I dunno, it actually seems beneficial to both parties. TRU gets established real estate without a massive investment, and Macy's gets additional revenue without having to own inventory in a low margin category.

EDIT - its also something that can easily be phased out if it doesn't work.

 

Reminds me of when KB had toys in Sears..

 

Any news is good news.

 

They don't. If you want a Lego set and have the money for it you can get it, even like a year or more after it releases. Lego also tells you that sets are retiring soon.

 

no GI Joe. No Transformers.

PASS.

 

Not YET. Check back in a 4-6 weeks. I'm sure they will have a bigger online inventory by then.

 

The existing toy "section" at our local Macy's are on free standing tables and shelves in the middle of walkways. They are typically 90%+ LEGO.

 

Funny enough i was at a macys yesterday and the only collectibles/older boys toys i found were the ghostbusters 6 inch figures that shelfwarm everywhere

 

I hope they come back. Even if the prices are higher than other places, it's still going to be better than aftermarket prices. The more options the better, at least for me.

 

Unlike a number of the revival plans I've heard in the past few years, I actually see this one as a good thing.

 

And then KMart bought the bankrupt Sears to dig itself out of bankruptcy somehow...?

 

At least KMart and Sears still exist (at least for now).


EDIT: KMart is apparently in free fall. 17 stores left as of two days ago (per Wikipedia) with two of the last three in CA scheduled to be closed in three days....

 

Toys 'R' Us is back ... again - CNN

Toys "R" Us is getting another lease on life thanks to Macy's.

The two companies are partnering to sell toys on Macy's (M) website. The brands are also opening Toys "R" Us shop-in-shops at 400 department stores next year.
It's the second attempt to revitalize the Toys "R" Us brand within three years. This relaunch is new owner WHP Global's first significant strategy shift for the toy store. The New York-based brand management company bought the storied retailer in March with plans to build a "global network and digital platform" for Toys "R" Us.

For Macy's, using the recognizable name could grow its toy business to compete against Target (TGT) and Walmart (WMT). The department store said its toys sales has grown "exponentially" in the past year as parents try to entertain their homebound kids during the pandemic.


"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," said Nata Dvir, Macy's chief merchandising officer, in a press release.



WHP Global bought Toys "R" Us from Tru Kids Inc., which bought the failed brand in a 2018 liquidation sale. Tru Kids had big plans to open about a dozen standalone stores across US malls, but only opened two in New Jersey and Texas. Both later closed with the company blaming Covid-19.
The store-within-a-store concept has been growing in popularity, with big chains like Target and Nordstrom looking for ways to keep shoppers coming back to their stores. Target is opening mini Apple shops and Ulta makeup shops at dozens of its locations and Kohl's has partnered with Sephora to open 70 shops.

 

I was going to say, "not in this state."

 

Sounds great... but it will probably just be more borrowed hope and broken dreams.  

 

Anchoring yourself to a retailer that's having trouble keeping its doors open seems like a terrible idea. I'm surprised they didn't try and strike up a deal with Target or Walmart. Macy's? Really? Yikes.

 

Because why in the hell would Target or Walmart ever want or need to do business with TRU?

 

Walmart wouldn't bother with TRU. Target might put up the TRU logo/banners in their toy section, since they like to do the little partnership thing with Apple and whoever. TRU partnering with Macy's is worth a shot. The new TRU is a LONG way from opening its own stand-alone stores so dealing with an existing retailer makes sense. But there aren't many that need TRU, or most of those that could benefit from a deal with them don't have the capability to do so right now. Sears/Kmart is nearly gone, Penny's isn't in great shape. I'm not sure how Dillards is doing, and Gamestop is just kinda there (I know they do carry some toys). I guess Best Buy is still a possibility since they still exist and have a few toys.

+-MWG-+

 

KMart was the only one in bankruptcy, put there by Eddie Lampert's mismanagement. He wished away their debt in court and used a leveraged buyout to get his claws into Sears. Then, like the psychotic Randite he is, he set the internal units of Sears against each other, effectively destroying the vertically integrated organization. All while he siphons off their real estate holdings into his hedge fund...