Toys "R" Us UK
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | September 6 1985 (original) October 28, 2021 (revival) |
| Defunct | April 24, 2018 (original) |
| Fate | Liquidated (original) |
Number of locations | 85 |
| Parent | Toys "R" Us (1985-2018) WHP Global (2021-present) |
| Website | toysrus |
Toys "R" Us is a British retailer owned by WHP Global. The UK Toys 'R' Us was established by its U.S. counterpart, with the first store opening in 1985. In 2018, the retailer closed all locations but was later revived in 2021, eventually leading to physical Toys "R" Us concessions opening in WHSmith stores.[1]
History
[edit]The first Toys "R" Us stores in the United Kingdom opened on September, 6, 1985, in Woking and Wood Green and Basildon followed by Cardiff and Bristol just a week later At its peak, the chain had over 105 stores in the country. They were operated by Toys "R" Us Limited.[2]
On December 4, 2017, the company reported that it would be liquidating and closing at least 26 stores in the United Kingdom as part of an insolvency restructuring known as a company voluntary arrangement.[3]
Closure
[edit]After amassing £15 million in unpaid taxes, Toys "R" Us Limited entered administration on February 28, 2018, after failing to find a buyer. On March 2, 2018, it was announced that all UK stores would begin a liquidation sale,[4] and on March 14, 2018, it was announced that all UK stores were expected to close within six weeks.[5] On April 24, 2018, Toys "R" Us stopped trading in the United Kingdom after 32 years of service.[6] All stores were closed by April 24, 2018.[7][8][5][6]
Revival
[edit]On 28 October 2021, Toys "R" Us announced plans to reopen its UK arm, initially through online purchasing from its Australian arm, then with physical branches opening from 2022 onwards.[9] The online store reopened the following year, and this was followed up with a deal with WHSmith to open up Toys "R" Us branded concessions inside nine WHSmith stores. Following the trial being a success, 39 more concessions will be opening. With the first 17 coming soon and are now on the Toys R Us website. The first of three new stores opened May 25, 2024. Two more stores opened on June 1, 2024. In December 2024, they expanded their deal with WHSmith to sell Geoffrey gifts on FunkyPigeon.com. Following the sale of WHSmith's high street stores the operations will change to Hobbycraft owner Modella Capital rebranding the stores to TGJones. Nine new concessions were added to nine of their Welcome Break stores in a Toys R Us first.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ Williams, Rachel (2022-09-28). "Toys R Us returns to the UK by relaunching brand new website ahead of Christmas". Daily Record. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
- ^ Williams, Rachel (2022-09-28). "Toys R Us returns to the UK by relaunching brand new website ahead of Christmas". Daily Record. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
- ^ "Toys 'R' Us announces plans to close at least 26 shops, just before Christmas". The Independent. December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
- ^ "Toys R Us UK goes into administration". BBC News. February 28, 2018.
- ^ a b "All Toys R Us stores to close their doors". BBC News. March 14, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
- ^ a b "Toys "R" Us Limited ("the Company") – in Administration". Toys R Us (UK). Archived from the original on July 8, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ Butler, Sarah (March 14, 2018). "Toys R Us to shut all UK stores, resulting in 3,000 job losses". The Guardian. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
- ^ Goldman, David. "Toys 'R' Us to close all of its UK stores". CNNMoney. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
- ^ Javed, Saman (October 28, 2021). "Toys 'R' Us is returning to the UK". The Independent. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ "Swindon-based firm bringing Toys R Us back to UK highstreets". October 29, 2022.