What's in those stores....UK

[niftynigel]

What's that based on? Because I think it's a joke myself. That 994B case made it to a selection of Toymasters in the SE, even fewer Morrisons and now the odd DS apparently. More likely to be the other way round IMO.

You can believe what you want to believe. I know the facts and it's nice to share them with people that appreciate it. If you don't then fair enough.

As I said before, for work and pleasure, I travel the length and bredth of England. I even venture into Scotland and Wales occasionally. As a Cars addict, I look in supermarkets and toy stores in all manor of strange places. I take a note of what I get to see and I can well believe the figures that I'm given. Hamleys for example were having ten cases delivered every week! They had 50 case 997V and if they got the same order last weekend, that's up to 50 case 994B too!

If you consider there are nearly 2,500 Tescos; 1,000 Sainsburys; 455 Morrisons; 256 ASDA; 58 Smyths; 75 Toys R Us; 50 Disney Stores; 364 Wilkinsons and 250 Toymasters that's less than half a case for each store, if they got an equal share. Not all those stores get cases or even sell toys. There are 238 Tesco Extra and 481 Superstores. Not all the Superstores sell Cars, that's true. Sainsburys has 572 Superstores and 440 Locals. My local near work gets through two cases a week!

When you consider how many cases some stores get through, it's no surprise at all. My local Toymaster group (of six stores) get ten cases a time. One store can sell the best part of four cases a week on it's own.

London and South East is where the biggest markets are. Cars, even old ones fly off the shelves (unlike Planes). Disney Store Oxford Street accounts for about 60% of all it's Cars sales, so for a run of 250 cases, it sold 150 of them!

I have about 25-30 supermarkets and toy stores in my area. Most have had the 994B case. I think, if I totted up all the case 994B cases I've seen, it may amount to well over 100. Ok, that's mainly one county and a lot of Greater London. If you consider that there are something like 60 traditional counties and the area I cover on a regular basis as a fraction of the whole of the UK and Ireland, it's surprising that there are only 2,000 cases!

Clearly, some parts of the country just don't have the demand. The UK is very reliant on London and the South East.

[Enzo]

All I'm saying is that 1600 of that case isn't the picture painted by posts on this board. It popped up in mid-late July in a few TM's, and then nothing as August was basically a dead zone.

Maybe like you, others have seen 100s of these cases everywhere but just haven't posted their finds, I dunno.

[Lozzi31]

Enzo - I found a Boost today at my local Disney Store, would you like it?

[niftynigel]

All I'm saying is that 1600 of that case isn't the picture painted by posts on this board. It popped up in mid-late July in a few TM's, and then nothing as August was basically a dead zone.

Maybe like you, others have seen 100s of these cases everywhere but just haven't posted their finds, I dunno.

I would hazard a guess that I do more travelling than most, so I get to see the good and the bad? There's many a time, when I'm thankful for living in an area where there's quite a bouyant Cars market. There are times when I wonder about collectors in some areas and how difficult is for some to get what they want because there just isn't the demand. Living in the South East does have some compensations, but obvious lows like the cost of living, congested roads, overcrowded trains not to mention outrageous house prices ...

The 994B case has shown up at Toymaster, Morrisons, Hamleys, Tesco and Disney Stores so far. As soon as they hit the shelves, just about all the cars get sold, from what I've seen. If you look at eBay and the sellers of cars that were in the case, you'll see they are spread far and wide, not just the South East.

Of the far flung places I've been over the past few weeks, it was only Devon that I didn't see the remnants of the 994B case. I don't know if Devon and Bristol come under the same area, but if it did, that could explain a lot?

[Joshuasmummy]

Although not individual cars I spotted these in my local TRU yesterday-The Radiator Springs World Playset (£49.99) and this 10 pack of cars £50). Speaking from experience both are excellent additions to collections, we have them both but that's because we asked a family friend to bring them back from the States in the summer where they have been available for a while. The prices for them here are literally double the prices there!! I'm sure they will sell in the run up to Christmas but geez, they are highly priced! Thought I would share though!
8826814758942.jpgpTRU1-12661820_alternate1_dt.jpgpTRU1-12661820dt.jpg

[foxrfc]

After a tour of a number of Tesco / Sainsbury's / Morrisons and the odd WHSmith, Wilkinson, Toyrus and TK Maxx thrown in for good measure, new cars no where to be seen. Although one Sainsbury's had the basic peg warmer remains of 2 clip strips, and there was on in a Tesco but all with 2012 carded contents.

The only success of any note was a WHSmith outside Northampton, where managed to capture a crusin LMQ, LMQ with plough and a Sarge all with the moving eyes.

Chug from Planes can now be found in Toyrus and Argos, in case that is of use to anyone.

[carscrazy]

Thanks for the heads up on chug, will try our local argos tomorrow
We went to a different sainsburys today and all they had was 2012 francescos and one cactus mcqueen.
Asda is not worth the time looking! Had a big banner up saying 'new toy range' must of been well hidden as I didn't see anything new since my last visit lol

[Joshuasmummy]

Had to rush home to share this with UK collectors-get to your local Boots!! Not only are the cars in their 3 for 2 Christmas deal but they are.....£1.38 each?!?!?! I nearly tripped over myself running to the till! In all fairness we only found a DJ with flames which we snapped up but it had no price, when I got to the till she told me it was £1.38 so I went back to the shelf, although the only other two on the whole shelf were Lewis Hamilton and Fillmore, which we already have, I got them anyway for swaps or spares because quite frankly for £2.76 for three cars (with the b.o.g.o.f) it was cheaper than I expected to pay for the DJ anyway which has been on our wanted list for a while!! BARGAIN!
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[Lozzi31]

Awesome price there Joshua'sMummy!

[madbob]

What's that based on? Because I think it's a joke myself. That 994B case made it to a selection of Toymasters in the SE, even fewer Morrisons and now the odd DS apparently. More likely to be the other way round IMO.

Yes it probably is a joke, but if you spend lots of time searching and money on petrol the cars are there to be found. In reality for probably many people on this forum that is not an option. I know I certainly don't have the time or money to do this, but its great that Nigel posts what he has found from what he see's and hears from the trade that he talks too. Thanks for all the help Nigel...

[carscrazy]

Had to rush home to share this with UK collectors-get to your local Boots!! Not only are the cars in their 3 for 2 Christmas deal but they are.....£1.38 each?!?!?! I nearly tripped over myself running to the till! In all fairness we only found a DJ with flames which we snapped up but it had no price, when I got to the till she told me it was £1.38 so I went back to the shelf, although the only other two on the whole shelf were Lewis Hamilton and Fillmore, which we already have, I got them anyway for swaps or spares because quite frankly for £2.76 for three cars (with the b.o.g.o.f) it was cheaper than I expected to pay for the DJ anyway which has been on our wanted list for a while!! BARGAIN!
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Excellent find!! Thanks very much for sharing

[madbob]

Had to rush home to share this with UK collectors-get to your local Boots!! Not only are the cars in their 3 for 2 Christmas deal but they are.....£1.38 each?!?!?!

Insane, that's the cheapest I have ever seen Cars in the UK since collecting. Do Boots actually sell Cars? visited a couple over the last few weeks and there were no singles about...

[Joshuasmummy]

Madbob-I've never seen any in there before but they are considered one of the big gift retailers at Christmas time (thanks to their 3 for 2) so I've been thinking for a while they may well stock them for the festive period...I may have only been collecting for a few months but even I knew it was a huge bargain, I practically want to frame the receipt!

[carscrazy]

Boots used to sell the old movie moments 3 for 2, Used to see loads at one point.
Went in our boots this afternoon but toys look like they are waiting to be restocked as shelf had hardly any toys left, will keep checking there now tho

Argos are a waste of time yet again, all maters and francescos.

[Bombom77]

I may have only been collecting for a few months but even I knew it was a huge bargain, I practically want to frame the receipt!

LOL nice job Chloe!

What size Boots was it? was it a high street Boots or a retail park boots?