Yahoo News Full list of new Toys R Us stores as it returns to UK high streets with new WHSmith partnership
Toys R Us, the iconic toy retailer that closed its doors six years ago, is making a return to the high street. The brand, now owned by WHP Global, has teamed up with WH Smith to launch a series of Toys R Us shop-in-shops across the UK.
Already, nine concessions have opened their doors, with over a dozen more set to follow this summer, including one at The Trafford Centre's WHSmith. To celebrate the grand opening on Saturday, July 13, the store will host an event from 10am to 2pm.
Geoffrey the Giraffe, the brand's mascot, will be present for the official ribbon cutting and will meet and greet visitors throughout the morning. The first 100 children to visit the store will receive a free Toys R Us goody bag worth over £20.
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Doors open at 10am, so early arrival is advised for those hoping to snag a giveaway. The new shop-in-shop will stock a range of products from top toy brands like Barbie, Bluey, Hot Wheels, LEGO, Marvel, Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Squishmallows, Star Wars and more.
Kids can get hands-on with the latest toys at demonstration tables in-store, and a life-size Geoffrey the Giraffe sculpture will provide a great photo opportunity, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Trafford Centre is set to welcome one of the 30 new WHSmith high street stores before the year's end, adding to the initial nine launched in 2023.
Ian Sanders, Group Commercial Development Director at WHSmith, said: "We're really excited to be opening Toys R Us in Manchester. WHSmith is known for being the hub of the high street by providing customers with a range of great products and services."
"Partnering with Toys R Us gives us a leading toys and games range in our stores and means customers have even more reasons to shop with us. We look forward to welcoming many more customers into our store."
Toys R Us first made its mark in the UK back in 1985 as the 'world's first toy supermarket'. But the tides turned in 2017 when its US parent company filed for bankruptcy with debts surpassing £3.5 billion.
The following year saw the iconic toy retailer collapse, shutting down all 100 of its UK stores and resulting in thousands of job losses. In a turn of events, 2021 witnessed WHP Global sign a deal with Toys R Us Australia to spearhead the brand's resurgence in the UK.
Previously, WHP Global had secured a controlling stake in Tru Kids, the umbrella company for Toys R Us and Babies R Us brands.
There are Toys R Us stores in WH Smith already open across the country, including Brighton Churchill Square, Canterbury, Chelmsford, Derby, York, Harrogate and Shrewsbury. You can see all opening times here.
Full list of new Toys R Us stores set to open soon:
Bluewater
Brent Cross
Gyle Edinburgh
Halifax
Hastings
Hertford
Lancaster
Lichfield
Lincoln
Newton Abbot
Richmond
Taunton
Thurrock - Lakeside
Trafford Centre
Worthing South Street
