Wagga residents expressed their disappointment following the news of the giant toy retailer, Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us, closing all of its stores across the country.
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Negotiations to save 700 jobs and 44 stores throughout Australia have failed to secure a buyer for the chain, which will close all of its stores in the coming weeks.
Wagga resident and doll collector, Helen Meyers, frequently visits the Wagga Toys ‘R’ Us store to see the new porcelain dolls on sale.
Mrs Meyers said she is disappointed to hear the Trail Street store will close and questions where she will go to buy her dolls now.
“I think we need a toy shop in Wagga because we get Junee people and other smaller towns coming in here to shop,” she said.
“Where do you go for toys now?”
The collapse comes as retailers face tough competition against online retailers like Amazon.
Mrs Meyers responded to the increase in online shopping as a shame and said Woolworths and Coles supermarkets don’t have the “special” dolls that Toys ‘R’ Us offer.
“I like to see what I’m buying so I wouldn’t buy anything online, as I have to see it," she said.
“Only Toys ‘R’ Us seem to get the special dolls, the collectible one’s.
“At Christmas time these dolls come out, they’re holiday dolls, and it’s done up like in a big ball, dressed and everything, they’re special.”
The closure of the ultimate toy store destination leaves another Wagga resident, Virginia O’Rouke, unsure of where to buy her toys in the future.
“It’s a big selection in Wagga and that makes it hard as there’s nothing that really compares to this sort of size here,” Ms O’Rouke said.
“Obviously we’ve tried to support local and started buying online and now we don’t have this option anymore.”
While Toys ‘R’ Us weren’t able to confirm the Wagga store’s exact closure date, the company said all efforts were made to “pursue options for sale of the business and/or a re-capitalisation”.
“Despite productive discussions with a number of interested parties, all of the parties have now advised staff that they have withdrawn from the sale process.”
Related links:
- https://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/5426860/end-of-an-era-toys-r-us-to-be-a-childhood-dream/
- https://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/5423144/toys-r-us-aust-goes-into-administration/
- https://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/5288146/wagga-toys-r-us-to-remain-open-for-business-despite-closure-fear/