When the news broke that we were losing Toys R Us, I can honestly say that I shed tears. Tears for the experiences I had growing up, roaming their aisles, captivated by the sights and sounds of the toys. Tears for knowing that my children would not have those same experiences. When the doors of the last remaining store closed forever, I was not yet a father, but I was inspired to write a blog about the impact the store had on me, on all of us. It seemed like we were all forced to “grow up” that day. But now, thanks to Macy’s in 2022, I will be able to share with my two precious daughters the wonders and beauty to be found in this toy store and the joy of being a Toys R Us kid!
In a statement about the move, Nata Dvir, Macy’s Chief Merchandising Officer, stated:
As a Toys”R”Us kid, I could not be more excited to bring this beloved brand that so many of our customers know and love into Macy’s online and to our stores across America. Our toy business grew exponentially in the past year, with many families looking to inspire their children’s imagination and create meaningful moments together.
There are the toy companies that dedicate themselves to the adult collector who have seen shelf life at Toys R Us. Companies such as Hasbro and NECA were constantly stocked. But smaller companies like Panda Mony Toys, a lesser-known Kickstarter that provides a line of action figures for the age group of 6 & up, never experienced the wonders of being on the shelves of a toy store. Currently, their inventory is only available for online purchases. With the return of Toys R Us through Macy’s, that can hopefully change by providing opportunities for all brands large or small to have exposure to newer and greater audiences.
“Toys”R”Us is a globally recognized leader in children’s toys” added Dvir, “and our partnership allows Macy’s to significantly expand our footprint in that category while creating more occasions for customers to shop with us across their lifestyles.”
Toys R Us was founded by Charles Lazarus in 1957. He wanted to create a toy store for kids who wanted to express creation, imagination, and their dreams. The announcement that Macy’s and WHP would be acquiring this company has all of us now saying “We don’t wanna grow up. We’re still Toys R Us kids!”
