Tru Kids Inc., which purchased the retailer in a 2018 liquidation sale, confirmed that the two New Jersey and Texas locations that opened in late 2019 have been permanently closed due to the pandemic.
“As a result of Covid-19, we have made the strategic decision to focus our store strategy on new locations and platforms with more traffic,” a Tru Kids spokesperson told CNN Business. They added that demand for the brand “remains strong” and the company will continue to invest in it.
The Toys “R” Us’ website remains operational and more than 700 stores outside the United States are still open.
The two stores had a smaller footprint compared to its American suburban predecessor. They sold fewer toys and instead focused on interactive and playground-like environments for brands. Ultimately, the plan was to open about 10 in shopping centers.
Like other retailers, Toys “R” Us suffered last year from shopping center closures and changing consumer habits that prompted people to shop online or in major stores.