Toys "R" Us - 50% scraps are all that's left

[thoroakenfelder]

1 hour ago, exracer327 said:

That reminds me of the Speed Champions Ferrari Semi-Truck set from a couple of years ago I recently saw at a TRU.  IT had a beat up box and 25% mark-up over MSRP.

The TRU near me has an open box UCS TIE Fighter for $239.99. 20% more for an open box? Where do I hand over my money?

[Bold-Arrow]

http://money.cnn.com/2018/04/17/news/companies/toys-r-us-rejects-bratz-ceo/index.html

[Ed Mack]

13 minutes ago, Bold-Arrow said:

http://money.cnn.com/2018/04/17/news/companies/toys-r-us-rejects-bratz-ceo/index.html

I'm sure someone will eventually work a deal to keep some of the stores open.  It is too important for toy manufacturers for it not to happen.  Unfortunately, my local TRU will not be one that remains open.  

[labfreak7]

I'm sure someone will eventually work a deal to keep some of the stores open.  It is too important for toy manufacturers for it not to happen.  Unfortunately, my local TRU will not be one that remains open.  

They are all slated to close. If there is a deal, it will probably be limited to a few stores in metro areas and online. My store was always very busy, and it is closing. Employees have all either gotten new jobs or are looking.

[thoroakenfelder]

Is it more or less likely that some entity or group will eventually purchase the TRU name and reopen using that name and the brand that was built around it in new locations, than that someone will step in and save extant stores that are in the process of depleting merchandise?

[brickology101]

My toys r us store is now showing up to 40% off outside versus 30% til recently. Went inside, Lego aisles still well stuffed with paltry 5% off. Will be back. It is a patience game.

[exciter1]

16 minutes ago, brickology101 said:

My toys r us store is now showing up to 40% off outside versus 30% til recently. Went inside, Lego aisles still well stuffed with paltry 5% off. Will be back. It is a patience game.

Mega Construx are 5% off too.

[Alpinemaps]

Gift cards expire today. Curios to see what tomorrow brings.

[zskid00]

It's funny because around here the LEGO sections are shrinking significantly at the meager 5% discount and they are filling it in with toys from other areas of the store.  An employee told me they aren't getting any more LEGO sets, but I don't know how accurate that is.  She also said they are emptying their distribution centers, but they haven't touched the online warehouse here in central Ohio.  I don't know if that will eventually get sent to the stores or will be sold wholesale.

Edited April 21, 2018 by zskid00

[exracer327]

1 hour ago, brickology101 said:

My toys r us store is now showing up to 40% off outside versus 30% til recently. Went inside, Lego aisles still well stuffed with paltry 5% off. Will be back. It is a patience game.

Exact same experience.  *sigh*  Sadly, even at 10% off, many sets still won't be at MSRP.

[exciter1]

50 minutes ago, zskid00 said:

It's funny because around here the LEGO sections are shrinking significantly at the meager 5% discount and they are filling it in with toys from other areas of the store.  An employee told me they aren't getting any more LEGO sets, but I don't know how accurate that is.  She also said they are emptying their distribution centers, but they haven't touched the online warehouse here in central Ohio.  I don't know if that will eventually get sent to the stores or will be sold wholesale.

41597 - Brickheadz Go Brick Me showed up out of the blue this week.

[stackables]

Do most TRU stores still have the lego batman ultimate batmobile polybag?  Totally forgot about that poly and was thinking of checking tru.

[thoroakenfelder]

The Lego section is a bit less than half full even at only 5% off. Looks like I won't avail myself of their clearance.

The my little ponys that I had been reselling went from being considered dolls to being collectibles when the discount on dolls increased. 

[Sandwraith]

Sounds like TRU Canada has a buyer, not sure if it's official yet, but it sounded like it would be today or tomorrow, Fairfax Financial or something was the bidder.

Pretty happy about that if so, the toy market in Canada is pretty bad. Perfect example was the Jurassic World Mattel toy line release, no-one but TRU had any of the items on the Apr 16 release day in store in my area.

[jeff_14]

10 minutes ago, Sandwraith said:

Sounds like TRU Canada has a buyer, not sure if it's official yet, but it sounded like it would be today or tomorrow, Fairfax Financial or something was the bidder.

Pretty happy about that if so, the toy market in Canada is pretty bad. Perfect example was the Jurassic World Mattel toy line release, no-one but TRU had any of the items on the Apr 16 release day in store in my area.

This is great news. The owner, Prem Wards, has been called the Canadian Warren Buffett. He’s turned Blackberry around along with a number of retail operations. Crisis averted

[Clintonjoseph]

10% off lego now. bunch of interesting sets showed up also. most about rrp even with the 10% off though. 

[exracer327]

1 hour ago, Clintonjoseph said:

10% off lego now. bunch of interesting sets showed up also. most about rrp even with the 10% off though. 

That is the saddest thing.  Many sets will have to get to 15% off before they're considered a bargain compared to Target, Walmart, etc. every-day prices.

[Treetop]

TRU Express was 20% off today but they did increase the price on some sets.  Regular TRU up to 10% off today. 

[Alpinemaps]

Definitely clearing out the warehouse now. 

[rcdb1984]

Man, I held onto those TRU trucks for years and was finally like.....these are a bust and dumped em for less than I paid. Arghh...........On the other hand I made out like a bandit when the 41999's were around.

[tacsniper]

If Fairfax is successful at bidding for TRU Canada, will Prem Watsa appoint Blackberry CEO John Chan to turn this ship around as well? After all, TRU needs to "digitized" if it wants a chance to survive into the future.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-20/fairfax-is-said-to-agree-to-purchase-toys-r-us-canadian-unit?utm_campaign=PostBeyond&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter&utm_term=%23208684

[kouks]

17 hours ago, tacsniper said:

If Fairfax is successful at bidding for TRU Canada, will Prem Watsa appoint Blackberry CEO John Chan to turn this ship around as well? After all, TRU needs to "digitized" if it wants a chance to survive into the future.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-20/fairfax-is-said-to-agree-to-purchase-toys-r-us-canadian-unit?utm_campaign=PostBeyond&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter&utm_term=%23208684

Apparently Fairfax was successful and now may buy some US stores?

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/business-news/fairfax-eyeing-some-u-s-stores-after-toys-r-us-canada-purchase/

I am happy that we will get to keep our Toysrus stores in Canada (some changes obviously will come with a new owner like Fairfax).   My kids and I love going there!

[tacsniper]

57 minutes ago, kouks said:

Apparently Fairfax was successful and now may buy some US stores?

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/business-news/fairfax-eyeing-some-u-s-stores-after-toys-r-us-canada-purchase/

I am happy that we will get to keep our Toysrus stores in Canada (some changes obviously will come with a new owner like Fairfax).   My kids and I love going there!

Amen. Glad Canadian stores ares staying. Hope we will still get Bricktober sets. Love those mini modular sets.

Edited April 27, 2018 by tacsniper

[zaphoid]

For anyone still holding TRU Cards

Kmart, a big box department store chain fully owned by Sears, will allow customers to cash in Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us gift cards at store locations across the U.S. in exchange for its “FREECASH” reward points. It is offering $10 in points in exchange for gift cards, to be put toward any in-store purchase of $10 or more. Kmart will also offer $5 in points toward the in-store purchase of any toy worth $5 or more – an incentive aimed at attracting more consumers into its children’s department.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/kmart-will-cash-in-your-toys-r-us-gift-cards

[Ayleux]

https://nypost.com/2018/05/02/rivals-plot-strategy-for-post-toys-r-us-world/

 

Sounds like just rumors but I hadn't really thought about this before. Other retailers expanding their toy sections makes sense.