This makes me sad. When my kids’ were growing up, they loved going to Toys R Us with my parents on their birthdays to choose their presents. It was always with such anticipation with a lot of talk about what they would like. My parents would call them up a week before to arrange a time with them. Both of them would get to go, even though it was only one person’s birthday. My parents told me they would spend hours at the store even when they knew exactly what they wanted. I remember my kids would come home with bags of toys because they couldn’t make up their mind.
With all the technology advancement, we could get almost anything we want online, but it is not the same as walking through a store with someone, may it be a girlfriend/husband/parent/kid, to pick out that special something. Closing of Toys R Us just reminded me of many fond memories of my kids and parents.
They are unlikely to go away. They are restructuring through bankruptcy and, from what I’ve read, will close some stores and look to reconfigure with smaller stores. Geoffrey the Giraffe should still be around.
On the other hand, I hope this gives a little boost to local, independent toy stores that aren’t as filled with plastic junk.
CBS This Morning had an excellent segment explaining the need for bankruptcy protection because of the pressures of debt service created by their private equity financing. I also heard a segment on Nightly News that said they would be implementing changes to stimulate the in-store experience such as parties on site and allowing kids to play with more toys (showrooming) because those experiences can’t be replicated by Amazon. @doschicos is correct that they are likely to continue, particularly given the pattern of cash flow they have that depends heavily on the final calendar quarter. https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/toys-r-us-files-for-bankruptcy/
I agree - some new twist could earn them a place to shop again. Maybe. I would guess a lot of people who do in-store shopping are going to Target now - you think?
I sued to really like going to Kids R Us for clothing for the kids. Some great deals on clearance stuff! Are those all gone now??
My DIL’s mom and I bought a rocker and ottoman from Babies r us several months ago as a baby shower gift. DIL’s mom had a nightmare experience of failed deliveries, wong items, missing parts, you name it. Now understand why. They did FINALLY get the chair. and ottoman delivered a few days before the baby was born, and DH and S#1 assembled it. But apparently it was after months of smoke and mirrors. Now know why.
Yes, bankruptcy protection will allow them to scale down and reorganize. DS and wife have several gift cards that they will go use asap- probably to buy diapers. Those don’t have to be returned.
It was Walmart and Target and the fact that the shopping experience at Toys R Us was terrible for many years. Amazon was a part, but not as much as with the mall retailers who went under due to ecommerce/Amazon.
I always hated Toys R Us. I had an overwhelming impression of pink and lavender girl’s aisles and camo boy’s aisles full of plastic junk. I found it too off-putting to spend much time there.
Our local store was in a horrible location, only accessible by making a right turn off a very busy street. There was no way anyone can make a u-turn if they were heading in the opposite direction.
MOfWC is correct - those stores have been limping long before Amazon got to their full blown retail threat.
As abasket, we scored clothing on clearance there.
I’ve never been a fan–found their prices very high and stores were often dirty. The one nearest us is a 30+ minute drive and often does not have what we wanted in stock. Our kids often wanted wooden toys which they didn’t carry.
When we are anted to buy from BabiesRUs for shower, nothing registered for was in stock and shipping fees they’d charge us were high so we bought other gifts instead
After they canceled their agreement with amazon, several years ago, they didn’t properly implement an e-platform to replace it.
As I heard on Marketplace a day or so ago, most toy shopping is for birthdays or Christmas which are “surprise events”, so going to the store isn’t necessary or even desired. Online shopping is really the best way.
Since most of their money is earned in the last 2-3 months of the year, having something that drives people into the stores the rest of the year is necessary and something they overlooked entirely.
I was surprised that AG put a line in at Toys-R-Us. Dilutes at least to a degree what is a more high end brand. Though the longevity of that brand always seemed questionable to me so maybe they just figured the discount route would help.
Entities that file bankruptcy petitions typically continue to operate during the case and thereafter. If there is a business that makes enough to cover its variable costs and is expected to do so, it usually does continue. Customers often do not notice a difference. Often stores/locations are closed. Some people may lose jobs. Suppliers/lenders may lose some money. Company assets may be sold to a new entity (using the same name – General Motors of today is legally a new entity rather than the one formed decades ago even though it has the same name). If there is no going concern value, the pieces/parts are typically sold.
I volunteer with a number of people who have told me that their family members appreciate ToysRUs because they don’t drug test their employees/job applicants.
Note in the past few years, CVS and Walgreens seem to taken a couple of bites out of their market share - they seem to be selling more toys than ever before.
