WHP Global has partnered with Cotton Candy International to bring both Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us brick-and-mortar stores to Latin American and Caribbean markets, beginning with flagship stores in Panama that are scheduled to open next year. Toys ‘R’ Us already has a presence in Mexico thanks to an April 2023 partnership between WHP Global and retailer El Puerto de Liverpool.
“Toys ‘R’ Us continues to captivate customers around the world, and we are thrilled to partner with a strong wholesale and retail operator like Cotton Candy International to introduce this beloved brand of families to Latin America for the very first time,” said Stanley Silverstein, Chief Commercial Officer at WHP Global in a statement.
“This is an incredible opportunity to introduce these iconic brands to new markets,” said Moises Cohen, CEO of Cotton Candy International in a statement. “We look forward to creating a unique and engaging shopping experience with the opening of our flagship store in Panama, as well as expanding the footprint with standalone stores across the region.”
Partnering with retailers and wholesalers that have strong local expertise aligns with WHP Global’s strategies for these two brands. The parent company announced plans to roll out brick-and-mortar Toys ‘R’ Us flagship stores in September 2023 in a partnership with Go! Retail Group, including a store in the Mall of America. The initial U.S. flagship location had opened in New Jersey’s American Dream mall in December 2021.
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In April 2024 WHP Global expanded its shop-in-shop relationship with UK retailer WHSmith by opening 30 new stores in addition to the nine locations already established, and in July 2024 WHP Global licensed Toys ‘R’ Us shop-in-shop locations at two Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) stores.
