toys r us
Transcript: BY: Jessica Stillwell Fun Facts Toysrus, Babiesrus, eToys, and FAO Logos and slogons Toys“R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 875 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and in more than 625 international stores and over 140 licensed stores in 35 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz® brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Toys R Us Today Timeline Founder 2006 •Received a SPARC award (Supplier Performance Awards by Retail Category) from Retailing Today for being an Outstanding Corporate Citizen for the 2006 Toys for Tots campaign 2010 •Cause Marketing Forum Halo Awards Silver award in the Best Social Service/Education category for the Toys“R”Us Focus on Baby Safety Campaign Silver award in the Best Digital Marketing Campaign category for the “Join Shaq Give Back” Marine Toys for Tots fundraising initiative 1948 • Charles Lazarus opens his first baby furniture store, Children’s Bargain Town, in Washington, D.C. 1950 • To meet customer demand, Lazarus begins selling toys 1957 • Lazarus adopts supermarket model for his stores and renames specialty toy chain, Toys“R”Us® 1960 • Mascot and spokes animal Geoffrey® the Giraffe introduced in newspaper advertisements 1966 • Four stores in the Washington, D.C. area reach total sales of $12 million; • Lazarus sells chain to Interstate Stores for $7.5 million, but continues to run Toys“R”Us 1968 • Geoffrey the Giraffe begins making in-store appearances at Toys“R”Us stores 1974 • Interstate Stores files for bankruptcy; Lazarus appointed to run Interstate Stores 1978 • Lazarus leads Interstate Stores out of bankruptcy, changes name to Toys“R”Us, Inc. and begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) 1983 • Kids“R”Us® premieres in Para mus, New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York 1984 • Toys“R”Us opens its first international stores in Canada and Singapore 1985 • Charles Lazarus hosts the first Toys“R”Us benefit gala in New York City to raise funds for children’s charities 1992 • Japan celebrates its first Toys“R”Us location with a visit by President George H. Bush • Toys“R”Us, Inc. establishes the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children 1994 • Michael Gold stein assumes Chief Executive Officer title from Charles Lazarus 1996 • Babies“R”Us® makes its debut in West bury, New York 1997 • Babies“R”Us acquires and merges with Baby Superstore 1998 • Robert Masonite appointed Chief Executive Officer of Toys“R”Us, Inc. Toys“R”Us, Inc. launches Toysrus.com 1999 • Toys“R”Us, Inc. acquires Imaginarium® 2000 • John Euler joins Toys“R”Us, Inc. as President and Chief Executive Officer • Partial IPO of Toys“R”Us Japan completed • Toys“R”Us, signs partnership deal with Amazon.com® 2001 • Toys“R”Us, Inc. establishes an international flagship store with the highly-anticipated opening of Toys“R”Us Times Square, The Center of the Toy Universe® Charles Lazarus Business Parteners Toys R Us