By Jim Silver (Follow Jim on Twitter)
If you go into a Toys “R” Us over the next few months, you will see a big change in their product offerings. In approximately 50% of their stores, Toys R Us will no longer carry apparel for kids 4 and older. Instead, they will have a special section called the “R Market”, stocking their shelves with “everything you need for a child”.
While not reducing the number of toys they will be carrying, they will now feature: Paper Goods for Birthdays, Kid Snacks and Breakfast Foods, Drinks (Milk, Bottled Water and Juicy Boxes), a larger assortment of Diapers, Wipes, and Formula, plus every day cleaning supplies and laundry detergent.
This is just a small sampling of some of the items you will now find at Toys R Us.
As a consumer, you have to like it. People love one stop shopping, as Wal-Mart and Target can attribute their great success to that. I hate it when I shop and you need that last item, but you’re forced to go to another store.
While many of the new offerings will be successful for Toys “R” Us, some probably won’t. But from a consumer’s point of view, I don’t care because this just makes shopping easier for me while I’m in a Toys “R” Us. If you’re heading to Toys “R” Us to buy a birthday gift, now you can pick up themed cups and plates for a party. One less stop! Or if your out of juice or milk, its there for you.
People are asking my opinion on this. Here’s my summation: as a parent, anything that will make my shopping life and experience easier and better, I’m all for!