Reflecting on our partnership with The Entertainer, it’s remarkable to think that what began merely two years ago has blossomed into a thriving collaboration.
The journey so far
Our journey started back in October 2022, supporting The Entertainer in a strategically important pilot within a select group of Tesco stores. The goal was to validate the success of their unique “Toy Box” retail solution in multi-category retail settings. eXPD8 spearheaded the initial phase, managing 12 out of the 30 trial stores, handling everything from instore inventory management and pricing to merchandising and overall store standards. The Entertainer’s own retail field operations team oversaw the remaining 18 stores. It was important for The Entertainer and Tesco to be able to assess if eXPD8’s field teams and merchandisers could deliver the same level of instore category support that The Entertainer’s operational teams could.
After 14 months, this trial culminated in a formal agreement to expand the concept across 850 Tesco stores in the UK and Southern Ireland. eXPD8’s proven track record led The Entertainer to choose eXPD8 to facilitate this rollout, recognizing our capability to manage day-to-day operations effectively.
Lasting 8 months, the roll-out, which started in March 2024, was completed by mid-October. It demanded immense dedication and effort from the teams at eXPD8, The Entertainer, Tesco, and several partner organizations. I am immensely proud of everyone at eXPD8 for their steadfast commitment, dedication and tireless work, focused on delivering the best outcome for The Entertainer and Tesco. This has resulted in making The Entertainer our largest client. I really do thank them.
Of course, launching the stores is only step one; we now have to maintain the launch standards, taking full responsibility for the day-to-day instore operation, from instore inventory management, pricing, merchandising, POS management and of course overall stock merchandising, store presentation and customer satisfaction. So now the hard work really begins, we are on a steep learning curve, but The Entertainer Operations team are brilliant, providing help, advice and support as well as spending time educating us all on all things Toy-related, they really are the experts and so knowledgeable and enthusiastic, its easy to see why they are so successful.
We get people in store
In order for eXPD8 to deliver and maintain the daily support to the launched Tesco / Entertainer stores, we have been able to recruit and offer employment opportunities to over 650 additional permanent colleagues. We have recruited and developed a dedicated central team to work with and support The Entertainer, overseeing all aspects of the central operations, and in the field, we have recruited Field Managers and Merchandisers to support and deliver the instore operation.
In addition, we are currently recruiting additional seasonal support workers and weekend workers, with a significant number of these roles turning into permanent roles in the new year.
We’re committed to creating opportunity
At the heart of the eXPD8 vision is our ongoing commitment to our people. We will always focus on being inclusive; an employer of choice, giving all members of our community rewarding career opportunities to genuinely enjoy and be proud of. We champion diversity and inclusion, offering flexible, meaningful employment opportunities for all. This means we don’t just get it. We get it right.
With such a significant recruitment campaign, eXPD8 has been able to put increased effort and emphasis in trying to reach out and offer employment to individuals who sometimes feel disadvantaged and unable to find quality, flexible work opportunities. We are engaged with and actively looking to offer employment to individuals in the following areas:
- We are an accredited “Disability Leader” employer offering roles with registered disabilities
- We work with the Autism trust
- We work with “Crisis” and “The big Issue” to offer permanent jobs to the homeless – We are a signatory to the Homelessness pledge
- We work with the DWP to offer employment to victims of domestic violence – We are a signatory to the Domestic Abuse covenant
- We are a signatory to the Armed Forces charter offering employment to service to ex personnel, and veterans
- We are working with the DWP to offer opportunities for older candidates through the Fuller Working Lives covenant
- We work with registered ex-offenders to offer suitable work opportunities – We are in the process of becoming a signatory to the Ex-Offenders covenant
- We are in the process of registering as a signatory to the Care Leavers covenant
With so many employment opportunities on offer, working with such great brands as The Entertainer and Tesco, it is so gratifying to be able to reach out and help people who may have felt disadvantaged in the past. eXPD8 is very proud to be able to offer help and support.
What’s next?
Now the roll-out is complete, the hard work really begins; maintaining the stores and offer on a day by day basis. Dealing with the daily trading issues and settling everything in to a “business as usual” status, is the priority, as is getting ready for the major volume impact and revenue generator that is “Christmas”. This of course will be the first Christmas where the Tesco stores will have the unique offering that is The Entertainer, across all 850 stores, so expectations are very high.
The Tesco customer response has been overwhelmingly positive already, showing great support for the Entertainer offer in stores since they launched; we anticipate even greater engagement as they start getting into present-buying mood. They will no doubt be spending more time reviewing, deciding and purchasing toys from the extensive range that will be on offer. I am sure there will be increased interest in the toys that The Entertainer has identified as the top toy picks for Christmas 2024:
- Gold Fugglers – exclusive to The Entertainer (Zuru)
- Totally Tracks Loop Racetrack (Addo Play)
- Early Learning Centre Wooden Little Town Figure of Eight Playset – exclusive to The Entertainer (Addo ELC)
- Bluey’s Escape Convertible Playset – exclusive to The Entertainer (Moose Toys)
- Disney Lilo & Stitch Crack Me Up Interactive Soft Toy (Just Play)
- Happyland Limited Edition Gold London Bus, to mark Early Learning Centre’s 50th anniversary (Addo ELC)
- Despicable Me 4 The Ultimate Fart Blaster (Moose Toys)
- Hot Wheels Power Shift Motorised Raceway Playset – exclusive to The Entertainer (Mattel)
- Pets Alive Mama Duck Surprise Electronic Pet (Zuru)
- Disney Bitzee Interactive Pet (Spin Master)
- BeyBlade Extreme Playset (Hasbro)
- Hatchimals Alive! Mystery Hatch Pufficorn Electronic Pet (Spin Master)
It’s going to be a busy time, no doubt. But it will be fun, exciting and it’s great to be working in partnership with such a great client. eXPD8 is going to do its best to ensure The Entertainer and Tesco partnership is highly successful
The Future
eXPD8 continues to grow and a significant part of our growth strategy is focused on developing category wide solutions with brand experts and/or retailers. eXPD8 is keen on developing solutions with other brands and retailers eager to replicate the success seen with The Entertainer. If you feel this is something you wish to explore further, please do reach out. Our proven approach delivers measurable benefits to our clients and retailers, ensuring effective retail execution and enhanced consumer engagement.
We know, like you, that products do not sell in warehouses. So, we’ve made it our business to ensure that you never have to worry about your retail execution, from initial brief down to the last 50 yards. With national coverage and local knowledge, we partner with you, putting our expertise and experience to work, ensuring that through our implementation, brands get into the heads and hands of consumers, faster.
Working together we get it right first time. Every time.
Mark Thurgood
Director / Co-owner
