Is Toys R Us Still In Business? Comeback, New Stores And Where To Shop In 2026
Toys R Us shut down all of its US stores in 2018, so many people assume it is gone for good.
That is why one question keeps coming up: is Toys R Us still in business?
Yes, Toys R Us is still in business in 2026, and it is making a comeback in the US with about 160 standalone stores planned for this holiday season.
Its owner, WHP Global, has also put Toys R Us shops inside Macy’s, at airports, and in Navy Exchange stores.
Canada tells a different story, because its separate Toys R Us chain collapsed into creditor protection this year.
It is one of the strangest comeback stories in retail.
Below, we explain what happened, who owns Toys R Us now, and where you can shop, so let’s dive in.
Is Toys R Us Still in Business? The Quick Answer
| Quick Answer | |
|---|---|
| Status | Still in business, and growing in the US |
| Bankruptcy | Chapter 11 in 2017, US stores closed in 2018 |
| Owner | WHP Global, since March 2021 |
| US stores | 160 standalone stores planned for the 2026 holidays |
| Canada | Separate chain, in creditor protection since February 2026 |
So, is Toys R Us still in business? Yes, you can shop at Toys R Us stores again in the US.
It is a smaller, newer version of the giant chain that most people remember.
What Happened to Toys R Us in 2017 and 2018
Toys R Us did not disappear overnight.
Years of heavy debt and changing shopping habits slowly wore it down.
The 2017 Bankruptcy and Store Closures
Toys R Us filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2017, carrying about 5 billion dollars in debt.
Shoppers had moved to Amazon and big stores like Walmart and Target, and toy sales had cooled.
In March 2018, the company asked to sell off the inventory in its 735 US stores.
By the end of that year, the American stores were gone.
The Comeback Under WHP Global
The brand came back in 2019 under a new parent company called Tru Kids Brands.
It opened small stores in Paramus, New Jersey, and Houston, but both closed in January 2021 during the pandemic.
Later in 2021, WHP Global bought a controlling stake and opened a flagship store at American Dream in New Jersey.
In 2022, hundreds of Toys R Us shops opened inside Macy’s, and Macy’s said its toy sales were 15 times higher than before the deal.
The Macy’s store closures in recent years make it worth checking that your local store is still open.
In 2023, WHP teamed up with Go! Retail Group to open flagship stores, including one at Dallas Fort Worth Airport.
Toys R Us in 2026: The Biggest US Expansion in Years
On September 17, 2026, Toys R Us announced 120 new standalone stores.
According to Fox Business, the move brings its total to 160 standalone US stores, opened through a partnership with Go! Retail Group.
The new stores will sell toys and collectibles from LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Pokémon.
Some locations will also have candy shops, cafés, and creator studios.
The company did not share a full list of locations or opening dates.
It also did not say whether all 120 stores will stay open after the holidays.
One new store at South Shore Plaza in Braintree, Massachusetts, has a lease of up to 12 months, as reported by the Boston Globe.
That suggests some of these stores may be temporary tests rather than permanent shops.
Toys R Us says its global business brings in over 2 billion dollars a year, across more than 1,680 stores and online shops in 37 countries.
What Happened to Toys R Us Canada?
Toys R Us Canada is a separate company, and its story has gone the opposite way.
Its stores operated independently from the US business, even after the 2018 US closures.
It was rescued by Fairfax Financial for 300 million dollars in 2018, then sold to Putman Investments in 2021.
After closing 53 stores in two years, Toys R Us Canada asked an Ontario court for creditor protection on February 3, 2026.
The Globe and Mail reported that it had 22 stores left at that point, and it warned it might close more.
By June, reports said the chain had shrunk to about 15 stores.
Its owner also proposed selling the Canadian trademarks to a US toy brand company called Ad Populum.
So the brand is growing in the US while its Canadian arm is falling apart.
Where Can You Shop at Toys R Us Now?
In the US, you now have several ways to shop at Toys R Us.
You can visit a standalone store, a Toys R Us shop inside Macy’s, or an airport location.
There are also Toys R Us stores through Navy Exchanges, and the brand sells online on its official website.
An Orlando International Airport shop opened in August 2026, and another is planned for summer 2027.
If you are hunting for older toy lines, our guides on Shopkins and Hatchimals explain what is still available.
Conclusion
Yes, Toys R Us is still in business, and it is expanding in the US this holiday season.
The old chain collapsed in 2017 and 2018, but WHP Global rebuilt the brand with new stores, Macy’s shops, and airport locations.
Canada is the exception, since its separate chain is in creditor protection and shrinking fast.
Like RadioShack, Toys R Us shows that a famous brand can return in a new form.
To find a store near you, the official Toys R Us website is the best place to check.
