UK retailers Toys R Us and Maplin go into administration
The UK operations of Toys R Us and Maplin have both gone into administration.
The administrators for Toys R Us have said that all 105 Toys R Us stores will remain open until further notice, but added that “whether some or all of the stores will close remains to be decided”.
Joint administrator Thomas said: “We will make every effort to secure a buyer for all or part of the business.
“The newer, smaller, more interactive stores in the portfolio have been outperforming the older warehouse-style stores that were opened in the 1980s and 1990s.”
Toys R Us employs about 3,000 staff in the UK.
Sources report that the remaining products at Toys R Us will be sold in-store only, as the online service and click-and-collect will be closed immediately.
Shoppers who have ordered an item already on click-and-collect can still pick it up – but only if it is still available in stock.
Meanwhile, PWC, the administrators for Maplin, said that the electronic goods retailer will continue to “trade as normal while discussions take place with interested parties in an attempt to find a buyer”.
Maplin employs 2,335 members of staff and has an annual turnover of £235.8m. It has 217 stores across the UK and Ireland with head offices in London and Rotherham.
In addition to its in-store operations, Maplin operates an extensive online and mail-order business.
Joint administrator Zelf Hussain said: “The challenging conditions in the UK retail sector are well documented. Like many other retailers, Maplin has been hit hard by a slowdown in consumer spending and more expensive imports as the pound has weakened.
“Staff have been paid their February wages and will continue to be paid for future work while the company is in administration.”
