The UK toy retail chain, The Entertainer is moving into the supermarket giant, Asda, as part of the grocer’s ‘test and learn’ partnership strategy. The move will see The Entertainer turn the toy aisles of five of Asda’s UK stores into branded concessions from early next year.

Under the terms of the partnership, The Entertainer will have full responsibility for the product range, pricing and merchandising. The supermarket has said that it is in response to a shift in consumer behaviour – brought on by the coronavirus – that sees an increasing number of shoppers looking to complete multiple shopping ‘missions’ in one trip.

This isn’t the first partnership of its kind for Asda who has recently expanded its trial run with musicMagpie to a further 31 stores and has formed a new deal with Per-Scent, the branded fragrance distributor, at its Stevenage store.

Asda said its strategy of bringing brands that are popular with customers into stores began last year with jewellery and accessories retailer Claire’s and has since been extended to partnerships with Greggs, B&Q, musicMagpie and now The Entertainer and Fragrance Point.

“The Entertainer are experts in toy sourcing and retailing so we are really excited to work with them and are confident their offer will prove very popular with customers,” Asda partnerships senior director Matt Harrison said.

“We anticipate working with more great brands like The Entertainer and Fragrance Point in the coming months as we look to make our stores even better places to visit.”

The Entertainer executive chairman, Gary Grant, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Asda to bring the wonder of The Entertainer to their customers. The trial in five stores from February 2021 will give customers the opportunity to shop our range of the latest toys and games, including our great value exclusive range from Addo, where ever is most convenient to them.”