Yuma’s Toys R Us on closing list
Yuma customers of Toys R Us woke up to sad news Wednesday morning. The big box toy store announced plans to close up to 182 stores as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan, and the Yuma store located at 801 W. 32nd St. is on the list.
Fans of the store filled up local Facebook groups with comments, most of them voicing dismay but a few excited about the going-outof-business sale to begin in February and run through April.
“I liked their layaway at Toys R Us. Walmart only had it available the last 4 months of the year but Toys R Us price-matched. I guess I can still order from them online,” Debra Morley posted on What’s Going On in Yuma AZ.
“It sucks, but they’re expensive compared to the other chain stores in town,” Joe Deckers wrote.
Others lamented how the closing would affect employees and others pointed out that they do most of their shopping online
anyway. Indeed, economists have commented that the growing online market has significantly affected the toy store and that Amazon, Target and Walmart have been the store’s biggest competitors.
The company’s bankruptcy protection plan calls for the closure of one-fifth of its U.S. stores, which includes the Yuma store and five others in Arizona, with two in Scottsdale and one each in Paradise Valley, Tucson and Mesa.
It’s unclear how many Yuma employees will be impacted. A local staff member directed inquiries to Taylor O’Donnell, corporate communications coordinator at the company’s headquarters in Wayne, N.J.
“The amount of employees varies by store but averages roughly 25 team members (a mix of full and part-time) per store,” O’Donnell said. “We are committed to doing all we can to help all those impacted by these changes, whether securing positions in nearby stores or providing a severance package to help them through the transition.”
However, the closures still need approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Richmond, Va. The company filed for protection in September for its iconic Toys R Us and Babies R Us brands, which for more than 65 years have offered the latest in fashion dolls, video games, construction toys or app-based accessories.
The company hopes to restructure and emerge from bankruptcy protection. The company shared this message at www.toysrusinc. com/restructuring: “We are confident that this financial restructuring is the best path forward to ensure that Toys“R”Us can invest in our business, continue to improve our customers’ experience and strengthen our competitive position.”
Upon court approval, store closing sales are expected to begin in early February. Rewards R Us money and Geoffrey money can still be used at the Yuma store, the company said.
Gift cards will be accepted and merchandise credits will be honored throughout the closing sales. Customers will earn loyalty rewards for purchases made in the Yuma store, and it will continue to accept rewards as normal.
While prices may vary, the Yuma store will continue to offer price matches for customers, and customers can continue to use their Toys R Us credit card in the normal course.
However, coupons will no longer be accepted in the Yuma location or at any closing store with the exception of giveaways, Birthday Club coupons, rewards redemption coupons, registry completion coupons and instant Credit Thursdays.
Any sale made prior to liquidation can be adjusted. Once liquidation starts, all sales are final. Purchases made prior to store closings will be accepted per the normal store policy as long as the store is open, the company said.
The Yuma store will offer deep discounts and promotions unique to this location. It will will also continue to honor customer programs including gift cards, Endless Earnings and credit card specials.
The store asks customers who have layaway items at the Yuma location to pay the items off, pick them up or open the layaway at another store. However, the company added, if layaway items are not picked up by the deadline, the store will cancel the order and waive any applicable fees. For the local deadline, contact the Yuma store at 928-344-8697.
For questions about products, warranties or rewards, customers in the U.S. should contact the Customer Service Department at 1-800-TOYSRUS or 1-800-869-7787 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time.