// Toys R Us partners with WHSmith for high street return
// The toy retailer is opening nine concessions in stores throughout the summer
Toys R Us will open nine WHSmith concessions this summer, marking the retailer’s return to the high street in five years.
Customers will be able to shop from a wide range of popular toy brands including Barbie, Fisher Price, Lego, Marvel, Peppa Pig and more.
The first concession will open on 10 June at WHSmith Monks Cross Retail Park store in York.
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This will be followed by launches in Canterbury, Chelmsford, Cheltenham, Cwmbran, Oxford, Poole, Reading and Solihull throughout the summer.
WHSmith High Street managing director Sean Toal said: “At WHSmith, we’re always exploring new opportunities to launch exciting, new product ranges to our customers on the high street, and our partnership with Toys R Us certainly does this!
“The brand has long been known for its exceptional range of toys and games and complements our existing offer well.
“Across each of the nine locations, we have a great team of colleagues who look forward to welcoming many new and existing customers over the coming weeks and showcasing the new store layout.”
Toys R Us disappeared from the UK high street in 2018 when it collapsed into administration, resulting in 100 store closures.
The toy retailer made its return to the UK last year when it launched a new website ahead of the peak Christmas trading period.
At the time, Toys R Us ANZ chief executive Louis Mittoni said: “Toys R Us and Babies R Us are much-loved brands in the UK, and our teams have described this as ‘returning home’, not just a relaunch.”
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