Associated Independent Stores (AIS) is the largest independent, non-food buying group in the UK with a combined membership turnover of a round £1.9 billion. Its independent department store and specialist retail members operate more than 600 outlets across the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands.

AIS offers key services specifically designed to meet its members needs such as central payment facilities (CENPAC), marketing, training, logistics, procurement and information technology.

Following requests from members, AIS launched its own Toy Division in June 2008 under the name plaY-room. In addition to AIS department store members, many independent toy retailers have joined the plaY-room family and are offering toys and related items for children.

Two years after its launch, plaY-room has 64 members with more than 120 retail outlets and confidently expects to add to this number significantly during 2010.

Terms have been agreed with more than 120 suppliers and plaY-room has offered both Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer FOB import programmes to give members access to more than 700 branded and non-branded toys at high margin.

plaY-room at the Park will be the Division’s third major Toy Show and will take place on April 27th and April 28th 2011 at Cranmore Park, Solihull. All plaY-room Cenpac suppliers will be invited to exhibit at this show, which is primarily for plaY-room members but is also open to non-member retailers who pre-register using the following link http://www.cranmorepark.co.uk/events.php

plaY-room welcomes approaches from independent retailers who would like to find out more about the benefits of membership. Please contact either Joyce Daly, Controller or Miles Penhallow, Toy Manager or call 0121 713 4487.