The National Shutdown of Toys “R” Us Affects Us All

For a while now, the national closing of kids’ toys retailer Toys “R” Us has occupied a large part of the news and media. By now, it is no surprise that the corporate company has decided to shut down all of its stores across the country.

 

Many, as expected, are upsetted by this news. Toys “R” Us has been around since 1957, serving generations of children with beloved toys and trinkets. Now, after nearly 70 years in business, the company has official settled on a widespread shutdown.

The main reason behind this drastic decision is the sharp declines in sales that the company, along with many other kids’ toys producers, has been experiencing. With billions of dollars in debt, the company is unable to further its progress with production, marketing, investments, etc. and take the necessary steps in advancing and improving the overall corporate business.

 

According to CNN Money, this financial depression dates back to as early as January of 2005, and has only gotten worse since then, due to other rising companies that have since become rivals and competition with Toys “R” Us. These rivaling companies include retailers such as Walmart, Mattel, Hasbro, Target, and, now, Amazon.

“It’s understandable that big companies, especially online-based ones like Amazon, are stealing a lot business and consumers from Toys ‘R’ Us since they tend to be much cheaper and more convenient. But at the same time, I wish traditional toys and ways of shopping were still relevant and sought for, like they used to be when I was a child,” states Valencia High School junior Hazel Lee.

 

Lee recalls her childhood being full of Toys “R” Us playthings, and fondly speaks of times from when she was younger in which she would manually browse aisles and shelves for new toys. She is not the only one; many others are upsetted by the fact that Toys “R” Us, which had played such a significant role in their childhoods, is closing down, and, furthermore, being replaced by unconventional marketing and shopping–online shopping.

 

Aileen Hwang, also a junior from Valencia High School, is one of those people. “I remember my go-to toy store from when I was young would always be Toys ‘R’ Us. Memories of my earlier Christmases and birthdays all involve gifts from Toys ‘R’ Us, and losing such a defining part of my childhood is very saddening, not only for me but undoubtedly for so many other people across the nation,” she tells JSR.

 

The bankruptcy and increasing numbers of competition has ultimately and unfortunately put the beloved Toys “R” Us out of business.

 

Angela Kim, Grade 11

Valencia High School