Toys R Us Canada

Toys R Us Canada is the Canadian retail business operating under the Toys "R" Us name. It was established in Canada in 1984 by Toys "R" Us and developed a network of large, destination-format stores focused on toys, games, children's merchandise and baby products. The Canadian business grew through a combination of independently operated stores, seasonal departments within department stores and the acquisition or development of large-format specialty locations. Its stores were typically designed as broad-assortment destinations, carrying products across age groups and play categories rather than concentrating on a narrow toy segment. The Canadian division became strategically significant during the financial collapse of its United States-based parent. When Toys "R" Us entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2017, the Canadian operation was considered separately from the failing U.S. store network. The Canadian subsidiary ultimately secured an independent ownership structure. In April 2018, Fairfax Financial agreed to acquire 82 Canadian stores and related operations for a reported C$300 million, allowing the business to continue using the Toys "R" Us brand. The transaction separated the Canadian chain from the subsequent liquidation of the U.S. stores and preserved its physical retail presence, although some Canadian locations later closed. In 2021, Putman Investments, associated with retail entrepreneur Doug Putman, acquired the Canadian chain from Fairfax Financial. Under Putman ownership, Toys R Us Canada experimented with a broader family-oriented retail proposition. In 2024, it began introducing HMV departments inside selected Toys R Us locations, bringing music, home video, books, apparel and memorabilia into the stores. This followed Putman's ownership of the HMV brand through Sunrise Records. The retailer also used some stores to sell surplus merchandise from the failed Rooms + Spaces chain. The business later faced renewed financial and operational pressure. In October 2025, it disclosed a major data breach. During 2026, the chain sought protection under Canada's Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act while facing creditor claims involving landlords, suppliers and other counterparties. The restructuring was accompanied by a substantial reduction in the store base, including closures in British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta. The company's intellectual property was proposed for sale to Ad Populum LLC, while separate arrangements contemplated the sale of individual locations and the continuation of selected stores under license. Because the supplied reference describes developments through August 2026, the final ownership and operating status of the brand should be treated as requiring review.

Toys R Us Canada was founded in 1984 as the Canadian operation of the Toys "R" Us retail group. The business entered a Canadian market that already included independent toy stores, seasonal toy departments within department stores and large specialty operators. Its expansion emphasized substantial standalone locations capable of presenting a very wide range of toys and children's products. The format was designed as a destination experience, with stores often occupying approximately 50,000 square feet. A major location opened on Lougheed Highway in Coquitlam in 1990, illustrating the scale of the chain's Canadian development. The business operated alongside other Canadian toy retail concepts, including Toys & Wheels, which later became defunct in 1995. Over time, the Toys R Us name became associated with dedicated toy stores offering merchandise for different age groups, including games, outdoor play products, dolls, construction toys, electronics-oriented products and baby equipment. Its Canadian presence was distinct from the U.S. operation in corporate and financial terms, although it shared the international brand and retail identity. The parent group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States in September 2017. The Canadian division continued to trade while a sale was explored. In April 2018, Fairfax Financial agreed to acquire 82 Canadian locations and the associated business for C$300 million, preserving the brand in Canada after the U.S. chain subsequently closed its stores. The Canadian network was not entirely unchanged: some locations closed, including a Richmond Hill store reported as the first Canadian closure after the Fairfax transaction. Putman Investments acquired the Canadian operation from Fairfax in 2021. The chain then continued as an independently owned Canadian retailer under the Toys "R" Us name. In 2024, it expanded the assortment of selected stores by introducing HMV departments. These departments connected the toy retailer with Putman's entertainment retail interests and offered music, home video, books, clothing and memorabilia. The company also brought surplus inventory from Rooms + Spaces into its stores later that year. The retailer disclosed a major data breach in October 2025. In 2026, it entered a new restructuring period under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. The proceedings followed reported disputes and creditor claims involving property, mortgages, contracts, debt and unpaid rent. Numerous store closures occurred before and during the process, including the loss of the British Columbia network and the final Canadian locations in Quebec. By August 2026, the reference material stated that only six locations remained, with the Regina and Polo Park stores scheduled to close. The 2026 restructuring also involved the proposed divestiture of the Canadian Toys R Us trademarks and intellectual property to Ad Populum LLC. Fox Group Jumbo Canada was reported to be acquiring the Vaughan Mills location, while Doug Putman was to retain or rescue leases for ten stores and operate them under license for a limited period. These arrangements could materially change the ownership, licensing and store footprint of the Canadian brand, so its post-restructuring status requires verification.

1. 2026CCAA restructuring begins

   Toys R Us Canada sought protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act amid creditor claims and extensive store closures.

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2. 2025Major data breach announced

   The chain reported a significant data breach in October.

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3. 2024HMV store-within-a-store program begins

   Selected Toys R Us stores began adding HMV departments with entertainment and memorabilia merchandise.

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4. 2021Putman Investments acquires the chain

   Putman Investments purchased Toys R Us Canada from Fairfax Financial.

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5. 2018Canadian division sold to Fairfax Financial

   Fairfax Financial acquired 82 Canadian stores and related operations, allowing the chain to continue under its existing brand.

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6. 2017Toys R Us group enters bankruptcy protection

   The wider Toys R Us group filed for Chapter 11 protection, prompting a separate sale process for the Canadian business.

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7. 1995Toys & Wheels becomes defunct

   The Canadian toy retail operator Toys & Wheels ceased operating, according to the supplied reference.

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8. 1990Large-format Coquitlam store opens

   A major destination-format store opened on Lougheed Highway in Coquitlam, British Columbia.

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9. 1984Toys R Us Canada is established

   Toys R Us founded its Canadian retail operation.

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10. 1978First Canadian predecessor store opens

    The reference identifies a first store in Brampton, Ontario, before the Canadian operation was formally established under Toys R Us.

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A broad-assortment, family-oriented specialty retailer positioned around one-stop shopping for toys, play, children's merchandise and baby products.

• Toys and gamesToys and games1984

  The core assortment consists of toys and games for children across multiple age groups and play patterns. The large-format store model supported a broad selection rather than a narrow specialist range, including traditional toys, dolls, construction products, outdoor play, electronic products, collectibles and family games.

• Baby productsBaby and nursery1984

  Baby products formed a major part of the Canadian business alongside toys. The category includes nursery, infant-care and child-development merchandise, although the supplied reference does not provide a complete current product list.

• HMV store-within-a-storeEntertainment retail2024

  Introduced at selected locations from 2024, the HMV departments broadened the stores beyond toys and baby goods. The concept offered music, home video, books, clothing and memorabilia, linking Toys R Us Canada with Putman's HMV and Sunrise Records retail interests.

• 2026Restructure and separate brand assetsStrategy

  The chain faced creditor claims, unpaid obligations and extensive store closures while operating under Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act protection.

  What changed. The owners pursued a sale process involving the Toys R Us Canada intellectual property and arrangements for selected stores, leases and inventory.

  Aftermath. Ad Populum LLC was reported as the buyer of the intellectual property, while Putman Investments and Fox Group Jumbo Canada were associated with separate store arrangements. The final structure remains subject to verification.

  Reported creditor claims. At least C$120 million owed to vendors and approximately C$31.3 million in unpaid rent and landlord damages were reported (2026 restructuring proceedings)

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• 2024Introduce HMV store-within-a-store departmentsStrategy

  Putman Investments also controlled the HMV brand through Sunrise Records, creating an opportunity to add entertainment merchandise to Toys R Us locations.

  What changed. Selected stores began introducing HMV departments selling music, home video, books, clothing and memorabilia.

  Aftermath. The concept was expected to expand to additional Canadian locations, but the supplied material does not confirm the final rollout.

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• 2018Separate sale of the Canadian divisionM&A

  The Canadian operation was separated from the broader Toys R Us bankruptcy process after the parent group sought Chapter 11 protection.

  What changed. Fairfax Financial acquired the Canadian business, including 82 stores, for a reported C$300 million.

  Aftermath. The Canadian chain continued trading under the Toys R Us name while the U.S. store network later closed.

  Reported acquisition price. C$300 million (2018 transaction announcement)

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• 2026Toys R Us Canada seeks CCAA protection

  The Canadian chain sought protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act while continuing store operations during the restructuring process. The reference reports creditor claims from landlords and suppliers and a proposed sale process.

  BankruptcyLawsuitRegulation
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• 2026Toys R Us Canada intellectual property proposed for sale

  The Toys R Us Canada trademarks and intellectual property were reported as being sold or proposed for sale to Ad Populum LLC, while other parties pursued individual stores and leases.

  M&A
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• 2026Canadian store network contracts sharply during restructuring

  Closures in British Columbia, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta reduced the national store network to six locations by August 2026 according to the supplied reference. Some remaining stores were also reported to be scheduled for closure.

  BankruptcyOther
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• 2025Toys R Us Canada reports a major data breach

  The chain announced that it had suffered a major data breach. The supplied reference does not provide further verified details about the affected information or remediation.

  Other
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• 2024HMV departments introduced inside selected Toys R Us stores

  The retailer began adding HMV store-within-a-store departments offering music, home video, books, clothing and memorabilia, initially at selected Greater Toronto Area locations.

  Product launch
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• 2024Rooms + Spaces overstock moves into Toys R Us stores

  Large quantities of surplus merchandise from the failed Rooms + Spaces chain were transferred to Toys R Us Canada locations for sale.

  Other
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• 2021Putman Investments acquires Toys R Us Canada

  Putman Investments announced the purchase of the Canadian chain from Fairfax Financial. The business continued operating under the Toys "R" Us name.

  M&A
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• 2018Fairfax Financial agrees to acquire Toys R Us Canada

  Fairfax Financial announced an agreement to acquire the Canadian division, including 82 stores, after the wider Toys "R" Us group entered bankruptcy protection.

  M&A
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1. Toys "R" Us Canada