Sale allows Hamleys to focus on building brand
Toy retailer Hamleys has signed an agreement to sell its interractive toy animal concept Bear Factory to US-based Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Bear Factory was established by Hamleys in 2000 and operates 31 stores and concessions across the UK and Ireland, including one at Hamleys' Regent Street flagship store.

In addition, Bear Factory franchisees operate 13 stores in the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

Build-A-Bear Workshop was established in 1997 in St Louis, Missouri, and operates more than 200 stores in the US and Canada.

'Build-A-Bear approached us some time ago and after careful consideration we decided that a sale would fit well with our strategic plans and give us an opportunity to focus on the Hamleys brand,' said Hamleys chief executive Nick Mather.

'When Baugur Group bought Hamleys in 2003, the rationale was always that the Hamleys brand had potential that was much bigger than the current business. I have focused on developing several key initiatives both in the UK and internationally to leverage the strength of the Hamleys brand.'

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