Toys ‘R’ Us closures are end of an era

However, move may open up room for niche opportunity in Yuma

Say it isn’t so, Toys ‘R’ Us! The Yuma Sun reported several weeks ago that the Yuma store was slated for closure, as the retailer struggled to stay afloat.

That news is tough for our market, leaving a void and yet another empty storefront in the Yuma shopping landscape.

Last week, however, Toys ‘R’ Us told employees that it was selling or closing all of its U.S. stores, filing liquidation papers. That means 30,000 jobs lost, according to an Associated Press report.

The Toys ‘R’ Us brand has been a favorite stop for families for years, living up to its name with aisle after aisle of toys. “From bikes to trains to video games …” remember that jingle?

“I don’t want to grow up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us kid. There’s a million toys at Toys ‘R’ Us that I can play with.”

Once upon a time, Toys ‘R’ Us was THE place to go shopping as a kid — or as a parent in need of purchasing some kid gifts.

The market today is different than it once was. There is strong competition from chains such as Target, Walmart and Amazon.

And, one has to wonder how much technology has impacted toy sales in general. Children today have access to computers, smartphones and tablets in ways that we’ve never before seen. They may not spend their free time playing Barbies or GI Joes anymore, instead going online to play Minecraft with the neighbor kids in an interactive cyberspace. The focus on technology may be impacting the way children consume or use toys, shifting from a physical toy to a virtual experience.

Regardless, the end of Toys ‘R’ Us marks yet another major earthquake in how Americans shop.

Perhaps, however, it will create an opportunity for a smaller-scale, locally owned toy store to flourish.

It would seem there’s room in Yuma for such a niche store, especially if the store focused on a blend of big-name toys and more unique items and games. The venture would probably be challenging at first, but with the right location, advertising and merchandise, it’s likely something our community would support.

Sadly, for Toys ‘R’ Us, however, it’s essentially game over.

Unsigned editorials represent the viewpoint of this newspaper rather than an individual. Columns and letters to the editor represent the viewpoints of the persons writing them and do not necessarily represent the views of the Yuma Sun.