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One Geoffrey Way Website: http://www.toysrus.com Toys R Us operates the nation's largest chain of toy stores and also Babies R Us stores. The company sells merchandise through more than 1,550 stores, including 588 toy stores in the U.S. and 713 internationally in 35 countries. This includes licensed and franchise stores as well as through its Internet sites at www.toysrus.com. Babies R Us is the largest baby product specialty store chain in the world and a leader in the juvenile industry, and sells merchandise through 259 stores in the U.S. as well as on the Internet at www.babiesrus.com. Once a dominating force in toy sales, Toys R Us has struggled as Wal-Mart and Target have increased their store's toy sections and at prices that were usually lower. Also a contributing factor is the trend for children, especially boys, to spend more time playing with computer and video games instead of regular toys. The Toys"R"Us, U.S. division reported a comparable store sales increase of 3.1% during the nine-week holiday season from Nov. 4, 2007 - January 5, 2008. In July 2005, Toys R Us was taken private for $6.6 billion by an investment group consisting of affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), Bain Capital Partners LLC, and Vornado Realty Trust. The company is no longer publicly-traded. History Toys R Us traces its roots to 1948 when founder Charles Lazarus opened a baby furniture store in Washington, D.C. Lazarus quickly realized the potential of filling his customers' orders for baby toys and toys for older children. In 1957, the Toys R Us name made its debut when Lazarus introduced a "supermarket environment, " a revolutionary concept featuring specialty retailing and off-price positioning. The company became public in 1978 and quickly built its reputation as an authority on toys and children's product. Babies R Us opened its first store in Westbury, NY in May 1996 and now has 218 stores. It's a leading store for products and supplies for babies. Amazon.com had operated the Toys R Us websites in a 10-year contract but was replaced in 2006 following a dispute between the two companies. Benefits - Competitive Wages Updated January 20, 2008 |