Tag Archives: Toys R Us

Yup! You read that headline correctly. But this time the new partner appears to be Macy’s. “This time, the iconic brand is teaming with Macy’s to open toy shops in more than 400 department stores nationwide starting in 2022, the two companies announced Thursday.” USA Today has the full story!

There is a huge update about Toys R Us. They may make a comeback in North America (outside of Canada where stores currently exist). IGN has the full story. Special thanks to Dwayne for the alert to this news story.

Toys R Us is looking to mount another comeback. The retail chain is planning to open stores in North America again under the new ownership of WHP Global, a New York-based brand management company.WHP announced Monday in a press release that it has acquired a controlling interest in Tru Kids, the parent company of Toys R Us, Babies R Us and Geoffrey the Giraffe brands.

“We’re in the brand business, and Toys R Us is the single most credible, trusted and beloved toy brand in the world,” WHP chairman and CEO Yehuda Shmidman said. “We’re coming off a year where toys are just on fire… and for Toys R Us, the U.S. is really a blank canvas.” (more….)

A breathtaking new video has popped up on YouTube, from May 21, 1980 — the day of The Empire Strikes Back’s release — of a Toys R Us featuring industry people as well as customers and employees talking about the Star Wars Kenner toy line. It is one of the most expansive and detailed videos I’ve seen from this time period in Star Wars collecting. I highly suggest checking it out. Special thanks to JTA reader Paul V. for the alert to this beautiful video. Seatbelt yourself in for some precious 1980 special effects! (more….)

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An all new Toys R Us store will open in New Jersey tomorrow (November 27th). This is the first new store after the bankruptcy and part of a very limited comeback. Location of the store is on the second floor of the Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus. Grand opening is at 10 a.m. and Geoffrey will also make an appearance at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Perhaps people who happen to live in New Jersey can take a look and report what the new TRU store looks like and if they carry any Star Wars toys at all.

Read the article about the opening on the NJ.com website!

I’ll be back!

If you live in Canada and are fortunate enough to have a Toys R Us store near you, you may want to find out if they’re having a Midnight Madness Triple Force Friday event. Special thanks to JTA reader Eric C. for the alert!

It’s official! Toys R Us is returning! Click through for the full story!

Holy cow! Toys R Us is set to reopen this year per FOX Business. See the full story HERE. Special thanks to JTA reader Rogue1138 for the alert!

We’ve only started our celebration of The Phantom Menace 20th Anniversary, today, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t leave a place for you to recall your memories of Midnight Madness at Toys R Us on May 3rd before the day was over. Please share your memories, experiences, what you bought, and any images you may have. We look forward to reading everything!

Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner was a bit more muted when asked about Toys ‘R’ Us’s possible comeback.

“We haven’t met with Toys ‘R’ Us yet — we remain open-minded, but no conversations yet,” Goldner told Yahoo Finance at the company’s annual toy fair presentation. Hasbro and its rival Mattel were hit hard by the disappearance of Toys ‘R’ Us in 2018. (more….)

The new owners of Toys “R” Us want to bring the brand back to the United States. But they can’t say when it will happen. The troubled toy company found another life last month as Tru Kids Brands, roughly half a year after Toys “R” Us closed the last of its stores in the United States. It is now owned by the company’s former creditors. More than 700 American Toys “R” US stores closed last spring. But the company kept 900 stores open in Europe, Asia and India. The new owners have plans to open another 70 stores overseas — mostly in Asia — by the end of the year. They’re also considering plans for the US market, including brick-and-mortar stores and online sales, though it’s not clear when a relaunch would happen. FOX6 has the full story.

There is a new development in the closing of Toys R Us. Ollies, who purchased most of their remaining inventory, is now taking over some locations and leasing them out. How bad shape TRU must have been in if a discount chain has enough liquid cash to take over both their inventory AND real estate. CNN has the full story. Special thanks to friend Martin M. for the alert to this news.

The private equity firms that owned Toys “R” Us before its bankruptcy are each pledging $10 million to establish a fund to distribute severance payments to former employees. LinkedIn.com has the full story. Special thansk to friend Nick for alerting me to this article!

Although reported right before the summertime, Ollie’s discount stores are now receiving Toys R Us’ liquidated products. If you have a store near you, it might be worth checking out their stock. Apparently, they’ve acquired $200 million of Toys R Us’ stock, which is pretty astounding. Special thanks to JTA reader Monteleone for the image.

Hasbro will layoff up to 10% of its workforce in the wake of Toys R Us’ demise. Fortune has the full story. The article choice of image is ironic.

It looks like Toys “R” Us’ Geoffrey is taking the spotlight in the rebranding of the famous toy store. It was previously reported that Toys “R” Us’ current lenders decided not to auction off certain parts of the IP and brand, like the Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us names as well as Geoffrey himself, opting instead to relaunch the toy chain in a new way. Now we know what that looks like, as Toys “R” Us mascot Geoffrey turned up at the Dallas Toy Preview donning a cape that had a new logo and store name on it. Comicbook.com has the full story.

The news about “Toy City” stores getting set up in former Toys R Us and Babies R Us locations broke around June, but now these pop-up stores are finally getting things started. JTA reader Bryan L. sends us an image of progress being made in California. For those that aren’t aware, this is a Party City company and more information about them can be found HERE.

Wow. CNN has just posted an article claiming that Walmart wants to replace Toys R Us. Walmart is taking aggressive steps to fill the void left by Toys ‘R’ Us. Sensing an opportunity to appeal to shoppers and grab market share, the world’s largest retailer is expanding its toy selection in stores and online as it gears up for the first holiday season without Toys ‘R’ Us in decades. Walmart (WMT) announced on Thursday that it plans to increase its toy selection in some stores by 30% and expand its website assortment by 40%. It is bringing hundreds of exclusive brands to aisles and holding in-store toy demos. Walmart is also partnering with Ryan, a first-grade YouTube star, on “Ryan’s World” — a line of toys he recommends. Check out the full article HERE.

Canada’s Toys R Us President has been interviewed at MSN.com and explains why she expects Toys R Us to last a long time in Canada. Click through for the full story. Special thanks to JTA reader Stuart R. for the alert

It’s only been a couple of months since Toys R Us bit the dust. But the ripples of it are still painful. Yes, the retail apocalypse is happening in real-time, but it doesn’t take away any of the sadness that losing our last toy store brings. I have been reading many opinions on Toys R Us’ collapse. And while many factors worked against them succeeding, a financial expert by the name of Dave Ramsey (whom I respect greatly) has a slightly different take on what happened and how, perhaps, it might have been prevented. He believes that a possible scenario existed that was overlooked during their (what he calls) “disruption” in the marketplace. He goes on to say that the “disruption” can be the biggest blessing to your business, but if you’re not prepared for the “disruption,” it can be the biggest threat to your business. He claims this is where Toys R Us failed. Be sure to listen to his final example of how being prepared for “disruption” helped another major chain immensely. After you watch and listen, let us know if you think his logic and example are relevant to Toys R Us.

Found! JTA reader Ian A. found the Walgreens exclusive The Black Series [Phase III] 6″ General Veers at his local Toys R Us in Canada. Click through for his report!

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CNN is reporting that although sales fell 7% last quarter and earning were down more than 10%, shares of Hasbro surged more than 13% yesterday. They are looking forward to moving beyond the Toys R Us fiasco. Click through for the full story. Special thanks to JTA reader Jeff M. for the alert!

You think we have it bad in the USA when it comes to The Vintage Collection’s Imperial Combat Assault Tank? Friend and JTA reader Jamie D. sends us a report that this gorgeous vehicle has hit his local Canadian Toys R Us store and the MSRP is $119.99. Yikes. The line will not thrive with these ridiculous prices. By the way, see our full review on this amazing vehicle in our RDRs HERE.

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It’s the last day for most Toys R Us stores. The ones by me closed two days ago. But JTA reader, friend, and former TRU corporate employee Russ T. couldn’t resist purchasing the electronic Radio Flyer Landspeeder when it hit discount during liquidation. Check out the video of Russ on our YouTube channel!

It’s astounding to me how poorly the Legacy Pack sold across all retail levels. It feels like it sold as badly as the 6″ Special Force TIE Fighter. And now as Toy R Us gets ready to close its doors forever, MORE cases from the warehouse are arriving at 60-%-80% off. It’s the only way to get the 40th anniversary Darth Vader (in the vintage Kenner line look). How did this not sell better than it did? I have never seen something so collector-friendly pile up at retail as this release did. And I have been collecting the modern line since 1995. Again, nothing has piled up like this set in my experience. Hasbro isn’t grabbing the right group of collectors with this stuff.

If you’re fortunate to have a liquidated Toys R Us store still open near you, you might want to check out the latets discounts. My local store had a half dozen Rogue One AT-ACTS in stock and with all of the promotions and discounts in effect it came down to $44.99 before taxes. It was certainly worth that price to secure the exclusive figures that will never be re-released from it.