Despite Bankruptcy, Toys“R”Us Hires Seasonal Workers

Toys“R”Us, Inc., the U.S. toy retailer that filed for bankruptcy protection last week, said on Thursday it is hiring part-time seasonal workers to staff its stores for the holidays, including for a new position of toy demonstrator. The toy chain didn't disclose the number of people it planned to hire nationwide, though its announced openings for seasonal jobs in some of the biggest U.S. states exceeds 12,000 part-time positions. Toys“R”Us has the largest need to hire in the New York City area, followed by Los Angeles and then Groveport, Ohio, at a DHL warehouse it uses to fulfill online orders, the company said. The retailer will be hiring additional cashiers, sales associates, stock associates and staff for its warehouses. The toy demonstrator position involves unboxing and playing with toys and allowing kids to try them out.

Total Retail’s Take: The hiring of seasonal workers is the clearest sign yet that Toys“R”Us is aiming to capitalize on the key holiday shopping season to emerge from bankruptcy and escape liquidation. As we reported last week, Toys“R”Us filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court in Richmond, Va., acknowledging that it needed to revamp its long-term debt totaling more than $5 billion. Toys"R"Us said its roughly 1,600 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores around the world would continue to operate “as usual.” JPMorgan Chase and a group of other lenders have agreed to provide the company $3 billion in financing to help it continue paying suppliers and employees during its reorganization.