Toys “R” Us Facts
Toys “R” Us is a toy store chain based in the United States. It also operates in other countries, with around 1,500 stores world wide. The Toys “R” Us chain was founded by Charles Lazarus in Washington, DC during the post-war baby boom era in 1948. The company has since relocated to Wayne, New Jersey.
The flagship store in New York City’s Times Square is the largest toy store in the world, featuring a colorful ferris wheel.
Toys “R” Us Stores
Toys “R” Us, Inc. also owns other stores:
- Kids “R” Us – A store that specilizes in kid’s clothing.
- Babies “R” Us baby superstores.
- Geoffrey’s Toys “R” Us – A spin-off of the toy store named for the store’s wisecracking “spokesanimal”, Geoffrey the Giraffe and offering toys, juvenile merchandise, and children’s apparel all in one location. Other features include a “Studio G” activity center. Mostly found in the midwest.
- Toys “R” Us Toy Box – Introduced in 2003, this spin-off of Toys “Я” Us is found in Albertson’s, Osco Drug, Jewel-Osco, and Sav-On supermarkets and drug stores.
- Toys “R” Us KidsWorld – a toy superstore format introduced in 1996.
Toys “R” Us History
Due to market pressures (primarily competition from Wal-Mart and Target Stores), Toys “R” Us was considering splitting its toys and babies businesses.On July 21, 2005, a consortium of Bain Capital Partners LLC, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), and Vornado Realty Trust NYSE: VNO completed the $6.6 billion acquisition of the toy giant.
Public stock closed for the last time at $26.74, just pennies from the 52-week high, but far short of its all time high of almost $45 in fourth-quarter 1993, and its five-year high of $31 in 2Q 2001. Toys “R” Us is now a privately owned entity.
Toys “R” Us Logo
The yellow “R”, in quotation marks, is a small child’s backwards writing of “R”, which is short for “are”. The “R” is the most distinctive part of the retailer’s colorful kid-friendly logo. A blue star was added to the logo in 1998. The “R Us” name has been imitated by many other businesses, such as Tiles R Us and Tuxedos R Us. In 1978, Geoffrey the Giraffe, an anthropomorphic cartoon giraffe character was introduced as its mascot.
Toys “R” Us Slogans
“The World’s JOY Store!”
“Big Fun! Low Prices!”
“Lower Prices. Bigger Selection. Guaranteed.”
“The World’s Biggest Toy Store.”
“The World’s Greatest Toy Store.”
“Play More, Spend Less.”
Toys “R” Us Trivia
Nintendo games accounted for most of Toys “R” Us’ sales in the mid ’80s.
Most “Geoffrey” stores are located in the midwest.
