Toys R Us has announced plans to open another 37 new concessions within WH Smith stores before Christmas.
The high street retailer has confirmed three new Toys R Us shop-in-shops will open every week between September 28 and Christmas, starting in Bexleyheath, Eastbourne and Southampton. The first 23 new store locations have been announced, with more sites to be revealed later this year. You can see the locations already announced in the list below.
The first Toys R Us concessions within WH Smith opened in June last year - to date, WH Smith now has Toys R Us concessions in 39 of its stores. The latest expansion will take its total number to 76 locations. Toys R Us launched in the UK in 1985, when it emerged as the "world's first toy supermarket".
But children across the country were left devastated after Toys R Us collapsed 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 being struck with WH Smith later confirmed.
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!"
Speaking of the partnership last year, 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