The Energon Pub

[Yotsuyasan]

As far as Massachusetts goes, the one in Holyoke is no loss as far as our hobby is concerned, as it is a Babies R Us. The only Toys R Us in Western Mass would be in Springfield, so I am happy that that one isn't on the list.

[That_Guy]

Well, the two I take my son are not on this list in Florida. Yet, unlike the K-mart we avoid like the bubonic plague, that one is closing (probably closed now).

[Terrsolpix]

Tfw 15% of all closures are Californian

[no-one]

Is it wrong of me to be sad that the one in my town isn't closing? I just wanted some cheap ****.

[mooncake623]

24-30 Union Square E, Union Square NY there hasn't been a Toys r Us here in a long time....

[Asepticon]

Thanks, Seibertron. Looks like we're safe in North Carolina.

[william-james88]

A source wishing to remain anonymous has uploaded a slide with broad strokes of the initiatives Toysrus will be taking in their 2018 roadmap. The same source also gave a breakdown of what all this means and some specifics:

- 181 stores are closing in first quarter, starting in February

- This 181 number breaks down to 91 Babiesrus, 47 Toysrus, 37 Side-by-sides, 2 outlets, and 4 express stores

- There will be an opening/remodeling of 12 new co-branded stores, different from the Side by Side build.

- Massive liquidation effort of $200M+ in merchandise.

- Plans to map and improve customer experience, revamp/improve online.

- Less skus in Brick and Mortar.

- Creating a pricing model and promotional strategy that improves the price perception.

Here is the slide they shared.



This information only pertains to the US stores.

[reluctantyouth]

The Illinois list makes some sense, but Moline, illinois should be on there. The store looks like it was transported here directly from 1985...no updates. The Bloomington, Illinois store should also be on the list. I don't understand the Schaumburg closure...the store was recently renovated from complete craphole to almost decent. I'm sure the rent is just too much in such a swanky Chicago suburb.

I'm glad Peoria, IL (my store) is a combo store and well run as far as TRU goes.

[TF-fan kev777]

The Illinois list makes some sense, but Moline, illinois should be on there. The store looks like it was transported here directly from 1985...no updates. The Bloomington, Illinois store should also be on the list. I don't understand the Schaumburg closure...the store was recently renovated from complete craphole to almost decent. I'm sure the rent is just too much in such a swanky Chicago suburb.

I think they are looking more at coverage areas than anything else. That would help explain Moline's and Bloomington's survival versus Schaumburg, Highland Park and Vernon Hills.

[Rodimus Knight]

The Illinois list makes some sense, but Moline, illinois should be on there. The store looks like it was transported here directly from 1985...no updates. The Bloomington, Illinois store should also be on the list. I don't understand the Schaumburg closure...the store was recently renovated from complete craphole to almost decent. I'm sure the rent is just too much in such a swanky Chicago suburb.

I think they are looking more at coverage areas than anything else. That would help explain Moline's and Bloomington's survival versus Schaumburg, Highland Park and Vernon Hills.

It's probably based on Performance as well, not just location.

[reluctantyouth]

I agree. Central Illinois benefits from (2) TRU. Bloomington, IL is a combo store. I know TRU has a warehouse in Joliet and Trucks need to pass Bloomington to get to Peoria. I think Chicago has more specialty stores and has to compete with the likes of Toynk and BigBadToystore.com for business. The Target and Walmart in Schaumburg are a hot mess too...Schaumburg store will be a loss for that area. I have yet to find anything when I go up there toy hunting though.

[kurthy]

The Illinois list makes some sense, but Moline, illinois should be on there. The store looks like it was transported here directly from 1985...no updates. The Bloomington, Illinois store should also be on the list. I don't understand the Schaumburg closure...the store was recently renovated from complete craphole to almost decent. I'm sure the rent is just too much in such a swanky Chicago suburb.

I think they are looking more at coverage areas than anything else. That would help explain Moline's and Bloomington's survival versus Schaumburg, Highland Park and Vernon Hills.

I don't think coverage is an issue there, as Davenport, IA is staying open, too (right across the river). I'm always able to find stuff there in stock the quickest, but it also looks transported here from the '80s.

[Editor]

As you may recall, Toysrus Canada had also filed for bankruptcy protection independently from its American parent. Those stores, which were later revealed to be very profitable and a crucial asset to Toysrus, will remain open. The president of Toysrus Canada, Melanie Teed-Murch, said that their Canadian operations "will be taking additional steps to improve the overall customer omnichannel experience with compelling promotions, continued improvements to mobile and digital marketing and enhancements to our baby registry and loyalty programs."

This should not be surprising. The Canadian division filing for protection was a defensive measure to ensure creditors owed by TRU could not attempt to recoup losses by trying to bill the Canadian side for payments on American deliveries, or break orders/contracts with the Canadian side if they aren't happy with the US situation.

Long story short, it was done to have creditors treat the two divisions as separate entities, so the Canadian side doesn't "pay for the sins of the Father" so to speak.

That said, the Vancouver area could lose a store in the near future, as the Metrotown location could be impacted by developer (Concord Pacific) plans for the closed Sears that sat directly above that location. Of course the Target is still vacant if they just wished to increase in size and relocate to the other side of the mall, similarly to what they just did at their Willowbrook location.

[ScottyP]

I can tell TRU is run by MBAs and not retail people based on that slide. Reeks of the buzzword laden crap that Fast Eddie used to push before I left Sears forever ago. Look how they're doing now!

[Houstonian Prime]

for those of us in Houston, the store listed in Katy, is incorrect. that store is actually located in Houston, at I-10 and Bunker Hill, on the west side.

[reluctantyouth]

The Illinois list makes some sense, but Moline, illinois should be on there. The store looks like it was transported here directly from 1985...no updates. The Bloomington, Illinois store should also be on the list. I don't understand the Schaumburg closure...the store was recently renovated from complete craphole to almost decent. I'm sure the rent is just too much in such a swanky Chicago suburb.

I think they are looking more at coverage areas than anything else. That would help explain Moline's and Bloomington's survival versus Schaumburg, Highland Park and Vernon Hills.

I don't think coverage is an issue there, as Davenport, IA is staying open, too (right across the river). I'm always able to find stuff there in stock the quickest, but it also looks transported here from the '80s.

Davenport remaining open was one of the reason's I thought Moline would likely close and surprised it is not on the list. Both locations have been helped by Kmart closures too. TRU Moline has Target to contend with, but Davenport location is holding its own in that very weird/horrible traffic/corner lot. I do miss the Davenport Kmart. I missed out on Lego deals at both and very disappointed.

[william-james88]

I can tell TRU is run by MBAs and not retail people based on that slide. Reeks of the buzzword laden crap that Fast Eddie used to push before I left Sears forever ago. Look how they're doing now!

Best thing I read today!

[Megatron Wolf]

i think the one of the entries is wrong 5181 Sunrise Hwy is in Bohemia not sayville, started to freak out cause the TRU i go to is right on the edge of sayvile (think its technically holbrook) so i though it was closing but it looks like its just a babies r us that i didnt know existed. If someone can confirm this that would be great cause ill be really pissed if they close that down and i cant get gundam minikits anymore. Dont understand why the store id numbers arent there, would make things alot easier.

[Rodimus Prime]

The only store in my town will be closing. The closest other store is almost a 2 hour drive. I hope at least they will mark down the stock so I can pick up a bunch of figures when my tax return arrives.

[william-james88]

The only store in my town will be closing. The closest other store is almost a 2 hour drive. I hope at least they will mark down the stock so I can pick up a bunch of figures when my tax return arrives.

But I thought people kept saying TRU was terrible at stocking TFs. So why would a sale matter if there is nothing to pick up?

[Emerje]

The only store in my town will be closing. The closest other store is almost a 2 hour drive. I hope at least they will mark down the stock so I can pick up a bunch of figures when my tax return arrives.

But I thought people kept saying TRU was terrible at stocking TFs. So why would a sale matter if there is nothing to pick up?

Most Transformers fans buy more than just Transformers.

Is it just me or does it feel like the east coast has a disproportionate number of closings compared to the entire rest of the country? Even just going from New York to Maine is a big chunk of the list. Granted, most are BRU stores, but still.

One of the two TRUs in Maine is closing, but these stores are so far from me I struggle to feel sad about it. I honestly wouldn't be upset with the whole company closing, it would just be one less frustration for me trying to get exclusives.

Emerje

[o.supreme]

Honestly I have a ton of Nostalgia for TRU, from my earliest memories in the early 80's, until about 2005, I really enjoyed shopping there. In the last decade or so, its been hit-and-miss, and the customer service has been terrible. I would love to see some stores stay open for sentimental reasons obviously, but sentiment alone cannot make a business run successfully. If their prices cannot compete with Walmart or Target, then unfortunately I don't see much of a future. Its just a shame really. Sure I guess we will still get exclusives from HTS, or 3P online retailors, but there's just not much fun in that. I still like to see things before I purchase them.

[william-james88]

I honestly wouldn't be upset with the whole company closing, it would just be one less frustration for me trying to get exclusives.

less frustrating but more expensive. As is already happening now, if a retailer chooses not to take an exclusive, it doesnt get released. It happened to several platinum sets in the US and thats why none of your stores ever stocked YOTR Optimus Prime. If TRU goes away, thats one less store willing to pick up exclusives. Sure, they will probably be available at Robot Kingdom, and thus the less frustrating part, but have fun paying $30 USD to ship an exclusive deluxe figure.

[o.supreme]

If TRU goes away, thats one less store willing to pick up exclusives. Sure, they will probably be available at Robot Kingdom, and thus the less frustrating part, but have fun paying $30 USD to ship an exclusive deluxe figure.

Exactly. Shipping from RK is especially bad. The only time I've ever ordered from them was for some late release Kreon figures I knew I cold get nowhere else. When the shipping cost alone is almost the same price as the item you intend to purchase, that is unacceptable IMHO.

[william-james88]

If TRU goes away, thats one less store willing to pick up exclusives. Sure, they will probably be available at Robot Kingdom, and thus the less frustrating part, but have fun paying $30 USD to ship an exclusive deluxe figure.

Exactly. Shipping from RK is especially bad. The only time I've ever ordered from them was for some late release Kreon figures I knew I cold get nowhere else. When the shipping cost alone is almost the same price as the item you intend to purchase, that is unacceptable IMHO.

Well... there was this one time I bought the MP Casettes from Lena at 12$ for the pair and shipping was about the same. I didnt mind then