Toys R Us will return to several UK high streets next week, five years after the toy chain closed doors across the UK. The retailer has confirmed it will open nine concessions in WH Smith stores, with the openings starting on June 10 and taking place across the summer.
The first will open at the Minks Cross Retail Park in York on June 10, The Mirror reports. All the concessions will include a life-sized sculpture of Geoffrey the Giraffe, with products on sale including Barbie, Peppa Pig, Lego and Marvel.
The move follows the retailer relaunching its website in September, selling thousands of products in the process. WHSmith High Street managing director Sean Toal said: “At WHSmith, we’re always exploring new opportunities to launch exciting, new product ranges to our customers on the high street, and our partnership with Toys R Us certainly does this!
“The brand has long been known for its exceptional range of toys and games and complements our existing offer well. Across each of the nine locations, we have a great team of colleagues who look forward to welcoming many new and existing customers over the coming weeks and showcasing the new store layout.”
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Simon Cartey, UK commercial director at Toys R Us, added: “Our new Toys R Us shop-in-shops at WHSmith create the perfect home for Toys R Us as it returns to the UK high street shopping scene. With this collaboration, we are not only bringing back the beloved Toys R Us experience but also providing convenient access to a wide range of toys and games.
“Together, we hope to create a magical and joyful shopping destination for families across the country.” Toys R Us launched in the UK in 1985, when it emerged as the "world's first toy supermarket".
Last year, owner WHP Global signed an agreement with Toys R Us Australia to lead the brand's revival in the UK. There is no Nottinghamshire store planned just yet, with just one outlet confirmed in the Midlands. Here is the full list of WH Smith stores where Toys R Us will open
Canterbury (St George Street)
Chelmsford (High Street)
Cheltenham (High Street)
Cwmbran (The Mall)
Oxford (Cornmarket Street)
Poole (Towngate Shopping Centre)
Reading (Broad Street)
Solihull (Mell Square)
York (Monks Cross retail park)
For more details about the new Toys R Us stores, or for further details, visit it's site here.
