We knew that Fairfax Financial had won the bidding for Toysrus Canada and now all the documents have been signed and Toysrus Canada is now fully owned by Fairfax. The later being a Canadian company means that Toysrus Canada is now 100% Canadian with no ties to the US, which is quite a twist since it started as a subsidiary of what was once a prominent American business. Now, simply due to the fact that competition was limited in Canada for toys of any kind (with a tough barrier of entry for any potential competition due to Canada's ridiculously low population density), Toysrus Canada has always been profitable. But all along, its earnings were going to the US parent so there was no chance for reinvesting in the Canadian business. But that is over now, so we can simply imagine how this company which was already great will now have an influx of cash for reinvesting and improving.
Toysrus Canada aims to reinforce the fact that they are sticking around and to do so, they are offering events every week-end in June with free 5$ giftcards to anyone who shows up, along with free gifts like lego kits you can build in the store and take home with you. Plus, if kids bring in their report card on the last Saturday of June, they get a gift.
These are all shown in the image below and more details can be found
here.
Along with that, we have a
message from the Toysrus Canada president, Melanie Teed-Murch, about Toysrus Canada beig here to stay followed by a statement from Prem Watsa, CEO of Fairfax, which gives a quick look at the business figures that went into his company's decision to buy Toysrus. However, all this joy on the Canadian side is inverted when looking at the US where the Toysrus head office is also being
cleared with everything on sale, including Geoffrey
Message from Toysrus Canada President:
TORONTO (June 1, 2018) – Toys "R" Us (Canada) Ltd. announces the completion of the previously announced acquisition of its business by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited. As a result of the acquisition, Toys R Us Canada is now a proudly Canadian-owned and operated business employing more than 4,000 Canadians and Canada’s only exclusive coast to coast business with over 80 locations dedicated to kids and babies across Canada.
“As Canada’s leading toy and baby retailer, we are thrilled to be part of the Fairfax family and to now operate as a reinvigorated company that is 100% Canadian,” said Melanie Teed-Murch, President of Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us Canada. “I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our customers for their loyalty and for choosing to shop at Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us. We are passionate about our business and want Canadians to know that we are champions of play with the newest trends and hottest toys in our stores. We believe that parenting is an adventure and Babies “R” Us Canada will be there along the journey to help parents. We are also excited about our future and look forward to inviting customers back to see what’s new in store.”
This summer, Toys “R” Us will be moving full steam ahead in getting the message to Canadians that we’re here to play, here to stay! “We will be challenging kids, parents, grand-givers and kids at heart to embrace the power of play. At Toys “R” Us, we believe that moments of joy, endless possibilities of fun and the wonder of imagination all happen through play,” said Teed-Murch.
The company also remains committed to its philanthropic initiatives and its support of communities across Canada. Each year, the company raises nearly $2 million to support its partners through the generous support of its customers and team members. Beginning this month, Toys “R” Us will host 10 Starlight Dashes across Canada in which seriously ill children from the Starlight Children’s Foundation will have three minutes to race around the store and fill their carts with toys.
All customer programs like Baby Registry, “R”Club™ loyalty and wish list are running just as customers know and love. Gift cards purchased in Canada can be redeemed anytime online and in any store location across the country. In the coming months, the company will roll out exciting new innovations that have proven successful at recently opened stores in Langley, British Columbia and Barrie, Ontario. This format includes dedicated play areas, interactive stations for kids and mobile pay. The evolving omnichannel strategy connects customers wherever, whenever and however they want through our webstore, mobile and store shopping experience.
Visit
www.toysrus.ca and
www.babiesrus.ca for exciting announcements and new events happening throughout the summer.
Statement from Fairfax CEO:
“Toys “R” Us has a 34-year track record of standalone profitability in Canada (over the last three years, revenue has exceeded C$1 billion annually and, for the last nine years, EBITDA has exceeded C$100 million annually). With over two decades working in Canada for Toys “R” Us, Melanie has the experience necessary to lead the dedicated employees of Toys “R” Us for the benefit of all stakeholders, kids, families and communities across Canada,” said Prem Watsa, Chairman and CEO of Fairfax. “We look forward to building for the long-term and allowing the Toys “R” Us team in Canada to re-invest in the business, instead of the past history of just sending earnings to the U.S.”
seriously though at least it's nice to hear good things associated with the name now.
