Toys R Us could be making a comeback!!!

MegaPrime33 · 10-10-2018, 05:40 AM

It sounds good on paper but I'm wondering what stores this would be in. Gamestop maybe? I don't see this going into Target at all.

Joe Moore · 10-10-2018, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MegaPrime33

It sounds good on paper but I'm wondering what stores this would be in. Gamestop maybe? I don't see this going into Target at all.

Well, they are going with a regional Midwestern outlet, so any national chain is out of the question. My immediate thought was something like Fred Meyer's or Fry's.

Dragasses · 10-10-2018, 06:25 AM

good news. hopefully some of the odd 33,000 people displaced from their jobs can return. I know that sounds like a long shot from the description but...

GizmoTron · 10-10-2018, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MegaPrime33

It sounds good on paper but I'm wondering what stores this would be in. Gamestop maybe? I don't see this going into Target at all.

That would be ironic, seeing as how Gamestop was in talks to move in similar small locations into TRU stores a while back. But it won't be Gamestop, they barely have room as it is for their current mess of a collectible section.

It will be some kind of department type store large enough to have a big toy section, and certainly not Target or Wal-Mart as they'd take one look at this and say "great, but our toy sections run themselves, what do we need you for?"

BlackRazor · 10-10-2018, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GizmoTron

That would be ironic, seeing as how Gamestop was in talks to move in similar small locations into TRU stores a while back. But it won't be Gamestop, they barely have room as it is for their current mess of a collectible section.

It will be some kind of department type store large enough to have a big toy section, and certainly not Target or Wal-Mart as they'd take one look at this and say "great, but our toy sections run themselves, what do we need you for?"

Good points, yeah Gamestops are so small & usually a mess.

Wonder if a place like Kohls could be an option? Was surprised when I saw they had a toy section - was a bunch of junk in there but they did have a corner space for some toys. Maybe TJ Maxx too?

Snowflakian · 10-10-2018, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moore

Well, they are going with a regional Midwestern outlet, so any national chain is out of the question. My immediate thought was something like Fred Meyer's or Fry's.

Something like that, or maybe Ollie's or similar kind of smaller operations that are dabbling in toys but don't know what they are doing.

My main hope from this is that it builds up capital for them to branch out more in other ways. It may be starting over, but at least it's still trying and could gain a foothold to regrow into a chain again in the future, as well as better cut much of the baggage in the process to keep from getting too bloated on wasteful spending.

Tony_Bacala · 10-10-2018, 12:22 PM

Toys R Us near the end was bloated, unfocused and part of the problem with the toy industry, massive bulk orders of spray and pray dumps. No room for adjustment and reacting to the market. And it forced toy companies to do the same. Target and Wal-Mart still do this, so nothing with change until they do. It worked in the 80s, doesn't now. Adults are a factor, and kids know exactly which item they want down to the wave number and SKU due to the internet.

In the action figure arena, until we hit a point where waves do not exist, and individual items can be ordered and continuously ordered with quick turn around based on actual demand, nothing will change. The retailers need to want to do this, change their methods, and the toy companies need to react to it.

Otherwise, the retailers that rely on toys will continue to die out, and the big box boys will just go with mindless generic cheap shit to compliment the rest of their store while mommies buy toilet paper and frozen peas.

Being a pop up shop in Meijers or FYE will just be pushing out fad crap similar to what's already at Wal Mart and Target, and what 80% of prior TRUs were. IMO, this means nothing as an adult collector. The fact they just went out via stupid business decisions and screwed tons of workers erases any nostalgia for me.

GizmoTron · 10-10-2018, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflakian

Something like that, or maybe Ollie's or similar kind of smaller operations that are dabbling in toys but don't know what they are doing.

Ollie's knows exactly what they're doing, and it's certainly not supporting a mini-TRU in their store selling items at full price. Same with any discount retailer like T.J.Maxx or ROSS.

This seems more of a venture a store like Kohl's or J.C. Penny would try, or another department store type location.

Super Joe · 11-05-2018, 09:38 PM

"Christmas miracle: Kroger resurrects Toys 'R' Us for limited time.

Toys “R” Us is gone, but it is making sure it’s not forgotten this holiday season.

The bankrupt toy retailer, which closed its two Toledo stores in June during a companywide liquidation, has announced a partnership with Kroger to sell toys in 600 stores across the U.S.

Kroger said five of its Toledo-area stores will get the Geoffrey’s Toy Box store-within-a-store concept starting this month,"

https://www.toledoblade.com/local/co...es/20181105157

Joe Moore · 11-06-2018, 05:30 AM

If you haven't see the photos popping up on social media, the whole thing is really dumb. It's a literal cardboard box in the middle of an aisle.

Cyclopswc · 11-06-2018, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moore

If you haven't see the photos popping up on social media, the whole thing is really dumb. It's a literal cardboard box in the middle of an aisle.

Time's been hard for Geoffrey. He used to have a home, now he lives in a paper box.

Brownfinger · 11-06-2018, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Toys R Us could be making a comeback!!!

Tomax · 11-06-2018, 01:17 PM

so its just a cardboard box? ok TRU is not coming back

Tim · 11-06-2018, 01:28 PM

Even at making a comeback Toys r us will let you down. At least they haven't changed they're still as shitty as ever

Thor Laserpunch · 11-06-2018, 01:39 PM

It would really be a Toys R Us experience if one of those shippers was entirely full of nothing but Damian Wayne Robins.

Exodus · 11-06-2018, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moore

If you haven't see the photos popping up on social media, the whole thing is really dumb. It's a literal cardboard box in the middle of an aisle.

They did say "Toy Box" :P

Sender · 11-06-2018, 08:11 PM

It is something while many weren't expecting anything.

jwyss234 · 11-06-2018, 10:59 PM

Honestly, they just need to let TRU die. It was sad to see it go but I think this summer has been easier for toy hunting since you didn't have to drive yourself crazy trying to find TRU exclusives.

Jeddostotle7 · 11-07-2018, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moore

If you haven't see the photos popping up on social media, the whole thing is really dumb. It's a literal cardboard box in the middle of an aisle.

Eh, it's something to have out making money at low risk while trying to prepare for a larger comeback as there are rumors of. I'm not saying I have much faith they'll execute a full-scale comeback well, just that this isn't a horrendous idea to make them some money in the meantime.

Cyclopswc · 11-07-2018, 10:40 AM

I don't get the hate for TRU, I guess I lucked out with my 2 previous local TRUs. I could always find stuff there, never had trouble with their exclusives (unlike Walmart and Walgreens). Their prices were comparable with Walmart and Target, and 10% off every Thursday was a plus. The toy-collecting hobby has changed much for me since they're gone.

I miss my TRUs.

Brownfinger · 11-07-2018, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclopswc

I don't get the hate for TRU, I guess I lucked out with my 2 previous local TRUs.

I loved Toys R Us. I did not love the many missteps that put them on the path to inevitable ruin.

Tomax · 11-07-2018, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclopswc

I don't get the hate for TRU

I guess I lucked out with my 2 previous local TRUs. I could always find stuff there, never had trouble with their exclusives (unlike Walmart and Walgreens)

you answered your own question^^^ you had good stock at your local TRU while here in florida it was horrible but then i had better luck at walmrt and walgreens

Dr Kain · 11-07-2018, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moore

If you haven't see the photos popping up on social media, the whole thing is really dumb. It's a literal cardboard box in the middle of an aisle.

I'm not sure which is dumber, the fact that it's a literal single display in a grocery store or that it has generic, bootleg-esque dolls on it.

Where are the real toys?

deecee4 · 11-08-2018, 05:29 AM

Lol wow..such an undignified fate for TRU

BlackRazor · 11-08-2018, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brownfinger

I loved Toys R Us. I did not love the many missteps that put them on the path to inevitable ruin.

I agree, it didn't have to happen.

10-10-2018, 05:49 AM	#27
Joe Moore Administrator Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 34,320	Quote: Originally Posted by MegaPrime33 It sounds good on paper but I'm wondering what stores this would be in. Gamestop maybe? I don't see this going into Target at all. Well, they are going with a regional Midwestern outlet, so any national chain is out of the question. My immediate thought was something like Fred Meyer's or Fry's. __________________ Last edited by Joe Moore; 10-10-2018 at 05:52 AM..

10-10-2018, 11:40 AM	#31
Snowflakian Illyria's New Qwa'ha Xahn Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: In the clouds. Posts: 4,120	Quote: Originally Posted by Joe Moore Well, they are going with a regional Midwestern outlet, so any national chain is out of the question. My immediate thought was something like Fred Meyer's or Fry's. Something like that, or maybe Ollie's or similar kind of smaller operations that are dabbling in toys but don't know what they are doing. My main hope from this is that it builds up capital for them to branch out more in other ways. It may be starting over, but at least it's still trying and could gain a foothold to regrow into a chain again in the future, as well as better cut much of the baggage in the process to keep from getting too bloated on wasteful spending. __________________

10-10-2018, 12:22 PM	#32
Tony_Bacala Administrator Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 7,661	Toys R Us near the end was bloated, unfocused and part of the problem with the toy industry, massive bulk orders of spray and pray dumps. No room for adjustment and reacting to the market. And it forced toy companies to do the same. Target and Wal-Mart still do this, so nothing with change until they do. It worked in the 80s, doesn't now. Adults are a factor, and kids know exactly which item they want down to the wave number and SKU due to the internet. In the action figure arena, until we hit a point where waves do not exist, and individual items can be ordered and continuously ordered with quick turn around based on actual demand, nothing will change. The retailers need to want to do this, change their methods, and the toy companies need to react to it. Otherwise, the retailers that rely on toys will continue to die out, and the big box boys will just go with mindless generic cheap shit to compliment the rest of their store while mommies buy toilet paper and frozen peas. Being a pop up shop in Meijers or FYE will just be pushing out fad crap similar to what's already at Wal Mart and Target, and what 80% of prior TRUs were. IMO, this means nothing as an adult collector. The fact they just went out via stupid business decisions and screwed tons of workers erases any nostalgia for me. __________________ Transformers at TFW2005.com!

11-05-2018, 09:38 PM	#34
Super Joe Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,285	"Christmas miracle: Kroger resurrects Toys 'R' Us for limited time. Toys “R” Us is gone, but it is making sure it’s not forgotten this holiday season. The bankrupt toy retailer, which closed its two Toledo stores in June during a companywide liquidation, has announced a partnership with Kroger to sell toys in 600 stores across the U.S. Kroger said five of its Toledo-area stores will get the Geoffrey’s Toy Box store-within-a-store concept starting this month," https://www.toledoblade.com/local/co...es/20181105157 Last edited by Super Joe; 11-05-2018 at 09:53 PM..

11-06-2018, 05:30 AM	#35
Joe Moore Administrator Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 34,320	If you haven't see the photos popping up on social media, the whole thing is really dumb. It's a literal cardboard box in the middle of an aisle. __________________