Toys ‘R’ Us Is Expanding Into Airports, First Mini Store Opening in Dallas’ DFW Later This Year

May 17—The once-floundering retail chain Toys "R" Us recently began expanding into airports, hoping to throw a lifeline to those traveling with kids or who are in need of a last-minute gift.

Toys "R" Us' first store will be located in Terminal A at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and it was expected to open in time for this year's holiday season, according to Toys "R" Us' parent company WHP Global.

Currently, Toys "R" Us can only be found inside Macy's stores, and it operates just four locations in Houston and 12 in Dallas. This comes after Toys "R" Us collapsed in 2018 and closed all of its stores during the pandemic. No plans have been announced for either of Houston's airports, but the company was planning to expand to airports throughout the world.

Opening in the DFW airport built on Toys "R" Us' "store within a store" approach, as WHP Global continued to grow the retail store's footprint after acquiring Toys "R" Us in 2021.

To open the store, Toys "R" Us is partnering with Duty Free Americas, a company operating approximately 200 stores in airports, border crossings and seaports across the globe.

"We are thrilled to partner with Duty Free Americas to introduce the first-ever Toys "R" Us airport store, an exciting new concept that we believe could roll out in airports around the world," said Yehuda Shmidman, Chairman and CEO of WHP Global in a press release.

According to Forbes, the DFW store will be about 500 square feet. Patrons were to be welcomed by a life-size custom 3D giraffe sculpture and, while in the store, visitors can browse a curated selection of toys and games, which "caters to gift buyers on the go and parents traveling with children," according to a news release.

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