Toys R Us to file for bankruptcy

[TrekStar]

I honestly never bought to much at TRU over the years, but it's corporate America and these business suffer because of the internate and online shopping especially during the holidays. I'm curious what franchise will take the place of these stores?

[Werewolf]

This makes me depressed.

[hedrap]

This is sad. Stopping at TRU was always a nice diversion for me and the kids on shopping nights.

I knew something up last month. There was nothing new, which is highly unusual.

[Bionicfanboy66]

Doesn't surprise me. I've been to thrift stores that are better organized and cleaner. Doesn't help that they charge a king's ransom for their stuff.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Very sad to think kids won't know a dedicated toy store with all the name brands. Only the small boutique toy stores with the more "educational" bent will remain.

We honestly didn't shop there too often, due to the lack of new product and the higher prices, but it was a fun diversion. Very sad indeed, and I do feel for the thousands of people who are now out of work.

Chris

[cockyhoskins]

It's dead. It'll reorganize, close more, reorganize, close more, die, and resurface as an internet catalog company. Same as every other brand... Sears (soon), Wards, etc.

It's been inevitable for a long time. TRU as a brand will come back in an online sense, but their brick and mortar concept has been dead for years. They just didn't realize it then and neither did the banks that kept bailing them out with debt restructuring.

[Werewolf]

Isaac Larian the CEO of MGA put in a $890 million bid to buy TRU US and Canadian stores.

[Ivaniski]

Isaac Larian the CEO of MGA put in a $890 million bid to buy TRU US and Canadian stores.

Yea, I just saw that today on CNN. He wants to make Toys r us a family experience akin to a mini-Disneyland. Additionally, he wants to save the iconic toy company for his grandson's generation. This is great news...I can't imagine a world without Toys r us.

[EmergencyIan]

Said he wants to keep open 200 US locations and nearly all Canadian locations. That old Manhattan location would have been perfect for his concept. In fact, it was almost the prototype for it, but they closed that a few years ago. It was an experience with rides, candy and consessions.

We’ll see if he can pull it off.

- Ian

- Ian

[jwyblejr]

Not happening. Toys R Us turned him down. They said they're holding out for a better offer. From whom? I mean they're closing stores and think someone else is going to bail them out?

[emeraldknight47]

Not happening. Toys R Us turned him down. They said they're holding out for a better offer. From whom? I mean they're closing stores and think someone else is going to bail them out?

An example of Corporate Stupidity at its finest....

[Werewolf]

Sounds like the Canadian stores have a buyer.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-20/fairfax-is-said-to-agree-to-purchase-toys-r-us-canadian-unit

[Werewolf]

With the Canadian stores getting a buyer Isaac Larian is now upping his offer for the US TRU stores.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toysrus-usa-20180422-story.html

[melstapler]

I visited two store locations this past week and the discounts were very small and different for each department. Action figures were discounted at 15%, although a shopper I spoke with was confused because they also had signs which stated that action figures were at 10%. An employee told me that the liquidation company wouldn't take over the store until May, so hopefully TRU can buy some time for a possible deal to be reached. I'd love to see as many TRU stores remain open as possible, but suspect they'd be more inclined to focus on saving the higher performing locations while closing the weaker ones.

[melstapler]

This is sad. Stopping at TRU was always a nice diversion for me and the kids on shopping nights.

I knew something up last month. There was nothing new, which is highly unusual.

Definitely. It's always enjoyable to browse and get ideas and also to see how a particular item turned out (in person) before actually buying. Not to mention, TRU worked with toy companies to offer some fairly interesting exclusive items. After visiting 2 store locations this past week, I noticed they posted a sign which said to check back frequently as they will be receiving new shipments on a daily basis.