retailer

12th December 2015

Asda – why are you still using ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ signs?

In the three years that Let Toys Be Toys has been up and running we’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response from retailers. Fourteen major UK retailers, […]
22nd November 2015
Fashion dolls - new signage in Toys R Us

Toys R Us drops ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ categories from UK website

We’re delighted to see the end of ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ categories in the major retailer’s online store, as well as clearer, inclusive signage in stores. Back […]
5th October 2015
Image of blue and pink aisles in a toy shop, text: 'We can change this'

Why I quit the United Nations to battle toy discrimination

Hai Tiet is the man behind US online toy retailer Woozy Moo, but his background isn’t in the toy industry. He explains why he thinks running […]
11th August 2015

Changes at Target hit the mark

It’s great to see that one of the largest retailers in the US, Target, have acknowledged customer concerns and decided to move away from gender based […]
18th May 2015

Checking in with Toys R Us

You may remember we met with Toys R Us in September 2013 when they committed to a more inclusive approach to toy marketing. We’ve certainly seen […]
14th March 2015

Pink and blue – who cares?

Are parents really that bothered about pink/blue marketing? Jim Wilson, owner and manager of independent toy and gift retailer Born Gifted wasn’t convinced. So he asked […]
27th July 2014
The Entertainer instore signage, before and after

Retailer update July 2014

In 2014 we’ve concentrated our efforts on gendered books and are starting to look at how we tackle the manufacturers themselves. So have the retailers stuck […]
8th January 2014
'Girls' Toys' and 'Boys Toys'at Morrisons in Guiseley

Morrisons – most gendered toy retailer

Despite a promise last year to change their toy signage Morrisons came out of our pre-Christmas survey as the worst culprit for using gender to sell […]
4th November 2013

Response from John Lewis

John Lewis have responded to our letter querying their use of boys and girls categories on their website. We’re disappointed that they are committed to using […]
1st November 2013

Press Release: Debenhams drops “girls” and “boys” signs after pressure from Let Toys Be Toys

High street chain Debenhams this week announced it would be removing all “girls” and “boys” signage from their toy departments. The statement comes after a sustained […]
20th October 2013
sid sloane

CBeebies Sid to present Let Toys Be Toys “Toymark” to Brighton Toyshop

Children’s TV personality Sid Sloane will join shoppers and campaigners in Brighton next week to present local toy shop Whirligig with the first ever Toymark. Toymark […]
1st October 2013
'Girls' sign in Fenwick's Brent Cross

Letter to Fenwick

Fenwick stores have large ‘Girls’ and ‘Boys’ signs in their toy departments. We’ve written to explain why we think they should come down.
15th September 2013

Letter to John Lewis

We’re pleased to see toy departments in John Lewis that offer toys to girls and boys without signposts that tell them which they are supposed to […]
15th August 2013

Open letter to Early Learning Centre

Early Learning Centre’s name suggests it aspires to do a bit more than just sell toys, so perhaps it’s not surprising that shoppers have high expectations […]
22nd July 2013

Letter to WH Smith

Some WHSmith shops use ‘Girls’ and ‘Boys’ toys signage in store. We wrote to WH Smith to explain why we think they should come down.
18th July 2013

Focus on… Petit Chou

Petit Chou is an independent toy shop nestled away in the peaceful St Christopher’s Place area, just a stone’s thrown away from the crowded department stores […]
15th July 2013
sainsbury's sign

Sainsbury’s: getting it right … or not?

Large retailers aren’t always guilty of gender stereotyping and quite a few of you have recommended Sainsbury’s as an example of good practice. We’ve had a […]
17th June 2013

Tesco commit to let toys be toys

Supermarket giant Tesco announced via Twitter that they’re doing the right thing, and removing gender signs from their website, and from all stores.
15th May 2013

Update from M&S – ‘reviewing ranges for next year’

Following our letter to Marks and Spencer where we asked them to stop making toys named “Boy Stuff” and “Lil’ Miss Arty” and to get rid […]
8th May 2013

Tesco backs down over ‘boys’ chemistry set

The giant supermarket retailer blamed sexist signposting of toys on “consumer research” but finally promised to review the way they categorize their toys, after pressure from […]
7th May 2013

Boots agree to let toys be toys in store

High-street retailer Boots has agreed to take down ‘girls toys’ and ‘boys toys’ signs in their stores after pressure from consumers including Let Toys Be Toys […]
28th April 2013
Plastic jungle animals packaged in a box labelled 'boys stuff'

Letter to Next

We tweeted Next last Christmas about the way they marketed toys, and they’ve said they will review this.
26th June 2012

ToysRUs – the good, the bad and the ugly

ToysRUs is a massive player in UK toy retail, so we’re keen to meet with them to discuss their how they promote and display toys in […]