The British Association of Toy Retailers (BATR) is an association that represents their members to the United Kingdom government and the European Commission. It promotes the role of the toy retailer and the value of toys to the consumer. It represents about 75% of the toy trade. It is based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
The association also organises the BATR Toy Awards Dinner, a prestigious event where the BATR Toy of the Year award and other prizes are presented, including BATR Toy Shop of the Year. The one-day media-only event is held in association with UK Toy News.
Early Learning Centre
Hamleys
The Entertainer
Toys "R" Us
Toytown Stores
The Toy of the Year awards began in 1965 and are presented annually at an awarding dinner held during the British International Toy Fair at Olympia in January. The criteria are that the toy must have been very popular in the past year and excited interest among customers and retailers in the toy market.
1965 - James Bond Aston Martin die-cast car
1966 - Action Man (Palitoy)
1967 - Spirograph (Denys Fisher)
1968 - Sindy (Pedigree Toys)
1969 - Hot Wheels
1970 - Sindy
1971 - Katie Kopykat writing doll
1972 - Plasticraft modelling kits
1973 - Mastermind board game
1974 - Lego Family set
1975 - Lego Basic set
1976 - Peter Powell (kite)
1977 - Playmobil Playpeople
1978 - Combine Harvester (Britains Limited)
1979 - Legoland Space kits
1980 - Rubik's Cube
1981 - Rubik's Cube
1982 - Star Wars toys
1983 - Star Wars toys
1984 - Masters of the Universe
1985 - Transformers (Optimus Prime)
1986 - Transformers (Optimus Prime)
1987 - Sylvanian Families
1988 - Sylvanian Families
1989 - Sylvanian Families
1990 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1991 - Nintendo Game Boy
1992 - WWF Wrestlers
1993 - Thunderbirds Tracy Island
1994 - Power Rangers
1995 - Pogs
1996 - Barbie
1997 - Teletubbies
1998 - Furby
1999 - Furby Babies
2000 - Teksta
2001 - Bionicles (Lego)
2002 - Beyblades
2003 - Beyblades
2004 - RoboSapien
2005 - Tamagotchi Connexion
2006 - Doctor Who Cyberman Mask
2007 - In the Night Garden Blanket Time Iggle Piggle
2008 - Ben 10 Action Figures 10” and 15”
2009 - Go Go Hamsters
2010 - Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear
2011 - LeapPad Explorer
2012 - Furby
2013 - Teksta
