Toys R Us to file for bankruptcy

[Earth 2 Chris]

I don't want to see the chain close. It's nice to walk into one on occasion and find something new. We actually had a decent experience there last weekend, despite the employee having no idea about the Star Wars campaign all over his own store.

But the problems are still there. 2 whole pegs FULL of DC Mutliverse 3.75" General Zod figures from several years back at $7 is never going to sell. Blow those things out and make room for new merchandise.

It's why Target is my favorite retail store to shop for toys. They don't mess around. They are constantly restocking and getting new stuff in and blowing old merchandise out at whatever price will move it.

Chris

[Moxen]

This is really sad- it's incredibly hard to find anything at retail in Canada, because there are only a fraction of retailers here that folks in the States have. For toys I have Toys R Us, Walmart and...

We briefly had Targets here, but everyone expected American style discounts. Target boldly announced on the radio that they would not offer any sort of competitive pricing as Canadians were comfortable paying higher prices. True story, I heard it myself. Needless to say, Canadians did not flock to Target and they bailed after just two years.

[Nostalgiabuff]

we are slowly trundling down to having Amazon, Walmart and Target as our shopping choices

[MRP]

we are slowly trundling down to having Amazon, Walmart and Target as our shopping choices

Well and other online retailers like Entertainment Earth, Big Bad Toy Store, etc. Plus you know any local indy toy stores or vintage toy stores that carry new product as well (we have 4-5 indy toy stores within about an hour drive, about double that if you include vintage toy stores that carry some new product). I'd rather support indy stores than chains anyways if possible.

-M

[Wee67]

I just scanned the archives of the Museum forums and found these telling comments from the 80's, a few years early-

Have you been there (Child's World) lately? They have horrible customer service. Stock boy Kevin keeps spreading his cigarette reek all over they toys. The only thing worse is their selection- I went last week and the only (Atari) games they had were Mr. Do's Castle and Flag Capture.

Ever since they (Two Guys) dropped their lay-away program they are dead to me!

I worked there (Kiddie City) back in '77. Man, if I only knew then what I know now. I would've scooped up a couple Wayne Foundations! I could be pulling in $50 a piece today! Well, in all honesty, I was stoned for most of my shifts.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^HA! That was funny. Thanks for the laugh.

Chris

[Teemu]

Toys r us "GLORY days" were the late 70's, All of the 1980's and some of the early 1990's....and there will never be a time like the 80's toys ever again.....This generation of kids are mostly focused on gadgets and gaming.

there is talk of closing some stores after the Holiday's and possible into the next year full blown closing.....Been there and done that with Kay-Bee

[hedrap]

They have been headed downhill for a decade and a lot of it is due to the leveraged buyout that happened back then. The buyers used TRU's assets to back the purchase, and from the little I understand about the process it places a huge debt burden on the company if they don't turn around and sell it again within a certain time frame...

That's exactly right.

I agree that the stores are to big to support in the current retail environment. They own most of the stores and property, but carry too much merchandise that doesn't sell.

To me, it makes them perfect for an Amazon acquisition now, as the stores could be repurposed into Amazon shipping hubs. The bankruptcy is to stave off the creditors. If the judge helps put this in order, it could happen.

Otherwise, the only interest in some locations is for the real estate grab. Inventory will go back to the manufacturers as it's all borrowed credit, and they'll have to strike a deal with Big Lots, Amazon etc..for a mass sell off on old inventory.

[EMCE Hammer]

Better use your gift cards quick kids.

[Godzilla]

Anyone ever take their kids to one of the free Lego builds at ToysRUs? The last one we did was a Captain America plaque. Simple but pretty cool.

While I can't argue with the complaints about the companies business practices, I would be disappointed if the chain closes. One less fun place for kids in the world.

[palitoy]

Anyone ever take their kids to one of the free Lego builds at ToysRUs? The last one we did was a Captain America plaque. Simple but pretty cool.

Years ago, it was fun. I think ours was batman related?

[Earth 2 Chris]

We did a Lego Batman build earlier this year. It was a lot of fun.

Chris

[Werewolf]

It wasn't Walmart, amazon or even their less than stellar management ideas that brought them down. TRU was never able to overcome the over 7 billion in debt Bain and the rest dumped on them.

[Teemu]

It wasn't Walmart, amazon or even their less than stellar management ideas that brought them down. TRU was never able to overcome the over 7 billion in debt Bain and the rest dumped on them.

Very true...they did the same thing to KB Toys

[Confessional]

The ripple has begun too:

http://www.businessinsider.com/toys-r-us-bankruptcy-has-short-sellers-betting-big-against-mattel-2017-9

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-20/toys-r-us-lives-on-because-mattel-and-hasbro-can-t-let-it-die