Leading independent The Entertainer, which has 50 stores, has recorded a 12 per cent uplift in like-for-like sales since December 26 – the day before the first Woolworths stores began to close.
The retailer said there had been strong increases in sales of new launches, which traditionally would have been a Woolworths strength.
The Entertainer director of multichannel Duncan Grant said: “It’s too early to say whether it’s permanent, but we’re definitely seeing the benefit of not having Woolies on the high street.
“October and November were painful as Woolworths was selling toys at cost price, which meant a lot of our customers were going there. But we’ve just had the best 12 weeks on record. There’s an awful lot of spend that has to find a new home.”
However, he warned: “We’re still planning for a really tough retail environment.”
Sales at entertainment retailer Hawkin’s Bazaar, which has 56 shops, have also improved in the wake of Woolworths’ collapse.
Retail director Jared Carroll said: “We’re definitely picking up some sales from it. The kids have lost their Woolworths playground and they’re coming to us.”
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