Toys

BJ’s Wholesale Club Corporate Office

BJ’s Wholesale Club was started in 1984 by the retail chain Zayre in Massachusetts. The letters in the name are the initials of the wife, Barbara Jane, and daughter, Beverly Jean, of the first president, Mervyn Weich.

In 1988 Zayre Corporation sold the Zayre nameplate to rival chain Ames, and TJX Companies was formed. In 1989 TJX spun off their warehouse division, including BJ’s, to form Waban, Inc.

In August 1997 Waban, Inc. spun off BJ’s to form an independent company. The new company was named BJ’s Wholesale Club and was headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts and Waban renamed itself HomeBase, Inc.

In 2011 two private equity firms, Leonard Green & Partners and CVC Capital Partners, acquired BJ’s.

In June 2018, the company went public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol :BJ.

Today BJ’s has 219 stores in 15 states with 25,000 employees. BJ’s had $15.4 billion in revenue in 2020.

BJ's Wholesale Club

History

In 1988 Zayre Corporation sold the Zayre nameplate to rival chain Ames, and TJX Companies was formed. In 1989 TJX spun off their warehouse division, including BJ’s, to form Waban, Inc.

In 2011 two private equity firms, Leonard Green & Partners and CVC Capital Partners, acquired BJ’s.

In June 2018, the company went public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol :BJ.

Today BJ’s has 219 stores in 15 states with 25,000 employees. BJ’s had $15.4 billion in revenue in 2020.

Toys “R” Us Corporate Office

Toys “R” Us was founded by Charles Lazarus as Children’s Supermart in Washington, DC in 1948. At first, the company sold only baby furniture. However, Lazarus soon began to receive requests for baby toys, then toys for older children.

The company officially changed its focus and name in 1957, when Toys “R” Us was born. The next year Lazarus sold the business to Interstate Stores, Inc. for $7.5 million. Interstate aggressively tried to expand the brand, but failed, and in 1974 was bankrupt. The company sold off its businesses except the Toys “R” Us brand, and changed its name to Toys “R” Us to reflect its principal business. The original founder, Charles Lazarus, continued to serve as president and CEO.

The company grew and prospered in the 1980’s, opening a discount kid’s clothing store chain, Kids “R” Us.

Toys “R” Us reached $1 billion in sales in 1983 and 15% market share by 1987.

Toys “R” Us grew overseas throughout the 1990’s, opening stores in Israel, Hong Kong, Portugal, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Sweden, Turkey, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, and The U.K.

In 1996 the company opened its first Babies “R” Us stores.

In the early 2000’s the company faced increasing competition from Walmart and Target and began to lose money. An expensive remodel and re-launch plan was undertaken, and failed. Toys “R” Us was eventually bought out by a consortium of Bain Capital Partners LLC, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and Vornado Trust Realty in a $6.6 billion leveraged buyout.

Today Toys “R” Us has 875 stores nationally, 625 international stores, operates a portfolio of e-commerce sites, and exclusively operates the FAO Schwarz brand. Toys “R” Us had 13.91 billion in revenue in 2012.

Toys "R" Us

The company grew and prospered in the 1980’s, opening a discount kid’s clothing store chain, Kids “R” Us.

History

Toys “R” Us reached $1 billion in sales in 1983 and 15% market share by 1987.

In 1996 the company opened its first Babies “R” Us stores.

Dollar Tree Corporate Office

Dollar Tree began in 1953 when K.R. Perry opened a Ben Franklin store in Norfolk, Virginia. The store was later renamed to K&K 5&10 and then to K&K Toys.

In 1986, the company opened a new dollar store concept called Only $1.00 in Dalton, Georgia. The concept was so successful that 5 more locations were opened that same year.

In 1991, K&K Toys division was sold to KB Toys so the company could focus on Only $1.00.

In 1993, the company name was changed to Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.

In 1995, the company went public.

In 1996, the company acquires 136 Dollar Bills stores. In 2000, Dollar Express is acquired.

In 2006, the 3000th Dollar Tree location opens.

In 2010, the 4000th Dollar Tree opens.

In 2012, the company began accepting manufacturer’s coupons.

In late 2018, Dollar Tree acquired Family Dollar stores for $8.5 billion. Many Family Dollar stores are being rebranded.

In April of 2019, Dollar Tree announced that it would close more than 390 Family Dollar locations, but will expand or renovate 400 other locations.

In March of 2020, many retail stores had to close due to the coronavirus outbreak, costing them millions. Dollar Tree was one exception, with people buying everything from toilet paper to alcohol.

In January 2023. Dollar Tree announced a new CEO and a new outlook for its stores.

Headquarters for Dollar Tree are located in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree began in 1953 when K.R. Perry opened a Ben Franklin store in Norfolk, Virginia. The store was later renamed to K&K 5&10 and then to K&K Toys.

In 1986, the company opened a new dollar store concept called Only $1.00 in Dalton, Georgia. The concept was so successful that 5 more locations were opened that same year.

History

In 1991, K&K Toys division was sold to KB Toys so the company could focus on Only $1.00.

In 1993, the company name was changed to Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.

In 1995, the company went public.

In 1996, the company acquires 136 Dollar Bills stores. In 2000, Dollar Express is acquired.

In 2006, the 3000th Dollar Tree location opens.

In 2010, the 4000th Dollar Tree opens.

In 2012, the company began accepting manufacturer’s coupons.

In late 2018, Dollar Tree acquired Family Dollar stores for $8.5 billion. Many Family Dollar stores are being rebranded.

In April of 2019, Dollar Tree announced that it would close more than 390 Family Dollar locations, but will expand or renovate 400 other locations.

In March of 2020, many retail stores had to close due to the coronavirus outbreak, costing them millions. Dollar Tree was one exception, with people buying everything from toilet paper to alcohol.

In January 2023. Dollar Tree announced a new CEO and a new outlook for its stores.

Headquarters for Dollar Tree are located in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Mattel Corporate Office

Mattel was founded in 1945 by Howard Matson and Eliot Handler, who combined their names to form Mattel. Eliot’s wife, Ruth, became the company president and created Barbie in 1959.

In the 1960s, Mattel revolutionized the toy industry with talking dolls. Chatty Cathy and See N’ Say toys helped the company became the largest toy makers in the USA.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Mattel distributed Nintendo products in Canada and the UK.

In 2002, Mattel closed its last factory in the USA (Fisher-Price) and moved all toy making to China. In 2007, Mattel recalled over 18 million toys including Dora the Explorer and Sesame Street due to lead based paints used in China.

Mattel is currently the world’s largest toy manufacturer. They produce many highly popular brands including Fisher-Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars.

Mattel

Mattel was founded in 1945 by Howard Matson and Eliot Handler, who combined their names to form Mattel. Eliot’s wife, Ruth, became the company president and created Barbie in 1959.

In the 1960s, Mattel revolutionized the toy industry with talking dolls. Chatty Cathy and See N’ Say toys helped the company became the largest toy makers in the USA.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Mattel distributed Nintendo products in Canada and the UK.

History

Mattel is currently the world’s largest toy manufacturer. They produce many highly popular brands including Fisher-Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars.

Build A Bear Corporate Office

Build-A-Bear Workshop was founded in 1997 by current CEO Maxine Clark. The first workshop was in the Saint Louis Galleria.

In 2006, the company acquired the Bear Factory, a London based business owned by Hamleys.

By 2007, there were over 400 stores and over 50 million bears had been sold.

The majority of Build A Bear workshops are located in shopping malls but the company has recently expanded to open some locations in MLB stadiums.

The company has recently partnered with other companies to produce special lines including Alvin and the Chipmunks, Wizards of Waverly Place and Shrek.

Build A Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop was founded in 1997 by current CEO Maxine Clark. The first workshop was in the Saint Louis Galleria.

In 2006, the company acquired the Bear Factory, a London based business owned by Hamleys.

By 2007, there were over 400 stores and over 50 million bears had been sold.

History

The majority of Build A Bear workshops are located in shopping malls but the company has recently expanded to open some locations in MLB stadiums.

The company has recently partnered with other companies to produce special lines including Alvin and the Chipmunks, Wizards of Waverly Place and Shrek.