Macy's Playing Part of Toys 'R' Us Comeback In Connecticut, U.S.

CONNECTICUT — Macy's and Toys 'R' Us are teaming up to offer toy sales not only through the Macy's website but physically inside more than 400 Macy's location nationwide. Macy's officials, however, have been hush-hush over just which Connecticut stores will be part of the deal.

A Macy's official told Patch Thursday that an announcement would be made once the locations are finalized with the Toys 'R' Us parent company, WHP Global.

Connecticut Macy's locations include Manchester, Farmington/West Hartford, Milford, Trumbull, Danbury and Stamford.

For now, toy shopping can commence on the macys.com/toysrus site, officials said.

"As a Toys 'R' Us kid, I could not be more excited to bring this beloved brand that so many of our customers know and love into Macy's online and to our stores across America," said Nata Dvir, the chief merchandising officer for Macy's. "Our toy business grew exponentially in the past year, with many families looking to inspire their children's imagination and create meaningful moments together. Toys 'R' Us is a globally recognized leader in children's toys and our partnership allows Macy's to significantly expand our footprint in that category, while creating more occasions for customers to shop with us across their lifestyles."

At the Macy's website, Toys 'R' Us shoppers can search for toys age, toy type, character and brand. Some toys have now evolved to promote STEM learning and "highlight inclusivity," officials said.

The Toys 'R' Us "shop-in-shops" are expected to roll out in more than 400 Macy's stores nationwide in 2022. With the iconic Toys R Us mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe as a focal, point, officials said.

Toys 'R' Us was founded in 1957 and, at one time, boasted 800 locations. It was famous for in-store experiences, not only because of Geoffrey, but for events like midnight openings after Thanksgiving desserts to begin the Black Friday shopping period. Lines at stores like the one in Manchester would start snaking around the building hours before the event.

In September 2017, amid dwindling sales and emerging online competition, Toys 'R' Us filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and began closing stores in early 2018. Plans to re-emerge were always kept on the back burner, however. In March of this year, WHP Global acquired controlling interest in the toy store — branded as Tru Kids — and, this month, the deal with Macy's was announced under the Toys R Us banner.

Yehuda Shmidman, the chairman and CEO of WHP Global, said "Our partnership with Macy's marks the greatly anticipated return of Toys 'R' Us in the U.S.A., and changes the retail landscape by combining two beloved retail brands together for consumers across the nation in a completely innovative way. We're thrilled to be launching this new partnership together with Macy's."