Toy Box

Toys “R” Us Inc. (Paramus, N.J.), one of the leading retailers of toys, children's apparel and baby products, and Albertson's (Boise, Idaho), one the largest food and drug retailers, announced an agreement to conduct a limited test of Toys “R” Us Toy Box stores within Albertson's Jewel-Osco stores in the Midwest.

Toys “R” Us launched the Toy Box concept last year, and is now expanding that test. Toy Box is a branded Toys “R” Us store-within-a-store concept that offers customers a wide selection of popular toys. It combines the Toys “R” Us brand and expertise in toys with the accessibility that customers want in the place they shop most often.

The store-within-a-store concept also provides a point of differentiation for Albertson's Jewel-Osco stores. “The addition of the Toy Box concept reflects our customer-focused approach to growth and expansion,” says Pete Van Helden, president of Albertson's Midwest Region.

“We're delighted to further expand this grocery/toy concept through a premier grocery retailer like Albertson's,” says Rick Markee, president, specialty businesses and international operations, Toys “R” Us. “This expansion gives us an opportunity for broader penetration throughout the country and a chance to reach out to more customers.”

The test stores are located at 4660 W. Irving Park, Chicago; 6505 W. Diversey, Chicago; 944 York Rd., Elmhurst, Ill.; 1177 S. Main, Lombard, Ill.; and 177 E. Roosevelt Rd., West Chicago.

Albertson's operates approximately 2300 retail stores in 31 states across the U.S., under banners including Albertson's, Jewel-Osco, Acme, Albertsons-Osco, Albertsons-Sav-on, Sav-on Drugs, Osco Drug, Max Foods and Super Saver.