As it begins closing all its stores nationwide, Toys R Us gift cards are being left out. What can people do with them? What does the Toys R Us spokeswoman say?
It will honor customer gift cards for the next 30 days, a spokeswoman confirmed. Customers will be able to shop on the retailer’s website for the time being, too. Therefore, if you have a Toys R Us gift card, you should head online quickly. Get those toys for the kids while the getting is good!
Toys R Us told corporate employees on Wednesday that it will shutter all 800 of its stores. This closure will affect as many as 33,000 workers. Not to mention, it will affect kids all over the country who love the store. The company filed for bankruptcy about six months ago.
Charlotte Toys R Us Will Close
Throughout the region (in Charlotte, Pineville, Concord, and Gastonia), the toy company operates six stores under the Toys R Us and Babies R Us brands. A spokeswoman said each store employs between 25-30 workers.
According to multiple reports, Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told corporate workers this week that the company will maintain the Babies R Us registry and the company’s online store in hopes that someone might buy it.
Technically, businesses don’t have any obligation to honor gift cards after their stores have closed. That’s been an issue in Charlotte with customers wondering what to do with gift cards after restaurants close their doors, for instance.
Charlotte and other cities with big national retail chains have been hemorrhaging retail jobs over the last year. Experts say the trend is likely to continue as retail chains close stores. Customers have been opting to shop more more online, prompting retailers such as Hhgregg, Bebe, Hollister and Wet Seal to close their doors and lay off workers.