ORLANDO, Fla. — Toys ‘R’ Us is expanding its U.S. retail presence with 120 new standalone stores planned across the country this holiday season, including new airport shop-in-shops at Orlando International Airport.
The first Toys ‘R’ Us location at Orlando International Airport (MCO) opened in August in partnership with WHSmith North America. A second location is scheduled to open in summer 2027.
The new Orlando locations will serve travelers to and from Central Florida as the toy retailer expands beyond traditional stores into travel locations.
The company said the 120 new standalone stores will bring its total number of standalone U.S. stores to 160 by the holiday season. The company currently has 40 standalone stores, in addition to shops inside Macy’s stores nationwide.
The new standalone stores will carry toys, collectibles and gifts from brands including LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels and Pokémon, as well as products tied to movies and other entertainment properties.
Some locations will include Creator Studios, spaces for toy brands and content creators to produce videos, introduce products and hold events. Select stores also will have candy shops and cafés.
“This is a major moment for Toys ‘R’ Us as we significantly expand our presence across the United States,” Jamie Uitdenhowen, executive vice president of Toys ‘R’ Us at WHP Global, said in a press release.
Gideon Schlessinger, CEO of Go! Retail Group, which is partnering with the toy retailer on the standalone stores, said the company expects 160 stores to be operating during the holiday season.
The retailer also operates shop-in-shops through the Navy Exchange Service Command and has been expanding into travel retail.
Toys ‘R’ Us returned to the U.S. retail market with standalone stores after the brand’s previous U.S. operating company filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and closed its stores the following year. The current U.S. business is operated under the ownership of WHP Global.
WHP Global is a leading brand management platform founded in 2019 to acquire and grow consumer brands. Its portfolio includes over 16 brands across fashion, sports, and hardgoods, generating over $9.5 billion in annual retail sales across 80+ countries. Headquartered in New York with offices worldwide, WHP Global partners with more than 200 leading operators and drives strategic value through proprietary initiatives, including an internal A.I. Innovation Lab.
