ToysRUs - Liquidation and Closings thread
 

Will share the news as it comes up

Somewhat good news, but still sad to see so many people lose jobs. Retail needs to thrive to allow certain people to have jobs. Not everyone can afford or make it through college.


33k losing jobs is sad. At least 200 stores may survive, probably mostly on the coastal cities, but still bittersweet as TRU has a chance to still be seen by kids and future generation(s) at least I hope it's a silver lining.

If Toys R Us gets permanently closed down, where the hell are the kids going to buy their toys now?

Target? Wal-Mart? Amazon with Mommy's debit card?

Heck, according to a thread on /toy/, Walgreens might become a more dedicated toy retailer now and return to an era when drug stores regularly and actively stocked toys more than just in a token way, with NES consoles even being sold at them back in the 80's.

They many places like Walmart, Target and even online shopping that their parents can do for them.

Bankruptcy sucks.

Sad, but the golden age of these types of stores has long past. Besides stiff online competition kids just don't play with toys very long if at all. The age window grows shorter with each generation.

Your right kids don't play with toys anymore, but grown ups do now.

This had less to do with declining sales and more to do with the torch and burn industry that is equity firms, but sure. Let's keep saying that competition is what did them in.

And that's all I'm saying on this matter.

Well... at least TRU UAE is still around... for now...

This is why this forum needs a "Like" feature.

How does equity firm discussion violate rule three?

Another Bain LBO just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy today, iHeartRadio.

Kids still play with toys, but video games have out sold toys for kids for over a decade now. I have seen kids playing games on their phones and 3DS over the newest action figure. I hear its like that in Japan too (Probably explains why they went with a video game theme for Ex-Aid).

I need to go cry now... :cry

this sucks

Bankruptcy sure is a cunt, isn't she?

Watch your language, young lady!

I'm a man.

And I’m a stickler for censoring sailor talk.

Shame, I had incredible luck with Pokemon cards at the Toys R Us I always went too

I have missed going to Toys R Us ever since my local one shuddered in 2013. I still remember my 5th birthday and seeing the endcap full of the new Toy Biz X-Men figures. It was my father's idea to get them for me since he was a fan of them back in 60's.

I am wondering if Bandai knew this was coming and that's a reason they didn't keep the Power Rangers rights.

Do we have any idea if any stores in the US have been confirmed to be closing? Need to know any nearby me in Virginia are closing.

You no idea how tempted I am to fill this thread up with that word and blitz.

How is profanity "sailor talk"?

Because profanity is sailor talk. The term “sailor talk” means profanity.

Curious. I wasn't aware you were given the authority to police for foul language.

Now back to the topic at hand: Since the announcement was made just yesterday I'm guessing that liquidation is probably going to start in earnest on Sunday, though it could start as early as today. I'll be checking the one next to work after I clock out today, though if my trip yesterday was any indication I'm just picking over what not even the vultures deem worthy of their effort and I don't think any restocks are imminent.

Wow, I knew they weren’t doing well but to have all of them close is pretty crazy! I feel bad for people who are in areas without other good toystore options.

I guess I should stop by soon and try and grab some stuff on sale...

Hope if they do reduce prices that it is better when the K-mart here went out of business.

The one at Dobbin Rd, Columbia, MD is still open. I will probably want to drive by there to grab whatever is on sale too.

Here in Lexington, KY our TRU is still open. According to the associates there, liquidation will begin on or around March 21st. Up until then they are still operating business as usual. They are still offering price matches on items until liquidation begins. However, ToyRUs Rewards cards are no longer working after an update in the system. So you won't be earning any points anymore and if you had any already they won't be usable now.

Damn I need a way to check mine but my work being idiots make it a bit difficult.

Man. I probably worked with a few of them a few years ago. For what it's worth, give them my best.

I swear bankruptcy was created by the devil himself.

Nah I didn't create it. :p

I think one of the bigger problems are online shops though. It's a bit saddening to see, but a lot of people would rather buy their stuff on Amazon than going to a toy store.
I think ToysRUs technically also has an online shop, but you know, most peopke buy their stuff on Amazon anyway, because it's more convenient to have everything in one place :/

Well shopping online doesn't require you to burn gas.

It's also much easier to find things online, No more driving to and calling up different stores in the hope that one will have that Green Power Ranger toy little Tommy wants for Christmas.

I am glad TRU is closing down. I used to work there. Worst experience ever. And despite their closure their prices on certain toys has gone up. Ridiculous!

Again... Kind of overstating the effect of Amazon and other online retailers.

IIRC, TRU still constituted 20% of all toy sales this past holiday season, on its own. Meaning, one out of every five toys sold came from TRU. That is not a small number.

Might be slightly different in the US, because you guys usually have longer ways to drive to a store (or multiple different stores in general) compared to us here in Europe. In general, many store owners lose their potential customers to online shopping here and a lot of smaller stores already had to close down in most cities. So that's where I was coming from with my argument.

Speaking of regional differences, I heard they were starting to close stores in the US, but nothing about the fate of TRU in other parts of the world. Does anyone know more about that?

You're not wrong, considering TRU tended to have a store only in more sizeable cities (the town I grew up in took five years from the time I moved there to the time TRU put in a store to have one in driving distance; the others were an hour away in either direction), but there's something to be said for brand name power. Going to TRU was an event for me when I was younger- I didn't go in without getting to come out with *something*.

I know Canda stores will be continuing operations more or less the usual, but UK stores are shuttering alongside US. No idea about the rest of Europe, though.