Smyths Explained

Smyths is an Irish multinational chain provider of children's toys, games and entertainment products with over 297 shops throughout western and central Europe. The business is owned by the Smyth family.^[4]

The company is headquartered in Galway, with other offices in Belfast and London.

The group's turnover reached €1.465 billion in pandemic-hit 2020 with the majority of sales coming from the UK market while in 2023 the group turnover exceeded €2 billion.^[5]

History

Smyths started out as a family newsagent on Main Street, Claremorris, County Mayo in 1935 before branching out into toys in 1986.^{[6] [7]} The original newsagent's shop in Claremorris remained in business under the Smyth's brand until late 2023.^[8]

The company is run by three brothers, Tony, Padraig and Thomas Smyth. A fourth brother and director, Liam, died in July 2023.^[9] Smyths is the UK and Ireland's largest toy retailer.^[10]

Expansion to central Europe

On 24 April 2018, Smyths acquired Toys "R" Us shops in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.^[11] In 2019, all the remaining shops in those countries were rebranded to Smyths.^[12]

In July 2022, Smyths acquired French toy chain PicWicToys in France out of receivership, taking over 41 shops, 2 warehouses and a head office.^{[13] [14]}

Shops and subsidiaries

Smyths shops by country

Country	Number of shops
Republic of Ireland	21
Northern Ireland	7
England	103
Wales	7
Scotland	6
Germany	72
France	45
Austria	17
Switzerland	11
Netherlands	4
Totals	297

In total as of November 2024, Smyths operates over 297 shops across 7 countries: 21 shop in Ireland, 7 in Northern Ireland, 103 in England, 7 in Wales, 6 in Scotland,^[15] 72 in Germany, 16 in Austria,^[16] 10 in Switzerland,^[17] 45 in France and 4 in the Netherlands.^{[18] [19] [20]}

Notes and References

1. News: Meet the Smyths, the Mayo family turning toy retailing into child's play. .
2. News: Deegan . Gordon . Revenues at Smyths toys hit record €2.49bn . 27 November 2024 . The Irish Times . 26 November 2024 . en.
3. News: Deegan . Gordon . Revenues at Smyths toys hit record €2.49bn . 27 November 2024 . The Irish Times . 26 November 2024 . en.
4. Web site: Kehoe . Ian . The march of Smyths Toys: Rewinding the week that was . The Currency . 21 December 2023 . 19 November 2023.
5. News: Toy giant Smyths sees group turnover hit €1.46bn . The Irish Times . 31 October 2022 . en.
6. https://www.galwaybeo.ie/news/ireland-news/beloved-irish-shop-closing-after-8837444
7. Web site: Smyths Toys Unlimited Company Irish Legal & Business Services Company & Director Check. Solocheck. en-IE. 6 June 2017.
8. https://www.galwaybeo.ie/news/ireland-news/beloved-irish-shop-closing-after-8837444
9. Web site: Liam Smyth obituary: Founder of Smyths Toys and proud Mayo man . 2023-12-31 . The Irish Times . en.
10. "Toy mega store for Rayleigh Weir", Essex Echo, 13 September 2008
11. News: Smyths Toys to buy Toys R Us in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Irish Times. 21 April 2018. 23 April 2018.
12. Web site: ToysRUs wird zu Smyth Toys: Die ersten Filialen tragen neue Namen. Kurth. Luke. 12 January 2019. Stone Wars. de-DE. 27 June 2019.
13. Web site: Smyths Toys acquires PicWic Toys . 6 July 2022 .
14. Web site: Smyths acquires PicWic Toys as it expands into France . independent . 15 July 2022 . 17 November 2022 . en.
15. Web site: Store Finder & Opening Hours . Smyths Toys . 27 November 2024.
16. Web site: Marktsuche .
17. Web site: Marktsuche .
18. Web site: Smyths Toys' UK sales top half-billion mark for first time. Deegan. Gordon. 17 September 2018. Irish Independent. en-IE. 27 June 2019.
19. Web site: SMYTHS TOYS UK LIMITED - Overview. Companies House. en-GB. 27 June 2019.
20. Web site: Anita . 2023-01-19 . Breaking News: Smyths confirms store expansion in The Netherlands . 2024-11-11 . Toy World Magazine The business magazine with a passion for toys . en-GB.