Company Profile

We are one of the world's leading retailers of toys, children's apparel and baby products based on our consolidated net sales in 2002. As of February 1, 2003, we operated 1,595 "R"Us retail stores worldwide. These consist of 1,051 United States locations comprised of 681 toy stores under the name "Toys"R"Us", 183 infant-toddler stores under the name "Babies"R"Us", 146 children's clothing stores under the name "Kids"R"Us", 37 educational specialty stores under the name "Imaginarium" and 4 "Geoffrey" stores that include products from Toys"R"Us, Kids"R"Us and Babies"R"Us as well as many interactive events. Internationally, as of February 1, 2003, we operated 544 stores, including licensed and franchised stores, under the "R"Us name. We also sell merchandise through Internet sites at www.toysrus.com, www.babiesrus.com, www.imaginarium.com and www.giftsrus.com. Toys"R"Us, Inc. is incorporated in the state of Delaware.

Our History

Toys"R"Us got its start in 1948 when founder Charles Lazarus opened a baby furniture store, Children's Bargain Town, in Washington D.C. Lazarus quickly realized the potential of fulfilling customer's requests for baby toys and toys for older children.

In 1957, Lazarus introduced a "supermarket environment." That same year, the Toys"R"Us name made its debut, complete with a backwards "R". By 1966, Lazarus had four stores with approximately $12 million in annual sales. Around this time, Lazarus sold his stores to retail conglomerate Interstate Stores. He maintained responsibility for running Toys"R"Us, which continued to grow profitably. Interstate, however, faced major difficulties and was forced to declare bankruptcy. During this critical period, Lazarus led and restructured the company. In 1978, when Interstate emerged from bankruptcy it was renamed Toys"R"Us, Inc.

The 1980s were a time of major expansion for Toys"R"Us, Inc. In 1983, the company had 169 toy stores in 26 states and had added four stores under its new Kids"R"Us brand. The company opened its first international stores in Singapore and Canada in 1984. Just 10 years later, the company completed its 1993 fiscal year with 581 U.S. toy stores, 217 Kids"R"Us stores and 234 stores in international locations. In 2001, Toys"R"Us opened its flagship store in Times Square.

In 1996, the company opened its first Babies"R"Us store. The acquisition of Baby Superstore in 1997 added 76 locations and helped Babies"R"Us become the undisputed leader in the juvenile market. Imaginarium was acquired in 1998 to bring the learning and educational toy categories to the "R"Us family of retail stores. Between 2000 and 2002, Imaginarium boutiques were added to U.S. toy stores as part of the division's Mission Possible renovation. In addition, Imaginarium also operates 37 freestanding locations.

Geoffrey the Giraffe was first introduced in 1960. However, he didn't receive his name until 1970 when a contest was held among company associates to name him. In 2000, Geoffrey was reintroduced, in his current animatronic form, as the company's lovable wisecracking "spokesanimal." Today he's one of the world's most recognized icons by kids and grown-ups alike, representative of a worldwide chain of stores that has forever changed the way the world shops for toys.