Hamleys comes to Japan

Japan news June 2018

Hamleys, shown here in the UK, is set to open in Japan. • PHOTO: THE HAMLEYS GROUP LIMITED

Bandai Namco Amusement Inc. on 25 May announc­ed a tie-up with Hamleys (Franchising) Limited of the UK. Details of the store location and opening date have yet to be announced, but media sources have said its opening will be in 2018 and the store, in greater Tokyo, will boast a sales area of 3,000m2.

Hamleys, founded in London in 1760, claims to be the oldest and one of the largest toy shops in the world. It operates 133 outlets in 19 countries. In South-East Asia it operates two shops in Singapore. The tie-up with Bandai Namco represents its first venture in Japan.

The announcement follows on the heels of the Japanese firm’s reorganisation. Effective 1 April this year, Namco Limited and the Amusement Machine division of Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. merged to become Bandai Namco Amusement Inc.

Hamleys CEO, Ralph Cunningham, said: “We are thrilled to be launching the Hamleys brand in Japan this year and delighted to be partnering with Bandai Namco. With its ex­ten­­sive experience in the entertainment sector and its in-depth knowledge of the Japanese market, Bandai Namco is the perfect strategic partner. Japan represents an exciting and im­portant market and is key to Hamleys’ continu­ed international growth strategy. We look forward to bringing smiles to the faces of children and families all over Japan and delivering the unique Hamleys in-store experience to this fantastic market”.