Toys R Us – Current Status, Locations and Online Shopping in 2025
Toys “R” Us is no longer the sprawling big-box chain that defined childhood shopping for generations, but the brand has not vanished entirely. In 2025, it exists as a smaller, licensed retailer with a fragmented global presence. In the United States, the company is cautiously rebuilding a physical footprint through flagship stores and seasonal pop-ups, while the United Kingdom operates exclusively online. Canada, however, is facing severe difficulties, with widespread closures reported in recent months.
The story of Toys “R” Us today is one of stark regional differences. Its revival, led by brand management firm WHP Global, has succeeded in some markets and faltered in others. For shoppers wondering whether they can visit a store, place an order, or simply understand what happened to the once-dominant chain, the answers depend heavily on where they live.
This article provides a fact-based overview of the current status, store locations, online shopping options, and historical background of Toys “R” Us, drawing on verified industry reporting and official sources. For a broader look at toy retail options, you may also be interested in reading about What Time Does Primark Close for general shopping hours.
Is Toys R Us Still in Business in 2025?
Physical Stores
Limited in US (flagships & seasonal shops); none in Canada or UK
Online Shopping
Available in UK (toysrus.co.uk) and US (toysrus.com)
Founded
1948 (US); UK relaunch 2022
Current Owner
WHP Global (since 2021)
Key insights about the brand today:
- Toys “R” Us operates as a licensed brand under WHP Global; it is not the old vertically integrated chain.
- The United States has seen a moderate physical expansion in 2025, with flagship stores and holiday pop-ups, but the network remains far smaller than its pre-bankruptcy size.
- The UK relaunch in 2022 is online-only and has been the most visible revival, but no standalone stores exist in Britain.
- Canada is the weakest major market, with store counts falling from over 80 to fewer than 20, and online ordering has been disrupted.
- The brand’s bankruptcy was driven by heavy debt from a 2005 leveraged buyout and an inability to compete with Amazon and big-box retailers.
- Consumer sentiment on third-party platforms remains mixed, with delivery times being a common complaint.
- WHP Global is expanding the brand internationally through licensing deals in markets such as Mexico, South Africa, and parts of Asia.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1948 in Washington, D.C. by Charles Lazarus |
| Bankruptcy Filing | September 2017 (Chapter 11) |
| US Store Closure | June 2018 (all traditional stores closed; limited new locations opened from 2023 onward) |
| Canada Closure | 2018 (followed by further closures in 2025–2026) |
| Acquired by | WHP Global (2021) |
| UK Relaunch | July 2022 (online only) |
| Current US Physical Stores | Flagship stores in select locations plus seasonal holiday shops (as of late 2025) |
| Number of UK Physical Stores | 0 |
| Number of Canada Physical Stores | Fewer than 20, with bankruptcy filing reported in early 2026 |
| Official Websites | toysrus.co.uk (UK), toysrus.com (US) |
Where Can I Find a Toys R Us Store Near Me?
Toys R Us Store Locator (US & UK)
The official US website at toysrus.com/pages/store-locator includes a store locator that shows the physical locations operating under the brand. These are not the old stand-alone big boxes but rather newer flagship stores, Macy’s shop-in-shops, and seasonal pop-ups. As of 2025, confirmed store locations include Aurora (IL), Camarillo (CA), West Des Moines (IA), Hanover (MD), Omaha (NE), Thornton (CO), Deer Park (NY), and Wichita (KS), according to reporting from Newsweek. The locator is updated as new outlets open.
In the UK, there are no physical stores. The brand operates exclusively online, and no store locator function is available on the UK site. Shoppers in Manchester, Cardiff, Aberdeen, or any other British city will not find a Toys “R” Us shop to visit in person.
Use the official store locator on toysrus.com for the most accurate list of current US stores. The locator includes flagships, holiday seasonal shops, and the airport store at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Go Retail Group, which operates many of the new locations, also maintains a separate locator.
Toys R Us UK: Online Only Since 2022
The UK relaunch in July 2022 was designed as an e-commerce venture from the start. The website toysrus.co.uk offers toys, outdoor play items, bikes, and babycare products. There are no standalone stores in Manchester, Cardiff, Aberdeen, or any other location. The brand has not announced any plans for physical retail in the UK as of early 2026.
Toys R Us Canada: No Active Stores
Canada presents a more troubled picture. All Canadian stores closed in 2018 during the global bankruptcy. According to a report from The Toy Book, the number of stores in Canada had fallen from more than 80 five years earlier to fewer than 20, and the websites for Toys “R” Us, Babies “R” Us, and HMV were online but no longer accepting orders. A follow-up report in 2026 indicated that the Canadian arm had filed for bankruptcy protection in February of that year, though that information comes from a secondary YouTube source and should be treated with caution. No store locator exists for Canada.
Can I Shop Online at Toys R Us?
Toys R Us UK Online Store (toysrus.co.uk)
The UK website is the official digital storefront for the revived brand. It offers a wide range of toys, outdoor equipment, bikes, and babycare products. Shipping options and payment methods are detailed on the site. The relaunch has leveraged nostalgia with the return of Geoffrey the Giraffe as a marketing figure.
Toys R Us US Online Store (toysrus.com)
The US website operates as an online marketplace under WHP Global. It offers toys with free shipping on orders over $49. The store locator on the same site provides information about physical pickup or shopping at nearby locations, but the online store functions nationwide. The digital channel remains a key part of the brand’s multi-channel strategy.
Customer Reviews on Trustpilot
The UK site has been reviewed on Trustpilot, where it holds an average rating of approximately 3.5 stars based on several hundred reviews. Common praise mentions brand nostalgia and product availability, while complaints often focus on delivery times. Shoppers should check the latest reviews before placing an order.
In Canada, the official websites for Toys “R” Us, Babies “R” Us, and HMV were still live in 2025 but were reportedly not accepting orders. Customers should not attempt to place orders on those sites until further notice.
What Happened to Toys R Us? History and Bankruptcy
The 2018 Bankruptcy Filing
Toys “R” Us filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2017. In March 2018, the company announced the liquidation of all US and Canadian stores, with the last American locations closing by June 2018. The bankruptcy stemmed primarily from over $5 billion in debt accumulated during the 2005 leveraged buyout by Bain Capital, KKR, and Vornado Realty Trust, combined with intense competition from Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
Acquisition by WHP Global
After the liquidation, the brand passed through a brief period under Tru Kids before WHP Global acquired a controlling interest in March 2021. WHP Global, a brand management firm, shifted the strategy toward a licensing-led revival, retaining ownership of the Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us intellectual property.
The UK Relaunch: A Second Chance
The UK became the first market for the revived brand under WHP. The relaunch in July 2022 was entirely online, capitalizing on strong brand recognition. The strategy focused on e-commerce and brand licensing rather than the capital-intensive physical store model of the past.
Is a US Relaunch Possible?
Unlike the UK, the US comeback has taken a hybrid form. A flagship store opened at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey in 2023 as a pilot. In 2025, WHP Global expanded further with 10 flagship stores and 20 seasonal holiday shops, along with Macy’s shop-in-shops and an airport location at Dallas Fort Worth. Whether this will grow into a nationwide chain remains uncertain.
When Did Toys R Us File for Bankruptcy? A Timeline of Key Events
- 1948 – Charles Lazarus opens a baby-furniture store in Washington, D.C.
- 1957 – First Toys “R” Us store opens in Rockville, Maryland.
- 1978 – Toys “R” Us goes public on the New York Stock Exchange.
- 2005 – Acquired by a consortium including Bain Capital, KKR, and Vornado Realty Trust in a $6.6 billion leveraged buyout.
- 2017 – Files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September.
- 2018 – Announces liquidation of all US and Canadian stores in March; last US stores close in June.
- 2021 – WHP Global acquires Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us intellectual property.
- 2022 – UK relaunch as an online-only retailer in July.
- 2023 – WHP Global opens a flagship store at American Dream Mall in New Jersey as a test.
- 2025 – US expansion continues with multiple new flagship stores and holiday shops; Canadian operations suffer further decline.
Will Toys R Us Reopen in the US?
Established Information
- Toys “R” Us no longer operates traditional standalone big-box stores in the US.
- WHP Global has opened a small number of flagship stores (e.g., American Dream Mall) and seasonal holiday shops.
- The brand uses Macy’s shop-in-shops and an airport location at Dallas Fort Worth.
- Online shopping remains available via toysrus.com.
Information That Remains Unclear
- Whether WHP Global will expand the physical footprint to a nationwide level.
- The long-term financial viability of the current online-and-license model.
- Exact revenue or store-count targets for 2026 and beyond.
- Whether Babies “R” Us will see a separate physical relaunch.
What Caused Toys R Us to Go Bankrupt?
The decline of Toys “R” Us was not the result of a single event but a combination of structural factors. The 2005 leveraged buyout loaded the company with over $5 billion in debt, leaving little room to invest in digital transformation or store improvements. Meanwhile, Amazon, Walmart, and Target eroded the chain’s price advantage and convenience. The company’s failure to build a competitive e-commerce platform in the early 2010s left it vulnerable when shoppers moved online. The debt servicing costs made it impossible to adapt quickly, leading to the 2017 bankruptcy filing and subsequent liquidation.
What Do Customer Reviews and Official Sources Say?
“The World’s Greatest Toy Store is Back.”
— Toys R Us UK official site homepage tagline
“Toys R Us to close all US stores.”
— BBC News, 2018
“WHP Global has acquired Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us intellectual property and will lead a global relaunch.”
— WHP Global press release
What Should Shoppers Know About Toys R Us in 2025?
Toys “R” Us in 2025 is a brand in transition. It is not the massive chain it once was, but it is also not completely gone. In the US, shoppers can find physical stores in select locations and shop online. In the UK, the brand exists solely on the internet. In Canada, the future is highly uncertain. Anyone looking for the nearest store should check the official US store locator, while UK residents should visit toysrus.co.uk for online purchases. For a broader look at toy retail options, you may also be interested in reading about Is Roblox Getting Banned in the UK for children’s entertainment news.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toys R Us
Is Toys R Us the same as Babies R Us?
Babies R Us was a separate banner owned by the same parent company. Both were acquired by WHP Global in 2021. Babies R Us is being relaunched online as a distinct brand.
How many Toys R Us stores are left?
As of early 2026, there are a handful of flagship stores in the US, along with seasonal holiday shops. There are zero traditional standalone stores in the US, UK, or Canada.
Does Toys R Us have a store in Manchester or Cardiff?
No. Toys R Us UK is online only. There are no physical stores in any UK city.
Is Toys R Us in Canada?
No. All Canadian stores closed in 2018, and the remaining locations have largely shut down. Online ordering was disrupted in 2025.
What are the best Toys R Us deals online?
Both toysrus.co.uk and toysrus.com run regular promotions. Check the websites for clearance sales, seasonal offers, and free shipping thresholds.
When did Toys R Us file for bankruptcy?
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2017. It announced liquidation in March 2018 and closed all US stores by June 2018.
Who owns Toys R Us now?
WHP Global, a brand management firm, has owned the Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us intellectual property since March 2021.
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