PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Toys R Us is acting coy over whether it will bring its new ‘tablet stores’ to the UK or not.
The retail chain is adding dedicated ‘tablet shops within a shop’ to all 600-plus of its US outlets this autumn as part of a refit, reports Twice. These will measure 32ft long and contain 25 live display models – both family and child-focused products.
But when asked whether these will be heading to the UK, Mike Coogan, Director of Marketing and E-Commerce at Toys R Us UK, told PCR: "We sell a wide variety of tablets in our UK stores, but generally our methods of display vary from country to country."
Exec VP and chief merchandising officer Richard Barry said: "Tablets are very popular with young kids. [We have introduced these tablet stores] to counter headwinds in the consumer electronics and entertainment businesses.”
Toys R Us saw double-digit sales growth among children aged 11 and below.
Tablets in the new US displays include the Meep X2 by Oregon Scientific, the Kurio 10s from TechnoSource (InspirationWorks in the UK), the XO Tablet from Sakar, Toys R Us’ own-label Tabeo E2 and more.
Barry added that the tablet stores will be accompanied by a "dynamic online component".
Tablets have proven to be a very popular product for children in recent years, especially during the Christmas period, with products like the InnoTab, Kurio and LeapPad selling strongly in the UK.
