Rad History 23. Toys "R" Us
Dec 12, 2025
Dive into the nostalgic world of a beloved childhood retail giant. Explore the sensory joy of visiting Toys R Us and how it redefined retail with its supermarket model. Discover the rise of its iconic branding, including Jeffrey the giraffe and the catchy jingle. Learn about its downfall due to fierce competition and a failed e-commerce strategy. Finally, witness how the brand tries to reclaim its legacy with new partnerships and pop-up stores while reflecting on the love lost for toys.
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Memorable Saturday Pilgrimages
- Brian McCullough describes the Toys R Us ritual of Saturday trips and the sensory overload of towering shelves and aisles.
- He paints the store as a pilgrimage site that felt like the smell and promise of childhood potential.
Toys As A Supermarket Category
- Charles Lazarus transformed a baby furniture shop into a 'supermarket for toys' using self-service aisles and warehouse displays.
- He treated toys as consumables and built stores to sell high selection and low prices year-round.
Data-Driven Inventory Edge
- Lazarus used computerized daily sales data to reorder inventory and squeeze suppliers for better terms.
- That data-driven advantage let Toys R Us reshape manufacturing schedules and promotional calendars.
