Visit to Toys R' Us!

The first thing that stood out to me as I walked into Toys R’ Us was the experience they are creating for kids. I was not aware of the “R” Cade strategically placed at the tippy-top of the entire store. I looked over the balcony of the arcade and it is simple to see how much detail goes into setting up the store. Much of it was separated into licensed products, Frozen was something I came across as well as the minions from Despicable Me, which I would be lying if I said I wasn’t excited about seeing. It was also extremely hot on every floor except for the basement where electronics and bikes were. I actually ran into a women sitting by the guitars in the basement telling Chris and I how worn out she was from her grandkids dragging her all over the store and how it was the only place she could sit where she wasn’t sweating. While walking through the store, I also heard many different languages including Spanish, French, and Russian. There was also a completely different feel when walking from the “toys” section to the “baby” section. In the “Baby’s R’ Us” section there were parents actually shopping for what they needed, appearing as though they have been inside before, not phased by the many distractions outside of that section. There are a lot of strategies Toys R’ Us uses in order to attract their customers, and I didn’t realize how well it worked until we went to visit on Thursday, it truly is impressive.

My Purchase of "Pirate Monkey"

I am proud to say that i did not fall to the pressure of buying a licensed toy on our class trip to Toys R Us in Times Square. Instead of buying my girlfriend a Barbie or a Hello Kitty, I found her a small, pink monkey doll dressed like a pirate. When I gave her the doll on sunday, I told her that her name was "Pirate Monkey" and that she was not allowed to rename her.

The task of not buying a licensed toy at Toys R Us, however, is not an easy challenge to complete. Not only are there significantly more licensed toys in the store then non-licences toys, but the licensed toys are placed in ways that they can catch your eye. The licensed toy sections, such as the Barbie and superhero sections are surrounded by large statues or big pink houses that will pull children to those parts of the store. On the other hand, the unlicensed toys are usually just lined up on shelves the way you would find them in any normal Toys R Us or department store. Even sections such as the candy section were "licensed". The third floor candy section was called "Candy Land" and had the logo of the classic children's board game towering over the section's entrance. The second floor candy section was filled with "Wonka" candy products.

The licensed products also seemed to be the products that excited children the most. When walking through the crowded superhero section of the store, children ran past me from product to product. One little boy ran by screaming "Look Mom! A lightsaber!" On the other hand, sections like the Imaginarium and board games sections were either completely empty or had a few parents browsing the shelves while there children gazed at a licensed toy a couple isles away.

With all these distractions in my way, i am very proud of my purchase of the unlicensed "Pirate Monkey"