After the sale and retrenching quite a bit, Toys R Us is back on the growth track … mostly by opening a Babies R Us with Toys R Us together and/or converting single stores into both (my closest TRU just re-modeled and added a Babies R Us):

“Toys “R” Us will open 16 of the side-by-side superstores this year, each with combined retail space of 60,000 square feet to 70,000 square feet. The company also will convert “dozens” of existing toy stores into smaller side-by-side locations this year, and within a “few years” will turn the rest of its 585 U.S. outlets into this format or build new superstores.”

Also noted:

“The side-by-side siting strategy addresses a weakness that has handicapped the company in battling discounters. In the past, Toys “R” Us shoppers with children have visited an average of once every nine months, while Wal-Mart and Target have drawn these shoppers weekly with a broader array of goods, says Sean McGowan, an analyst for Needham & Co. in New York.”

That’s interesting, I think most CARS collectors try and visit every other day, right? 🙂

From the WSJ via AZ CENTRAL.

TRU is even doing great in South Korea … and hey, everyone shops at TRU, right?

Yea, any riff-raff can walk in – that’s why I’m waiting for the more exclusive FAO Schwartz inside Macy’s … Guess we can look for the 2009 Motor Speedway With Track Extension Exclusive … 🙂

May the Schwartz be with us.

(I think what Brad is saying above – “Do they EVER re-stock?, Where are the Pitty 3-packs?”)