Toys "R" Us Canada

Toys "R" Us (Canada) Ltd.
Toys "R" Us Canada
TypePrivate
IndustryRetail
Founded1984 (1984)
HeadquartersConcord (Vaughan), Ontario, Canada
Number of locations
5
Products
OwnerToys "R" Us, Inc. (1984–2018)
Fairfax Financial (2018–2021)
Putman Investments (2021–present)
Divisions
(2023–2025)
HMV Canada (2024–present)
Websitewww.toysrus.ca

Toys "R" Us (Canada) Ltd is a retailer founded by Toys "R" Us in 1984.

In September 2017, Toys "R" Us filed for bankruptcy, with the Canadian division's trademarks and 82 locations becoming independently owned by Fairfax Financial in May 2018, and then by Putman Investments in August 2021. The chain filed for Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act protection (CCAA) in February 2026.

As of late August 2026, the chain currently has 5 locations: Hamilton, Sarnia, Sherway, South Edmonton and Winnipeg (Polo Park).[1] The Winnipeg location is scheduled to close on August 31.[2]

The Toys "R" Us Canada trademarks and intellectual property are due to be sold to Ad Populum LLC.[3]

History

Toys "R" Us Canada first arrived in 1984 and had consisted of independent stores, seasonal businesses within department stores and one major toy-store chain, Toys & Wheels, which had later when defunct in 1995. These were massive destination stores that would carry everything in their particular niche category.

The first store was opened in Brampton, Ontario in 1978 followed by dozens of more. The stores were set up as massive, 50,000-square-foot, stand alone destination stores, such as the outlet that opened in 1990 on Lougheed Highway in Coquitlam.[4]

In September 2017, Toys "R" Us filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and closed all U.S. locations in June 2018.[5] Toys "R" Us pursued a sale of the Canadian division, including the possibility of bundling them with top-performing U.S. stores. The Canadian unit had annual sales of $1.08 billion at the time of the filing, and had to file for protection from its creditors due to the default of its U.S.-based businesses.[6]

In April 2018, it was announced that Fairfax Financial would acquire the 82 Toys "R" Us locations in Canada for $300 million, with the stores continuing to use the Toys "R" Us name.[7][8] A couple of months later, the first Canadian store to close was in Richmond Hill, Ontario. In 2021, Sunrise Records owner Doug Putman, through his Putman Investments, announced he would buy Toys "R" Us Canada (which now comprised 81 locations) from Fairfax Financial.[9]

In January 2024, the chain announced that it would revive the HMV brand in Canada (which Putman had acquired via Sunrise in 2019)[10] as a store-within-a-store concept at Toys "R" Us Canada locations, stocking music, home video, and memorabilia such as books and clothing. The departments began to launch at selected locations in the Greater Toronto Area, and were expected to be deployed at other locations throughout the year.[11] Later in 2024, large quantities of overstock from the failed Rooms + Spaces chain was moved into Toys "R" Us Canada stores.[12]

In October 2025, the chain announced it had suffered a major data breach.[13]

Creditor lawsuits and mass store closures

Another picture of the same Toys "R" Us store, but in 2017. Canada was among the earliest foreign markets that was targeted for international expansion.

On February 3, 2026, Toys "R" Us Canada filed for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) with numerous creditors owed.[14] All Toys "R" Us stores would remain open during the process. Toronto court records show several parties, including landlords and suppliers, have filed more than 20 lawsuits seeking $31.8 million (CAD) against the Canadian chain of toy stores over property, mortgage, contract and debt disagreements in the past two years. The claims have not been tested in court. Toys "R" Us owed at least $120 million to its vendors[14] and $31.3 million in unpaid rent and other damages to landlords.[15] Toys "R" Us within British Columbia shut down, with the chain’s last outlet at the Willowbrook Shopping Centre located in the Vancouver suburb of Langley closing its doors on January 15, 2026.[16]

In March 2026, the chain applied for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) with numerous creditors owed, alongside significant store closures occurring beforehand. It was announced that the chain is seeking permission from the court to be put up for sale.[17]

By the end of May 2026, the locations in Saint-Bruno and Saskatoon had closed, marking the demise of Toys "R" Us in Quebec, and reducing the national number of locations to 16.[18]

In June 2026, it was announced that owners would sell the Toys "R" Us Canada intellectual property to Ad Populum LLC, alongside Fox Group Jumbo Canada acquiring the Vaughan Mills location, and current owner Doug Putman rescuing 10 store leases alongside all remaining inventory. This deal would exclude five remaining locations.[19][20] Putman will operate ten locations as Toys "R" Us under license until at least January 2027, at which point the locations will either be rebranded, or Putman's rights to the Toys "R" Us license will be extended.[21][22]

In July 2026, the Brampton store closed down, the first Toys "R" Us in Canada.[23] It was reported in the same month that the Barrie, alongside the Polo Park and Regent locations in Winnipeg, would be closing.[24][25]

In August 2026, the chain was reduced to 7 locations, following the closure of Barrie, Kildonan, Kitchener, Lethbridge and North Edmonton.[26] The Whitby location was closed down on August 16th, reducing the chain to six locations.[27] The Regina location closed down later in August, reducing to five locations.[28]

References

  1. ↑ Moreau, Nicholas (2026-08-01). "Canada: Toys"R"Us Down to 8, as Lethbridge Closes, Preps for Spirit Halloween". DisKingdom.com. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
  2. ↑ staff, Free Press (2026-07-13). "Toys 'R' Us closing Polo Park store". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  3. ↑ Griepp, Milton (2026-06-26). "Ad Populum to Acquire Toys 'R' Us Canada Brands". ICv2. Retrieved 2026-08-07.
  4. ↑ https://vancouversun.com/business/toys-r-us-future-canada
  5. ↑ Bhattarai, Abha (March 14, 2018). "Toys R Us to close all 800 of its U.S. stores". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  6. ↑ "'Multiple' suitors line up with offers for Toys 'R' Us Canada". financialpost. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  7. ↑ Reyes, Anthony (June 29, 2018). "No need to grow up, you can still be a "Toys 'R' Us Kid" in Canada". WKBW. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Fairfax agrees $300 million deal to keep Toys 'R' Us Canada open". financialpost. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  9. ↑ Toneguzzi, Mario (2021-08-19). "Toys R Us Canada Sold to Sunrise Records Owner: Interview with Doug Putman". Retail Insider. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  10. ↑ Monaghan, Angela; Butler, Sarah (5 February 2019). "HMV reveals which 27 stores have closed after sale to Canadian music boss". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  11. ↑ "HMV making comeback through Toys 'R' Us locations". CTVNews. 2024-02-01. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  12. ↑ "After quietly closing stores, Rooms + Spaces merchandise creeps into Toys 'R' Us locations". The Globe and Mail. 2024-06-28. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  13. ↑ CONSTANTINESCU, Vlad. "Toys "R" Us Canada Confirms Customer Data Breach After Dark Web Leak". Hot for Security. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  14. 1 2 The Canadian Press (2026-02-03). "Toys 'R' Us Canada files for creditor protection". CBC. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  15. ↑ Deschamp, Tara (2026-01-22). "Trouble in toyland: Toys 'R' Us Canada facing suits seeking millions in unpaid rent". North Shore News. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  16. ↑ Hett, Hanna (January 15, 2026). "British Columbia's last Toys 'R' Us has closed and here's why". Daily Hive. Daily Hive Vancouver. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
  17. ↑ Deschamps, Tara (2026-03-27). "Toys "R" Us Canada closing more stores, will ask permission to sell business: docs". CityNews Toronto. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  18. ↑ "Final Quebec Toys"R"Us Closes, Saskatchewan Down to One Location". DisKingdom.com. 2026-05-26. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
  19. ↑ Staff, News (2026-06-13). "Toys "R" Us Canada reaches three deals to sell assets, one with current owner". CityNews Toronto. Retrieved 2026-06-14. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  20. ↑ Kurek, Dominik (2026-06-24). "Ontario court permits Toys 'R' Us Canada to sell itself to 3 buyers, including to current owner, but can the brand survive?". InsideHalton.com. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  21. ↑ Deschamps, Tara (2026-06-24). "Toys "R" Us Canada gets court approval for three asset sales". Orillia Matters. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  22. ↑ "Ontario court grants approval for Toys "R" Us Canada to be split amongst three buyers". CTV News. 2026-06-23. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  23. ↑ stevepecar (2026-07-13). "CLOSURE: First Toys "R" Us in Canada shutting its doors permanently | insauga". INsauga | Ontario Local News Network. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
  24. ↑ "Barrie Toys "R" Us store closure date still unclear amid liquidation sale". MidlandToday.ca. 2026-07-19. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  25. ↑ Winnipeg, Access (2026-07-23). "Toys "R" Us Winnipeg Clearance Sale: Photos and List of the Best Deals at the Closing Polo Park & Regent Stores". Access Winnipeg. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  26. ↑ Clark, Christine (2026-08-07). "Kitchener Toys 'R' Us store officially closed". CityNews Kitchener. Retrieved 2026-08-07.
  27. ↑ "Toys'R'Us Whitby moving out, Spirit Halloween moving in". Durham Radio News. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  28. ↑ "Home". Toys R Us Canada. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
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