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Achievements
The year 2003 was a landmark year for several of Toys “R” Us, Inc.’s divisions. The company experienced record sales and operating earnings performances in its Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us International divisions. Toysrus.com also continues to thrive, surpassing its own past performance.
Since its birth in 1996, the Babies“R”Us division has established itself as the leader in the juvenile industry and the largest baby products specialty chain store in the world. The store features an extensive selection of products for newborns and infants, including cribs and furniture, car seats, strollers, formula, diapers, bedding, clothing, plenty of gift ideas, and of course, toys. In addition to carrying the nation’s leading brands, Babies“R”Us also offers private label and exclusive products that are staples of the business and which provide added value to customers. Babies“R”Us registers more expectant mothers than any other retailer and continues to improve its popular Baby Registry system, an important means for new mothers to identify items they need. The division celebrated an important milestone with its 200th grand opening. Babies“R”Us continues to expand with plans to add 20 new stores and remodel an additional 21 locations during 2004.
In 2003, the Toys“R”Us International division added two new Babies“R”Us stores in Japan, for a total of three in that country. Traditional baby products coupled with categories that Japanese consumers appreciate, such as a maternity shop, a baby shoe department, and Sekku shop that specializes in Hina dolls (a cultural tradition), have made these stores a huge success with customers.
Babies“R”Us is not the only brand in the Toys“R”Us International division that is expanding. The joy of being a Toys“R”Us kid is a universal concept. Today approximately 580 Toys“R”Us company and franchise-operated stores are open outside of the United States, including locations in Canada, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The company’s growing Toysrus.com division makes at-home shopping possible. In alliance with Amazon.com, the division operates Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, and Imaginarium.com. The newest e-commerce sites include Sportsrus.com and Personalizedbyrus.com. Sportsrus.com carries more than 30,000 items ranging from authentic sporting goods to apparel, games, footwear, fitness equipment, collectibles, and many other categories. The wide selection makes this site the superior place for sports-related items. At Personalizedbyrus.com, visitors can browse hundreds of customized gifts from Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us, and add their own personalized messages that can be printed, monogrammed, hand-painted, or engraved. The continued success of Toysrus.com prompted Internet Retailer magazine to name it among their Top 50 Best of the Web retailers of 2003.
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