Toys 'R' Us preparing for possible bankruptcy filing - sources

[DemocratSinceBirth]

(Reuters) - Toys ‘R’ Us is working to put together a loan to fund its operations in a potential bankruptcy filing that could come before the holiday sales season, according to people familiar with the matter.

The toy merchant’s move underscores the deep distress rippling through retailers of all sizes as consumers increasingly shop online at sellers such as Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) or go to discounters such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N).

A spokeswoman for Toys ‘R’ Us did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The people could not be identified because the bankruptcy plans are not yet public.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-toys-r-us-bankruptcy/toys-r-us-preparing-for-possible-bankruptcy-filing-sources-idUKKCN1BR00K

[Blue_Adept]

1. Part of it is that they're so few and far between overall

With the way good sized malls are within distance of each other so that you have no need to go to a further out one since they're all the same, especially here in MA, TRU becomes a destination that you have to go to.

It may seem petty but a 20 minute trip to where the closest TRU is to me feels like it's too far... they're an anchor store in a strip mall basically filled with box stores. But the mall 2 minutes from me has everything else but a TRU.

I do wonder if they should have gone to doing standard mall stores, not anchor stores but like a GAP sized store or something, with the must-have items to spread out a bit and be a destination within a standard mall. Because there's so little in malls these days beyond food and clothing stores, at least in this neck of the woods. I have zero incentive to go. And I'm literally right next to one at least once a week as there's a 15-screen theater attached that I go to regularly.

A smaller scale TRU in the mall, like an Apple store, would get me in there more. I have no desire to go "way" out to where the big box store version is when I can point and click and get it delivered in a day or two for cheaper.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. There's one by my apartment

I am going to buy something there as a gift for old times' sake

[Blue_Adept]

3. I used to love going as a kid

Between that place and Child World across the street there were so many great toys.

My kids didn't actively play with toys in the same way and I'm not sure if that's a girls vs boys kind of thing. They had their stuff, like my little pony and others, but they were never a big consumer like I was with action figures and things like that. They were big into American Girl dolls and we had one of those move in at the big mall here too, a nice two-story place for it.

I don't know how widespread Child World was: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_World

[LeftInTX]

9. They have been moving locations, especially since they created Babies'R'Us

The locations are not as convenient or easy to find.

[Tree-Hugger]

10. Like Kay-Bee

When I was growing up, most of the malls had KB Toys. Malls don't have toy stores anymore. Now and then you find some with a niche store like Disney Store or Build-a-Bear, but it's been decades since I have seen a legit toy shop in a mall.

Shame. My kids love TRU. Their prices aren't competitive, though.

[oberliner]

4. They are pretty much completely obsolete

So this makes sense.

[ProudLib72]

5. This is very sad

TRU was the place to go when I was a kid. I understand why they are going under because of online retail, but really there is no substitute for going into the store and physically touching all the toys. I used to spend hours in TRU. My poor parents would eventually force me to make a decision.

[Initech]

6. Another one bites the dust.

Well when nobody has any money anymore we'll be able to take shelter in these abandoned stores, won't we?

[pnwmom]

7. The last time I went there I was very disappointed. There wasn't a section of trains or puzzles or

dolls. Everything was arranged by brand or character -- like Disney, or Frozen, etc. So I left and found a regular, old fashioned toy store that wasn't all about branding.

[JI7]

8. They should consider renovating their stores to make shopping their appealing and an experience in i

Maybe do something similar to ikea and disneyland.