After facing billions in debt, filing for bankruptcy, and enacting mass store closures, most retail chains don’t tend to survive. But this former retail giant has slowly but surely reclaimed its footing in the industry, making a major global comeback.
Toys”R”Us announced it has partnered with Go! Retail group to open 10 new flagship stores and 20 seasonal shops across the U.S. by the end of 2025.
Upcoming store openings
- Chicago Premium Outlets: Aurora, Illinois (September 20)
- Camarillo Premium Outlets: Camarillo, California (October)
- Arundel Mills: Hanover, Maryland (October)
- Bay Street: Emeryville, California (Coming soon)
- Long Beach: Long Beach, California (Coming soon)
- Jordan Creek: West Des Moines, Iowa (Coming soon)
- Westroads Mall: Omaha, Nebraska (Coming soon)
- Denver Premium Outlets: Thornton, Colorado (Coming soon)
The retail chain is also expanding its footprint on military bases. Six new stores are set to open through its partnership with NEXCOM, building on two existing locations already serving families in the U.S. Navy and other military bases.
Toys”R”Us retail store chain announces global expansion.
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Toys”R”Us’ reveals global expansion plans
This expansion isn’t limited to the U.S. Globally, Toys”R”Us has plans to enter new markets, such as Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Morocco, and Lebanon. It is also reestablishing its presence in Turkey after closing its only store there in 2008.
The retailer is strengthening its footprint in existing major markets, including the UK, Mexico, South Africa, Asia, and South Korea, by introducing new concept formats in partnership with LOTTE.
“The Toys”R”Us brand is growing fast and our expansion into air, land and sea is a testament to the brand’s strength,” said WHP Global CEO Yehuda Shmidman in a press release.
Toys”R”Us reestablishes its presence in the U.S.
Toys”R”Us already has multiple flagship and dedicated locations nationwide and can be found inside every Macy’s store.
Current dedicated U.S. stores
- Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota
- Harlem Irving Plaza in Norridge, Illinois
- Tanger Outlets in San Marcos, Texas
- Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills, Michigan
- American Dream East Rutherford, New Jersey
Toys”R”Us’ tumultuous past
Founded in 1948, Toys”R”Us is an American toy, clothing, and baby product retailer with over 1,500 stores and e-commerce businesses across more than 35 countries.
Known for its massive blue warehouse-style stores with huge toy-filled aisles that felt like walking into a kids’ paradise, it became a nostalgic landmark for generations of families.
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While Toys”R”Us now generates more than $2 billion in global retail sales annually, the retailer has a turbulent past filled with economic downfalls and store closures.
Toys”R”Us filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2017 to restructure its U.S. and Canada business, as it was $5 billion in debt. At the time of the filing, the retailer operated around 1,600 Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores worldwide under ownership of an investment group that included Bain Capital Partners LLC, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., and Vornado Realty Trust.
However, its attempt to restructure the brand failed, which forced Toys”R”Us to liquidate its U.S. stores less than a year later.
Following bankruptcy, Tru Kids bought Toys”R”Us’ brands and intellectual property, until the company was later acquired by WHP Global, the current owner.
Related: Why your favorite retail store is going out of business