Kroger, Toys’ Geoffrey link for the holidays

The Miami Valley’s largest grocery provider will partner with Toys R Us’s Geoffrey the giraffe to sell toys this holiday season.

Cincinnati’s Kroger announced Friday today that it will partner with Geoffrey’s Toy Box to bring an exclusive selection of children’s toys to 600 stores in the Kroger family. The prices, starting this month, range from $19.99 to $49.99.

“We are thrilled to partner with Kroger to bring a curated collection of product from our beloved portfolio of brands to American consumers this holiday,” said Richard Barry, executive vice president of Geoffrey’s Toy Box.

Geoffrey’s Toy Box is a division of Geoffrey LLC, a subsidiary of the bankrupt Toys R Us. Toys R Us stores nationwide closed at the end of June. But about a month ago, the retailer decided to skip the auction that would sell its remaining assets, according to court records.

The intellectual property would be purchased by a group of investors, according to a statement from Geoffrey LLC at the time.

The partnership with Kroger is the first time former Toys R Us customers will see the brands resurface, just in time for the holidays.

“Geoffrey’s Toy Box delivers a unique shopping destination within Kroger stores,” said Robert Clark, Kroger’s senior vice president of merchandising. “We’re excited to offer Geoffrey’s Toy Box this holiday season to provide our customers with the opportunity to purchase a selection of toys once exclusive to Toys R Us.” Contact this reporter at 937-8155111 or email holly.shively@coxinc.com.