Toys 'R' Us to return to UK high streets four years after beloved chain went bust

dailystar.co.uk:

The Mirror reports that the company is already hiring a new UK team to oversee its high street comeback, four years after it closed down.The chain's Australian arm last year signed a licence agreement to bring its “digital and physical retail commerce” back to the UK after the chain fell into administration in 2018.In preparation for the comeback of the ages, it has now ramped up its recruitment and plans to relaunch the brand in the next few months.The company dates back to 1985 when it launched in the UK modelling itself as the 'world's first toy supermarket.'Sadly in 2017, the US parent company filed for bankruptcy after debts reached more than £3.5billion.A year later, the iconic toy chain collapsed, closing all of its 100 UK branches and triggering thousands of redundancies.But last year money came again as owner WHP Global signed an agreement with Toys 'R' Us Australia to lead the brand's revival in the UK.WHP Global had previously acquired a controlling interest in Tru Kids, the parent company of the Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us brands.Toys ‘R’ Us has hired senior buyer James Ford, who helped build Debenhams’ toy arm, for the core Toys 'R' Us business, while Katie Ellis, who has worked for both Toys 'R' Us and Mothercare in the past, and Argos toys buyer Lukasz Jasinski have joined the Babies 'R' US UK team.Toys 'R' Us Australia chief executive Louis Mittoni, who is spearheading the UK launch said: “I’m very excited to welcome over 100 years of retailing experience in our new team, who will lead the relaunch our iconic brand back into the UK market in the next few months."We have an amazing toy and baby buying team, which I believe is the best in the country.“With this team now in place, we’re hitting the ground.