AN iconic toy shop will return to high streets over the next few months.
Toys R Us is opening eight new shops over summer – and they’ll each be set up from inside WHSmith stores.
1
The famous toy brand hasn’t been back on the high street since 2018.
But this time it’s slightly different, as there won’t be individual shops.
Shoppers will need to visit WHSmith instead where they’ll get to browse and play with toys before ordering them digitally in store.
It will work in a similar way to Argos.
Toys R Us stores have started popping up in WHSmith branches already – the first to appear this year was in York (Monks Cross retail park) on June 10.
But the company has confirmed the next couple of stores will open up on Saturday, June 17.
The locations are:
- Oxford (Cornmarket Street)
- Cheltenham (High Street)
Most read in Money
The remaining six stores to open are as follows, although exact dates are still to be confirmed:
- Canterbury (St George Street)
- Chelmsford (High Street)
- Cwmbran (The Mall)
- Poole (Towngate Shopping Centre)
- Reading (Broad Street)
- Solihull (Mell Square)
Toys R Us has said they will appear at some point over summer.
Sean Toal, managing director of WHSmith High Street, said: “The brand has long been known for its exceptional range of toys and games and complements our existing offer well.
“Across each of the nine locations, we have a great team of colleagues who look forward to welcoming many new and existing customers over the coming weeks and showcasing the new store layout and, not forgetting, Geoffrey the Giraffe.”
The iconic chain collapsed in 2018 and closed all of its 100 UK branches, but announced plans for a relaunch in October last year.
The UK relaunch follows successful attempts to make a comeback in the US and Australia.
A new online store launched just before Christmas last year.
It was selling 14,000 toys from over 100 different suppliers.
Customers can get free delivery on all orders over £20 and next-day delivery on orders placed before 6pm.
The standard delivery charges match those of Smyths toy store which charges £2.99 for delivery of orders between £10 and £20 and £4.99 on orders below £10.
