Toys R Us to add 120 standalone stores in U.S., bringing total to 160

Toys R Us said it will launch 120 new standalone stores in the United States during the upcoming holiday season, raising the chain’s total number of U.S. standalone locations to 160. The rollout is being carried out with partner Go! Retail Group, though the company did not disclose specific sites, opening dates or store sizes, nor whether all new stores will stay open after the holidays.

The new outlets will carry toys, collectibles and gifts linked to brands such as LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Pokémon and K-Pop Demon Hunters, and some will include candy shops, cafés and Creator Studios for influencer-driven content and product launches.

"This is a major moment for Toys ‘R’ Us as we significantly expand our presence across the United States," said Jamie Uitdenhowen, executive vice president of Toys R Us at parent company WHP Global.

Uitdenhowen noted that the retailer is pursuing multiple formats, including standalone stores, shop-in-shop locations inside Macy’s, airport stores and Navy Exchange outlets. Go! Retail Group chief executive Gideon Schlessinger said the 160 standalone stores are expected to reach millions of shoppers during the holiday period.

Toys R Us filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2017, closed its U.S. stores in 2018 and re-emerged under new ownership. After a brief return with smaller stores in 2019 that closed in early 2021, the brand opened a flagship store at the American Dream complex in 2021 and expanded its presence inside Macy’s stores in 2022. The latest expansion follows a 2023 partnership with Go! Retail Group that introduced stores in non-traditional venues such as airports and military exchanges.