Toys"R"Us, Inc. Acquires FAO Schwarz

* Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.

Wed May 27, 2009 10:07pm EDT

Company Will Operate Legendary FAO Schwarz Stores As a Distinctive Business and
Purveyor of Extraordinary Toys
WAYNE, N.J.--(Business Wire)--
Toys"R"Us, Inc., the world`s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer,
today announced it has acquired FAO Schwarz, one of the most iconic children`s
retailers in the world and a brand synonymous with quality and innovation. 

"We have enormous respect for the FAO Schwarz brand and for the special place it
holds in the hearts of children everywhere," said Jerry Storch, Chairman and
CEO, Toys"R"Us, Inc. "Building upon this storied tradition is a responsibility
we take very seriously. We will work tirelessly to preserve the distinctiveness
and integrity of the FAO Schwarz stores and brand as we grow the business and,
indeed, take the brand to even greater heights." 

Following the acquisition, Toys"R"Us, Inc. will continue to operate the two FAO
Schwarz retail stores, including the flagship location in New York City and a
store at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. In addition, the
company will operate the FAO Schwarz e-commerce and catalog operations. Each of
these businesses will continue to operate under the legendary FAO Schwarz name.
All merchandising, management, distribution and marketing operations will
immediately begin to transition to Toys"R"Us, Inc. Other terms of the
transaction were not disclosed. 

"This acquisition allows us to grow our toy specialist market share and draw
upon the unique strengths of both brands in developing quality products that
differentiate us from our mass market competitors," continued Storch. "To that
end, we look forward to working together with the expanded universe of respected
FAO Schwarz manufacturers and other valued partners, while developing innovative
and quality product offerings. We are committed to providing the loyal clientele
of FAO Schwarz with the unique shopping experience they have come to expect." 

Toys"R"Us, Inc. will offer employment opportunities to FAO Schwarz associates in
the New York and Las Vegas stores. 

Toys"R"Us, Inc. currently operates stores in 33 countries worldwide, offering
its customers a differentiated merchandise assortment and a first-to-market
experience with the hottest new toys. The acquisition of FAO Schwarz further
advances the company`s toy authority position and broadens its growing portfolio
of family-friendly brands. Earlier this year, Toys"R"Us, Inc. expanded its
online brand offerings through the acquisition of the highly regarded eToys.com,
babyuniverse.com, Toys.com and parenting resource site, ePregnancy.com. 

FAO Schwarz, which has been in operation since 1862, is the oldest toy retailer
in the United States. Over time, it evolved from a simple toy store to a
world-famous experience. It offers distinctive quality merchandise, including a
line of toys marketed under the FAO Schwarz brand name. The toy retailer is best
known for its famous flagship store in Manhattan which attracts millions of
visitors annually. A destination for unique hands-on family activities, the
store has become a much-anticipated part of any visit to New York for
generations of children and adults worldwide. 

About Toys"R"Us, Inc.

Toys"R"Us, Inc. is the world`s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer.
Currently it sells merchandise through more than 1,500 stores in 33 countries
worldwide, including 847 Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores in the U.S., more than
700 international stores, which includes licensed and franchise stores, and
through its Internet sites, Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com and
babyuniverse.com. The company also operates the parenting resource website,
ePregnancy.com. 





Media:
Toys"R"Us, Inc.
Kathleen Waugh, 646-366-8823
Kathleen.Waugh@toysrus.com
or
Jennifer Albano, 973-617-5632
Jennifer.Albano@toysrus.com



Copyright Business Wire 2009

Comments (0)
This discussion is now closed. We welcome comments on our articles for a limited period after their publication.