Mothercare Q3: No Recovery from Last Year’s Frostbite

Mothercare has announced yet another decline in the performance of its UK stores, in its third quarter trading update. Like-for-like sales in UK stores fell by 3.0%, during the 13 week period ending on 7th January 2012. Overall sales on home soil dropped by 6.9%; in part due to the company’s plan to close-down 110 shops within a three year period.

These disappointing UK trading figures follow a poor 2011, which the firm blamed on snow during December. Read more

Early Learning Centre Toys now Available Wholesale

In the clearest sign yet that Early Learning Centre has all but given-up on trading on the British high street, The Toy Detectives have become aware that Peterkin UK Ltd are now a wholesaler of the baby and pre-school brand of toys. Read more

Half Price Sale at Early Learning Centre

Half Price Sale
in-store and online at Early Learning Centre

HALF PRICE SALE

NOW ON

Offer ends: Unknown, however, the best deals sell-out fast. Read more

Half Price Brambledale Farm at ELC

Brambledale Farm
available to buy from Early Learning Centre

Was £45, NOW ONLY

£22.50

Offer ends: Unknown, but don’t expect deals to last long at ELC. Read more

Half Price Tower of Doom at ELC

Tower of Doom
available to buy from Early Learning Centre

Was £80, NOW ONLY

£40

Offer ends: Unknown, but don’t expect deals to last long at ELC Read more

Half Price Dolls’ Mansion Department Store at ELC

Dolls’ Mansion Department Store
available to buy from Early Learning Centre

Was £140, NOW ONLY

£70

Offer ends: Unknown, but don’t expect deals to last long at ELC Read more

Half Price Giant Keyboard at ELC

Giant Keyboard
available to buy from Early Learning Centre

Was £40, NOW ONLY

£20

Offer ends: Unknown, but don’t expect deals to last long at ELC. Read more

Half Price Electronic Drum Kit from ELC

Super Sounds Electronic Drum Kit
available to buy from Early Learning Centre

Was £40, NOW ONLY

£20

Offer ends: Unknown, but don’t expect deals to last long at ELC.
Read more

Amazon won’t make you wait for ELC toys

Early Learning Centre has its own ecommerce website, however, with the toy seller taking seven working days for standard delivery (surely, sub-standard), an audacious charge of £4.95 for the “service” and a lack of an in-store collection facility, many customers may only place orders as a last resort.

So, if you cannot stay indoors for as many as ten days waiting for a parcel to arrive, then you’ll be pleased to know that Amazon.co.uk have added over 600 ELC products to its own vast online selection.

Amazon provide standard delivery free of charge on orders over £30 and if you’re in a hurry the online retailer offers express delivery, including delivery on Saturdays. Read more

Half Price VTech & ELC Toys at Debenhams

Debenhams are currently hosting one of their Christmas Spectacular events, where shoppers can fing offers of up to 40% off (and sometimes more) throughout the department stores and online.

A few half-price toy lines have caught the eye of The Toy Detectives:

VTech My Laptop – was £25 NOW ONLY £12.50

VTech Kiddizoom Twist Digital Camera – was £55 NOW ONLY £27.50

ELC Happyland Fairy Treehouse – was £50 NOW ONLY £25.00

ELC Happyland Busy Construction Work Site – was £50 NOW ONLY £25.00

There’s plenty of more good stuff on sale at Debenhams; notably Octonauts, Fireman Sam and Peppa Pig among many more are all in stock with 20% off.

Other departments at the chain of stores are offering up to 40% off, while fragrance and beauty products are being discounted by 10%.

Online shopper can also get a further 10% off reduction by using discount voucher code LM93 when purchasing on the website.

Up To 40% Off Christmas Spectacular
at Debenhams
Offer Ends: Sunday, 20th November 2011

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