All NH Toys R Us Locations Could Close Next Week: Reports

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Toys R Us, which in January announced plans to shutter 180 stores across the country, now is preparing to close all of its U.S. locations, including several in New Hampshire. Multiple reports have the closures occurring as early as next week.

Bloomberg reported that although a final decision has yet to be made, the bankrupt company appears increasingly likely to liquidate its assets after failing to restructure its debt with lenders or find a buyer. The move would not immediately impact the company's operations in England, Europe or Asia.

The company began the year with more than 800 stores across the country under the Toys R Us and Babies R us monikers. In January, Toys R Us said it would close 180 locations.

The remaining Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores in New Hampshire are in:

• Concord
• Manchester
• Nashua
• Newington
• Salem

The demise of Toys R Us would be a significant blow to the toy industry as the chain makes up about 15 percent of American toy revenue.

Toys R Us filed for bankruptcy in September amid waning sales and mounting debt. The toy store chain has faced stiffening competition from Amazon, Walmart and Target.

Last year was disastrous for brick-and-mortar retailers that announced plans to close more than 7,000 stores - a 224 percent increase in announced store closures compared to 2016.

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