Smyths is an Irish multinational chain provider of children's toys, games and entertainment products with over 297 stores throughout western and central Europe. The business is owned by the Smyth family.[2]
The company is headquartered in Galway, Ireland 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.[3]
History
Smyths started out as a family newsagent in Claremorris, County Mayo before branching out into toys in 1986.[4]
The company is run by three brothers, Tony, Padraig and Thomas Smyth. A fourth brother and director, Liam, died in July 2023.[5] Smyths is the UK and Ireland's largest toy retailer.[6]
Expansion to central Europe
On 24 April 2018, Smyths acquired Toys "R" Us stores in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.[7] In 2019, all the remaining stores in those countries were rebranded to Smyths.[8]
In July 2022, Smyths acquired French toy chain PicWicToys in France out of receivership, taking over 41 stores, 2 warehouses and a head office.[9][10]
Stores and subsidiaries
Smyths stores by country
Country
Number of stores
England, Wales and Scotland
120
Northern Ireland
7
Republic of Ireland
21
Germany
72
France
45
Austria
17
Switzerland
11
Netherlands
4
Totals
297
In total as of November 2024, Smyths operates over 297 stores across 7 countries: 21 stores in Ireland, 7 in Northern Ireland, 120 in England, Wales and Scotland, 72 in Germany, 16 in Austria,[11] 10 in Switzerland,[12] 45 in France and 4 in the Netherlands.[13][14][15]
