Toys R Us is ready to open its new store in Oxford.
The chain's warehouse-style retail outlet on Botley Road closed in 2018 after it went into administration, resulting in the loss of about 2,000 jobs nationwide.
Now, digital-first ecommerce direct-to-consumer retailer, Toys R Us ANZ Limited, has announced an exclusive sub-licence agreement with WH Smith High Street Limited to trial nine Toys R Us store-in-store concessions in the UK.
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This includes Oxford's WH Smith in Cornmarket and all stores are scheduled to open in the first half of this year.
A planning application has been made to the city council to alter the WH Smith signage so that a Toys R Us sign is displayed next to it.
The new shop-in-shop in Oxford will open on Saturday, June 17 when the store will be hosting a grand opening event for customers from 8.30am to 1pm.
Geoffrey the Giraffe will be joining the WHSmith team for an official ribbon cutting when the store opens, before greeting customers throughout the morning.
The first 50 children visiting the store will also receive a free goody bag worth over £20 – doors will open at 8.30am.
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The new shop-in-shop will feature a key range of products and activities from top toys brands including Barbie, Bluey, Fisher Price, Hot Wheels, Lego, Marvel, Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Playmobil, Star Wars and more.
Children will be able to try out the latest products and play with their favourite toys at the demonstration tables in store.
A lifesize Geoffrey the Giraffe sculpture, great for photo opportunities, will also feature, and a Patrol character will be making an appearance at the grand opening too.
Nine other Toys R Us shops will be opening at WH Smith stores including those in York, Reading and Cheltenham.
WH Smith is expected to pay Toys R Us a fixed percentage fee based on sales revenue generated.
The costs associated with operating installations will be carried out by WH Smith.
Upon successful completion of the trial period, there could be a stage two roll-out of further installations.
It is not yet known how much space Toys R Us will be given in WH Smith but the unit does have two floors.
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About the author
Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here.
He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.
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