The Irish Times

Private equity is the best capitalism can deliver, but also the worst

Pilita Clark: The study found that after a buyout, as higher-paid (often male) workers departed, the average pay gap between men and women fell 6.5%

Mon Jan 17 2022 - 06:04

Smyths Toys puts €175m into European business

Toy retailer looking to drive expansion at its most profitable unit

Tue Jan 11 2022 - 16:13

Lego records fastest growth in 5 years on back of digital shift

Sets blending physical bricks with Super Mario games propel profits

Wed Mar 10 2021 - 10:16

Lego wins lockdown as Danish toymaker grows sales and profits

Other toymakers have struggled but Lego has shrugged off shop closures

Wed Sept 02 2020 - 10:05

Walmart disappoints with weak sales volumes over Christmas

Figures from world’s top retailer under scrutiny for slowdown signs in US consumer spending

Tue Feb 18 2020 - 14:10

Irish retail enjoys Brexit breather after mixed 2019

Busy year for many Irish retailers at home and abroad despite weight of UK upheaval

Fri Dec 27 2019 - 17:50

US toy retailer FAO Schwarz opens Dublin store

Retailer takes 6,000sq ft space in Arnotts for its fourth location internationally

Wed Oct 30 2019 - 13:07

Smyths Toys now the most successful Irish retailer abroad

Family-owned Irish group is profitable in Ireland, the UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Tue Oct 22 2019 - 05:40

Smyths Toys new European division generated almost €14m profits

Sales at its 21-strong Irish division also rose last year to almost €226m

Sat Oct 19 2019 - 05:53

Smyths Toys starts German expansion with new €40m logistics hub

Group has completed the rebranding of the region’s former Toys R Us division that it bought last year for up to €79 million

Tue Jun 25 2019 - 06:35

Debenhams to ‘trade as normal’ despite administration

Ailing retailer has more than 1,600 staff in Republic

Tue Apr 09 2019 - 13:32

The Irish Times Deal of the Year: The four finalists

Contenders include Coillte for its windfarm sale, and Smyths Toys buying a division of ToysRUs

Mon Apr 01 2019 - 05:10

European shares recover as US, oil stocks see bounce

Shares edge higher as turbulent week draws to a close

Fri Dec 28 2018 - 10:43

Trouble in toyland: Can Mattel’s revival plans for Barbie and friends pay off?

New chairman Ynon Kreiz is focusing on movies and games for some beloved brands

Sat Dec 15 2018 - 05:16

Caveat: will the dark forces afflicting UK retailing crash the Irish house party?

There is a sense building among some in the retail sector that Ireland is overdue a dose of Hell on the High Street

Thu Oct 25 2018 - 16:46

Lampert trying to avoid bankruptcy at Sears Holdings

Chief proposes debt restructuring and selling property to repay $1.5bn worth of debt

Mon Sept 24 2018 - 22:10

Homebase to cut 1,000 jobs by shutting 80 stores next week

DIY chain with 11 Irish outlets was bought by restructuring experts Hilco in May

Wed Aug 08 2018 - 14:44

House of Fraser survival in doubt as rescue plan falls apart

Chinese fashion group had planned to buy a controlling stake but has backed out

Wed Aug 01 2018 - 19:58

London Briefing: All is not well on the British high street

Third profit warning from Debenhams catches analysts on the hop and sends shares tumbling

Wed Jun 20 2018 - 05:15

Poundworld falls into administration, putting 5,000 jobs at risk

Deal is latest blow for Britain’s struggling high streets, where a string of retailers and restaurants have shrunk or collapsed

Mon Jun 11 2018 - 13:44

Interim examiner appointed to Flicker scooter maker

High Court told examiner required to protect Walmart contract

Fri Jun 08 2018 - 18:07

Flicker scooter maker seeks examinership

Yvolve Sports Limited employs 41 people

Tue Jun 05 2018 - 18:35

Will Silicon Valley robber barons really kill traditional shops?

Caveat: Harvey Norman chief evangelical in defence of bricks-and-mortar stores

Fri May 18 2018 - 06:02

IMF’s warning on tax cuts, Smyths toystores expansion, and Horan snubs INBS inquiry

Business Today: the best news, analysis and comment from ‘The Irish Times’ business desk

Tue May 15 2018 - 06:30

US court to hear Smyths Toys ‘Project Elf’ plan for Europe

Smyths will initially pay just €64 million for 93 central European stores, documents show

Tue May 15 2018 - 05:53

Smyths Toys deny interest in France or Spain’s Toys R Us

Cantillon: Irish retailer proposing to buy 93 German, Swiss and Austrian Toys R Us stores

Tue May 15 2018 - 05:45

Game on for Smyths toys family after €79m European deal

Caveat: Transformation to pan-European market leader will not be child’s play

Fri Apr 27 2018 - 05:56

Inside Business podcast: A super expansion for Smyths Toys

Also this week: Irish Ferries, Ulster Bank and Apple

Wed Apr 25 2018 - 16:53

Delays on new drugs, Smyths Toys expand in Europe and entrepreneur awards shortlist

Business Today: the best news, analysis and comment from ‘The Irish Times’ business desk

Mon Apr 23 2018 - 06:41

Smyths to pay almost €80m for European assets of Toys R Us

Deal likely to push the Irish retailer’s annual revenues towards €1bn

Mon Apr 23 2018 - 04:15

Smyths Toys to buy Toys R Us in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Mayo family-owned retailing group will double in size

Sat Apr 21 2018 - 17:31

Peppa Pig set to bring home bacon for Entertainment One

Children’s television show and its licensed products growing in popularity in China

Wed Apr 04 2018 - 13:27

Toys ‘R’ Us to close US stores as it fails to reach rescue deal

Some 30,000 jobs at risk as company to shut 735 stores in America

Thu Mar 15 2018 - 07:10

Toys R Us to close all UK stores after failing to find buyer

US-owned chain operated four outlets in the North

Wed Mar 14 2018 - 17:10