ToysRUs.co.uk has confirmed in an email to suppliers, seen by Toy World, that it is seeking a partner for its eCommerce site, which launched in 2022.
Simon Cartey, commercial director at Toys R Us UK and VP Store Design & Innovation at Toys R Us, has confirmed in an email to suppliers that it is ‘transitioning to a non-transactional website’ as it seeks a new eCommerce partner.
The email, which has been seen by Toy World, also states: “The website will continue to promote the Toys R Us brand including our much-loved mascot Geoffrey, while also fully supporting the opening of Toys R Us stores at WHSmith throughout the UK.”
It was announced last week that WHSmith is to open a further 30 store-in-store concessions at a range of locations throughout the UK (stores to be confirmed). The retailer says the programme – which kicked off in 2023 with the opening of nine concessions – has so far been a success, and that the new concessions will be completed by the end of WHSmith’s financial year in August.
Toy World can also reveal that at least one major online specialist has already been approached by Toys R Us to take over the eCommerce business. Talks are ongoing.
Following a successful relaunch effort in Australia, Toys R Us’ flagship eCommerce website was launched in 2022 as part of the retailer’s UK comeback, headed up by Dr Louis Mittoni, then CEO and managing director of Toys R Us ANZ, in partnership with WHP Global – the parent company of Toys R Us and Babies R Us.
At the time, Louis commented: “Tailoring our successful Australian relaunch plan to the UK echoes the success of other eCommerce platform play businesses that have delivered growth and value due to their ability to quickly and cost effectively expand their software, processes, partner relationships and brands into new countries. Since Toys R Us’ return to Australia in June 2019, we have scaled quickly as customers returned to the much-loved brand and our ecommerce model has proven its success.”
We will bring readers more on this story as it develops.
