R.I.P. Toys R Us

[StarWarsFan]

Sigh more childhood memories gone. Can't say i'm surprised though

 

[Snaketibe]

There's a tragical place, no-one's on their way there,
Unsold toys in their millions, all under one roof,
It's called Toys'R'Us!

Soon after eBay, when store footfall falls,
Geoffrey and helpers get their P45's,
While fat cats get pensions, the workers get screwed,
They're now cast aside; give Job Centres a call!

'There's thousands!' says Geoffrey,
Now quite unemployed!
It was Toys'R'Us! Toys'R'Us! Toys'R'Us!

*Sigh*

The end of an era... I loved going there, but as you say, it's not that surprising, but still genuinely sad. It's the workers I feel most sorry for :-(

 

[StarWarsFan]

There's a tragical place, no-one's on their way there,
Unsold toys in their millions, all under one roof,
It's called Toys'R'Us!

Soon after eBay, when store footfall falls,
Geoffrey and helpers get their P45's,
While fat cats get pensions, the workers get screwed,
They're now cast aside; give Job Centres a call!

'There's thousands!' says Geoffrey,
Now quite unemployed!
It was Toys'R'Us! Toys'R'Us! Toys'R'Us!

*Sigh*

The end of an era... I loved going there, but as you say, it's not that surprising, but still genuinely sad. It's the workers I feel most sorry for :-(

Agree about the workers, i've been unemployed and its horrible hope they find another job soon.

 

[theforceuk]

It is very sad, but I can't understand how a company as big as this can't recognise that it needs to completely change its business model to continue being successful.

It's unbelievable, not the first and won't be the last.

 

[Dr_Ball_MD]

I have to say I've only bought modern in there. I'd never heard of the shop or had any near me as a child.

Gamley's was the biggest toy store chain I knew of back in the vintage days!

 

[jedi_masters]

I cant understand why a company like this has such a large tax bill to pay which is what effectively killed them off.

£15,000,000m. I cant get my head around why these companies dont pay their tax.

 

[edd_jedi]

I don't remember buying vintage at TRU, but I do remember the amazing POTF2 displays in the mid 90s, and I also worked there while at college in the late 90s. It was a depressing place to work, they pay everyone minimum wage and wonder why they are all depressed. The stores had such potential, just go somewhere like Hamleys or FAO Schwarz to see what a 'proper' toy shop could be like, but TRU never had any atmosphere. I remember the last time I went there to look at video games, they had a console that was about 5 years out of date on display that was broken surrounded by 5+ year old games. Says it all really. It's a shame but was inevitable.

 

[subzero]

Toys R Us was like heaven to me as a kid, can't believe how excited I used to be sitting in the car with my mom and dad on the way there, used to spend aaages browsing at all the cool toys in those long shelf isles. Even going in there as an adult used to give me a little buzz just because it was Toys R Us.

First it was Woolworths and Blockbuster and now this, my childhood has officially died!

 

[Paullaura]

I think toysrus opened in the UK in the mid 80s so i never really experienced it as a kid.

My kids love looking round there though, shame , theres not alot of decent toy shops left!!

 

[MarkG]

I have to say I've only bought modern in there. I'd never heard of the shop or had any near me as a child.

Gamley's was the biggest toy store chain I knew of back in the vintage days!

Ditto. My parents never drove when I was growing up so only went out by bus to various Sussex towns (Brighton was one once too...lol)

Never knew of TRU back then so couldn't even say where the local one was back then.

Was a frequent visitor during the Episode 1 years but apart from the odd visit lately (for baby bits) I've hardly ventured around one... certainly not a happy feeling place to spend a good half hour plus in..

Sad to see a business close...only because so many people will be losing their jobs... and with Maplins now too... that's a hell of alot of people.

 

[poncho]

i went to toys r us just once when i was child i bought operation wold for the c64!

 

[StarWarsFan]

Been many times, would rather go there then lego land (long story).

 

[subzero]

i went to toys r us just once when i was child i bought operation wold for the c64!

Wow never knew they did C64 games, was that a thing for all stores?, never remember seeing them as a kid, i'd have been all over that.

Ah well at least there was Boots and my local paper shop that had a games rack.

 

[Seahawks]

Growing up, we would go to Toys R Us about once per year as the closest one was 3 hours away. It was a huge deal and the days leading up to the trip, I could hardly sleep. It was toy heaven and you could get anything imaginable it seemed. My folks bought many of my SW toys there. In 1985, they were the only place I remember seeing POTF figures and there must have been 10 rows wide by 12 high by 8 deep.

Over the years, Toys R Us has lost it's luster and while my kids did enjoy going there when they were younger, it was never the same as it was back in the 80's. While I hate to see it going under, it's not surprising and I'm actually shocked it didn't shut down years ago. Either way, will always have great memories of that store no doubt.

 

[peekaygee73]

I never experienced TrU as a kid, but went there regularly when I used to collect POTF2. I remember being excited when they got their exclusive 'Pote Snitkin' figure :lol: The displays were always great and they always had the best selection by miles.

My wife and I also used to go on a Christmas Eve, just to see couples in there last-minute shopping and getting properly stressed out. (We only called in as we went to a restaurant next door for Christmas Eve lunch!)

I've only been in there a handful of times in the past 5 years. As had been mentioned it never really had much of a soul or atmosphere, but in the past few years it's really gone downhill. Whilst I'm disappointed to see it go I'm not surprised; it's just another case of a company being run into the ground by management who've clearly become complacent and no longer at the leading edge of their market.

 

[subzero]

I remember phoning in sick at work the once then going into my nearest Toys R Us in town to buy a couple of Attack of The Clones figures and have a browse around, :lol: good times!

 

[edd_jedi]

Went in today, the Star Wars stuff has been raided already!

 

[Richard_H]

Mine was full but even with 20% off it's still the same price as ASDA and Tesco. Tomorrow and Monday may see the 40% hit.

 

[Cazza]

It's always been a bit soulless, but I used to really enjoy my trips there in the mid to late 90's when I was collecting POTF2. Good times 8)

 

[Mini99]

It's always been a bit soulless, but I used to really enjoy my trips there in the mid to late 90's when I was collecting POTF2. Good times 8)

Ah, now that brings back memories, searching for the "super rare" POTF2 varients, or waiting till someone comes out with the fresh boxes and raiding them before they hit the hangers...what fun.