Milton Keynes, UK, 2015-10-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — 3.8 million grown-ups still snuggle up to their favourite childhood toy to help them get to sleep or relax after a stressful day at work, while a quarter (25 per cent) of adults still own a least one of their favourite childhood toys, according to research released today by the UK’s largest toy retailer[1] Argos and UK children’s charity Barnardo’s.
The study was commissioned to mark the fourth year of the Argos Toy Exchange with Barnardo’s which runs until Friday 20 November. Argos and Barnardo’s customers are encouraged to donate preloved toys to their local Argos or Barnardo’s store in exchange for a £5 toy voucher[2]. The toys can then be sold in Barnardo’s network of shops, raising vital funds for the charity.
The research also revealed some of the reasons why we are a nation that can’t bear to part with our treasured teddies and trucks: one in five (20 per cent) admit they intend to pass these onto their loved ones.
A further one in five (21 per cent) women proudly admit to having their toys on display in the home. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to keep their childhood toys a secret, with one in eight (12 per cent) keeping theirs hidden away.
This year Argos and Barnardo’s have teamed up with businesswoman, TV presenter and mum-of-two, Louise Redknapp to launch the Argos Toy Exchange which will raise much-needed funds to help some of the UK’s most disadvantaged children.
Louise Redknapp, said: “I’m very excited to be a part of the fourth Argos Toy Exchange, it’s an incredibly worthwhile cause and one which can help make Christmas that little bit more special for disadvantaged families across the UK. With one in 20 people saying they would happily donate all of their toys that are no longer played with to charity, I’m thrilled to be part of an initiative which allows other children to experience the same joy that toy once gave them. With more than 800 Argos stores and 640 Barnardo’s stores nationwide it makes it easy to visit a local branch so you can get donating!
“My favourite toy was a pink knitted doll called Jemima, she brings back so many wonderful memories of growing up, my mum still has her for safe keeping as I can’t pass her onto my two boys!”
Amy Whidburn, Head of Corporate Responsibility for Argos, said: “As the UK’s number one toy retailer, we know how important toys can be to a child’s development and memories. It’s easy to remember the name of our favourite toy growing up, but who would have thought so many of us still owned them!
“We wouldn’t expect people to part with their favourite toy from childhood, but we would ask that perhaps we look at the toys no longer played with at home that could be donated. The Toy Exchange is a great way for all children to get the chance to be united with that special someone (or something) which could well become a friend for life. Each year Argos’ Toy Exchange raises hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of toy donations and in the last three festive seasons we generated in excess of £1.9 million to help Barnardo’s.”
Javed Khan, Barnardo’s CEO, said: “We support some of the most vulnerable young people in the UK – such as those growing up in poverty, and those living in care. Over the last three years we have had the generous support of Argos’ customers and hopefully this year we will be able to help even more.”
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
The research was carried out by Opinion Matters on behalf of Argos amongst 2,051 adults in the UK between14-19 September 2015.
For more information please contact the Argos Toy Exchange PR team at argos@thisissurname.com or 0207 260 2770 or Becky Beling in the media team at Barnardo’s on 0208 498 7393.
About Argos
Argos is a leading UK digital retailer, offering around 50,000 products through www.argos.co.uk, its growing mobile channels, stores and over the telephone.
Argos continues to be the UK’s largest high street retailer online with around 121m customer transactions a year through its stores and over 900 million website and app visits in the 12 months to February 2015. Customers can take advantage of Argos’ convenient Check & Reserve service available through its network of 840 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
In the financial year to February 2015, Argos sales were £4.1 billion and it employed some 29,000 people across the business.
About Barnardo’s
Barnardo’s works with more than 240,000 children, young people and their families each year. Barnardo’s runs more than 960 services across the UK. We work to transform the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and every year we help thousands of families to build a better future. Visit www.barnardos.org.uk to find out how you can get involved and show you believe in children. Barnardo’s Retail is the largest children’s charity retailer in the UK and the third largest charity retailer. The profit from our stores goes directly into our work with some of the UK’s most vulnerable children and their families. Follow Barnardo’s Retail on Twitter @barnardosretail
[1] Largest UK retailer by sales value
[2] Minimum £35 spend, to be redeemed at Argos by Thursday 24 December 2015
SOURCE: Home Retail Group
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Louise Redknapp launches the fourth annual Argos Toy Exchange, which aims to bring the amount raised by the initiative over the years to £2.5 million worth of toys for childrenÕs charity BarnardoÕs, at the Tottenham Court Road store in London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday October 13, 2015. Photo credit should read: Matt Alexander/PA Wire