance-may-buy-out-british-toy-store-chain-hamleys-report/articleshow/68921015.cms|date=17 April 2019}}</ref>

In May 2019 it was confirmed that Reliance Retail, a subsidiary of [[Reliance Industries Limited]] on 9 May 2019 signed a definitive agreement for Reliance Retail to acquire 100 per cent shares of Hamleys Global Holdings Limited.<ref>{{cite web|title=Reliance Industries buys global toy retailer Hamleys|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/reliance-industries-buys-global-toy-retailer-hamleys/articleshow/69256149.cms|date=19 May 2019|website=The Economic Times}}</ref> Hamleys is planning to open a Hamleys in The Gate Mall in Kuwait.<ref>title=Hamley's Opening in The Gate Mall|url=https://248am.com/mark/toys/hamleys-opening-in-gate-mall/</ref>

In November 2022, Hamleys opened a store in [[Albania]]. It is located in the heart of [[Tirana]], inside the Emerald mall. It covers the entire second floor with toys, the third floor with Hamleys party rooms and attractions on both floors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History – hamleys.al |url=https://www.hamleys.al/history/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2023, Hamleys opened a store in [[Rome]]. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Rome |first=Wanted in |date=2024-03-13 |title=Hamleys, world's oldest toy store, opens in Rome |url=https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/hamleys-toy-store-opens-in-rome.html |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=Wanted in Rome |language=en}}</ref>

==Website==
In the 1990s Hamleys had two websites, one for the UK which did not sell anything, and a U.S. version<ref name="observer">{{cite news|last=Doward|first=Jamie|title=Accountant's plan to make fun of Hamleys Once a Virgin high-flier, Simon Burke now has a British institution as his play thing|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/nov/21/observerbusiness.theobserver8|date=21 November 1999|newspaper=The Observer|access-date=8 April 2014}}</ref> with a basic inventory. This changed in 1999 with the launch of hamleys.com. The site offered worldwide shipping and focused on user experience, customer service and the sale of traditional products and collectables.<ref name="observer"/> The chief executive of Hamleys told [[Strategy (magazine)|''Marketing'']] magazine "I do not want to become embroiled with the likes of [[Toys "R" Us|Toys 'R' Us]], [[ToyZone|Toyzone]] and [[EToys.com|eToys]], which are fighting on price alone and will end up making next to no margin".<ref>{{citation|title=Hamleys revamp aims at US|date=15 December 1999|url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/126209/hamleys-revamp-aims-us|newspaper=[[Strategy (magazine)|Marketing]]|access-date=7 April 2014}}</ref>

In 2006, a glitch on the website allowed customers to claim a 60% discount on any product.<ref>{{cite web|title=Net Vikings pillage Hamleys website Voucher scheme error provokes festive carnage|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/19/hamleys_ransacked/|publisher=theregister.co.uk|date=19 December 2006|access-date=7 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hamleys website suffers web glitch - offers toys 60% below true price|url=http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240079568/Hamleys-website-suffers-web-glitch-offers-toys-60-below-true-price|publisher=computer weekly|access-date=7 April 2014|date=19 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527001635/http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240079568/Hamleys-website-suffers-web-glitch-offers-toys-60-below-true-price |archive-date=27 May 2013}}</ref>

Econsultancy critiqued the site for its basic approach in 2013, and felt that it "doesn't do a lot to represent the brand; in fact, it may even detract from it".<ref>{{cite web|last=Charlton|first=G|title=Why is Hamleys failing to make the most of ecommerce?|date=13 November 2013|url=https://econsultancy.com/blog/63789-why-is-hamleys-failing-to-make-the-most-of-ecommerce|publisher=econsultancy.com|access-date=18 November 2013}}</ref> 

==See also==
*[[Reliance Retail]]
*[[Benjamin Pollock's Toy Shop]]
*[[Gamleys]]
*[[Nintendo]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Hamleys}}
* [https://www.hamleys.com/ Official website for United Kingdom]

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