We get asked this a lot: ‘Why is it out of stock, and will you be getting more?
If you’ve ever found the perfect toy… and then seen the dreaded “out of stock” message, you’re not alone.
It’s so disappointing when you go back to buy it and it’s suddenly gone. Big retailers can seem to have endless stock, but independent toy shops work very differently behind the scenes.
We get asked this a lot: “Why is it out of stock and will you be getting more?”
Short version: independent shops order in smaller quantities, many brands make in smaller batches, and restocks take time , especially when toys are coming from Europe.
Here’s what’s really going on, and what you can do if you need a gift by a certain date.
Every independent toy shop is a bit different, but here’s how it usually works behind the scenes, and how it works for us.
1) Independent toy shops don’t buy toys the same way big chains do
Big retailers often order huge volumes far in advance. They can reserve production runs and fill warehouses.
Independent shops like ours are smaller by design, we choose toys carefully, and we have to buy sensibly. We don’t have the space (or the funds) to stockpile thousands of the same item.
So we tend to order in smaller quantities, then reorder as soon as we can. The downside is that when something suddenly becomes popular, or is particularly gorgeous it can sell through really quickly.✨
2) Many of our best toys come from smaller European makers
A lot of the brands we love are made in smaller batches, with a real focus on quality, safety and design.
That’s a big part of why they’re so well made, but it also means they don’t always have unlimited supply sitting ready.
Sometimes a toy is out of stock because a production run has finished, materials are delayed, the maker is prioritising safety testing and quality checks, or it’s simply sold out across Europe (not just in the UK).
3) “Out of stock” doesn’t always mean “gone forever”
This is the bit that surprises people.
There are a few different types of out-of-stock: sometimes it’s only temporary and more are expected, sometimes it’s seasonal and will return at a certain time of year, and sometimes it’s discontinued (often with very little warning). Occasionally a toy comes back with a small tweak, like new packaging or an updated version.
If you’re ever unsure, just ask us, we’ll tell you honestly what we know.
4) Restocks aren’t instant (even when we order quickly)
Even when we can reorder straight away, stock doesn’t arrive overnight.
Toys coming from Europe often take around 12–14 days to reach the UK, and then there can be customs checks and shipping delays. After that, they still need to make their way through the brand’s UK delivery network before they land with us.
If it’s coming back in, it’s often about two weeks, and we’ll always be honest about the timeline.
And the good news is, sometimes it’s already on the way!✨
5) Why we can’t always “just get one more”
Most suppliers have minimum order values (often in the hundreds of pounds), so we can’t usually order just one toy on its own.
So even if we want to reorder one specific toy, we may need to place a larger order to make shipping viable, or suggest a slightly different version that’s available now.
6) What you can do if you need a toy by a certain date
If you’ve got a deadline (birthday party, holiday, special treat), here are the easiest ways to avoid stress:
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Shop a little earlier than you think you need to (especially for popular brands)
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Message or ring us — If we don't have it we can often suggest another toy shop that may stock it.
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Consider a different colour/style in the same range (sometimes one is available and another isn’t)
Want us to pop it to one side?
If you’ve fallen in love with something and you’re not quite ready to buy it that minute, we can usually hold it for you with a small deposit. We do need to take a deposit because sometimes people don’t come back (life happens!), and we can’t afford to have precious stock sitting behind the counter when someone else would love it.
If something you’ve got your eye on is out of stock, get in touch.
Tell us the child’s age, what they’re into right now, your budget, and when you need it by.
We’ll help you find something lovely (and we’ll be honest about timelines, too).
