The last Babies “R” Us stores closed in the U.S, nearly four years ago, but the brand is growing internationally.
WHP Global — parent company to the Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us brands — continues to open new stores through international licensing partnerships. Ragabesh & Co., which operates 35 retail stores throughout Brazil, inked an exclusive, multiyear licensing deal with WHP Global to open 20 freestanding, physical retail locations in the country.
“This expansion is part of our overall strategy to develop both the Babies ‘R’ Us and Toys ‘R’ Us businesses in existing and new high growth markets such as Latin America,” says Yehuda Shmidman, chairman and CEO at WHP Global and Toys “R” Us.
While the U.S. has been without a Babies “R” Us presence since 2018, the brand can be found in more than 20 countries through a mix of e-commerce, standalone, and side-by-side Toys “R” Us/Babies “R” Us combo stores.
Ragabesh plans to open its first Babies “R” Us store in Brazil later this year with additional locations planned to open throughout 2023.
Additionally, WHP Global has dangled the carrot that a Babies “R” Us relaunch of some form is pending for the U.S. The company says it plans to offer updates on the brand’s expansion and U.S. business strategy in the near future.
WHP Global recently opened its new Toys “R” Us global flagship store at the American Dream mall in New Jersey. The store is operated by New York-based Toys 4 U under a licensing agreement.
