In our January retail focus, TnP retail editor, Clare Turner interviews director Daniel Miller of JTS Gifts & Prizes and talks about the toy manufacturer and distributor’s decision to make a move into bricks-and-mortar retailing with JTS Toy Universe

What’s your background? 

I studied Entrepreneurship and Politics at Miami University in the US. I started my career working in fashion in NYC selling expensive outerwear including brands such as Colmar, Canada Goose, and Parajumpers, in the Manhattan area. 

I then went into property sales, lettings and investments covering Chelsea, Mayfair, Knightsbridge and the West End of London, for Farrar & Co, KFH (Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward) and Savills. 

I then moved back home to Liverpool and joined JTS Gift & Prizes.

Tell us a bit about JTS Gifts & Prizes. 

Based in Liverpool, we are a licensed toy manufacturer and distributor, supplying licensed and branded toys to UK and International independent toy shops, blue chip retailers, leisure and hospitality groups, along with our own toy brands. We also launched our B2B and B2C website last year, which has seen
great success. 

We’ve been in the toy business forover 40 years, and we are a family-run firm. My father Martin started his company back in 1984, and we’ve had the same staff since we started, plus a few new additions of course. 

Now with a much larger team, a unique vision and a fun company culture, JTS Gifts & Prizes was started by me. I’ve pushed things into the modern day, and increased our toy ranges/licences and customer base, along with a rebrand. 

All of this has enabled us to take things to the next level, from the fantastic foundations set by Martin. Today we are partners, and us coming together as a force has resulted in the growing toy empire we have, and can be proud of, today. 

Why did you launch JTS Toy Universe?

We went into retail as it made sense with all of the stock we carry for the wholesale and distribution side of the business. It was a no-brainer really. 

So this is our first bricks-and-mortar shop. It measures around 2,000sq ft and is in The Concourse Shopping Centre, in the heart of Skelmersdale, West Lancs.

 Just a few minutes’ drive from junction 4 off the M58, the Centre is home to national retailers such as Aldi, Home Bargains, Argos, Farm Foods, Superdrug, Poundland, Specsavers, Peacocks, Iceland, Boots, and Card Factory. There are also food outlets and plenty of independent retailers.

“The grand opening was officially inaugurated by The Lord Mayor of Lancashire who cut the tape, and we created a great buzz with all of the kids, parents and teenagers who came out to welcome us”

Launch day was Saturday September 28 – and it exceeded all our expectations and numbers. The grand opening was officially inaugurated by The Lord Mayor of Lancashire who cut the tape, and we created a great buzz with all of the kids, parents and teenagers who came out to welcome us – our new customers.

People are now telling us that the store is Lancashire’s best new independent toy store. In the words of Buzz Lightyear: “To infinity and beyond!” It was a great start for us and heralded a very busy Christmas season. 

We also have our own Christmas plush offering through our own brand Teddy City, and we were one of the main suppliers of plush to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. [Located in London’s Hyde Park, this destination for festive fun ran for six weeks from November 21 to January 5, with a variety of attractions, activities, and entertainment.]

What sets you apart from other toy shops? 

We are the only toy shop in the whole shopping mall, so are somewhat monopolising the area! Our USP is selling top toys and licences, with everything under £25, starting from 25p.

How would you describe your range? 

We carry all of the top movie licences, and toy manufacturers, including Jazwares, Zuru, Just Play, Spin Master, Moose, MGA/Zapf, Basic Fun, Mattel, Hasbro, Character Options, DKB, Jakks America and Wow Stuff, to name a few. 

And 30% of the stock is our own brand lines, which include JTS Teddy City, Young Money and Keyring Nation.

Each section in the store is merchandised in its own license/branded sections. So, Pokémon, Harry Potter, Barbie, Ninja Turtles, Marvel/DC, Peppa Pig, Rainbow High and so on. 

What are your hottest new arrivals? 

Jazwares Squishmallows, Jellycat, and Zuru Snackles. 

Where do you source products?

I visit the Toymaster May Show and Toy Fair in London for general networking. I also deal direct and forge relationships with worldwide toy manufacturers and distributors. Plus, I also source myself in the Far East, and attend all of the
licensing expos. 

At Toy Fair, I enjoy the vibe, the networking, the people – and seeing all of the new up-and-coming toys and licences of course. Am I looking for anything specifically? The new top trend toys, and hot upcoming licences and movies for 2025. 

How do you get the word out there? 

We are on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn @jtsgiftsandprizes – and our new website is www.jtsgiftsandprizes.co.uk.

What are you most excited about seeing/stocking for Spring/Summer? 

I love all of my toy suppliers, and I’m looking forward to seeing our own brand toys, which we have created ourselves for our new ranges. 

I’m also looking forward to seeing the new Lego, Squishmallows, Jellycat, Pokémon, and Zuru in particular – as well as your traditional household licences like Disney, and new up-and-coming licences, trends, toys and movies. 

What’s next for your business?

The plan for the next five years is to build new offices, a toy showroom and warehousing, for our forever growing teams, and business. 

Do your plans include any more retail shops? 

Right now, we are happy with just one. However, we would expand into more shops in shopping malls like The Concourse Shopping Centre, if the opportunity in the right area were to come about for us. 

What do you like most about your job? 

I love everything I do, otherwise I wouldn’t do it.           

What’s your all-time favourite toy or game? 

Pokémon: I’ve always been a big fan, and collector. 

What’s your current favourite? 

FIFA 2025, as I’m a big football and Liverpool fan, and I like to play in my downtime. 

Is there anything that you would like to add? 

I would just like to thank all my staff, customers, friends and family for their continued support, and we hope to continue to develop our toy empire, with continued growth and success for the future.