Toys "R" Us: The retailer is back, again

12/2/21 7:00PM

Toy story

‍Toys "R" Us is back.

This week the iconic toy retailer announced it would be opening a 20,000 sq ft two-level, store in New Jersey, less than a year after the brand's first failed relaunch.

‍Children's Bargain Town

‍Toys "R" Us, first founded back in 1948 under the name "Children's Bargain Town", was one of the most iconic retailers to fall victim to big-box competition and e-commerce. At the height of its reach, the company operated more than 900 stores across the United States, all of which were closed in mid-2018 as the company fell into bankruptcy after 5 years of declining sales and a looming debt pile.

Since then, the Toys "R" Us brand has had quite a ride. After the bankruptcy the rights were picked up by a company called Tru Kidz Brand, which opened 2 smaller stores... which lasted about a year before succumbing to COVID-19, leaving the brand to be sold on again.

The latest owner is WHP Global, which along with building the new flagship store has struck a deal with Macy's to sell toys under the Toys "R" Us brand in more than 400 Macy's department stores. A Toys "R" Us comeback? Stranger things have happened.

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JetBlue is raising its bag fees as fuel costs squeeze airlines

JetBlue will reportedly hike its bag fees, as the cost of jet fuel continues to climb amid the war in Iran. It’s the latest example of carriers finding ways to push rising costs onto travelers.

Last week, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said that if fuel prices remain elevated, fares would need to rise another 20% for his airline to break even this year.

As CNBC reported, when one airline raises fees, others tend to follow.

Earlier this month, JetBlue hiked its first-quarter outlook for operating revenue per seat mile to between 5% and 7%, saying that strong Q1 demand helped “partially offset additional expenses realized from operational disruptions and rising fuel costs.” Now, the carrier appears to be making moves to further boost revenue to offset those costs.

Earlier on Monday, JetBlue rival Alaska Air lowered its Q1 profit forecast. The refining margins for the carrier’s cheapest fuel option — sourced from Singapore and representing about 20% of Alaska’s overall supply — have spiked 400% since February.

JetBlue did not immediately respond to a request for comment.