Toys R Us Anz Ltd (TOYRF)

[powerbattles]

$TOYRF Toys "R" Us ANZ Ltd was the Australian and New Zealand subsidiary of the global toy retail chain, Toys "R" Us. Toys "R" Us is a well-known toy and juvenile-products retailer with a presence in various countries around the world.

Toys "R" Us ANZ Ltd, the Australian and New Zealand subsidiary of Toys "R" Us, was not known to have filed for bankruptcy. However, the global parent company, Toys "R" Us, did file for bankruptcy in the United States in 2017, which led to the closure of many of its stores in various regions. The company's assets and operations were subsequently restructured. In 2018, the Canadian division of Toys "R" Us was sold, and it continued to operate under a new ownership structure.

Tru Kids Brands, a company formed by a group of investors, including Richard Barry, the former Chief Merchandising Officer of Toys "R" Us, took over the ownership and operations of Toys "R" Us after it emerged from bankruptcy in 2018. Tru Kids Brands was focused on reimagining and revitalizing the Toys "R" Us brand.

WHP Global was indeed a key player involved in the revival and rebranding of the Toys "R" Us brand. WHP Global is a brand management company that acquired a controlling interest in Tru Kids Brands, which was responsible for the operations of Toys "R" Us.

WHP Global and its partners have been working to revive the Toys "R" Us brand and reimagine the toy retail business.

WHP Global is a leading New York based firm that acquires global consumer brands and invests in high-growth distribution channels including digital commerce platforms and global expansion. WHP owns ANNE KLEIN®, JOSEPH ABBOUD®, JOE'S JEANS®, BONOBOS®, ISAAC MIZRAHI®, LOTTO®, TOYS"R"US®, BABIES"R"US®, and a 60% interest in the EXPRESS® brand. The company signed an agreement to acquire the G-STAR RAW brand. Collectively the brands generate over USD $7 billion in global retail sales. The company also owns WHP+, a turnkey direct to consumer digital e-commerce platform, and WHP SOLUTIONS, a sourcing agency based in Asia.
For more information, please visit https://www.whp-global.com

According to a release from the company, Toys “R” Us is joining with Go! Retail Group to roll out flagship stores across the U.S. beginning in 2024. Locations will include airports and cruise ships, starting in November with the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

Go! Retail Group focuses on precision retailing, leveraging excellence in logistics and store management. Since 1993, Go! Retail Group has successfully operated the largest fleet of pop-up stores in the world, is the largest retailer of calendars in the world, and is the largest independently owned toy and game store retailer in the U.S. The business has grown to include operations in seven countries, flagship year-round stores, in-house brands, and multiple e-commerce sites. Go! Retail Group owns, operates, and/or manages Calendars.com, Go! Toys & Games, Calendar Club Canada, Calendar Club UK, Calendar Club Australia, Attic Salt, NIQUEA.D, Snoozimals, Tiny Headed Kingdom, Kobioto, and as of 2023, is proud to add Toys"R"Us.

https://www.al.com/news/2023/10/toys-r-us-opening-stores-across-us-here-is-where-first-location-will-be.html



According to the Toys “R” Us website, they have reopened in 9 states in the US, including California, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, and New York.

Published: Oct. 02, 2023, 6:46 a.m. This news has caused the stock to increase from $0.01 to $0.20, a gain of 2000% in one day.

“The Toys”R”Us brand is growing fast and our expansion into air, land and sea is a testament to the brand’s strength,” said Yehuda Shmidman, Chairman and CEO of WHP Global. “Since acquiring Toys”R”Us, we have increased our global retail footprint by more than 50% with openings in the United States, United Kingdom, India, Dubai, and Mexico. We now have over 1,400 stores and e-commerce sites across 31 countries, and as we head into 2024, we are excited to bring Toys”R”Us to consumers everywhere, whether you’re visiting one of our stores at Macy’s, at our flagships, in an airport, or onboard a cruise ship.”

https://www.al.com/news/2023/10/toys-r-us-opening-stores-across-us-here-is-where-first-location-will-be.html

Mon, October 2, 2023 at 2:43 PM Toys R Us Making Big Comeback With 24 New Retail Stores
https://www.yahoo.com/news/entertainment/toys-r-us-making-big-194320278.html

Toys “R” Us does exist already. They had an online return in 2021 after being acquired by WHP Global and now work with Macy’s to sell toys online under the Toys “R” Us name.
The company also opened a 20,000-square-foot flagship location at American Dream in New Jersey in 2021, followed by 452 locations opening inside Macy’s around 2022.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/life/2023/10/02/toys-r-us-expansion-2024/71037352007/

September 26, 2023 Toys“R”Us is now open all year long in every Macy’s-branded store nationwide.
To kick off this upcoming holiday season, Macy’s and Toys“R”Us® have unveiled Geoffrey’s Hot Toy List for 2023 to make every gift giver the star of the holidays by offering top toys for every age and interest. This year’s list of hot toys features the most coveted toys for the ‘Toys R Us’ kid in all of us, from favorite brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, Pokémon, LEGO, Nerf & more. Geoffrey’s curated list will also feature a Toys“R”Us® global exclusive Geoffrey with a Globe FUNKO, and a selection of popular brands created by Toys“R”Us including Fast Lane, You & Me, True Heroes and more.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230926752608/en/



WHSmith Set to Bring Toys"R"Us® Back to the High Street for UK Shoppers This Summer

In a new retail partnership, WHSmith and Toys"R"Us announce the opening of Toys"R"Us shop-in-shops in 9 WHSmith High Street stores including York, Oxford, Reading and Cheltenham

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/whsmith-set-bring-toys-r-124400130.html

Macy’s Partnership Signals A Brand New Future For Toys R Us
https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2022/10/17/macys-partnership-signals-a-brand-new-future-for-toys-r-us/?sh=10b5405a42a6

The toy brand was acquired by New York-based WHP Global in 2021 and experienced 50% growth in 2022.
The new owner increased its footprint by rolling out dedicated stores at all Macy’s stores in the US.

https://www.retail-insight-network.com/news/whp-global-toysrus-airport/?cf-view

Toys"R"Us ANZ Limited (TOYRF) USA.
Toys"R"Us ANZ Limited (TOY.AX) ASX - ASX in AUD

Toys“R”Us ANZ Limited (ASX: TOY) is an Australian-based listed company with a mission to enrich the lives
of people by encouraging exploration, creativity and living life more fully through the enjoyment of toys
and hobbies. In addition to distributing leading products throughout Australia for key partners via its
trading business Funtastic, the company recently acquired 100% of the Hobby Warehouse Group in
November 2020, including Australian e-commerce websites Toys“R”Us, Babies“R”Us and Hobby
Warehouse and the distribution business Mittoni Pty Ltd. The Company changed its name from Funtastic
Limited to Toys“R”Us ANZ Limited on the 24 June 2021. Further information is available at
https://corporate.funtastic.com.au/



Year ended 31 July 2023 O/S 863,086,674
Year ended 31 July 2022 O/S 861,861,148

Major Holders Breakdown
60.51% % of Shares Held by All Insider
5.05% % of Shares Held by Institutions
12.79% % of Float Held by Institutions
1 Number of Institutions Holding Shares

Shareholder Information:
https://corporate.funtastic.com.au/investors/asx-announcements/

Outlook and Strategic Plan

The Company is focused on putting in place cost structures and operating strategy to ensure that it reaches profitable
operations by end of Q1 2024 and continues to pursue its aspirations of driving top line growth and deploying capital efficiently
to achieve its medium-term goal of 5% market share penetration in the toys, baby and hobby markets in ANZ.
The Company plans to accelerate and scale Toys“R”Us, Babies“R”Us and Hobby Warehouse operations in Australia under new
leadership, with improved merchant and marketing capability, and more productive technology enabled footprint as well as
investigating expansion through physical partners.
The Company continues to review strategic options to expand and realise its growth ambitions by identifying suitable business
opportunities in addition to the growth initiatives reported above.
Significant changes in the state of affairs
UK license and operations
Prior to year end, the Group have made the decision to restructure and refocus on the ANZ operation and has reached
agreement in principle with TRU Kids Inc (TRUK) to surrender the UK licence and exit the UK operations. The Group agreed to
facilitate an orderly transition of the UK business and the transfer of its UK licence to TRUK by 31 January 2024. Official
announcement was issued to the ASX on the 15th August 2023.

A MUST READ!
Investor Presentation
https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/TOY/02677262.pdf

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