Menkind has expanded its position in the gifts and gadgets market by buying Hawkin’s Bazaar and Stocking Fillers for an undisclosed sum.
The multichannel retailer, ranked Top250 in RXUK Top500 research, says that customers will now be able to choose from a larger range and enjoy a more seamless customer experience following the acquisition, which includes the two retailers’ websites, customer data and stock.
Menkind opened its first shop in 2002 and now sells from more than 60 sites including permanent and pop-up stores, of which nine opened in 2021. It is run by founder and chief executive Paul Kraftman and has its own in-house product development team specialising in original gifts and technology, including licensed and personalised products.
Hawkin’s Bazaar, a Top500 retailer in RXUK Top500 was founded in 1973, selling toys and gifts in-store and, more recently, online. The retailer went into administration in 2020, with 20 shops closing as a result and was subsequently bought by H Grossman Ltd which has traded it online only since then. Stocking Fillers, focused on the Christmas market, was set up in 2007 and was also owned by H Grossman, part of the Tobar International group. Shoppers will be able to buy through the two companies’ websites for the time being, but in time they will redirect to the Menkind site.
Paul Kraftman, chief executive of Menkind, says: “We are proud to continue the growth of our business through the acquisitions of these great brands. Reflecting back to 10 years ago, we were among the three main independent gifting retailers alongside Red5 and Hawkin, and thanks to our dedicated team and expertise we’ve gone from strength to strength, enabling us to acquire these businesses and offer an unrivalled proposition to our customers.”
David Mordecai, chief executive of Hawkin’s Bazaar, says: “We are delighted to have been acquired by Menkind. They are market leaders in the gifting industry and bring a world of experience which makes it truly exciting for this deal to take place. We are so thankful to our loyal customers for their support over the years and feel confident that they are in the best hands possible with Menkind.”
