The toy aisle is making a comeback. Toys ‘R’ Us is opening 120 new standalone stores ahead of the holiday season, which brings the brand to 160 standalone locations. Right now there are just 40, along with the smaller Toys ‘R’ Us shops inside Macy’s. It’s one of the biggest retail expansions of the year, and it lands right as gift lists start filling up.
The new stores won’t be carbon copies of the old ones. Each will carry a curated assortment of popular toys and collectibles, and select locations will add Creator Studios for influencers and product launches, plus candy shops and cafes. The idea is to give families a reason to linger, not just grab and go, and to compete with the convenience of online shopping by offering something a screen can’t.
For Suncoast households, that could mean new places to take the grandkids, a spot to knock out holiday shopping in person, or a little nostalgia for anyone who grew up with the jingle. With hurricane season winding down and snowbirds heading back, the timing lines up nicely with the busiest shopping stretch of the year.
Would you visit a new Toys ‘R’ Us if one opened near you, or is online shopping just too easy to give up?
