Toys R Us opening dozens of new locations by Christmas - full list
37 new sites will be up and running before Christmas
by Levi Winchester, Neil Shaw · Wales OnlineToys R Us is to open another 37 new concessions in WHSmith stores before Christmas with three new Toys R Us locations opening every week from September 28 to Christmas. The first 23 new store locations have been announced, starting with Bexleyheath, Eastbourne and Southampton.
It follows the return of the chain to the High Street with concessions first opening in WHSmith branches in June 2023. WHSmith now has Toys R Us concessions in 39 of its stores, reports The Mirror.
There will be 76 'branches' by the time the current rollout is complete. Toys R Us launched in the UK in 1985 as a toy supermarket but went into administration in 2018, with all its 100 UK shops closed as a result.
Plans for the relaunch were announced in October 2022, with an exclusive deal struck with WHSmith.
Managing director of WHSmith High Street Sean Toal said: "Nearly 40 years ago, Toys R Us first came to the UK, and we take great pride in being the steward of this much-loved brand in the UK. We’ve had queues around the block for many openings in the last year which tells you just how much people are loving seeing Toys R Us back again. But our job isn’t done yet, and I’m pleased to be bringing the magic of Toys R Us to even more customers over the coming months ready for the best time of year – Christmas!"
Simon Cartey, UK commercial director at Toys R Us, said: “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 list of new stores
- Bath
- Leicester Gallowtree Gate
- Bexleyheath
- Newark
- Cardiff
- Newbury
- Carlisle
- Plymouth
- Chipping Norton
- Scarborough
- Coventry
- Southampton
- Dumfries
- Southport
- Dunfermline
- St Annes
- Eastbourne
- Truro
- Fareham
- Weymouth
- Havant
- Yeovil
- Kings Lynn