Elizabeth Christenson|Editor, Retail Leader
Source: retailleader.com, September 2023
The first Toys R Us airport store will open in November at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and be operated by Duty Free Americas.
- WHP Global, parent company of Toys R Us, partnered with Go! Retail Group to launch Toys R Us flagship stores in the U.S.
- The first Toys R Us airport store will open in November in Terminal A at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
- Toys R Us also designed a retail experience specifically for the cruise industry that will offer a wide range of toys and exclusive cruise-themed merchandise.
WHP Global, parent company of Toys R Us, partnered with Go! Retail Group to roll out up to 24 Toys R Us flagship stores in the U.S. beginning in 2024. In addition, WHP is set to bring Toys R Us to the travel industry with a retail experience for airports and cruise ships. The first Toys R Us airport store will open in November in Terminal A at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and will be operated by Duty Free Americas.
“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 Yehuda Shmidman, WHP Global’s chairman and CEO. “Since acquiring Toys R Us, we have increased our global retail footprint by more than 50% with openings in the United States, United Kingdom, India, Dubai and Mexico. We now have over 1,400 stores and e-commerce sites across 31 countries, and as we head into 2024, we are excited to bring Toys R Us to consumers everywhere, whether you’re visiting one of our stores at Macy’s, at our flagships, in an airport or onboard a cruise ship.”
Toys R Us marked its return in the U.S., opening a 20,000-square-foot flagship at American Dream in 2021, followed by the launch of 452 Toys R Us shops at Macy’s stores nationwide last year.
In partnership with Go! Retail Group, Toys R Us flagship stores will open in locations that complement the existing retail footprint at Macy’s, the retailer said. Similar to the global flagship at American Dream, the new flagship stores will serve as epicenters providing customers with a destination to explore and discover popular toys. WHP told CNBC the new flagship stores will be modeled after the American Dream location, but the location will likely remain the largest store.
“As a specialty retailer and with deep roots in the toy and game industry, we are thrilled and honored to partner with WHP Global to expand the base of Toys R Us flagship stores,” said Gideon Schlessinger, CEO of Go! Retail Group. “With over 30 years of experience in all 50 states, our focus will be to do what we do best — provide valuable brick-and-mortar logistics and operational excellence to this iconic brand.”
In regard to the travel industry, Toys R Us has designed a retail experience specifically for the cruise industry that will offer a wide range of toys and exclusive cruise-themed merchandise.
WHP shared Toys R Us generates more than $2 billion in global retail sales annually through 1,400 stores and e-commerce businesses in 31 countries.
WHP also owns brands Babies R Us, Anne Klein, Joseph Abboud, Joe’s Jeans, Bonobos, Isaac Mizrahi, Lotto and a 60% interest in the Express. WHP also signed an agreement to acquire the G-Star Raw brand. Collectively the brands generate more than $7 billion in global retail sales.
