No More Toys R Us Kids? | Dead Mall & Retail Documentary | Retail Archaeology

[@TravisPlushProductions]

First blockbuster now toysrus Our childhoods slowly slip away

[@boostedmaniac]

Travis Plush Productions It's Amazon and Netflix now. Maybe some day your kids will say the same thing about those companies. We used to shop at Amazon and watch Netflix!

[@XLatteHD]

boostedmaniac anything is possible 20 years from now. A lot of competition for those 2.

[@wayge]

Travis Plush Productions hollywood video too. Man i miss going there

[@Doomwolf82002]

You forgot RadioShack.

[@billyhatcher643]

u forgot circuit city that was another classic store form our childhood

[@ericemme747]

My issue with Toys R Us is that they always have a slightly higher price then all the other toy/baby item sellers so I don't think of it as a go to place unless an item is hard to find or exclusive.

[@jayz4evr]

eRock _ than*

[@CommodoreFan64]

Very true, and at least for me the location in my area is a bit of a drive to get too, so factoring in my gas cost and time I might as well either go to Walmart/Target/Game Stop, which are all closer for me or just shop online via places like eBay, Amazon, or Walmart. Also I will note at least with my Toys R Us location the stock on game items is kind of poor in my book when compared to Walmart, and Target.

[@chubbyjaydraws]

alextb10 spelling nazi's are douchenozels

[@ericemme747]

Commodorefan64 I was just thinking the same thing. I have to pass 3 Targets to get to tru.

[@andrewtaylor940]

eRock _ that is a huge proble. LEGO fans and collectors refer to it as the TRU Tax. ToysRUs always lists the product 15-20% higher than anywhere else. You have to watch for a special sale. It's the same in most other lines. They are getting hammered by Walmart, Target, heavily by Amazon, and they are fighting the migration away from toys and traditional play. Kids are forced to grow up to fast to be little small scale adults (while at the same time not actually growing up) these days. It's horrible.

[@the_real_Kurt_Yarish]

As a kid, I wanted nothing more than to visit a Toys R Us. I'm 19 now, and to this very day I have yet to step foot in one. RIP childhood dreams.

[@RickWhitechest]

You should go to one at least once, before it's too late.

[@the_real_Kurt_Yarish]

Richard Whitechest I should. Perhaps I'll get the chance soon.

[@Zauchi]

problem is as an adult you rarely find the time.... but funnily when I last visited one I went on my own and was thinking I'd get loads of weird looks from parents with their kids... but surprisingly most of the customers were adults in the lego and game sections. lol

[@isunlloaoll]

Kurt Yarish i want to have a reason to shop there, but can't find one. Their Lego sets are more expensive than even physical Lego stores. No reason to shop there anymore, sucks but true.

[@NookHoney]

same lol

[@NidgeDFX]

14:10 Kids still want to be a "Toys R Us kid"... it's Parents that don't want to be an "Over charged Adult"

[@gordonlumbert9861]

Well not really people just don't want to pay enough for there to be toy stores. A place like Toys R Us cannot compete with an entity like Walmart or target. Adults were not being over charged each generation after Boomers makes less (adjusted for inflation) than the one before it. So parents don't want to pay enough for there to be toy stores. I foresee the only toy store type in the future being mom and pop stores.

[@georgehancock2307]

@@gordonlumbert9861 Toys R Us was a leveraged buyout that went sideways, they couldn't service the debt

[@jasongannaway8262]

Agreed, as he states in one of his other videos. When I was a kid. I thought this place was the place to go for toys. Now that I am an adult, I see it as the expensive place to go for toys. It is so true, yes it was iconic but very expensive for what you were getting.

[@Tommie_the_wrath_of_Khan]

I’ll agree. As a single parent in the 90’s, toys r us was pricey. One year they had a great sale going on and my son made out for Xmas but otherwise I couldn’t afford to shop there.

[@theden0minat0r]

I used to work in this store in 1995-1996. A lot of good memories in this store.

[@ryanknox6472]

Brad Murren man 95-96where really good years I bet you do have memories

[@emgee4509]

I wonder what it would be like to live during the 90s...

[@ArabKatib]

The 80s were sweeter for me.. :o)

[@zayahdarae2898]

Sounds cool

[@SuperZombiepimp]

am so bootiful it was awesome I became a teen around the mid 90s. And toys r us was my video game store I remember not only was the PlayStation Nintendo setup cool but the x men toys back then also had a kick ass setup

[@chops1976]

Putting the camera glasses on your daughter was a nice touch. It made the experience a bit more authentic.

[@sXeblues]

I have nothing but happy, positive memories of Toys R Us... If my car hadn't completely died several years ago, and the only TRU nearby being two towns, and a whole different county away, I'd still be going at least once a month. So sad to hear they're having so much trouble.

[@KiloByte69]

Bruh, is your car ok?

[@sXeblues]

KiloByte You'd have to ask the scrap metal guy I ended up selling it to, to find that out. As the repairs would've cost about as much as a new car, altogether. Which I didn't have, anyway.

[@KiloByte69]

Fuuuuu...

[@sXeblues]

Eddie Stinson I tend to agree, for the most part. From participation trophies to reigning in their kids from getting bruised and muddy on the playground. I don't think every parent is that way, but it is the latent trend. I've seen kids on the bus with tweaked out iPads, their heads buried in whatever new game, trippin' song or social media obsession they've suddenly gotten hooked to. My eyebrows constantly making a bee-line for my hairline, at how young some of them are.

[@okamijubei]

Eddie Stinson not just that but also parents complain about toys being too commercial.

[@sataniksomethingblahblah6350]

Kids don't play with toys nowadays. More adults do.

[@tiajoseph7309]

I'm sorry, I had a very dirty mind when I read your comment.

[@Crazytomm]

Stonethecrow here's a Xbox and cell phone while your not home

[@sataniksomethingblahblah6350]

Laffy Taffy damnit now that's what I can only read it like too!

[@mvs-wg5ol]

Stonethecrow and some young teen who collects transformers or marvel and dc toys for collection

[@waluigibowserjr4993]

What about Teens...

[@cheeseebun]

Oh wow, im shocked at seeing how many people in the comments never stepped into a toys r us. I went to toys r us frequently as a child. I do recall my dad getting slightly annoyed at the prices but still buying me something every time no matter how small or whatever and now that I'm 21 im shocked he would take my brother and I frequently and buy us things from there, shits expensive as hell compared to wal mart. Makes me appreciate what he would do for us even more. Going to toys r us was an adventure as a child.

[@AlexTechie]

Toys R Us dads are the best dads

[@Guy-mx4fb]

he wasn't buying you toys he was creating happy memories for you. that's a cool dad. as a kid in early 90s i used to want to come just to see everything that existed, just looking was fun enough for me. but it was just cooll knowing there was a store for kids

[@MechaRandom42]

I imagine that the internet is not helping. I know a lot of kids nowadays watch you tubers like we watched Saturday Morning cartoons in the 80s. I don't really know a lot of what gets advertised on you tube to kids, but I don't think it would compare to our Saturday mornings.

[@pablodelgado7919]

Random Gameuser42 As a kid born in '91 i remember that my Saturday mornings were fun and stuff.i usually remember staying downstairs on the weekend mornings watching tv with my grandparents. Programs like Widget, Twinkle or "Rayito" as we called it in spanish, Doraemon, Pokémon, Samurai X, Monster Rancher, ect.. For me looking back at it now it feels nostalgic and i miss those times that were more simple than now.

[@erikhicks07]

spot on - mainstream TV and magazines were THE advertising mechanisms in the 80s and 90s

[@insertcreativenamehere828]

Yo kai watch merch!!!!!!!!!

[@NonstopRam]

Video Games have now a problem for stores as digital content has gained popularity over physical media. It is a scenario where people walk in and buy a video game console and are only heard of again if the console breaks. And KZbin can be watched on those same video game consoles.

[@therollsroycetrent9863]

Random Gameuser42 Saturday Morning Cartoons in the early 1970's we're the best and all the 3 major channels. ABC, CBS, NBC. Man I miss those days.

[@brenttthomas5470]

One thing and someone else touched on it in the comments below. Toys R us is always slightly more expensive than walmart and other retailers. Other than that i totally remember being in awe the times i spent in toys r us as a kid. Such a nostalgic place.

[@richell555]

My dad used to work at Toys R Us when I was a kid (during the 00s) so I have fond memories of just walking around and looking at the toys. I remember them holding events to get kids to participate whether it's be competitions or some arts and crafts activities. As I grew older I saw less and less people at Toys R Us. It's kinda of sad really, but ultimately I blame their prices (compare them to Target or Walmart) , and the easy access of online shopping.

[@pablodelgado7919]

richell555 I miss that feeling too. As a kid i remember walking up to mostly KB Toys and there were kids almost everywhere either looking at toys or buying them with their parents. Although i usually went there from time to time when we could, i have great memories of it because times were more simple for most of us as kids but sadly you don't see that nowadays anymore.

[@brbgal]

For the last few years, when I shop for toys for my kids, I go to WalMart, Amazon, etc. I used to shop at Toys R' Us, but their prices are too high now!!! They get "TOYS R US" exclusive toys every year, but you can still find those toys CHEAPER on Ebay or Amazon.

[@lucapeyrefitte6899]

brbgal I think that's what's also killing them

[@paulht3251]

brbgal I agree if I where toys r us I would make it a discount toy store at least 10 to 20 percent lower then Wal Mart.

[@cardboardboxification]

Mickey V!!! It seems like the CEO would rather go bankrupt the put signs across every toys r us stating lower prices and sale items... Every Costco I got the parking lot is full, every day..

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Man this is so depressing… Online shopping kills everything. The joy to walk around a store and see stuff for real.... the easy and fast availability (just go there, pick it up, pay for it and take it home).. the excitement when you saw things in another shelf that you didn't think about... and yes, the noises. Online shopping is so incredibly sterile and the waiting time till it arrives with the mail, really sucks the most… and you cannot always be home to receive it. A broken item cannot be easily returned compared to a real store. Also, things you buy in a store at least can be paid with cash. You don't always wanna pull your EC or credit card.

[@abbashemyaza1244]

KRAFTWERK2K6 Online sales only represent 10 - 11% of retail sales and the reality is people are broke. Amazon has missed projected earnings three times in a row and the online sales element effecting retail stores is real but highly overrated. I believe people are in denial and cling to the idea that online sales are soley responsible for the closings of chain stores & mom and pop locations. People desperately want to believe that is the reason while avoiding the truth that people are broke and after adjusted for inflation 80% of American occupations have not received a raise in 47 years. 30 years ago 10 full time workers paid into SS & Medicare for each recipient, now, as of 2017, it is down to 2 full time workers paying into SS & Medicare for each recipient. 46% of Americans have less than $400 dollars to spare for emergency situations. That is the reality of the situation.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

I agree. You have some fair points there.

[@magnumforcemopar402]

KRAFTWERK2K6 thats an msm lie for simpletons like you.

[@magnumforcemopar402]

Mark Caldwell 🏆

[@strtofdrms]

I agree with this 100%...online shopping is used as the scapegoat, but I live in the Scranton PA area, and it is so economically depressed that stores are closing at a rapid rate. The majority of people don't have enough disposable income to go "shopping". Stores survive because shoppers come in to buy 1 thing but end up buying more items on a whim. What I see is people buying the basics and not throwing money around anymore. It's a sad state of affairs.

[@DariousFlores]

These videos make me sad.

[@emgee4509]

They make me kind of sad too, but I find them more interesting than anything.

[@VolkswagenNut1969]

It's crazy to see how things change. I grew up in the 70s and remember that Toys R Us was the big chain that came in and killed the smaller cozier toy shops that were everywhere: Toys By Roy, Kay Bee, The Toy Chest, Aladdin's Cave, The Hobby Shop, etc... Now most of the Toys R Us locations I've seen are run down, low on stock, and nearly dead. Always enjoy your videos, thank you! :)

[@dereksavage3416]

Tim Moses true that

[@VaunShiz]

It's the internet for sure , it killed Blockbuster and toys R us and many more

[@SeinenNinja]

I used to work there, I can give you my reasons. 1: higher prices compared to other retailers. And we don't really do a lot of sale stuff.

[@SeinenNinja]

2: the baby section was being really pushed when I left, if that is underperforming then its not good. 3: less preferences towards toys. A lot of parents look to get kids tablets and games than toys 4: many stores may not be as clean and helpful than the store you went to. 5: pushing credit card & online sales.

[@_chococat_]

Your daughter's filming was great! She could definitely be your full-time filmer. 😆 Speaking of filming, I appreciate that you tried to angle the camera as if it were from a child's point of view, it was a nice element! Amazing video, keep it up ^^

[@sandrafigueroa2300]

I like your choice like

[@3DNero]

I love the way this guy handles this with a positive mindset instead of just pointing out why the business is going down. Positive content is such a refreshing thing. Keep it up, you'll grow, this content is really interesting and the unique perspective you provide is really worth the view time. Consider me a new loyal sub.

[@FaerieAmira]

The problem lies in the fact every kid is getting smart phones and tablets, they don't play with dolls and cars much anymore

[@ZoeAlexa11]

Stazy Bellarosa if parents stop buying their kids them, we won’t have that issue. I know for one that when I have kids, they’re playing with Barbies and Legos, not youtube.

[@Earthaluigikidcompany]

Stazy Bellarosa lol but my friend would punch you if you told my friends parents that this should stay free

[@bettinadenning7731]

Very true.

[@1a7308]

Stazy Bellarosa ikr

[@scarlet702]

Well that and a mega declining birth rate

[@rkgaustin]

Everything can be bought on the internet cheaper. That's what's killing all retail stores.

[@belligerentinstigator944]

Things are not always cheaper on the internet. Sometimes Toys R Us is cheaper.

[@dallasrose5914]

RKG Austin Things are definitely not cheaper online once you add the shipping and duty costs. Online shopping is only more convenient than going out.

[@benh5366]

RKG Austin amazon

[@chlero_eyes]

This toys r us is not like the ones in nyc. In nyc there dirty, everything a mess the employees are unprofessional and the lines are slow not long, slow

[@TwentiethBeefOld]

and the fact that the percentage of lazy bums is going up every year

[@rossy105]

It really sucks that they're struggling like this, i have great memories of running through my local store and seeing the keyboards hanging from the wall, the giant lego displays, the video games etc.. But at the same time I can see why, it's a combination of changing attitudes and laziness from parents Why get in your car and drive 40 mins to get heavy toys for your kids when you can just go straight to Amazon, and (With a few clicks) have the delivered straight to your door, wrapped up in time for Christmas? It really sucks that all these beloved stores are struggling and going out of business because of the Internet. oh well.

[@Neku628]

rossy105 Wouldn't Toys R Us resort to online shopping? I believe they might do free shipping but aren't as advertised as their comrades?

[@dansrandomvideos2515]

As for the laziness of parents oh yeah. I occasionally see two year olds with Ipads. I feel a lot of younger parents use it as a 'Heirs a distraction, now be quiet and don't bother me.' especially in the UK where I live. people have no patience anymore.

[@andrewpolitano]

Dan The KZbin Gamer lol, have a kid and you'll understand.

[@ReineDeLaSeine14]

80 minutes of driving for toys? My parents didn't go for that, even in the 90s. When I got older, I just started going to big box stores because I could get everything in once place as opposed to 4-5

[@darthbaldi4375]

In Canada the toys r us stores are always pretty full with customers even during the week. I've been to a few in the US and it's shocking how empty they are

[@LeahLaushway]

Darth Baldi I think the reason that Canada's Toys R Us stores are doing relatively well is because the alternatives are worse. We don't have Target any more, Walmart doesn't have a great selection and shipping costs using online options are insanely high.

[@ryanknox6472]

Darth Baldi Canadians really are good peaple it must be true

[@adamkatt]

whats a peaple?

[@robcramer7477]

Really? I never see people I my toys r us in canada.

[@GeneralClaus1232]

Including the phillippines too they are extremely popular including the capital city manila

[@OrbitZombie]

I was at a toys r us a month or so ago for a Pokémon card promotion, and our store looks ghetto as hell. Some of the shelves were bare, the store was kinda dirty in some places and the employees looked either strung out or deeply regretting their life choices.

[@ToxicAtom]

What's killing Toys R Us is their price gouging. Toys R Us tends to put a markup of 5-10% above MSRP on all toys newer than a year old, ESPECIALLY on exclusives, and their discounts on these markups are pitiful at best. Diehard collectors and budget-conscious parents alike would rather go to, say, Walmart to get anything before they go to Toys R Us. Unbeatable internet prices is just another nail in that coffin. Also, they treat their employees with the same draconian "Whatever Gets Results" policies that Gamestop does. If you don't get 3 people to apply for a credit card (yes, a proper credit card) a day, they'll cut your hours, big time. What employees you see there are likely only there two or three days out of the week, tops. This means they're bleeding out the anus paying this army of unsatisfied employees with a turnover rate that makes McDonald's look like a viable career path. This is coming from a former Toys R Us Holiday Season Employee.

[@ryanknox6472]

Toxic Atom but Toys r got everything

[@taylorkirkland62]

I remember the Toys R Us near my house towards the end. Flickering lights, yellowed tiles, extremely dusty and sparse shelves. It was a really sad sight because I remember how awesome and colorful it was when I was a kid in the early to mid 2000s. When it closed, it turned into a furniture store. How boring.

[@sirot5561]

Taylor Kirkland crazy how that sounds EXACTLY like he one in my town. They never did any upkeep on the store. It was so bright and vibrant when it opened then with no maintenance the store began to look all dusty, color faded and sad

[@jackgray122]

Taylor Kirkland the store over here turned into one of those storage unit places. Kinda sad since I was still a kid when it shut down. I remember loving it back then.

[@AN0Nyt]

Taylor Kirkland I wanna cry bc i understand what you mean 😢😢😢

[@AnnOSRS]

We didn't go to toys r us much when I was little, but when we did I remember my mom hated it. Service was always super slow and even back in the early 2000s when I was a kid/tween I recall thinking the store was really old and dirty. We drive by the location I went to as a kid every so often and the parking lot is always empty. The exclusives are an interesting point but here's the thing: kids don't know nor care about "exclusive" toys unless they are aware of them, and I haven't seen any kind of toys r us ads in god knows how long, granted I don't watch shows aimed at their target audience. I love your videos, please keep making them!

[@overknight5278]

NT Forever i havent seen a toys r us commercial in years… more target and Walmart commerciala… i prefer toys r us over walmart though, any day… walmart is so dirty, and the lines are ao long… makes sams club and costco seem fun… only online orders haha… also, im a teen now… im getting old, but everythings so expensive at target, or at toys r us… i dont buy these toys in store, all onlije like bigbadtoystore or toywiz amazon etc, sincd they are cheaper, and offer replacememt… better then the long lines in store

[@Daytona574]

I've felt they've been falling down since the late 90s. My observations: (1) Location. The local BRU is in an awful spot in a small strip where nothing else has survived- I'm surprised they have. Every time I've been in there, it's been practically empty. The closest TRU I can think of actually isn't in a terrible spot, but I can think of several others that are, set away from other major (busy) shopping centers, and easy to drive by. (2) Prices. As other commenters noted, TRU does always seem to be a few dollars more than other outlets, such as Target. Multiply that by a few items, and it adds up quick. (3) Store layout. Yes, they have a wide selection, but that's also a problem. The aisles are slim and overpowering- tall and the shelves are packed as full as can be. Having worked retail, being so tall also makes loss prevention a problem. This would be one of my main suggestions- closely examine variety and quantity of stock, make cuts in order to open up the store a bit. I'm not claustrophobic, but even I feel like I can't be in there too long. (4) The gaming section. Yes, not having the demo units isn't helping draw people (and their kids) in. However, there's another problem. I just got an Xbox One, and basically everything is a download. Sure, you can go to the store and buy a game but then, either (a) it's a card with a code to download the game, or at best (b) you get a disc, but all you do with it is pop it in, install it, then never touch it again. At least you saved some internet bandwidth, I guess; but if the prices aren't aligned, what's the point anymore? (5) Things beyond their control: advertising. Do they advertise anymore, and if so, how? Newspapers are dead, we're bombarded by all sorts of junk mail and email, in-line online advertising has become so pervasive it's easy to glance on by (not to mention ad blockers, which became prominent because of this problem), and even local TV is becoming a limited market. There's so much out there, it all just blends into the background and becomes noise. So even if they did have some stellar deal on something, or some in-store event, I'm not sure how I would know about it. This isn't unique to TRU. (6) Things beyond their control: online games, be it console, computer or phone apps or web games. Similar to 4 above, there's so much online and instantly available, there's no need to go to a store to buy things. Love it or hate it, this is how the market has moved. I don't know if there's a way for TRU to position themselves in this market, but I feel it's worth exploring if they could find a way to do it without getting in the way.

[@josephtafur]

plus (7) Babies R Us- Being a few years ago they Added the Babies R Us to the Store with took a lot of space in there store and as you saw there was nobody there and my Stepmom's cousin and my stepmon were the only people i know who did baby registry at Babies r us and i don't know anybody else.

[@DaeSeeMeRollin]

The toys r us in the area I grew up in closed down a few months ago. It honestly made me really sad because we used to go there quite often (for a time) to mostly look or sometimes actually buy something. Well, just like in the comments, I remember my mom saying that their prices were much higher than the others. It's been a while since we last went but I believe there's still one pretty close to us so I might ask if we can drop by one of these days. btw- I like how you thought of recording at kids' eye level and giving the cam to your daughter. It made the video much more engaging :)

[@seantheguy1391]

Same

[@seantheguy1391]

The one here in the suburbs of central Florida have completely been destroyed

[@NMack-is3nb]

Amazon is the big reason why many retail companies are falling to the wayside.

[@4exgold]

Nick Mack Jeff Bezos will probably b able to buy the planet Mars fairly soon

[@ninjamaster3453]

But amazon doesn't make a profit from any retail. Can't compete when your shareholders demand you make money.

[@VaunShiz]

Ninja Master Amazon is growing though, they are hiring truck drivers in my area

[@Oddie99000]

Amazon is having financial trouble itself too

[@magnumforcemopar402]

Thats an msm lie. The economy is crashing thats why. Online is only 4% total retail.

[@lynettec9807]

There was nothing better than Toys R Us at Christmas time in the 80s. I wish I could be there with my mother again.

[@dianaberlin4767]

Lynette C. That is so sweet 😊

[@Neku628]

Diana Berlin Maybe, we can start ordering stuff from Toys R us online.

[@SonicSP]

Lynette C. Awesome.

[@mattwolf7698]

Baby's R Us is probably having trouble because a lot less people are having kids now. Toys R Us is probably having some trouble because a lot of kids are just happy having a phone now. Of course both are being affected by ordering things online. Video game stores a dying from digital downloads and people are probably ordering the systems and controllers online.

[@thrasherx2k1]

Matthew Wells Mexicans didn't get the memo about less kids

[@quickdraw9648]

Matthew Wells my aunt who works at babys r us says people are buying most of their large baby needs online, so youre right on that . They usually come in to see their sizes and leave.

[@thrasherx2k1]

Sally Vee they still didn't get the memo

[@thrasherx2k1]

Dr. Pavel it's enough to outdo every other family's birth rates x2

[@cactusjack1381]

I have a phone a laptop that the school gave me and a tablet but I still like toys r us I don't want it to leave cause this is the store my mom actually lets me get something

[@Astromontana]

I think the problem with Toy'R'Us is not the store itself, but the shifting attention of kids today. I see a lot of kids these days not really playing with toys anymore but on their smartphones and laptops. My nephews stay on their PS4s and my nieces stay on their phones except my 4 year old niece who still play with toys. It's sad because back in the 90's when I was growing up my brothers and sisters would beg our mom to go to Toy'sR'Us to get new toys to play in our backyard. But back then mobile phones and the internet wasn't as big is as it is today.

[@keyki2005]

One thing that I've been through myself is being embarrassed to play with toys, ( specifically legos ). Im 15 now and since i was 10 I would find myself being the oldest kid in the isles and all my other friends were always playing videogames. I guess kids find it too childish to have toys and that there just for "little kids", kids are always trying to be more grown up than they really are. I know that's not the only reason that toy stores are going bankrupt but it's definitely helped the downfall of toys r us

[@ToxicAtom]

Some economists predict that by as early as 2025 toys will stop being for kids to play with and more for collectors and hobbyists, much like the way model trains have gone.

[@JFairy189]

To be fair video games and gadgets were around during the 80's and 90's. It was seen as nerdy and geeky though. Today, it's more socially acceptable to like those sorts of things.

[@ToxicAtom]

a cargo train set that's motorized and comes with a full loop of track. They still make lego sets at reasonable prices, contrary to popular belief

[@RariettyC]

I think people are underestimating how much of a better value, in the long run, a phone/tablet is for a little kid than buying them expensive toys. Kids are so easily bored of toys. Tablets are more expensive than toys, but you can get a decent enough one for $200, fill it with free apps, and your kid can be entertained for years. Plus, tablets can be used for educational purposes as well. As long as you set guidelines and get your kid to socialize and exercise outside of the house, then I don't see it being a problem if you try to limit toy-buying in favor of introducing your child to technology. I do feel nostalgia towards the toys I played with during my childhood, but I totally understand why the toy industry is struggling. Even as a kid I stopped playing with toys once my parents introduced me to the internet.

[@MaxiiBoii23]

Have you seen that most of these dying businesses, haven't had TV commercials for a time, I mean I've only seen commercials from the 90s and early 00s. Do you think they have a chance with publishing TV commercials?

[@ryanknox6472]

MaxiiBoii that cost $$$$$ and it may have left they budget

[@amandaa8795]

Advertisement was a huge thing back then. That's what helped get customers' attention to new products. Nowadays, advertising on TV is useless since many people skip tv commercials on their dvr or use streaming services like netflix and hulu.

[@deendrew36]

No watches TV anymore, or at least, they don’t watch the commercials.

[@fury5500]

I see more grown ass women buying barbies for themselves then I see little girls receiving them as gifts. also, I see a huge reason for declining toy sales is that kids don't care for toys anymore as they used to because of how accessible video games are now and stuff like streaming, youtube ect. I remember desperately wanting a ps2 as a child, but because my parents were broke and we only had one tv in the house and because I had a sister from hell who would ruin everything, that never happened.

[@pablodelgado7919]

fury I remember back then when i was like 11-12 years old my dad got me a slim model PS2 since it was i think more cheaper than the fat model probably and it made me really happy when i went to my dad's house on the weekend and saw it on my dad's room and i miss that joy in life honestly

[@Commenter839]

fury I used to have a fat PS2 as a child that I had to share with my siblings. I still have it, but it's barely alive (when it works, it only displays in greyscale). I feel both nostalgic and old when I use it.

[@jcbbb]

so how many people do you regularly watch gifts and have you ever considered they're for their daughter? lol js

[@jcbbb]

just download a ps2 emulator on your computer and plug in a 360 controller.... wala... do this with everything up to the current gen... Dolphin is AMAZING for gamecube... you just download any game for free from an emulator site like coolroms and play it like you're on the actual console.

[@theflamingninetailedfox4651]

JCB You do know emulators are illegal, right?

[@Christopher0817]

It really doesn't surprise me that the Toys r Us store isn't busy with sites like walmart and target plus online shopping being cheaper in prices. I mids the Toys r Us that was next to our local mall. Great video as always

[@EpicDrake]

Chris Strader But Walmart gets away of feeding us tape worm meat. Honestly I seen it in in a bunker freezer...

[@Infindox]

We still have one close by, which usually becomes frequented by people going to the mall next door, but you can tell it's past its heyday. It was one of my favorite places as a kid.

[@CommodoreFan64]

My location in Augusta GA is the exact same way, and the store from the outside really looks dated, and ran down a bit with the faded colors as the store has been in it's same location for at least 30+ years.

[@InfernoStatus]

It’s sad kids today would rather visit Best Buy than Toys R Us

[@stoq3221]

Inferno Status How is it sad, Im 12 and absolutely love tech?I built my own computer at 9, and cracked open my Sphero toy and made it go 19 mph at age 8.

[@stoq3221]

KanameSenpai I understand but everything gets replaced at one point or another, and I still think kids beg for this years hot toy like always, but the hot toys are becoming tech releated.Take furbys for example, they used to be a hot toy a long time ago and now they connect to you're phone for some gof awful reason.

[@RobertoTorres-dj6ry]

Jesus Man! Toys r us is struggling! That's messed up.

[@imrickjames7012]

Inferno Status Best buy is garbage, microcenter is where it's at!

[@JeffReeves]

lmao, no one goes to Best Buy

[@RexWort]

12:40 I miss the old days when you can play demos in stores There bearly demos these days to even try out a game before buying it

[@expendableindigo9639]

Rex Wort I've seen a lot around only 4-5 years ago. In Beat Buys and whatnot.

[@adamkatt]

There're barely any demos... Fixed.

[@keeweefroot2692]

Adam Katt Why do you feel the need to fix their spelling? You know what they meant do grow up get a life and don't dedicate your time to bring a grammar nazi. Dumb children.

[@Ideal1980]

Rex Wort all games now are brainless first person shooters, there is no «gameplay» anymore - just fancy graphics. Hence if they let people try this rubbish then people would never buy.

[@Ashole88]

Another issue is that some people have no respect for the demo stations and beat them up. I remember always being upset not being able to play a demo bc the buttons stick, missing analog stick, or even the controller missing altogether.

[@weaselsdontfly]

Toys R Us were typically quite clean stores even though they were catering to kids (who we all know can destroy everything in site), but that was the cleanest TRU I have ever seen.

[@ChapmanFilms]

Toys R us toys are always a little higher in price. Action Figure at Walmart 19.99 compared to Toys R Us 22.00 something in price. Hot Wheels .89 to .99 cents Walmart. 1.19 to 1.29 Toys R Us. That is what I noticed in Oklahoma City. Plus the Toys R Us here is not as nice as the one in your video. Good video as always.

[@Charmedone9805]

id rather pay a bit more to shop there than i have to go to walmart

[@ChapmanFilms]

Charmedone9805 good point lol

[@VolkswagenNut1969]

I also always happily pay a little more to go to other or specialty shops rather than Walmart. ;) However, it's funny you make that comment about the stores. I live in OKC and watching this video I was thinking: "wow, the ones here are run down and very poorly staffed compared to this example!" I wouldn't be surprised if they shut down soon. Sadly gave off a "Sears" vibe (a dirty dead hulk of what it used to be).

[@keithlarsen7557]

And then you're going to Walmart anyway to buy food, so why swing over to Toys'R'Us when you can just drop it in the cart when you pick up mac 'n' cheese.

[@nunyabizness3866]

Chapman Films using toys are us credit card and their membership will enable you to illuminate those mark ups. You get 10% off on Thursdays using the credit card, and all your purchases if you are a member add up to basically 8% in points which you can redeem for $25-$200 coupons. For example 5000 points will get you $200 coupon. They also have massive sales that you can just clean up your Christmas shopping on.

[@bal5306]

Overpriced baby gear, furniture, diapers, car seats, clothes, toys, books, overpriced EVERYTHING!

[@CommodoreFan64]

Agreed, and at least with my store it does not have a great video game section compared to even Walmart

[@cheetahcheet675]

I agree sadly it's true

[@alivegarden]

My best memory of Toys R Us was taking the ticket from the display then giving it to the clerk to get a Nintendo game.

[@WebVManReturns]

Same, though I remember some games were available to pick up immediately like $9.99 copies of CastleVania Bloodlines and $5.00 copies of MMPR for Sega CD.

[@Sula_Mareska]

As some folk who is x years old that you really don't care about, I buy LEGO and only LEGO, and when doing that, I scarcely purchase from Toys R Us. The only reason I do it, and really, the only reason, is the free promo stuff that comes with it. There, the prices are a couple of bucks up from MSRP. I think that that's really hurting them, at least from the LEGO community. If they bring the prices down, then now I would go. But until then, Target is going to make me a little poorer. That said, if the Toys R Us in my area closes, I will spend my money on clearances, and then will go back to Target.

[@trippysavv9827]

I'm so happy that when I grew up in the early 2000s I didn't start using the internet till 2013 so I still had my childhood

[@wulfone5961]

My mom always hated Toy's R Us. She hated having to go in there cause everything was so expensive as she said. My dad would take me and my sister there. Especially around Christmas time.

[@gregs7519]

Agreed. Ass Rape R Us

[@Ayoluisvillegas1998]

Toys are too expensive

[@radiation0111]

Everything is. The economy never really improved since 08.

[@carlojaimelizzeni2171]

Radiation01 fake, economy hasnt been stable since 1990's when all precious metals skyrocket'd in value, following 08' that was the cherry on the top of the cake

[@EnterTheSoundscape]

Yep. To survive the next collapse invest in real estate or precious metals.

[@prouddegenerates9056]

Radiation01 The realty is that the population grows, further increasing demand whilst diminishing supplies. Unfortunately, lowering the birth rate causes an age gap in the workforce and creates a completely new problem.

[@gabe5499]

That profile picture

[@who6242]

As a kid going to Toy R Us always felt exciting. Sort of the same feeling I got when going to amusement parks. I got my first video game console there. It was a Playstation original with the built in flip top screen. The memories. Time always has to mess things up.

[@sonicplys64]

What My first console was bought at ToysRUs too. A Sega Genesis back when the Saturn came out.

[@radarcub]

Sad to see Toys R Us gone.. I always looked forward to going there. Now it's gone.. but I'll have fond memories, that's for sure.

[@SagaciousSilence]

If you have kids, you're shopping on Amazon or target/Walmart. Basically those three companies are killing all retail.

[@deendrew36]

Mr. Hooty and for us in Canada at least, Mastermind Toys.

[@thedrizzle1978]

Since they got rid of Geoffrey the Giraffe on their logo, they've been on a decline for me. As a kid, I remember having to take tickets from the game (Atari, NES & Genesis days) area & going to the booth after purchase to pick up the actual product. Good times back then, makes me sad thinking of many stores that are gone now...Play Co. Toys, Kay Bee Toys, FAO Shwarz (part of Toysrus?), etc. Even when/if Toysrus is gone, at heart I will always be a Toysrus kid!

[@WhittyPics]

I seen the other day that they may be going into bankruptcy.

[@zeeneeahh]

Dennis W I can't believe they lost the ny place

[@Marylandbrony]

Xenia O I actually got lost in the NY location, in late 2003.

[@emmers2698]

At least I got to ride the ferris wheel at times square before it closed.

[@lenahood8592]

Emmers Ebon Hawk me too 2013 lol @Times Square !

[@jboogie8132]

Things are just tougher for ordinary people just living paycheck to paycheck . Toys are just a not as important as food and utility's,so overpriced toys are an easy pass. The 90's was a good time in the economy average Joe's were making good money and could afford to splurge on their kids, so TRU did good. The consumers get lied to when the media says we are in a robust economy and every things all right. But any body can look around at the failing businesses dropping like flat and know the truth. But they just keep lying and making excuses about changing spending habits and such, internet shopping can't be asessed like a stores empty parking lot so when they say sells online are doing good we take their word for it.

[@Earthaluigikidcompany]

J Boogie just now look I am lucky to eat at Kinjo in Calgary my Rodgers home is now a Japanese restaurant it’s really nice to eat there if you see my area go eat and see sushi

[@KimaiDetaiya307]

most people order their stuff online. Hardly people go out anymore

[@ernestoanaya9552]

I'm a big kid at heart such great memories at Toys "R" Us I had as a child, I say they should bring back the 70's/80's and 90's styles of toys in the stores from Thunder Cats, G.I Joe, Transformers, Ghostbusters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers And etc including what ever girls toys were popular back then, and I agree with u about the video games section not the same !!!! I remember the late 80's and 90's as soon u walk in was the toys just random stuff/ toys then walk straight ahead was Tigers LCD games in case then all board games along the wall then was the video games section then was the toys boys, girls, independent toys then toddlers in the middle were the bikes then they had a baby section very small The in the front corner was the spot u pay for the video games was the best

[@crowmigration8245]

This is upsetting, it's like everything that isn't a big box store is dying. But what am I going to do about it? Nothing. I see I'm about to run out of something and I spend 2 minutes on my phone and it comes to my door 2 days later. The name of your channel just really hit home. There is no need for these stores anymore. The only exception that comes to mind is shoes. You need to try them on before buying unless you want to go through a long cycle of ordering and returning repeatedly. Back on topic, the 90s footage was exactly how my TRU looked in the late 90s. I hope there's more footage.

[@Lurker1979]

That commercial, makes me feel old! Can anyone give me back my childhood?

[@CSXIV]

My memories of going to Toys R Us as a child were always fun. Unfortunately, my memories of Toys R Us are forever tainted by working at Toys R Us in college; let's just say that in my time there, we had five store directors and two of them horribly mismanaged the store and angered the employees. Still, I think a lot of the problems that Toys R Us is having are amplified version of the problems they were having 17 years ago. Here are my thoughts as a former Toys R Us Employee" -All the employees there: Store Director #4 made it clear that Toys R Us wasn't going to undercut prices; Target and Wal-Mart (and, believe it or not, K-Mart! At the time, the closest Target was 10 miles away, the closest Wal Mart was in another county, while there was a K-mart down the street) were going to price similar items lower (ie: Hot Wheels were $0.99 at Toys R Us; they were $0.89 at Target). Which is why we were going to beat them in customer service; one of the good directors made sure we knew this so that we understood the importance of customer service and knowing our section. Based on all the employees you saw there, it looks like Toys R Us hasn't skimped on that. Still, it could be that people are moving away from wanting customer service and more toward just buying everything at cheaper prices. -Baby Stuff: Here's why the drop in baby items is concerning: baby items are actually Toys R Us's bread and butter sales. Store Director #4 (who was the longest-lasting and second best of the five directors; he was there a little over a year) did mention that the Kids R Us stores were failing, but the Babies R Us were the most profitable. One of the reasons why is that they sold diapers and formula at very near cost levels (this is why the Toys R Us Employee discount didn't work on diapers or formula; using the discount would result in selling these items at a loss). And, much like putting batteries next to toys that need it, since you're buying diapers and formula, why not buy everything else that's right here? I don't know what caused the drop-but the fact that there was a drop is concerning. -Batteries: Did you notice batteries? Were they much more expensive then anywhere else? That's because Toys R Us makes their profit margins off batteries; after all, you need batteries to make your toys work and why not buy them while you're here? Store Director #4 (can you believe we didn't like him because he seemed like a robot sent from corporate? After he left, everyone realized how good of a store director he really was) made sure we knew this so we'd understand the importance of trying to make a sale on batteries. Store Director #5 just made all the cashiers ask every guest ("They're not customer's; they're guests." I think Toys R Us was one of the first stores to use that terminology) if they need batteries and if they didn't, the guest got a free Ice Cream. Still, though I didn't sell a lot of items that needed batteries (I worked in Video Games; I always recommended the rechargeable batteries for your Game Boy), when I did, I had almost every guest comment that they're too expensive here and they already had a giant box from Costco. Effect of digital downloading: To be fair, this has had an effect on all video game sales and has hit Gamestop hardest. Still, this one hurts because video games were my section; we prided ourselves on actually having played many of the games on the shelf and being as knowledgeable as the Electronics Inc. and Funcoland (both now Gamestop) employees (see above about "knowing your section" and "customer service is our best asset." Also, now you know where my paycheck went). It does hurt seeing a video game section that looks like it could be at a Target or Walmart. That being said, in video games, the profit margins were made on accessories and games; video game hardware prices are set by the manufacturers and the profit margin on an expensive console was $5 (which is why the employee discount didn't apply to consoles. As you might have guessed, it was Director #4 who told me this-to stress the importance in selling accessories and games with a console. I always pitched a memory card and a second controller to guests buying consoles as gifts, rechargers and battery packs to people buying Game Boys and usually made a few game recommendations). But maybe the problem is less these (many of which were issues 15-17 years ago), and more of a matter of kids just not dragging their parents into the store. The Toys R Us I worked at didn't open until I was in High School; if I wanted to go to a Toys R Us, I had to go 20 miles to another county, which made going in a special event. Even when I was working there, a lot of times, people would come in just to look around. Again with Store Director #4; "if we could get people into the doors, even if they didn't make a sale that day, they would eventually come back." The problem could be, people just aren't going to the stores; kids aren't asking to go in. I had some bad experiences working at Toys R Us-almost all of them related to management at my specific store. I left with a sour taste in my mouth. Even over a decade later, I have a hard time walking into the Toys R Us I worked in without feeling a little bit angry-even though the store has gone through a few remodels and all the staff I worked with are gone (and all the managers that I had issue with were fired-and one of them was fired partially because of me). There was a time when I wanted the whole thing to go under; I even kept an article about their financial difficulties in 2005 just so that I could laugh at it. But seeing that it may happen (and seeing that they're having problems, but the stores are still clean, while still maintaining their emphasis on guest services-in sharp contrast to K-mart, which just feels like its on life support while delaying the inevitable), I actually feel sad; not everything that happened in my two years there was bad, and there were some fun memories as a kid. I can't find a link to this scene, but there's a scene in the "Star Trek: DS9" episode "Once More Unto the Breech" where Martok comments "I've hated his name for almost 30 years. I've dreamt of the moment when I would finally see him stripped of his rank and title - when he would suddenly find himself without a friend in the world, without the power of his birthright...Well I've had that moment now - and I took no joy from it." I think that's what I'm feeling here.

[@imrickjames7012]

CSXIV best creepy pasta I've read in years. Spoopy

[@Musicradio77Network]

And speaking of Toys R Us closing down, I heard the news that KB Toys is coming back, and they're going to take over the former Toys R Us locations. KB is going to save the day like Mighty Mouse used to say.

[@deendrew36]

MTN Productions any update on that?

[@Lively_1185]

What is the name of the music in the beginning and during the video? It sounds so cool!

[@Lively_1185]

Hello future self! Don't worry, Shazam came up empty and I'm still clueless as an adult.

[@tbt8533]

that geoffrey giraffe commercial is terrifying.

[@seansretroverse9082]

Wow! I loved that 1990 footage. Almost like how I remember the store in Roanoke VA. I remember going there for Commodore games, and then later NES and SNES. I loved the vantage point of a kid, very fitting. I think it would be quite a marketing tool to give kids, (or any shopper) camera glasses to see what catches the eye. I bet a lot of brick and mortar marketing info can ascertained from seeing what people look at. Very nice!

[@TheAlexAmazing123]

Sean's Retroverse I went digging for a comment saying this exactly, privacy is a headache though

[@DerickVonD]

Anybody remember the America's Most Wanted episode, where they talked about a guy that lived in the wall of Toys R Us?

[@joemoe3083]

DerickVonD dude i remember that! hahaha that was awesome, i remember at the end when they caught him he was pretty much in control of the whole store, he was even starting to change the employees schedules

[@DerickVonD]

I forgot about the employee schedules lol.

[@TofuMrMonster]

DerickVonD I

[@Spiff99]

I worked at this location for a few years. Actually started there when the store was opening. Was my very first job just out of High School. Did the interview in the construction trailer. Had fun setting up all the shelving, stocking everything, building displays, etc. Had a great time there with lots of memories. So sad to see it go... Will make sure to go by there again before they close the doors for good.

[@mikethemechanic7395]

I started at the same store at 15. I helped set up the store. Worked a lot of hours that summer. Once school started. My hours were cut to 4 week. My manager told me at the time. I did not have a family and did not need the money. Lol. Quit on the spot… Went to Bashas as a bagger for most of my HS years.

[@Larry]

Did you have the big yellow tickets at the games segment, you had to take to a guy behind a window to buy?

[@RetailArchaeology]

+Larry Bundy Jr they did used to use those big yellow tickets in the video game section here. I'm not sure when they switched to just having the games in the locked cases like they do now. I think they still use the big yellow slips for some of the bigger items like swingsets, bicycles, kiddie pools and stuff like that.

[@jbomb7867]

Your videos are always so well made and organized.

[@RetailArchaeology]

Joel D thank you, I'm glad you enjoy them!

[@watershed44]

Retail Archaeology Your daughter did a great and it was interesting to see what she thought was interesting.

[@watershed44]

Retail Archaeology Could it be that it's close to back to school now? It figures that kids would be thinking about clothing, school supplies. I'd figured that your daughter would have just gone back after labor day..

[@KevinBolsajian]

Retail Archaeology why do u keep hearting the stupid comments I'm unliking

[@diablerieTV]

You're channel deserves A LOT more subs

[@suplexingsmiles8832]

Why r u surprised that all the stores are dieing out the internet killing everything

[@Sholuhu]

Suplexing Smiles actually the Internet isn't the reason. Due to toys r us marking their prices up higher than most places such as wall Mart and Amazon parents don't want to buy their kids toys from toys r us.

[@alistair4909]

I loved how you filmed this from a kids perspective little touches like that are what separate good channels from great ones!

[@adrawingguy9013]

They can't compete with amazons sales everything is digital now

[@hannahr489]

I thought Dan Bell was the only one who made content like this, I'm glad there's another creator in the scene.

[@React2Quick]

Hannah Ruble I'd like to see a collaboration with Dan Bell.

[@JeffReeves]

As a fan of both, I actually prefer Retail Archaeology because he doesn't get into a lot of negativity like Dan Bell started doing.

[@React2Quick]

Jeff Reeves Yeah Retail Archaeology is pretty good. I also like Bright Sun Films and their series called "Abandoned" their video on Target Canada is what me made like it, especially with the guy who narrates the videos.

[@151octane]

what is really is going on is that kids don't want toys anymore they want iPhones. when we were kids we played with toys to pass the time kids now they spend hours on KZbin watching bloggers. my lil cousin he is 9 and the whole day is in his phone, when I was 9 I loved playing with legos , video games with my brother and going to the park to ride bikes or play connect 4.the demand for toys from kids has gone down exactly for this reason . I don't think Amazon really affect the toy industry as much as the smartphone industry is cause kids are impulse buyers they want what they see on the spot I don't think they logging in to Amazon and look for new toys so in that aspect a retail store has the edge.

[@volitionVX]

0:34 -- Is that Jaleel White when he was a kid? Little dude fucking looks just like him!

[@RetailArchaeology]

VoLiTioNvx It is him ☺

[@TRJ2241987]

Jaleel was in the original 1987 pilot for Good Morning Miss Bliss (Saved by the Bell) as well, pre-Mark-Paul Gosselaar

[@matthewhemmings2464]

Aging population, increase of virtual games in childhood stages, increase competition in toys, and improper adaptation of the brand. Apart from these issues, Toys ''R'' US remains a very awesome brand and store. They also have been successful in the online section. Maybe they simply didn't change accordingly, and people slowly stopped going to their stores.

[@YFNGamer1]

It was such a magical place. Kmart closing was bad enough. This would just make me cry.

[@melonmalone6307]

my childhood memories was Saturday morning cartoons & cereal then we would go to toys-r-us & after we would go to Burger King for $00.99 whoppers then we will ride our bikes to Aladdin's castle till they close the mall down E.Texas🇨🇱

[@ecoRfan]

Melon malone gosh sounds a bit like mine, although more that of my peers than myself. And you wonder why there's a nostalgia trope considering the troubled current age and millennials in debt, but with the retail apocalypse I wonder how far that trope will be taken before it turns into depression. Things are changing, the millennial generation is allegedly moving to cities, a far cry from the retail-dominated suburbs of the 90's and early 00's, yet still tend to import the nostalgia obsession.

[@megacide84]

To me, it seems Toys R Us was more focused on adult collectors these last 15+ years. Hence the big markups on their figures and Lego sets.

[@LuckyMushroomProductions]

At 13:30 That's where all the cool kids are at yuhh

[@amadeusamwater]

I worked at TRU from 1987 to 1997. Their problems started when founder Charles Lazarus died and the bookkeeper types took over. Customers became numbers on a page and employees became unnecessary expenses. They eliminated training and supervisors, kept turning the help over to reduce payroll, started ignoring customer service. They were closing 30 stores a year back then. One third of our store was the Kids R Us clothing part, now that's gone. Their bankruptcy is no real surprise, only that it took this long.

[@puffinman1138]

Going to TRU as a kid in the 80's/90's seemed magical. I eventually worked there in my teens but things don't seem the same anymore. I agree that the internet has taken its toll...kids don't play with toys as much, and parents just buy stuff online now.Unfortunately, the stores in my area either have too much of stuff that won't sell or not enough of the good stuff. (action figure aisle alone doesn't seem replenished in many months)

[@Ratxgirl503]

Please do a video on both Claire's and gamestop

[@maxmt4325]

Game stop is over priced. I buy used video games on ebay for $20 sometimes less as opposed to game stop that sells the same game for $40-55 used. But im def going to my local toys r us with my son and hopefully support them staying in business.

[@carlojaimelizzeni2171]

Game stop is cancer

[@jonathonm8702]

Max MT just buy a PC and enter GODHOOD

[@texasgun2731]

i buy $20 video games from amazon all the time. gamestop is good for older titles but never sell to them. gamestop is also good for pokemon stuff like downloading events. they gave away a new legendary every month at gamestop and sold exclusive pokemon plushies

[@4exgold]

Max MT and their selection of PC games is rubbish too, least at my local one. everything for console!

[@purplechip8020]

that's why I support my local game store

[@Lurker1979]

That is one thing Toys R us could do for market research. Stick camera glasses on a bunch of kids and see what they look at. I bet they could get a lot of good insights on their demographic.

[@isaiahash9697]

all they would see is a tablet or phone :(

[@900Yugo]

In Taiwan ToysRUs sells mobile phones, prepaid SIM credit recharges,tablets,wireless internet routers,computers,printers bluetooth speakers,TV's etc. The store in Taipei is noisy. The reason why ToysRUs USA is failing is that they fail to know current trends. Eg a kid would love to have a Samsung Galaxy A5.

[@Idelia412]

The trouble is you go into Toys R Us and they don't have the toy you are looking for. You go home and search the web and find it. No brainer why they are going out of business! I noticed they were selling car seats! That is not toys, their marketing needs help for sure!

[@JeniousJustin]

I went to the closing sale for our Toys R Us, and they were extremely organized then. They moved things out of almost empty Isles and taped them off, and there wasn't anything in an odd spot. The employees were still helpful for us, and it was still very clean.

[@patsflysfan2]

Are there any retailers that aren't struggling?

[@KiloByte69]

Amazon stinks.

[@RetailArchaeology]

Sally Vee Amazon is in the brick-and-mortar business now. They own Whole Foods grocery stores, and they're planning on building Amazon branded brick-and-mortar stores.

[@josephtafur]

that's Scary its possibly going to be the next Walmart.

[@RetroFiles]

Mark, Thats because Amazon has been doing very well with its sales online, Its Value Even Surpassed Wall-mart. Places like K Mart can't afford to pay its Employees that much. A problem is, paying your Employees that much doesn't mean costumers will come. It just means more people will want to work for you and Employee Moral is higher. However a Company that pays its employees well means nothing if it can't makeup the amount in extra pay for employees by increased sales. Amazon is becoming what Wal-mart did a long while back, Which was killing Business after Business for being unable to have as low prices as Walmart. However the difference is, Now its at a level in which it is not possible to have lower Prices than Amazon, Unless the item value was worth less. Because unlike retail stores, Amazon doesn't have a quota to fit (Since it is not a Physical Retail store) While Many Merchandise in actual stores sits on shelf's and if doesn't sell well, It affects the stores profits. Amazon buys for what is in Demand, Thus a less likelihood of buying things that won't sell well. Also Amazon doesn't need to pay anyone to stock shelfs, Doesn't need to pay Cashiers for a Retail store and does not need to pay Managers and Retail space like actual Retail Stores do. This allows Amazon Savings since a lot of it is ship from Shipping Centers they have, Thus directly giving the Product to the Costumer without the extra cost. Wal-mart keeped its prices low because it paid Suppliers less money and if said supplier denied Wal-mart's offer, Wal-mart would just give the same offer to a Competing Supplier thus bringing the first Supplier out of Business. However Wal-mart still has to pay costs that Amazon doesn't, Which is Operation Costs for Stores.

[@paulht3251]

patsflysfan2 I believe one problem is that a lot of retailers including grocery stores just over built. For instance where we live there are five Wal Mart supper centers within twenty miles of one another. The same with Target, Kohls, J C Penny, and many others . Just my thought.

[@rottingcorpse21]

My local Toys R Us looks like a set from a Mad Max movie. Doesn't make you want to come inside.

[@dianaberlin4767]

Over here in Germany, the Toys R Us is also expensive AND on top they do have minimum wage staff, that has no idea and no interest. That is clearly a no go for me (and other Germans it seems, as the shop isn't busy at all) - you just can't be expensive and have cheap service. I don't go there. Also same as with every other store over here: German shops are sooooo behind. I mean we have internet (obviously 😁), I watch KZbin all the time. I watch a Shopkins unboxing or a hatchimal video and our Toys R Us never heard of stuff like that so I simply have to order online.

[@swifty1969]

I'm 48 and I too have very fond memories. I remember the latest consoles on display and what a mesmerizing experience that was. Now! I shop 90% online, specially from Amazon Prime. In the end I believe only Best Buy(knock on wood), Target, Walmart, Home Depot and major clothing will be the only stores left to go to. As much as I love internet, it is also responsible for killing many joys.

[@nikkil2519]

I used to work for Toys R Us. Part of their problem is workers stealing. My store had 160k worth of electronics and games stolen in 4 months. Turns out a group broke a hole in the wall away from the cameras to push product through. Couple that with more people wanting to shop online for cheaper/convince and every physical store is going down hill.

[@skyesthelimit910]

I'm an adult and I love toys and still shop at toys r us 💕😀

[@praxeria3680]

Skye Weber for adult toys jk

[@L30NBL4NK]

adult diapers

[@kathurtado13]

Skye Weber What in God's name are you going to do now??

[@annabbott1963]

My kids still like Toys R Us. I rarely buy them toys though. Toys get tossed aside quickly. Kids like tablets and x-box. My youngest still loves his Thomas trains at least.

[@blackstork9504]

I think a lot of what's changed is public perception of toys. They're a collector's novelty in too many cases. And kids walk away from toys earlier than they used to. Also Black Friday kills toys r us.

[@dinkalus]

Black Stork doesn't BF boost most stores ya know for that day

[@blackstork9504]

The Dongerino sadly not as much as you'd think. Other stores sell toys and under cut prices in direct competition with TRU. I've worked in the toy department at Christmas in Meijer and people would rather just get their shopping done in as few stops as possible. Target, Meijer and other stores have that bonus.

[@therollsroycetrent9863]

Just a thought: Today's "toys" for kids is an iPhone / Smartphone / iPad with games. And strictly Video Games. No wonder real toys are not selling. I don't see a future for Toy's R Us. By the way, the commercial they used at the beginning of the video was one of the very best commercials ever aired on TV in my opinion.

[@eladiocofresi5202]

Much like you, I have fond memories of Toys R Us. Even as a teenager, I remember heading off to pick up video games from there. The last few times I visited were for nostalgia fun with my sister, and Times Square (which to me was an experience like no other.) From a retail employee perspective, I think between the harried way we live and finding convenience with ordering online, brick and mortar stores have struggled to attract and retain people wanting to take a moment and enjoy the store. While we seem to make strides in accomplishments, (coming from someone who did online pickup from his own department just to run more errands during lunch,) we also lose the personal touch that made shopping so much fun and great. By the way, I loved the idea of filming a trip to a toy store from the perspective of a child.

[@carlinrackley8547]

Too many people are trying to move away from their own childhood, like "I'm not a kid anymore, I don't want to go to kid places like Toys R Us or Chunk-ee Cheese..." Toys R Us is a child's kingdom, a magical place, a place of wonder and excitement, a lot of adults don't really want to go there. Sure you can get the same toy at other places or online for less, but that sort of thinking is the reason why so many retails are going out of business, they can't sell enough products. The reason Wal-Mart is able to sell things for less is because they have so many other things to make up for the lost dollar on every items. If we want to save our stores and save countless people from the unemployment line, we're going to have to suck it up and spend a little extra money. Don't be selfish, don't be greedy, now is not the time to be penny-pinchers, now is the time to be givers. It may hurt your wallet, but it'll get over it. lol

[@MartellThaCool]

Carlin Rackley well said. Childhood is precious and make it time less

[@nardo218]

wow that store looks really bad. When I was little, it had carpet and big video game consoles and play areas. It looked like Wonka's factory, not kmart. The store was smaller, but it was PACKED. And so noisy, from the kids and the employees selling you stuff, and the toys, and i think there was a tv or something playing music. My mom HATED toys r us.

[@pablodelgado7919]

Nardo218 x Same. It feels so empty nowadays and it's very sad

[@PlatoPlays]

No kidding! Going to TRU was always a special treat when I was a kid. My parents hated going because of how cramped and loud it always was. I still live in the same area and visit my childhood TRU periodically... and it looks nothing like what I remember as a kid. Everything is open, bright, and sterile. There's no color or joy, even around Christmas. There's almost no one there regardless of what day or time it is. It's just sad.

[@andrewbowser3014]

Just wait till Christmas...

[@cheetahcheet675]

Andrew Bowser Hope is lost

[@nathanhg06]

the only things kids would probably want for christmas are the new iphones

[@Eclispestar]

I hear ya on the game section. It's the first place I went to. Gameboy, Sega, super Nintendo. All over it in 96

[@justinmelecio8610]

I'm 13, but going into stores I quickly go into the toy section to see Star Wars figures, Transformers Jurassic Park and Avengers, and when I have the chance to go to Toys R Us going into the store reminds me of when I was younger and would get way too excited over a lego set or a basic dinosaur toy. I still play with toys from time to time but to see the store that has held a lot of my favorite toys growing starting to struggle just puts a tear in my heart. Especially when I go Christmas shopping with my mom and see the toys that I would like or what my brothers would like, and knowing Toys R Us is struggling it wont feel the same.