Toys_R_Us

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Toys "R" Us Toys "R" Us Toys "R" Us Type Founded Private 1948 (Washington, D.C., U.S.) as Children’s Supermarket 1957 (Rockville, Maryland, U.S.) as Toys "R" Us Wayne, New Jersey, United States Gerald L. Storch Chairman and CEO Retail Toys $13.646 billion USD (2007)[5] Kohlberg Kravis Roberts Bain Capital Vornado Realty Trust 97,000 www.toysrus.com www.toys.com Headquarters Key people Industry Products Revenue Owner(s) The original location is now Madam’s Organ Blues Bar on 18th Street NW in Adams Morgan during the post-war baby boom era in 1948 as a baby furniture retailer. Its first location was at 2461 18th St, NW, where the nightclub, Madam’s Organ Blues Bar is currently located. Lazarus began receiving requests from customers for baby toys. After adding baby toys, he got requests for more mature toys. Eventually, the focus of the store changed in 1957 and Toys "R" Us as it is known today was born in Rockville, Maryland when Toys "R" Us was acquired in 1966 by Interstate Stores, owner of the White Front and Topps Department Stores as well as Children’s Bargain Town USA, a sister toy store chain to Toys "R" Us in the American Midwest which would later be rebranded as part of the Toys "R" Us chain. The original Toys "R" Us store design in the 1970s and 1980s consisted of vertical rainbow stripes and a brown roof with a front entrance and side exit.[3][4] Some brown roof locations still exist, although some were painted different colors or renovated in recent years. Toys "R" Us is also notable for making its mark in popular culture for being mentioned, parodied, or appearing in movies and TV shows, such as Back to the Future, The Blues Brothers, The Simpsons, Family Guy,The Flintstones, and Mystery Science Theater 3000. Employees Website Toys "R" Us[1] (currently typeset as Toys Я Us in the logo, and before as Toys "Я" Us) is a toy store chain based in the United States. The chain also has locations in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and Canada. The company currently operates 585 stores in the United States and 716 stores in 34 other countries, with some of them under franchises or licenses. The flagship store in New York City’s Times Square is the largest toy store in the world,[2] featuring a colorful Ferris wheel. It is the largest toy-centered retailer and the second largest overall toy retailer in the United States (Wal-Mart being the largest). History The early years Chuck Lazarus initially started Children’s Supermart, which would later evolve into the modern day Toys "R" Us in Washington, DC 1 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Toys "R" Us Interior of a store in Tel Aviv, Israel. exclusivity rights as viewed from both companies’ perspectives. The judge in the matter believed Amazon’s top officials were not completely forthcoming in their testimony during the trial: In her [the judge’s] opinion, McVeigh took a rather dim view of the trial testimony of some Amazon executives, including that of the company’s billionaire founder Jeff Bezos, saying she had "no doubt his knowledge and understanding (of the Toys "R" Us agreement) went much deeper than revealed." When pushed on the witness stand, "certain information ’just came back to him’" she said in the ruling, while another of Bezos’ explanations was referred to as "rather childlike."[5] Toys "R" Us, after winning the right to end its contract with Amazon.com, forged a partnership with GSI Commerce, a company specializing in running e-commerce sites.[6] By the middle of 2006, Amazon’s stock had taken serious 15% losses, one consideration being the $50 million per year payment lost from Toys "R" Us. Amazon announced the loss of the case late in the quarter to its stock owners.[7][8] A replica of the Chrysler Building, made entirely of Lego bricks, on display at the Times Square location of Toys "R" Us in New York City. The buyout In an effort to improve its company, the Board of Directors installed John Eyler, formerly of FAO Schwarz. Eyler launched an unsuccessful, and very expensive plan to remodel and re-launch the chain. Blaming market pressures (primarily competition from Wal-Mart and Target), Toys "R" Us considered splitting its toys and baby businesses. On July 21, 2005, a consortium of Bain Capital Partners LLC, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), and Vornado Realty Trust completed the $6.6 billion acquisition of the toy giant. Public stock closed for the last time at $26.74, just pennies from the 68-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. Closure of 87 stores On January 9, 2006, Toys "R" Us announced that 87 stores in the United States would close that year, most closing within the spring. 12 more stores were to be converted to the "Babies "R" Us" format. Approximately 3,000 jobs were eliminated as a result of the closures.[9] Amazon.com lawsuit In early 2006, Toys "R" Us won a major battle against Amazon.com after years of bitter battles over their original 10 year contract made at the height of the dotcom boom at the turn of the century. The battle focused on Affiliated chains Toys "R" Us, Inc. also owns other chains: 2 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Toys "R" Us include a "Studio G" activity center. Mostly found in the American Midwest, but are also found in Texas, Mississippi, and North Carolina. The first store under the "Geoffrey" banner opened in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, but eventually closed because of poor sales figures. Two other remaining Geoffrey’s Toys "R" Us stores in Wisconsin still exist in nearby markets, such as the Northeast Wisconsin market. Other locations include Louisville, Kentucky, San Antonio and Austin, Texas. Each location had a playground at the front of the store. These stores are currently in the process of being reverted back to regular Toys "R" Us stores as of spring 2008, although the name still remains. (introduced in 2003) - This version of Toys "R" Us is found in Albertsons, Giant, Jewel-Osco supermarkets, and stores in Hong Kong, Philippines and Singapore. - A toy superstore format introduced in 1996. Stores were built in Elizabeth, New Jersey(which was remodeled into a Toys "R" US/Babies "R" Us Superstore), and Fairfax, Virginia (which was remodelled in 2006 into a standard Toys "R" Us). - co-branded stores found in markets not served by the Geoffrey Stores. - mini store version of Toys "R" Us, found inside Asian stores. (Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Taiwan (Republic of China), Wollongong, Australia and other) - An independent chain of kids toy stores with a focus on learning toys, located mostly in malls was bought by Toys "R" Us in 1999. Its mascots were Cosmo (a purple puppy) and Professor Fun. When most of the Toys "R" Us stores were remodeled, their layouts were redesigned to included an Imaginarium department. - Found inside Toys "R" Us in Japan. Toys "R" Us store at United Square Mall, Singapore • • • • An exterior of a typical second generation Toys "R" Us store in Mount Berry, Georgia, United States. • - A store chain no longer operating independently, Kids "R" Us deals in children’s clothing. Kids "R" Us stores now are co-branded with some Toys "R" Us stores, located inside most Toys "R" Us locations. Kids "R" Us is also the brand name label of kids’ clothing found at the Geoffrey Stores. One of the Kids "R" Us locations was found at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. That location is now home to Marshalls. • - Superstores specializing in clothing, furniture, toys and other accessories for babies. • - Bike store inside Toys "R" Us (UK only) • - Retailtainment stores named for Toys "R" Us’ mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe, offering toys, juvenile merchandise, and children’s apparel all in one location. Other features • • Logos This is logo #1, the classic logo for Toys ’R’ Us from 1977-2000. It is still in This is logo #2 (2000–2007). This logo has brighter colors than its This is logo #3, the present Toys ’R’ Us logo Babies R Us logo from 1998 until 2007 when the Toys R Us logo changed 3 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia predecessor since in Septemlogo and a 2007. ber that blue star. It year. is still in use at a large number of original locations. This logo was continued in the UK. The yellow reverse "R" in quotation marks, which is similar to the Cyrillic letter Я, (ISO 9: Я), imitates a small child’s backward writing of "R", which is short for "are". The "R" is the most distinctive part of the retailer’s colorful kid-friendly logo. The current, modernized Toys "R" Us logo was introduced in 1977 as logo #1, a blue star was added to the Geoffrey in his current design. logo in late-1998/early-1999 during the Toys "R" Us "Concept 2000" era and is dubbed logo #2, the "Concept 2000 Star" logo. Logo #2 was seen earlier in the 2000s decade on the Nickelodeon game show, Double Dare 2000; and on new "Concept 2000" Toys "R" Us stores or older stores that were converted to "Concept 2000" stores. The "R Us" name was derived as a pun on the founder’s first name, Lazarus. The "R Us" name has been imitated by many other businesses. The logo was once again changed on September 24, 2007 as logo #3 with alternating sized characters and a star in the middle of the reverse R. The letter R was changed from yellow to blue. Since May 2008, the UK stores of Toys ’R’ Us now use the new logo. Newly refurbished stores now display the revised logo, as does the UK website and all media publications. use at a small number of original locations. Toys "R" Us Mascot In the 1960s, an anthropomorphic giraffe cartoon character was introduced as Toys "R" Us’ mascot. His name, Geoffrey the Giraffe, followed in the 1970s, after a "Name the Mascot"–type contest. In 1973, Geoffrey was given a family with the addition of his wife Gigi. However, over time and with different marketing campaigns, it has been unclear as to whether Gigi is Geoffrey’s wife or sister. Also in 1973, Geoffrey’s daughter, Baby Gee, was introduced. In 1979, his son Junior (a.k.a. Geoffrey Junior) was added. Geoffrey was then re-introduced in 2001, after being Geoffrey Jr. given a full makeover. He then appeared not as a cartoon character, but rather as a reallife giraffe who talks; an animatronic version of Geoffrey the Giraffe (created by Stan Winston Studios) was voiced by Jim Hanks, brother of actor Tom Hanks, in commercials for radio and television. The character’s present appearance is again that of a cartoon. 4 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Toys "R" Us International locations Toys "R" Us, International is a separate division which operates the toy stores outside of the United States. Toys "R" Us, International opened its first stores in 1984 in Singapore and Canada. Today, Toys "R" Us International operates, licenses or franchises approximately 688 toy stores in 33 countries outside the United States. Toys "R" Us Japan • • • • • • • • • • Bahrain Canada, established 1984, 65 stores Chad, established 2008, 2 stores China, established December 2006,13 stores Denmark, established 1995, 13 stores Egypt, 4 stores Finland, established 2006, 4 stores France Germany, established 1987, 48 Stores, domicile of Toys "R" Us Europe (Cologne) Greece, established 1996 as Zaharias with a Zaha "R" Ias logo, 5 stores, original rebranding in 2009[10] Hong Kong, established 1980, 9 Main stores and 3 Toys "R" Us Express stores[11] Iceland, Opened October 2007, 3 Stores and at least two more will open. India Ireland [12], • Toys "R" Us Japan • • • • • • Israel, established 1995, 23 stores 23 stores in 2006 [13] Italy Japan, established 1989, 148 stores and 20 Babies "R" Us stores • Kuwait • • • • Macau Malaysia, 15 stores Norway, 8 stores Philippines, established 2007, at least 7 stores and toyboxes in each Robinsons Department Store Portugal Qatar, 1 store, in Doha Toys "R" Us France • • Australia, established 1993, 32 stores and 2 Babies "R" Us stores Austria, 13 Stores • • 5 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia • Saudi Arabia, Toys "R" Us has a total of 9 stores in the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia. 4 stores in Jeddah (Western region), 3 stores in Riyadh (Central region), 1 store in Dhahran (Eastern region), 1 Store in Abha (Aseer region), and 1 store opening soon in Madinah and 1 more in Dhahran in Jarir Plaza. Singapore, established 1984, 7 stores including Vivocity South Africa, 22 stores [14] South Korea Spain Sweden, established 1994, 13 stores Switzerland, 4 Stores Republic of China, Taiwan Thailand, established 2005, 6 stores Toys "R" Us [5] Wolk, Martin (2006-03-02). "Toys ’R’ Us wins suit against Amazon.com". MSNBC — U.S. Business. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/ 11641703/. Retrieved on 2007-01-15. [6] E-Commerce Times: Toys ’R’ Us wins right to end amazon partnership., March 3, 2006 [7] Monica Soto Ouchi (2006-06-03). "Amazon waited to report impact of Toys R Us split". The Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ businesstechnology/ 2003036496_amazon03.html. Retrieved on 2007-01-15. [8] Laurie J. Flynn (2006-06-26). "Costs soar at Amazon; stock dives". International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com/ articles/2006/07/26/business/ amazoncom.php. Retrieved on 2007-01-15. [9] "Toys ’R’ Us to shutter 87 stores". Pittsburgh Business Times. 2006-01-11. http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/ pittsburgh/stories/2006/01/09/ daily18.html. Retrieved on 2007-01-15. [10] [1] [11] [2] [12] [3] [13] [4] [14] http://www.toysrus.co.za/location.html • • • • • • • • • • Turkey United Arab Emirates, located in Diera Together With Marks and Spencer Near Reef Mall,Sahara Mall In Sharjah,Dubai Festival City With 2 Outlets, And Times Square Centre • United Kingdom, established 1985, 74 stores and 2 Babies "R" Us stores • United States, established 1948 as Children’s Supermart, changed its name to Toys "R" Us in 1957, and in the early 1970s, Interstate Stores, Inc. (now known as Toys "R" Us, Inc.) bought out Children’s Bargain Town USA, a similar midwest toy store chain. External links • • • • • Toys "R" Us (retail) Toys (Domain bought in March 2009) Toys "R" Us (corporate) Babies "R" Us (retail) Toys "R" Us (international) • Australia • Canada • China • Denmark • Hong Kong • Iceland • Israel • Japan • Malaysia • Singapore • South Africa • South Korea • Spain • Sweden • Taiwan (Republic of China) • Thailand • UK Countries where Toys R Us is no longer active • Netherlands, established 1993, 17 stores. All stores continued on March 3rd 2009 as Toys XL. Toys R Us tried to sell it’s stores in 1997 already but encountered objections from the European Competition regulator. References [1] Toys "R" Us 2004 annual report [2] Times Square - Toys R Us Store - "The World’s Largest Toy Store!" [3] http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/ history2/2/Toys-R-Us-Inc.html [4] http://pleasantfamilyshopping.blogspot.com/ 2008/06/bargain-town-is-now-toys-rus.html 6 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia • History of Toys "R" Us at www.fundinguniverse.com Template talk:Toysrus Toys "R" Us Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toys_%22R%22_Us" Categories: Companies based in New Jersey, Retail companies of the United States, Toy companies of the United States, Companies established in 1948, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Li & Fung, Private equity portfolio companies, Babycare This page was last modified on 19 May 2009, at 04:42 (UTC). All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details.) Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) taxdeductible nonprofit charity. Privacy policy About Wikipedia Disclaimers 7