GARDEN CENTRE Supplement Gifts
IMessage from the Editor Rhys Thomas Garden Centre supplement editor
www.toysnplaything.media www.giftstoday.media
t’s been a damp and dreary start to 2026 across the UK, with some areas of the nation plagued by a record-breaking streak of back-to-back rainy days. Bad news, then, for the garden centre segment, which famously flourishes when the sun shines? Not so, according the Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade, which showed a “very good” start to the year, despite the deluge.
“Our members figures show a very good start to the year even with the constant rain, which has put a nice spring in our members steps as we look forward to spring,” said Peter Burks, the GCA’s CEO. “It’s very good to see plants, seeds and bulbs all performing strongly this early in the year and with support from the gifts, food halls and clothing categories it has really added up to a great month.”
As garden centres continue their transition into retail destinations as much as purveyors of pots and plants, the toy and gift segments are playing a vital role. Our interviews with Garsons Garden Centres and Bury Lane this issue prove that the pivot is working.
“In 2025, our toy department remained in the top three departments across Garsons, and is also one of the most searched-for departments on our website,” says Emma Mitchell, toy and gift department manager at Garsons Esher. The garden centre group was
shortlisted in the Toy Department of the Year category at this year’s Toy Retailer of the Year Awards – and for good reason.
“Toys is one of our fastest-moving departments at Garsons,” Emma adds. “With trends sometimes changing overnight, we’re always adding new items as they become available, and having a selection of core ranges allows us to do this seamlessly.” Read the full interview on page 12.
Out cover star this issue is Paladone (page 8), whose LunaGlo collection is the perfect fit for garden centres, appealing equally to gardeners and other members of the family.
“Solar-powered outdoor lights offer amazing versatility and are not limited to gardens and pathways,” says Thomas Baker, Vice President of International Sales, Paladone. “Our range of licensed lighting will literally brighten up balconies, patios, decks, or any outdoor space where wiring just can’t go. Solar power offers a combination of environmental benefits, cost savings, safety and convenience and with the addition of timeless family favourite characters can only enhance the appeal.”
Elsewhere on page 14, puzzle and games specialist Ravensburger is in bloom with a stunning array of 3D puzzle vases that are as much a joy to piece together as they are to
display - and even function as a real vessel for fresh flower arrangements! On the Venn diagram of garden centre visitor interests, the audience for this collection is surely as close to a perfect circle as they come.
And the Science Museum returns (page 10) with another collaboration, this time with British Fossils. “By pairing genuine geological specimens with engaging educational content, these kits offer a gift experience that feels both exciting and meaningful for adults and children alike,” Amy Harbour, Head of Licensing and Commercial Partnerships at the Science Museum tells us. Each kit features genuine specimens, informative guides and hands on exploration tools that appeal to all ages. A true gem of a range.
All that, plus a bounty of products, insight from some of the sector’s top toy suppliers, and buyers from the likes of British Garden Centres and Dobbies tell us what they look for in a winning toy range. As the first shoots of spring begin to poke through the earth, 2026 looks set to be a strong year for garden centres. We will return later this year with our autumn/winter edition to see just how strong.
Editor Rhys Thomas rhys@lemapublishing.co.uk
Sales Director Claire Naish clairenaish@lemapublishing. co.uk
Managing Director Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk
Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk
From plants to playthings
Once highly seasonal businesses, modern garden centres have evolved into allweather retail destinations - and toys are now a steadily growing part of the mix, as The Garden Centre Association chief executive Peter Burks explains
Not so long ago, garden centres only sold plants and gardening products. As a result, they saw most of their customers during the peak spring gardening season and perhaps for a few weeks in the autumn. Visits were also weather-dependent, as customers had little shelter if conditions were cold and wet.
This was not a commercially viable long-term model, so the industry has worked hard to take the weather out of the equation by building large, dry and warm retail environments. These buildings now house a wide range of products including clothing, gifts, homeware, and toys, which customers can shop all year round. Garden sundries, compost and furniture, meanwhile, remain less dependent on indoor space.
High-quality restaurants offering excellent food - much of it homemade and locally sourced - are now a feature of most good garden centres, encouraging regular, even daily, visits. Large free car parks, an interesting year-round retail offer, and the appeal of coffee and cake make garden centres easy and enjoyable places to visit.
The industry’s efforts to reduce both weather dependency and seasonality have definitely worked. One interesting trend is that, until the last couple of years, ranges such as giftware sold less well during the spring gardening season or on fine summer days. However, they performed well on wet days, providing a strong attraction and a valuable boost to sales.
Nowadays, giftware sells steadily throughout the year and typically accounts for about 10% of total annual turnover for most garden centres. Last year, sales of giftware increased by 7.71% compared with 2024, showing healthy growth. While our sales data does not break down toys separately, they
are included within these gift figures.
Toys
are becoming an increasingly important part of the overall gift category in garden centres, with consistent sales throughout the year
Best-selling gift categories include greetings cards, homeware, and cookware, with older visitors remaining the main purchasers of these items. However, the increasing range of toys found in garden centres is more targeted at younger families, especially at Christmas when the customer age demographic drops significantly. Garden centres are seen as good places to buy children’s birthday presents and party gifts. Strong sellers include Jellycat, jigsaws, mugs, and books.
Toys are becoming an increasingly important part of the overall gift category in garden centres, with consistent sales throughout the year. This is a very positive and desirable outcome for any non-gardening category, as the industry looks to reduce
About the GCA
traditional gardening seasonality in its sales patterns.
Pocket-money toys are very popular as impulse purchases, small treats to keep children occupied, or as presents when attending birthday parties. There is a huge range to choose from, with strong availability from a number of key industry suppliers. As always, branded products play a key role. Children are very brand-aware, and recognised names make gift buying easier for adults who need a bit of help making their choice.
Where space allows, garden centres that provide areas for children - and adults - to handle and play with toys before purchase often see a positive impact on sales.
For garden centre retailers considering expanding into gifts, it’s worth contacting industry colleagues for advice - something GCA members are always willing to share. Visiting good trade shows such as Spring Fair is also highly recommended.
It’s also beneficial to speak with a shop planning company such as Pleydell Smithyman, a leading business consultancy and design specialist for the garden centre, farm shop and rural development sectors. They will give great guidance on the optimum size of a department for your centre. The help from data here is invaluable.
Peter says: “The GCA was set up 60 years ago when the industry was in its infancy. Its vision was to link the best garden centres in the country to help them thrive and grow through collaboration - which remains true to this day.”
The GCA represents more than 220 garden centres nationwide. Through sharing information and its inspection programme, it helps members achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability. Call: 01244 952170 | Email: info@gca.org.uk | Visit: www.gca.org.uk
Glo with the flow!
Delving into a new area of the toy and gaming section can be daunting, but Paladone has never been one to do things by half measures. With a portfolio of 1,000 officially licensed items in its catalogue, this time the team are taking their creations to the great outdoors with their latest LunaGlo collection
Garden centres are the perfect home for LunaGlo, a new range designed to enhance outdoor spaces and extend the enjoyment of gardens well into the evening. As the days grow lighter in the UK and outdoor living comes back into focus, LunaGlo offers a simple way to add atmosphere to any garden, patio or balcony.
The launch represents the next natural step for Paladone, says Jez Jewkes, Head of Creative: “As a market leader in licensed pop culture lighting, LunaGlo represents a natural evolution for us - applying our proven indoor expertise to the outdoor category. By bringing brands to life through design-led lighting, we help consumers create nostalgic themed spaces that connect emotionally with their favourite franchises.”
collection brings a sense of fun and familiarity to any outdoor setting, with retail pricing designed to suit a wide range of price points.
The core demographic for the range is the garden-centre shopper, particularly older consumers who are often buying not only for themselves but for visiting family members and grandchildren.
LunaGlo represents a natural evolution for us - applying our proven indoor expertise to the outdoor category
”
Jez Jewkes, Head of Creative, Paladone
Blending practical lighting with charming, character-driven designs, the
This audience values quality, ease of use and recognisable characters that transcend generations.
This is why Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh (the latter celebrating his 100-year anniversary in 2026) have been chosen as some of
the pioneer licensed characters
“We always planned to introduce LunaGlo with price points and licenses that appeal to a wide audience,” says Thomas Baker, Vice President of International Sales. “So, for the SS 2026 launch, we selected some of our best current and evergreen licenses. But we won’t stop there: as we expand the range and develop new formats you will start to see the introduction of many more licensing favourites.”
The LunaGlo collection also taps into the growing kidult market, which grew by 10% in 2025 according to The British Toy & Hobby Association and Circana. With darker, more stylised characters and licenses such as
Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas, the LunaGlo range offers a playful way for adult fans to personalise their outdoor décor. There will also be other popular licenses available like Harry Potter and Stitch.
Officially licensed and creatively designed, the range includes garden stakes, portable lanterns and interactive ‘gnome’-style designs. These solar-powered LED lights soak up eight hours of sunlight to charge, creating a magical glow in the evenings. Perfect for summer, they keep the party going by lighting up any outdoor area no matter the space restrictions involved. They’re also ideal for warmer regions where spending time outside in the evenings is a common occurrence. Standout pieces of the range include the diorama lights, which feature fun interactive elements to enhance the garden experience. The shape of the lights has also played into the design, with the Minecraft Creeper stake light perfectly emulating the head of the notorious in-game mob.
The choice to have these lights as solar-powered is not only a sustainable option but guided by practicality and global trends. Since
the solar lighting market is projected to grow from USD 10.21 billion in 2024 to USD 42.02 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 15.2%, it’s best to get involved with this upward development.
“Solar-powered outdoor lights offer amazing versatility and are not limited to gardens and pathways,” says Thomas. “Our range of licensed lighting will literally brighten up balconies, patios, decks, or any outdoor space where wiring just can’t go. Solar power offers a combination of environmental benefits, cost savings, safety and convenience and with the addition of timeless family favourite characters can only enhance the appeal.”
With this new range, Paladone will ensure there are dedicated FSDU options available with purchases. From free-standing display units and end-cap solutions to a specially created lantern-shaped FSDU that perfectly complements the product inside, each option has been carefully considered to maximise impact on the shop floor. As POS merchandising continues to evolve, bespoke displays are increasingly viewed as the goldstandard alternative to traditional shelf space, proven to increase sell-through thanks to eye-catching graphics and curated product selection.
“In such a competitive retail
LunaGlo offers a complementary and engaging range that will open up new and incremental sales opportunities and enhance any garden centre
Thomas
Baker, VP International Sales, Paladone
environment where floorspace is at a premium, it’s vital to keep innovating around in-store theatre, while also keeping cost optimisation and sustainability front of mind,” explains Chris Gib, Head of Global Marketing.
When developing these display units, Paladone works closely with retailers and distributors to understand the challenges of different retail environments, from layout restrictions to customer flow. This collaborative approach enables tailored solutions that align product lines, brand identity and retail needs.
The company is no stranger to pushing creative boundaries, with past installations such as the Jelly Bands Creation Station and high-street displays featuring motion sensors and neon logo lighting driving strong engagement and sales. Today, Paladone and WeCool Toys deliver thousands of display units globally each year, with around half of them bespoke designed in-house. Looking ahead, the LunaGlo Lantern FSDU is set to be the next standout, created specifically for garden centres, with a design aesthetic aimed at a more mature demographic. Drawing on evergreen brands and a colour palette rooted in outdoor living psychology, the range is designed to light up both gardens and shop floors.
By combining these licensed character lights with garden-centreready merchandising solutions, LunaGlo is a fresh opportunity for garden centres. As Thomas puts it: “LunaGlo offers a complementary and engaging range that will open up new and incremental sales opportunities and enhance any garden centre.”
Contact the
Hidden gems
The new Science Museum Discovery Sets by British Fossils combine scientific accuracy, tactile exploration, and genuine fossil, mineral and gemstone specimens, making them the perfect gift for curious minds of all ages
Whether for a child discovering geology for the first time or an adult who never lost their love of natural history, the new Science Museum Discovery Sets from British Fossils offer an inspiring journey into fossils, minerals and gemstones. This beautifully curated collection of five kits blends scientific accuracy with tactile exploration, making them ideal gifts for birthdays, holidays and special occasions, and for anyone who loves to learn.
The range is the product of an exciting collaboration between British Fossils and the Science Museum, bringing together decades of geological expertise with the authority of one of the world’s leading science institutions. Each kit features genuine specimens, informative guides and hands on exploration tools that appeal to all ages.
“This collection captures exactly what the Science Museum aims to inspire: curiosity, discovery and a deeper understanding of the world around us,” says Amy Harbour, Head of Licensing and Commercial Partnerships at the Science Museum. “By pairing genuine geological specimens with engaging educational content, these kits offer a gift experience that feels both exciting and meaningful for adults and children alike.”
In an era where meaningful, educational
gifts are increasingly valued, these sets offer something truly unique: real Earth formed materials that tell incredible stories millions of years in the making. The combination of authenticity and accessibility means that adults appreciate the scientific detail while children are captivated by the tactile experience of holding a real fossil or revealing crystals inside a geode.
At the same time, every product in the collection carries the Science Museum STEM badge, a mark that assures gift givers of trusted educational value. This badge is more than a logo, it’s a symbol of quality, scientific rigour and strong STEM alignment, especially appealing to parents who want gifts that nurture curiosity and discovery.
John Cook, Director of British Fossils, describes what the collaboration has meant for the company: “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with the Science Museum on this collection.
It’s given us a chance to take what we do best — rocks, minerals and fossils — and present them in a way that’s fun, educational and easy for gift retailers to sell. We think this range will open the door
By pairing genuine geological specimens with engaging educational content, these kits offer a gift experience that feels both exciting and meaningful for adults and children alike
“ ”
Amy Harbour, Head of Licensing and Commercial Partnerships at the Science Museum
for even more people to discover how fascinating the natural world can be.”
A closer look at the kits
Fossil & Mineral Discovery Set
A perfect all rounder for families, this set combines genuine fossils, minerals, crystals and polished gemstones, alongside booklets, sticker sheets and a mini magnifier. It invites users to explore ancient life, geological processes and the structure of minerals, making it as engaging for adults as it is for children.
Break Your Own Geode Kit
An unforgettable gift experience, this kit includes six natural geodes that can be safely cracked open at home. The sense of anticipation and excitement appeals to all ages, while the accompanying educational guide explains how geodes form and what different crystal structures reveal about Earth’s chemistry.
Fossil Collection Kit
With 15 authentic fossils, including ammonites, brachiopods, crinoids and shark teeth, this set speaks to anyone intrigued by ancient life. It acts as a mini museum in a box, offering a genuine connection to Earth’s deep history. Adults will appreciate the scientific context; children will love identifying each specimen.
Mineral Collection Kit
This gift showcases 15 natural minerals and acts as an introduction to the building blocks of modern materials. Quartz, fluorite, mica and calcite all feature, along with insights into how minerals form and how they’re used, whether in electronics, construction, or even cosmetics.
Garden centre Trade talk
Charlotte Brodie Account Manager Craft Buddy
If a garden centre had room for just one product or range, which would you suggest?
We recently introduced our Crystal Art Buddies Kits range (a crafting toy opportunity) into one of our garden centre accounts, and the early results have been exceptional, as they appeal to both adults and children alike.
Since launching, Buddies have remained one of our strongest-performing collections, delivering consistent year- on - year growth as we expand the character lineup. Fan - favourite characters include Stitch, Harry Potter, Ariel, Spiderman, Elsa, and Grogu, making them perfect for the younger audience.
The Wildlife Buddies (winner of the 2025 Junior Design Awards) are an especially strong fit for this market. Their playful charm and educational slant - spanning five environments and 20 different animals - appeal to both children and kidults, making them a versatile, high - impact addition to the range. Each character also comes with an EduCard about the animal, adding meaningful value for customers who enjoy learning more about their favourite wildlife.
How do you support garden centre retailers instore to help maximise sales?
We provide a wide range of merchandising solutions designed to elevate in - store presentation and drive customer engagement. This includes quality display units, eye - catching posters, and beautifully finished samples that show the craftsmanship of our products. Once customers see the final product, it sells itself.
We asked leading suppliers to name their must-stock hero product or range, reveal what makes it such a strong performer for garden centre retail, and explain the practical support they provide to drive impact in-store
Hannah McMenamin Key Account Manager Zimpli Kids
If a garden centre had room for just one product or range, which would you suggest?
Our Baff Potions. The reaction to these has been incredible. In the set there are six different potions with easy-to-follow instructions on how to make each one. From Love Potion to Fire Potion, they create the ultimate exciting bath time experience. They merchandise nicely on a shelf with fun and interesting packaging, making our product stand out.
How do you support garden centre retailers in-store to help maximise sales?
We provide the option of a FSDU that can be provided with a TV which showcases each of the products on a continuous loop. There is also the option of a CDU to display the products.
Tim Hislop and Gill Stratton
Co-founders Floss & Rock
If a garden centre had room for just one product or range, which would you suggest?
Our Creative Art category tends to be the most popular in garden centres. It ranges from £3£15 and is perfect for an impulse purchase to keep little ones entertained while in the cafe, restaurant, or car.
Our colour-changing products are brilliantthey’re lightweight, fun and mess-free! A lowprice option would be our colouring books and coloured pencils with scented stickers.
How do you support garden centre retailers instore to help maximise sales?
We offer branded white metal plate racks, which are perfect for our Creative Art range. For something larger, we offer a 28-hook, two-shelf white card FSDU.
Liz Ireland Founder & Managing Director Bigjigs Toys
If a garden centre had room for just one product or range, which would you suggest?
We would recommend focusing on either The House of Puzzles, or a hero piece from our outdoor range such as a Mud Kitchen. The House of Puzzles offers consistent, year-round sales with strong gifting credentials and repeat purchase appeal, while a Mud Kitchen acts as a statement product that draws attention, creates theatre in-store, and drives higher-value sales. Both options work exceptionally well in a garden centre environment, where
customers are open to considered purchases and inspired by lifestyle-led displays.
How do you support garden centre retailers in-store to help maximise sales?
We provide clear, effective point-of-sale materials and visual merchandising support to help products stand out in mixed retail environments. For puzzles, it’s about showcasing beautiful, artist-illustrated puzzles and range depth, while outdoor items such as mud kitchens benefit from strong visual presentation, demonstration models, and lifestyle-led positioning. We’re dedicated to ensuring each of our POS units and displays is as ecofriendly, durable, and visually captivating as our range of products.
Emma Mitchell toys and giftware buyer
Growing a toy destination
From farming roots to a nationally recognised toy destination, Garsons Esher has made play a key part of the family shopping experience. Toy & Gift department manager Emma Mitchell explains how thoughtful buying, clever merchandising, and a keen eye for trends keep the department thriving
Tell us a bit about Garsons and how your role evolved at the company?
Garsons began in 1871 as a farm supplying fresh produce to London’s Borough Market. Over five generations, the business has evolved into an award-winning destination garden centre, farm shop, and PYO farm. It’s now a lifestyle retailer with two locations: Esher in Surrey (the original site), and Titchfield in Hampshire.
Garsons’ toy department is one of our largest and most successful specialist departments across both sites, and we’re lucky enough to have been recognised nationally within the toy industry. The toy department is a destination within Garsons, contributing to the company’s reputation as a premium, familyfriendly retail experience.
I joined the Garsons team 17 years ago, working in the toy department as a sales assistant. I gradually took on more responsibilities and found a real love for helping to choose the ranges we would be stocking. Today, I oversee the entire gift department - which includes toysat Garsons Esher, and work closely with the buying team.
Being able to help with buying not only keeps my job interesting,
The toy department is a destination within Garsons, contributing to the company’s reputation as a premium, familyfriendly retail experience ” “
but also allows me to draw on my experience within the company, knowing what has and hasn’t been successful over the years.
I also like to put forward toys that feel cohesive within the entire customer experience, such as sourcing cute plush vegetables to coincide with the PYO farm season. It’s an element of buying within a large destination retailer that I really enjoy.
How would you sum up your toys and games offer overall, and what are your key categories?
Quite simply: there’s something for everyone! Lots of planning goes into curating a collection of products that spans all age groups and interests. Our categories include baby gifts, preschool, wooden toys, plush, board games, STEM games, and pocketmoney treats, all the way up to adult puzzles and games.
We combine beloved mainstream and sought-after brands such as Lego, Brio, Miniverse, Tonies, and Numberblocks with boutique and retro lines like Wildberry, Care Bears, and Sylvanian Families, as well as TV and film franchise toys (Gabby’s Dollhouse, Bluey, Star Wars, Minecraft), to ensure that customers looking for the latest trend or a nostalgic classic are catered for.
Where do you source new products? Trade shows are big for us, with most of our planning and ideas coming from what we see at Toy Fair. We plan to include a good selection of the Toy Fair Hero Toy winners. Some of our favourites are Giftie Badge Maker (Character Options), Disney YuYus (Simba Smoby UK), Hex Bots Skitter Bots (Spin Master), and the 48-Piece Pastel Portal Pack (Connetix), which will sit alongside some of the other ranges we already have.
We have great relationships with our suppliers and reps, who are always on hand to help with any needs we have and support us with the odd crazy idea we occasionally come up with! We recently collaborated with Basic Fun!, which supported us in creating a giant rainbow arch made of Care Bears, that were then donated to Shooting Stars Hospice (our 2025 Charity of the Year).
What are your main criteria when selecting toys, and how do you tailor your range to suit the garden centre customer demographic?
Garden centres are a great place to shop. We’re exceptionally fortunate that our customer demographic is incredibly varied, with different family generations visiting us at different stages of life - or together on a family
outing. As mentioned, we make sure we have something for everyone, from pocket-money toys to educational toys and everything in between.
‘Live. Grow. Thrive.’ is the official name of Garsons’ sustainability campaign and commitment to environmental change. When choosing new toy ranges, we’re also conscious of their eco-credentials. I also have two children, aged eight and six, who are more than happy to let us know which trending toys we should be selling!
How do you merchandise your toy department?
We merchandise by grouping toys recommended for similar age groups together and use specially made tables that are lower in height and in bright primary colours, like children learn in their early, developmental years. These colours are only used in the toy area, making it stand out from other areas in the store and helping us create a fun department that we hope inspires play and togetherness.
We also regularly refresh areas to spotlight new arrivals, seasonal trends, and themes. This makes shopping for specific age groups easier for our customers, while keeping the department dynamic and encouraging return visits.
How has the category performed over the past year?
In 2025, our toy department remained in the top three departments across Garsons, and is also one of the most searched-for departments on our website. Popular ranges in 2025 included Wicked, Jellycat, Minecraft, and Numberblocks, showing the importance of trend-driven items as well as classic and learning-focused toys.
What’s selling particularly well at the moment, and what emerging trends have you noticed?
Toys is one of our fastest-moving departments at Garsons. With trends sometimes changing overnight, we’re always adding new items as they become available, and having a selection of core ranges allows us to do this seamlessly.
Similarly to 2025, there’s huge popularity for Jellycat, Lego, and Legami. We’re also seeing growing trends in collectables and miniatures such as Miniverse and blind boxes.
Looking ahead, we’re expecting popularity for football toys due to the upcoming World Cup, as well as educational and sensory games, including science experiment kits, and Scrunchems products.
How do you promote your offerand do you run in-store events or seasonal activities?
We run several promotions and in-store events that connect with families, making toy shopping at Garsons a wonderful experience. Every school holiday, we host events for children, including our in-house ‘Make & Take’ craft and planting events, colouring competitions, and in-store trails - many of which include our sought-after toys as part of the activities or prizes.
But Garsons’ offering to families and children goes far beyond the toy department. Last summer at Garsons Esher, we presented a Maize Maze event featuring cartoon characters to narrate the experience, accompanied by dress-up bee wings and head boppers available for purchase.
And Christmas is obviously a big time for us. Throughout the festive season, we promote toys through our channels, host a Meet Father Christmas event, and
Emma on being shortlisted as a finalist in the Toy Department of the Year category of the Toy Retailer of the Year Awards...
We were thrilled! To be nominated for such an award is an honour and a credit to all the hard work the team puts in. Our toy department has grown over the years, with many of our loyal customers joining us on the journey. Locally, we’re known for the vast amount and variety of toys we have on offer, and we’re thrilled this is being recognised on a national scale.
Toys is one of our fastestmoving departments at Garsons ” “
offer a free Father Christmas letter service - as well as a selection of members’ events, all of which bring families to our toy department.
What are you most excited about for the coming seasons?
We saw lots of autumn/winter products and ranges at Toy Fair, and the 2026 movie calendar is packed with great releases, so we’re excited to welcome some new themes to the department. We’ll be keeping up to date with viral products throughout the year, and we’re really looking forward to Q4 and 2026 as a whole!
Potty for puzzles
From floral 3D puzzle vases to Disney licenses, trending romantasy novels and iconic comic series, Ravensburger’s range of puzzles offers something for all ages and interests
The growing collection of giftable puzzles from Ravensburger is set to bring the joy of jigsaws to tabletops through 2026. The company presented a raft of showstopping designs at the recent fairs, and there was something for every puzzle buff to choose from, whatever their age.
Gifting in mind
Puzzles offer a timeless classic pastime, and this simple activity can bring a smile for any age. Ravensburger has developed a wealth of exciting propositions that are as perfect to display as they are to piece together. From deluxe, coffee-table-worthy packaging to well-thoughtthrough finishing touches and collectability, the company aims to find a spot on gifting wish lists through 2026.
Jigsaws for juniors
A Disney Princess Giftables range of three 45-piece jigsaws for children will be a treasured favourite for many little fans. The puzzles are presented in a beautifully shaped box that will be a lovely addition to the bedroom shelf. Similarly, the new Tales from Around the World selection of global story-inspired 64-piece puzzles with foiled packaging will make a wonderful keepsake gift for young children.
From pages to pieces
The millions of readers who have already given Rebecca Yarros’ bestselling romantasy Empyrean series five stars will get a new ‘piece’ of the Fly or Die action this year with a new collection of 500-piece puzzles from Ravensburger. Celebrating the global literary hits Fourth Wing, Iron Flame and Onyx Storm, this range is presented in book-style packaging complete
Best in show
Ravensburger’s showstopping range of 3D puzzle vases was awarded a prestigious Hero Toy at London Toy Fair – and even function as a real vessel for fresh flower arrangements!
with a magnetic closure for a luxury touch. And, retaining the link to publishing, each puzzle also comes with a themed bookmark.
Contemporary feels
With collectability in mind, the new Neon range of 500-piece puzzles brings a contemporary feel to the tabletop, and the packaging has been designed with a book-spine design, making them ideal for pride of place on the shelf too. New York, Paris and Las Vegas feature in the first three puzzles in the series.
Floral fantasy
The award-winning new lineup of 3D puzzle vases from Ravensburger will offer puzzle fans the chance to piece together a stylish slice of home décor. Each 162-piece 3D puzzle vase is complete with a liner, making them ideal even for fresh flower display, and there are five to collect in the launch series.
Classic Comedy
The wealth of puzzlers who love the added fun of comedy in their puzzle designs are enjoying the new Ray’s Comic Series collection from Ravensburger. Certain to bring on a smile for any recipient, all four puzzles in the Holiday Resort theme are now available, and when completed, the four can be placed together, creating one continuous image – with the madcap antics continuing from image to image. Joining the offering this year, the new Time Travel theme sees the hilarious fun travel through time from the Classical Era and the Middle Ages, while the two final puzzles in this theme will launch in the second half.
363800 | sales@ravensburger.com
Carl Knapp toys and giftware buyer
Retail in full bloom
Arrington Garden Centre’s sister company, Bury Lane, has evolved from a traditional farm shop into a major retail destination featuring a café, garden shop, gift hall, and children’s fun barn. Clare Turner finds out more from toys and giftware buyer Carl Knapp
What led you into toy buying within a garden centre business?
After a 26-year career working for Waitrose in a variety of positions, I took redundancy just before Covid in 2020. While looking for a smaller independent business that would enable me to make a real difference - and have more responsibility in choosing products and creatively merchandising them - I was fortunate enough to be offered the buyer position at Bury Lane, near Cambridge.
Can you give us a snapshot of the history and scale of the business?
Bury Lane is the sister company of Arrington Garden Centre near Cambridge, which is a fairly small, nursery-style garden centre,
Did you know?
Toy ranges that include farmyard and garden are always first in line ” “
specialising in plants and flowers.
In 1982, Bury Lane started as a 70-acre PYO (Pick Your Own) orchard. Shortly after, a small farm shop was started in an old caravan. The A10 bypass was built, and a site for a replacement farm shop was agreed, leading to the development of the current farm shop site in Melbourn, near Royston.
Over more than four decades, the family-run business has continued to develop. The key to success has been ensuring a diverse range of on-site activities, enabling it to become a destination centre.
The garden centre runs alongside a 150-seat café, fine food and gift halls, and the Fun Barn (a farmthemed indoor soft play area for children up to 10 years old) - while the PYO fields remain.
Bury Lane boasts a Fun Barn. This large, purpose-built, farm-themed indoor play area for children up to 10 years old offers lots of soft play, interactive areas, slides, tunnels, swings, and ball pools. There’s a separate gated area for under-fives, and a dedicated Sensory Room for under-twos and children with additional needs under 10.
From spring until autumn, the outdoor Beach @ Bury Lane brings all the fun of the seaside to the borders of Hertfordshire and South Cambridgeshire. This adventure zone features trampoline bungees, go-karts, mini diggers, a huge sandpit, slides, beach huts, and an ice cream and drinks shack.
How would you describe your toys and games offer?
We try to cram a lot of toys and games into a fairly small space, maximising every square inch. Our customers range from families visiting the Fun Barn making a self-purchase before or after their session, to grandparents visiting the café looking for gifts.
During our busy PYO season, we also have a number of people travelling from quite a distance to pick flowers or fruit. This often leads to impulse purchases related to the location, or of something they may not have seen elsewhere.
Core categories include arts & crafts, puzzles, education and science, plush, baby and infant, and books. No one category really stands out in allocation of space or sales performance at the moment, with all ranges performing fairly well. I try to ensure a range of price points. However, we saw a small swing towards cheaper price-point ranges in the lead-up to Christmas 2025.
Key brands are Orange Tree Toys, Inside Out Toys, Recent Toys, The Puppet Company, Thames & Kosmos, Cheatwell Games, BTL Diffusion, University Games, House of Marbles, Floss & Rock, Rachel Ellen Designs,
Jomanda, Royal County Products, and Funtime.
What are your main criteria when selecting toys, and how do you tailor your range to suit the garden centre customer demographic?
Top categories
■ The Puppet Company finger puppets
■ Royal County Products tractor and trailer sets
■ Keycraft various tractors, including play sets and die-cast
■ House of Marbles classic pocket-money range
Our traditional garden centre customer, who now looks for more than just plants, often visits the café or food or gift halls for gifts and self-purchases. We’re a farm shop at heart, with limited space, so toy ranges that include farmyard and garden are always first in line. These include wooden toys from Inside Out Toys and Orange Tree Toys. We do sell a range for younger teens, but our main category is gifts for younger children. For self-purchasers, we stock a number of games through companies such as University Games and Cheatwell Games.
■ Jellycat plush
How do you discover new products?
I always keep a close eye on new ranges through reps, agents, and trade press, and visit Spring Fair to gauge what may be popular in the year ahead. I go with a fairly open mind to see what takes my fancy, rather than sticking to very specific categories or lines. Building great, honest working
relationships with reps and agents who know the kind of product we’re looking for is key to ensuring that the shelves remain current.
In 2025, we introduced BTL Diffusion’s Speedy Monkey, Cloud B, and Little Big Friends, which have all been selling well; Cheatwell Games’ family, party, and trivia games and cards, which are a nice addition to our shelves; and House of Marbles’ pocket-moneypriced ranges, which work well. For this year, Thames & Kosmos is a new addition - they have a great range of science products. And I’ve just returned from Spring Fair, where I saw lines from Orange Tree Toys, which I’m excited about adding to our existing range. The new 3D animal models will add a simple but creative addition for little ones to build and play with. The new Happy Treats lines, including ice cream, a smoothie maker, cakes, and lollies, will be a fun addition as we approach spring/summer.
Where and how are items typically merchandised?
The majority are sited near the entrance to the café, which gets a lot of footfall.
I merchandise brands together within categories. I also do additional frontof-house displays at certain times of the year, generally outside of the peak Christmas trade when space is available. We built a new houseplant building last year, so I tend to slot in toys that pair nicely with the plants. Children’s gardening equipment or wooden toys work well in this area too.
Core categories include arts & crafts, puzzles, education and science, plush, baby and infant, and books ” “
How has the toys category performed over the past year, and how does it compare with other areas of the business?
We’ve seen a slight decrease in footfall, but the spend in giftware and other areas of the site has remained fairly consistent compared with last year. Considering the challenges with Jellycat availability, which has no doubt lost us some sales, I’m pretty pleased that the category as a whole is level with the previous year.
What key purchasing trends are you seeing?
The past few months have seen shopping habits show a slight trend towards lower-priced items. If there’s a cheaper alternative, that seems to sell particularly well across the site. In toys and games, this trend can be seen with Royal County Products’ personalised tractor and trailer sets and Quay Imports’ woodcraft construction kits, which are doing really well. Card versions of trivia games have been outperforming larger board game alternatives.
GARDEN CENTRE
Charlie Bears
Planting the seeds of play
As garden centres evolve into family lifestyle destinations, toys are emerging as a powerful driver of impulse purchases and year-round revenue. Leading suppliers explain how the right ranges can boost basket spend and keep footfall flourishing beyond the peak planting season University Games
Once primarily associated with pots, plants, and patio furniture, today’s garden centres are retail destinations designed for family days out that attract multigenerational shoppers looking for leisure as much as lavender. In this setting, toys have become more than a sideline - they’re a strategic category driving impulse and gift sales year-round.
Garden centres are well positioned to capitalise on toy sales because they naturally attract families. Children accompany parents for a browse, while grandparents treat younger relatives during a café visit, creating additional spend opportunities.
For Scott Garnerbundy-Higgs, UK development manager of Cartamundi UK, games and playing cards perform strongly as impulse purchases. He explains: “Parents and grandparents often look for screen-free, fun activities that create memorable family time. These quick-pick items consistently add value to the total basket.”
That affordable “yes” purchase is a recurring theme. At Charlie Bears, global sales director Florence Castillo notes that plush toys “provide a small treat for a child, a thoughtful gesture from a grandparent, or an add-on gift alongside plants, homeware or café visits”.
“
Gary Hughes, head of UK sales, Rainbow Designs ” “
Toys are a perfect complement to garden centre gifting, offering quick, feel-good purchases that appeal to families
She adds: “Pocket-sized plush such as Cuddle Cubs by Charlie Bears are especially effective at till-point or highfootfall placements, driving impulse purchases. Meanwhile, slightly larger gifting plush like Bear & Me or Bearhouse by Charlie Bears can elevate basket value by offering a meaningful but accessible gift.”
Heritage appeal and emotional connection also play a role. Gary Hughes, head of UK sales at Rainbow Designs, highlights the enduring power of evergreen characters. “Our Classic Paddington Collection is a standout, with a timeless design and keepsake quality that resonates across generations,” he says, adding that literary favourites such as Peter Rabbit, Guess How Much I Love You, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar remain popular for infant gifting.
“Toys are a perfect complement to garden centre gifting, offering quick, feel-good purchases that appeal to families. Soft, tactile designs and familiar characters draw children’s attention, while parents and grandparents are inspired by the quality and charm,” he says.
Toys are relevant across all major family occasions - birthdays, school holidays, ‘treat/ reward’ moments and summer gifting - providing consistent non-gardening footfall and spending throughout the year
Scott Garnerbundy-Higgs, UK development manager, Cartamundi UK
At University Games and Lagoon, sales director Mark Jones has seen similar results. He says University Games “offers an extensive portfolio, with strong proven sales in garden centre environments thanks to clear play value, trusted brands, and compelling price points”. Its preschool and children’s licensed ranges, including Dinosaur Roar, Paddington, and Dog Man, appeal for gifting and resonate with families, while its games and puzzles support multigenerational play.
Price architecture is another lever
Rainbow Designs
Plush toys provide a small treat for a child, a thoughtful gesture from a grandparent, or an add-on gift alongside plants, homeware or café visits
Florence Castillo, global sales director, Charlie Bears
suppliers are pulling. Floss & Rock cofounders Tim Hislop and Gill Stratton have launched more than 70 new lines this season, with RRPs starting at just £2.50 and most retailing at £10 and under.
“Our key goal was to introduce a new lower price category to drive impulse purchases,” they explain.
As they point out: “Toys are not a seasonal product, so they fit perfectly into the garden centre environment for that extra purchase. Whether it’s an impulse buy, a gift, or a birthday present, they have appeal all year round.”
Crucially, toys align with the garden centre buying calendar. Seasonal and gift merchandise already smooth out traditional gardening peaks and troughs, and toys integrate seamlessly into this cycle.
Mark describes University Games’ seasonal programme as a “one-stop shop”, spanning World Book Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day, summer fun, Halloween and Christmas. He says this breadth “enables garden centres to remain relevant to shoppers regardless of the time of year”.
Florence agrees that plush toys “provide year-round relevance, helping garden centres maintain steady footfall and revenue beyond peak planting seasons. They align naturally with not only seasonal gifting but also create additional opportunities for birthdays and treat gifting.”
She adds that brands such as Bear & Me by Charlie Bears offer characters that tap into nature and outdoor storytelling themes, while Cuddle Cubs by Charlie Bears offer collectability that keeps displays fresh year-round. “Their affordable price points encourage repeat purchases, helping smooth seasonal
fluctuations while maintaining strong margin potential,” she says.
Seasonless appeal is equally important for Cartamundi. Scott says: “Toys are relevant across all major family occasions - birthdays, school holidays, ‘treat/reward’ moments and summer gifting - providing consistent nongardening footfall and spending throughout the year.”
Looking ahead, suppliers are introducing new lines suited to garden centres. Cartamundi is launching Waterproof Playing Cards, suitable for summer and outdoor play, alongside Bluey Playing Cards, and Bicycle Games: a range of trend- and design-led card games packed in reusable bags for durability Rainbow Designs’ new 100th Anniversary Winnie the Pooh collection offers keepsake appeal, while its new Care Bears Baby and Disney Dumbo infant collections expand nursery gifting.
Charlie Bears continues to evolve its brands. Florence says: “Bear & Me by Charlie Bears is particularly well suited due to its inspiration from the Great British garden. Characters such as Mula Mole, Saffy Snail, and Leaf Lady Bird Hare naturally complement garden centre environments, creating a cohesive retail story.”
Toys are not a seasonal product, so they fit perfectly into the garden centre environment for that extra purchase. Whether it’s an impulse buy, a gift, or a birthday present, they have appeal all year round
Tim Hislop and Gill Stratton, co-founders, Floss & Rock
Ask the buyer
What are your main criteria when selecting toys, and how do you tailor your range to suit the garden centre customer demographic?
“Dobbies customers are increasingly looking for children’s products that offer something different, combining play with education and strong value for money.
Trampolines were our best-selling outdoor toys last year. Multifunctional outdoor pieces such as the Plum Surfside picnic bench and sandpit are also popular, delivering all-round garden use while encouraging creative play. This year, we have expanded this range to include a mud kitchen and an outdoor easel.
Larger outdoor items that can be easily stored away, including foldable toddler swings and Disney pop-up tents, also remain popular because of their practicality for customers. Books and soft toys continue to perform really well for us too, highlighting a preference for products that support development and everyday family enjoyment.”
Caroline Chatwin, Buyer (Toys & Recreation)
Dobbies Garden Centres, 53 stores across the UK
“Choosing toys for British Garden Centres is about understanding our customers. Our offering skews towards older and more traditional customers, with a primary focus on purchases for children and grandchildren. We stick to trusted brands across key categories, with strong pocket-money and pick-up lines tied to school holidays and seasonal events.
We rarely get behind big movie releases or trend-led products, as demand can be short-lived and doesn’t align with our shoppers’ needs. Pokémon is a good example. While it’s a global bestseller, we limit stock levels, particularly trading cards, as it can baffle our customers and prove difficult to site within a garden centre.”
Kate Hateley, Group Toy Buyer
British Garden Centres, 75 centres across the UK
Cartamundi
GARDEN CENTRE
Timeless cards, modern gifting
CARTAMUNDI UK
07918 178116
scott.garnerbundy-higgs@cartamundi.com www.cardtopia.com
Bicycle is a world-renowned playing card brand that celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2025. In the words of Tim Goemans, marketing manager at Cartamundi UK: “Playing cards are more than a pastime; they are tiny rituals that bring people together,”
With that philosophy at the heart of the Cartamundi brand, the company plans to reintroduce the Bicycle Bridge deck to the UK market in 2026. While most Bicycle decks use the classic American poker size, Cartamundi has observed that UK players favour the slimmer, narrower bridge format because it’s easier to hold. At the same time, the brand continues to expand far beyond traditional designs. Alongside its classic Bridge deck, it offers a wide range of bespoke and licensed decks for all ages.
Bicycle playing cards from Cartamundi UK bring together tradition, creativity, and fun, making them the perfect gift for all ages and occasions
In a world where digital distraction grows, a simple deck of cards remains one of the most accessible tools for social play ” “
The playing card of the enthusiast For decades, Bicycle was primarily recognised by card enthusiasts, collectors, and magicians. But since its reintroduction to Europe and the UK in 2021, Bicycle has evolved into a household gifting brand in certain channels. Events, conventions, and pop-culture fairs have enabled consumers to rediscover a simple truth: playing cards can be fun, expressive, and surprisingly delightful as a gift.
A perfect match for garden centres
Garden centres have become one of the strongest emerging channels for premium gifting, where customers look for thoughtful, story-driven products that pair well with lifestyle moments such as family gatherings, cosy evenings, outdoor entertaining, and seasonal gifting. Bicycle fulfils all these needs, offering classic playing cards, fresh bespoke and licensed designs, waterproof decks, seasonally themed bespoke decks, and licensed Disney designs.
This is exactly where Bicycle shines. Based on iconic global licenes that audiences already love, its products appeal to both children and adults and consistently perform strongly in impulse gifting environments. These ranges succeed because they combine the reliability of Bicycle’s craftsmanship with joy, collectability, and a sense of discovery.
A strong choice for gifting zones
A Bicycle deck is more than a product; it’s a timeless, universal gift, suitable
for any age, that is easy to display, seasonless, and affordable while maintaining a premium feel. Most importantly, it brings people together. In a world where digital distraction grows, a simple deck of cards remains one of the most accessible tools for social play.
Cartamundi also supports retailers with versatile point-of-sale solutions designed to fit any gifting layout.
Cartamundi’s mission...
...is simple: to bring people back around the same table through the timeless joy of playing cards. With its expanding creative ranges and flexible POS support, Bicycle is a natural fit for retailers looking to offer meaningful, high‑quality gifts in a compact, charming format.
Mindful Moments
Rainbow Designs continues to share the magic of classic characters and joyful play with families, offering garden centres a thoughtfully curated selection of plush nursery and gifting ranges, perfect for all generations.
Perfectly suited to the welcoming environment of garden retail, these muchloved, heritage-inspired collections blend timeless storytelling with beautiful quality, making them ideal for meaningful gifting moments for every occasion.
At the heart of the collection is the cherished Disney Winnie the Pooh range - a perennial favourite that appeals to both new parents and grandparents eager to share a beloved character.
Gifts that grow smiles
Rainbow Designs brings timeless characters and joyful keepsakes to garden centres, helping retailers create heart-warming gifting moments for every generation
RAINBOW DESIGNS
01329 227300 | sales@rainbowdesigns.co.uk www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk
The nostalgic Hundred Acre Wood and exquisite Always and Forever infant ranges are now joined this year by a special 100th Anniversary Collection, celebrating a century of Winnie the Pooh with classic design details and wonderful keepsake appeal.
The range includes an infant gift set featuring a super-soft Winnie the Pooh
commemorative Winnie the Pooh plush with a bespoke 100th anniversary tagperfect for customers looking for a keepsake gift.
Rainbow Designs also captures the enduring appeal of a British classic with its Classic Paddington range. Inspired by Michael Bond’s beloved bear, the collection reflects Paddington’s timeless charm through traditional styling, signature details, and highquality fabrics. These beautifully finished plush Paddington toys offer strong cross-generational recognition, making them wonderful gifts for all ages.
Did you know?
Literary heritage remains a cornerstone of the Rainbow Designs offering. The Peter Rabbit nursery ranges continue to be a natural choice for parents. These curated collections encourage multiple purchases, from adorable soft toys and baby-soft comfort blankets, to sensory developmental toys, wooden toys, and infant gift sets.
The heartfelt Guess How Much I Love You collection offers great gifting options. From the adorable Nutbrown Hare soft toy, featuring the words ‘I Love You’ on his tummy, to infant gift sets that include a Nutbrown Hare soft toy with milestone cards or muslins, this timeless range offers meaningful gifts for a variety of occasions.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar range injects vibrant colour and crossgenerational recognition into displays. With baby and preschool toys that support early sensory play through texture, sound, and engaging design, the collection continues to perform strongly, thanks to its familiarity and developmental benefits.
Complementing these established favourites is the interactive Happy Yappers range, featuring eight bright and characterful birds, including a parrot, a flamingo, a cockatoo and a toucan, and the eye-catching Birdies ranges.
Designed to spark curiosity with soft materials and fun interactive sounds, both Happy Yappers and Birdies create impactful displays, while their accessible price point makes them perfectly positioned as pick-up gifts.
The Tikiri Toys infant range from Rainbow provides a natural extension to garden centre gifting. Known for its commitment to sustainability, Tikiri’s toys are crafted from natural rubber and organic fabrics, offering eco-conscious parents a reassuring alternative without compromising on charm or play value.
Winnie the Pooh turns 100 in 2026, with major celebrations planned to mark the centenary of the first book’s publication. To celebrate, Rainbow Designs is introducing a special 100th Anniversary Collection, joining its much-loved Hundred Acre Wood and Always and Forever infant ranges
Garden play, sorted!
07877 443733 | 07850 779797sales@sjr-associates.co.uk | www.dolu.com.tr
Dolu enjoyed an excellent 2025, achieving overall growth of 10% compared with 2024. Now in its 51st year, Dolu remains a familyrun business with more than half a century of experience in designing, developing, and manufacturing toys and nursery products in Istanbul, Turkey. Today, Dolu supplies goods to 85 countries worldwide.
For 2026, the company has introduced a new logo and branding across the Dolu range, refreshing packaging and enhancing the overall look and feel of its products.
At the London Toy Fair, Dolu presented a wide range of new items and unveiled a new
After a strong year of growth, Dolu heads into 2026 with refreshed branding, newness across the range, and fast, flexible supply to keep retailers ahead of the game
implemented no price increases this year and continues to offer more products than ever at prices that remain highly competitive, including those from the Far East.
The Nuremberg Toy Fair was once again highly successful for Dolu, providing the opportunity to meet customers old and new from around the globe. This included several major U.S. companies now working with Dolu, recognising that manufacturing outside China offers a more viable option, with a simpler supply chain, no MOQs, faster shipping, and - for U.S. customers - lower tariffs. These partnerships also reflect Dolu’s high standards, as the company meets some of the most stringent testing and audit requirements in the industry.
In the UK, Dolu is anticipating an even stronger year than last, with a higher number of orders already in place by the end of January than ever before. The company hopes for favourable weather again this spring and summer, following last year’s extended periods of warm, dry conditions.
Dolu’s supply chain model provides a key advantage. By holding significant stock in its factory, maintaining short lead times, and offering frequent doorto-door
shipping options, the company can respond quickly to market demand. Repeat in-season orders are welcomed and can often be delivered in as little as 21 days from order placement.
Given the UK’s unpredictable weather, this flexibility helps buyers avoid both stock shortages and overstocking. A responsive supply chain is more important than ever, and Dolu estimates that approximately 30% of its Summer 2025 business came from reactive repeat orders - a service many suppliers are unable to offer.
So far this year, 90% of all orders have been dispatched within one week of receipt. This is made possible by Dolu manufacturing and warehousing more than $10 million worth of stock, enabling rapid distribution across all markets and supply channels.
Last year’s continuous bouts of hot and dry spells brought more consistency for the garden and outdoor play sector, where Dolu saw rapid growth across items such as playhouses, sand and water tables, slides, ride-ons, and trikes.
For 2026, Dolu is introducing a select range of new products alongside some improvements to existing items. It has also added in several FSDU options and pocket-money items.
As a supplier, Dolu offers exceptional flexibility.
For toy retailers...
that also stock nursery products, Dolu now manufactures more than 70 different nursery items under its new brand, Dolu Nuve. As with the toy ranges, there are no MOQs, and nursery products can be mixed with toy orders.
Discover a new creative escape with Airfix 1:1 Scale Flower Model Kits. Beautifully designed to celebrate nature and the joy of making, these true -to-life floral kits blend Airfix’s legendar y precision with a contemporar y st yle, of fering a calm, hands-on experience for a new generation of makers.
Each full-scale kit captures delicate petals and intricate details for an intuitive, enjoyable build — perfect for beginners or seasoned modellers alike. Ideal as a mindful project, thoughtful gif t, or lasting home décor piece, these flowers can be painted, personalised, and proudly displayed. They never fade, of fering a modern, nature -inspired creative experience to enjoy and share. THIS NEW RANGE OF MODEL KITS OFFERS A REWARDING, MINDFUL EXPERIENCE FROM FIRST PETAL TO FINAL BLOOM. ASSEMBLE, PAINT, AND DISPL AY A FLOWER THAT NEVER
Pocket-sized pals
CHARLIE BEARS
With a growing cast of animal, fantasy, and prehistoric characters, Cuddle Cubs by Charlie Bears offer retailers a collectable plush range designed for strong shelf appeal and repeat purchases
01566 777092 | uk-sales@charliebears.com | www.charliebears.co.uk
Garden centres have evolved far beyond plants and potting sheds. Today, they are vibrant lifestyle destinations where families browse, dine, shop, and spend quality time together.
With this shift comes an opportunity for retailers to diversify their gift offering, particularly with affordable, impulsefriendly products that appeal to visiting families. Enter Cuddle Cubs by Charlie Bears - the pocket-sized plush brand perfectly suited to the modern garden centre environment.
As families explore seasonal displays, browse homeware, and enjoy café treats, children are very much part of the experience. Parents and grandparents are often on the lookout for small, affordable gifts; an everyday treat rather than a special-occasion splurge.
Cuddle Cubs by Charlie Bears hit that sweet spot. Pocket-sized and pocketmoney priced, they offer an accessible price point that encourages impulse purchases without compromising on quality or charm.
Did you know?
Crafted by Charlie Bears, the renowned UK bear brand celebrated for its “bears with personalities” and handmade teddy bear artistry, Cuddle Cubs benefit from the same commitment to quality design and beautiful finishing touches.
Importantly for family-focused destinations, Cuddle Cubs by Charlie Bears are suitable from birth and fully machine washable. This makes them a practical choice for parents of younger children and an easy “yes” purchase for grandparents.
The breadth of the range is another compelling advantage. From familiar farmyard favourites to safari animals and beloved pets, there’s a character to capture every child’s imagination.
For those drawn to the magical
and mythical, the collection also features dragons and even a mini Loch Ness Monster. The latest release - a delightful array of prehistoric pals - taps into children’s enduring fascination with dinosaurs, keeping the range fresh and trend-aware.
The Cuddle Cubs by Charlie Bears collection not only features animals but also includes dragons, dinosaurs, and even a mini Loch Ness Monster
For retailers, this variety encourages repeat visits and collectability, while offering strong visual impact on the shelf. Bright, characterful displays naturally attract attention, drawing families in and creating those all-important impulse moments.
Their smaller size makes them easy to merchandise across multiple areas in-store, from dedicated gift sections to counter-top displays.
Build the fun
BLADEZ TOYZ
charlotte@bladeztoyz.co.ukwww.bladeztoyz.co.uk
Bladez Toyz is the home of Maker Kitz - sets that allow kids to get creative, whether constructing their own Light Up Hogwarts, building a 3D Zombie, or snapping together PP sheets to make their own Gunkster!
For 2026, exciting new product development arrives in the Hot Wheels Maker Kitz range, designed to appeal to teenagers and adults alike. Leading the lineup is the new 4Trac Racer Set, featuring two of the fastest Maker Kitz vehicles to date. These easy-to-build kits require no glue or scissors, and the larger-scale 4Trac cars are equipped with motorsport-style wheels for enhanced grip - setting the scene for lights out and away we go!
The action continues with the Mini Maker Kitz Monster Trucks Tech Pack, bringing double the fun with an iconic duo of
Monster Trucks built from snap fit parts. These super-quick builds include a pull back motor and bright neon wheels, ready to take on the toughest terrain.
With the introduction of much-loved vehicles such as Boneshaker and 5 Alarm to the Mini Maker Kitz, and Beefed Up and Neon to the Motor Maker Kitz, Bladez Toyz keeps the Hot Wheels Maker Kitz range fresh and exciting.
Leading the way in the S/ S26 Minecraft Maker Kitz range is the viral sensation Chicken Jockey! This buildable character kit is the latest addition to the bestselling Maker Kitz range and the ultimate display piece for fans of the game and movie. Made from sustainable materials, these easy-to-assemble kits require no glue or scissors and are suitable for children aged six-plus.
Also joining the Maker Kitz range are the Wandering Trader and Llama and the
life-sized
These fun new sets expand the current lineup, which already includes the iconic Steve, Creeper and Alex, meaning you can recreate your favourite scenes from the movie or fend off a zombie attack!
With price points starting from £1.99 RRP and bestselling licences Barbie, Harry Potter and DC also available, Maker Kitz is the perfect range to add to your spring/summer offering.
Axolotl.
Build your own bloom
HORNBY
01843 233525
sales@hornby.com | uk.airfix.com
Airfix is expanding its portfolio with the launch of Flowers – grown by Airfix, a new range of 1:1 scale floral model kits that blends traditional model-making with decorative craft. While introducing a new theme, the range stays true to the brand’s core strength: detailed, handson building that requires time and care.
Each kit has been designed to capture the character of real blooms, from the shape of individual petals to the finer details at the centre of each flower. The result is a lifelike model that builders assemble and paint themselves, creating a finished piece that can be displayed long after the final coat has dried.
Importantly, every box includes paints, glue and brushes, offering
an all-in-one experience suitable for both established hobbyists and those new to modelling. The process is straightforward yet absorbing, encouraging focus, patience and mindfulness.
The decorative element broadens the range’s appeal. Once completed, these flowers do not wilt or fade; instead, they become a lasting addition to the home. Builders can opt for realistic colour schemes or take a more personal approach, adding their own creative interpretation.
The range is available as individual blooms or as larger bouquet sets, including six roses or a collection of 12 wildflowers. The bouquet kits also feature small additions such
as bees and butterflies, allowing builders to add extra detail and character to their display. These finishing touches enhance presentation and support the product’s gifting appeal. Flowers is well positioned to be an ideal gift. The combination of a mindful activity and a lasting finished piece gives it dual appeal: it offers the enjoyment of the build as well as a decorative result to keep. With everything included in the box, it is easy to give and simple to start, whether for birthdays, Mother’s Day, or as an alternative to a traditional bouquet. For those looking to give something more personal than cut flowers, it provides a thoughtful option that lasts far longer and carries the added value of time spent making.
From a retail perspective, Flowers presents an opportunity to attract a broader demographic. As interest in mindful, handson hobbies continues to grow, products that combine creativity with a tangible end result are performing well. Research continues
to show that many consumers turn to hobbies to support their wellbeing, and projects that encourage concentration and screenfree time resonate across age groups.
With Flowers – grown by Airfix, the brand shows how
Get creative! CRAFT BUDDY
0203 417 6565 | trade@craftbuddyltd.co.uk www.craftbuddyltd.co.uk
Garden centres attract visitors who are not only browsing for plants and outdoor inspiration, but also searching for thoughtful gifts, relaxing hobbies, and beautiful items to enjoy at home.
Craft Buddy’s collections sit naturally within this browsing journey, aligning seamlessly with the giftled mindset of garden centre shoppers. Positioned alongside lifestyle and home-focused categories, its ranges offer garden centres a diverse selection of creative products that inspire impulse discovery, seasonal gifting, and longer dwell time, catering to a wide variety of customer interests.
Charlotte Brodie, Account Manager at Craft Buddy, says: “Crystal Art, the brand’s flagship craft activity, is a perfect example. It requires no prior skill, making it accessible, calming, and instantly rewarding. Customers simply pick up a kit and start creating a sparkling piece of art, making it an ideal introduction to crafting for all ages.”
Bring the outdoors in BIGJIGS TOYS
orders@bigjigstoys.com www.bigjigstoys.co.uk
Every dream home needs a dream garden! Bigjigs Toys believes the love of gardening starts long before your customers can reach the top shelf. Enter the Bigjigs Toys Dolls House Garden Set: a mini playset designed to bring the great outdoors to your living room.
While the company offers a collection of incredible indoor furniture for dollhouses, this set brings a new level of play as children can now decorate beyond the walls of their doll’s home. This four-piece accessory pack is a masterclass in miniature landscaping.
For quick, fun, pocket-money purchases, the Buddies and Bag Charms ranges are unbeatable. These miniature Crystal Art kits appeal to kids and kidults alike, offering a playful creative moment at an affordable price. With characters spanning beloved fandoms, from Potterheads and Star Warriors to dedicated Disnerds, there truly is something for everyone. Whether customers want to display their finished figurine or wear their charm proudly, these collections are guaranteed to draw attention and spark delight.
At the core of the Craft Buddy offering are scenic canvases, scrolls, and greeting cards. Each product is designed to deliver a satisfying creative experience and a stunning finished piece that customers love to gift or keep. With broad appeal across ages and skill levels, these lines work beautifully.
Crafted from high-quality, FSC-certified wood, the set features a working swing, a classic seesaw, and a floral hedge to decorate your doll’s outdoor space.
The Garden Set is fantastic for imaginative play, as children build their own outdoor world and tell stories with their dolls. It also helps to promote fine motor skills as they push their little dolls on the swing and move the seesaw up and down for the perfect blend of play and development.
Rock and roll….
FLOSS & ROCK
01253 831500 enquiries@flossandrock.co.uk www.flossandrock.co.uk
2026 marks Floss & Rock’s 10th birthday milestone. The brand continues to grow exponentially and now ships to more than 40 countries worldwide (and counting!).
The company has strengthened its sales network with the recruitment of a team of new agents including Kate Ellis from Dizzy Heights (covering South Wales and the South West), Bella Ghale (South East), Jenny Bendall (East and Oxfordshire) and Tina and Charles Wagstaff from Wagstaff Agencies (North West, North Wales and North East).
The year began with its biggest-ever product launch, introducing 73 new lines, including a complete refresh of its jigsaw puzzles range.
A key spring/summer introduction is a new category, ‘Fashion Friends’, created for ‘tween-aged’ girls (aged seven years-plus) who are growing up quickly but still want to play, create and have fun. There are nine lines in the category, including lockable diaries, personalised bag charms, bracelet kits, and dress-up sticker fun books.
The latest launch also features the lowest price introductions the company has offered to date, maintaining its renowned high quality while adding more affordable options and making the brand accessible to a wider audience.
Game on!
UNIVERSITY GAMES & LAGOON
0207 254 0100 www.university-games.co.uk
University Games and Lagoon offer an extensive range of games, puzzles, and gifts perfectly suited to the garden centre environment, combining trusted brands with strong play value across preschool, children’s, and family categories.
For younger children, the new That’s Not My… range, created in collaboration with The Learning Journey, brings the much-loved touch-and-feel books into beautifully designed games and puzzles. Featuring tactile elements and bright illustrations, the collection includes educational Match It! games, floor puzzles, and 4-in-1 puzzles that encourage sensory exploration and early learning, making them ideal for preschool gifting.
This is complemented by licensed favourites inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Dinosaur Roar! and Mog, all designed to support early skills such as colour recognition, matching, and turn-taking.
The new Squeeze Popper Animals range is now available and is perfect for keeping youngsters entertained. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor play, just squeeze the character’s tummy to launch the foam ball up to six metres! The range includes popular animals such as an Axolotl, a Koala, a Penguin, a Llama, a T. rex, and Frenchie the Bulldog. University Games’ children’s games and puzzles portfolio also champions popular storybook characters. The new Adventures of Paddington range, featuring Find it Fast, Dominoes, Spot the Difference, and the Paddington Sightseeing board game, combines fun gameplay with the muchloved classic character. Meanwhile, the Roald Dahl and Dog Man ranges bring humour, storytelling, and education to family play, making them great gifts for special occasions.
Lagoon continues to expand its gifting offer with the new Pundamental range, packed with witty wordplay and clever humour that makes it suitable for adult gifting. Alongside this sits the premium Project Genius brainteaser collection, the STEAM-focused National Geographic buildand-play sets.
Fizz, fun & surprise Inside! ZIMPLI KIDS
0845 459 1818 | sales@zimplikids.com www.zimplikids.com
Zimpli Kids brings colour, excitement and irresistible collectability to toy and gift displays with Baff Bombz Fruity Surprise and the new Baff Bombz Butterfly Ring Surprise.
Each bath bomb hides a blind surprise inside, encouraging children to collect, swap and complete the full set, turning every bath into an exciting unboxing moment. Plus, the skin-kind, stain-free, easy-to-clean formula gives parents added peace of mind, delivering collectible fun without the mess.
The Fruity Surprise Bath Bomb fizzes and swirls in the water with bold colours and scents such as cherry, watermelon, and golden pineapple, before revealing a hidden fruity character toy inside.
New to the range, the Butterfly Ring Surprise Bath Bomb creates the same fizzing colour display but with a wearable butterfly ring hidden inside.
Bloomin’ great ranges JUST PLAY
uksales@justplayproducts.com justplayproducts.com
Just Play’s 2026 offering includes some exciting opportunities for its garden centre customers, with fresh innovations across a wealth of categories, including puzzles, collectibles, and crafts.
Perfect for customers browsing the garden centre aisles is Just Play’s licensed arts, crafts and activities range from Tara Toy. The collection is set to expand this season to include cool character crafts inspired by Disney Pixar’s Toy Story - just in time for the new film!
These creative additions will be available alongside existing Tara Toy favourites, including the Moana 2 jewellery-making sets, Disney Stitch My Own Creativity Case, and kits inspired by Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Disney Princess, and Disney Frozen.
Disney Doorables is an evergreen performer in collectibles that is set to go from strength to strength in the year ahead, with new themes and characters.
Bounce into fun
02393 876 600 | Sales@tyuk.co.uk
Ty’s newly patented Ty Beanie Bouncers blend the timeless charm of classic Ty Beanie styles with high-energy fun. Each toy features ultra-soft plush and expressive faces, but hidden in each character is a patented bouncing core capable of springing it up to 50 feet - offering both cuddles and playful action.
Since launch, Beanie Bouncers have earned global acclaim, including the Powerfully Playful Award at Toy Fair 2025, Good Housekeeping’s 2025 Best Toy Awards, a PAL Award for supporting kids’ development, and Gold Winner status at the Toy Shop UK Independent Toy Awards.
Their dual design encourages active movement, co-ordination, and imaginative playwhile maintaining the comforting sensory experience of plush. Building on this momentum, a wide range of licensed collaborations has propelled Beanie Bouncers into pop culture territory. Ty has partnered with some of the world’s largest franchises.