Smyths Toys, the company which has grown from humble beginnings in the West of Ireland is set to continue its expansion into the UK when it opens a new store in Cardiff in two weeks time.
The company which has stores in Galway, Mayo and Westmeath, started out as a newsagents in Claremorris and now has 34 stores in Ireland and the UK, with the new store at Cardiff bringing the total to 35.
It announced this week that it will open in the newly built Leckwith shopping site in Cardiff on October 17.
A spokesman for the company said that the opportunity to open a store in the wonderful location in Cardiff was too good to miss. It is believed that two additional stores will open in the UK before Christmas.
"We have predicted this will be one of our most successful stores. We expect people are going to come from far afield to visit the store in the run up to Christmas. It's in a capital city with a lot of other competitors. It's really going to show how good Smyths is."
The company said that its goal is to provide consumers with an extensive range of high quality products at competitive prices.
“We offer the largest range of toys, bikes, and video games at the lowest prices. “There is something to suit every age at Smyths from nursery products to preschool, toys for all ages as well as bikes, video games, DVD's, books and activity kits to encourage learning and develop creativity for all age,” it said.
The company recently announced its top 10 most wanted toys for the festive season.
Hasbro’s life-size, interactive puppy, Furreal Biscuit has taken the lead on the list. The list also includes a number of licensed toys from the year’s hit films and TV series.
Star Wars Clone Wars, Transformers and Ben 10 products are set to be the must have toys for boys, alongside Bandai’s new electronic beast catching handheld game, Catchabeast.
As Spin Master's Bakugan hits the shelves and TVs next month, the starter pack of the game is also set to be a big seller, according to the retailer.
Smyths has predicted that pre-school property, In the Night Garden is also set to continue its popularity and has included the electronic Upsy Daisy in Her Bed in the list.
Tween brands Hannah Montana and High School Muscial also feature with a Secret Pillow and Sing Together Dolls.
Classic board game, Monopoly also made the top ten in its latest guise, Here and Now World edition.
Stephen Tymlin, Smyths Toys said: that unsurprisingly, the top toy list for Christmas 2008 is more technologically advanced than ever before.
“If your kids are looking for the best in fun and sophisticated software then this year’s top toys will not disappoint.”
“The list captures something for boys and girls of all ages and it’s also good to see the all-time classic board game, Monopoly, whose first-ever World edition is expected to be a big hit with families this Christmas.”
Smyths’ top 10 Christmas toys are:
1. Fur Real Biscuit, My Lovin’ Pup
2. Clone Wars Ultimate Lightsabre
3. Transformers Roll Out Optimus Prime
4. Bakugan Starter Pack
5. Monopoly Here & Now World Edition
6. Ben 10 Vilgax Battle Ship
7. In the Night Garden Upsy Daisy and her Bed
8. Hannah Montana Secret Pillow
9. High School Musical Sing Together Dolls
10. Catcha Beast
