Harry Hits Hamleys – London Store Opens “Potter”-Themed Floor
Hamleys in London is a pretty magical place on any day. The world-famous store covers seven floors, and at 258 years old, it is the oldest toy shop in the world. However, it just got more spellbinding with the unveiling of a Harry Potter-themed floor stuffed with magical merchandise. MuggleNet took a look around.
Descending the stairs opposite the Hamleys main doors, you find yourself surrounded by shelves stacked high with wizarding world-inspired games, costumes, and collectibles as music from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films fills the space. In addition to enjoying this Potter retail paradise, customers can take advantage of photo opportunities with cardboard cutouts and LEGO figurines of characters, including a life-size LEGO Hagrid!
From board games to broomsticks, hats to hippogriffs, there’s something for everyone. This includes the oft-forgotten Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, who will take heart from the following taken from the Hamleys website: “The four [H]ouses of Hogwarts – yes, four! It’s not all about Gryffindor and Slytherin you know…” Among the toys and memorabilia, there are the trusty classics like House scarves but also brand-new items such as the Harry Potter “Barbies,” which were only announced at the end of last month.
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As is the Hamleys custom, there will be interactive product demonstrations happening on the floor every day, as well as a fun schedule of daily Potter-themed events (see the toggle below for more details). Future customers should also look out for daily competitions to win Harry Potter toy bundles on the store’s Instagram.
All that and there’s still more to come! Among other things, August will see LEGO sets added to the floor. Could this be connected to the rumored new Hogwarts Castle set?
Potterheads heading to Hamleys should also be sure to check out the Noble Collection section on the fourth floor for its beautiful film replicas.
Hamleys is, of course, no stranger to Harry Potter merchandise. In November 2001, its then chairman Simon Burke was asked to name top sellers:
It’s Harry Potter, Harry Potter and Harry Potter – in that order.
That the same can still be said about this new floor, 17 years later, is a testament to our enduring love for the wizarding world.