Parents warned of gulf in toy prices
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PARENTS should shop around for children's toys this Christmas and could save pounds by avoiding the top toy store Hamleys, the Consumers' Association said yesterday.
Prices vary greatly, according to a survey in the association's Which? magazine.
Reseachers compared the prices of 12 toys and games - including Scrabble, Meccano, Nintendo Game Boy, a Mini Chef kitchen and a Sindy's make-up counter - in October. The best buys were found at Argos, Children's World, Index, Toys R Us and Woolworths. Hamleys, in central London, came out worst. 'Hamleys was the most expensive for 8 of the 12 toys,' the magazine said. 'In one or two cases the differences were less than a couple of pounds but in many cases you would end up paying much more.'
Which? said a Sindy's make- up counter cost pounds 25.65 in Woolworths and pounds 44.99 in Hamleys. A Fisher Price Mini Chef was pounds 59.97 in Toys R Us and pounds 99 in Hamleys. And Scrabble was pounds 9.24 in Argos against pounds 19.99 in Hamleys.
The magazine said a second spot-check in November showed falling prices in the run-up to Christmas - but there were still big differences.
Hamleys said the Which? report contained a number of inaccuracies - the Fisher Price Mini Chef was pounds 79.99, Scrabble pounds 12.99, and the Sindy's make-up counter pounds 39.99. 'We constantly monitor our pricing to ensure it
adequately reflects the quality of experience we offer' a spokesman said
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments