36 Additional Toys R Us Stores example essay topic

A Comprehensive Financial AnalysisOfTOYS R US TABLE OF CONTENTS Company Overview... 4 Key Facts... 4 Business Description... 5 History... 6 Key Employees...

7 Major Products And Services... 12 Products And Services Analysis... 13 SWOT Analysis... 14 Top Competitors... 18 Company View...

19 Locations and Subsidiaries... 24 HISTORY Toys 'R' Us was established in 1948 as a baby furniture store in Washington DC, by Charles Lazarus at the young age of 25. Mr. Lazarus began a business totally dedicated to kids and their needs just in time for the post-war baby boom era. The store started off by selling baby toys first, and then toys for older children, as it responded to customer demand. In 1957, Lazarus opened the first toy supermarket, which combined specialty retailing and off-price positioning. In May 1999, the company formed a new division, Toysrus. com.

The following year, Toysrus. com teamed up with Amazon. com to form a co-branded online toy store. ANALYSIS OF TOY R US' MAJOR INDUSTRY Toys 'R' Us specializes in the provision of toys, apparel and baby needs to children and their families. The Toys 'R' Us family, which includes Toys 'R' Us, Babies 'R' Us, Imaginarium and Toysrus. com. It has operations in 25 countries, mainly the US, Japan, Canada, and Europe, and sells toys, games, bicycles, sporting goods, VHS video tapes, electronic and video games, small pools, books, infant and juvenile furniture and similar items and electronics, as well as educational and entertainment computer software for children.

DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCT AND SERVICE LINE Toys R Us, Inc is engaged in the operation of retail stores consisting of U.S. locations comprised of toy stores under the name Toys R Us, children's clothing stores under the name Kids R Us, infant-toddler stores under the name Babies R Us, and educational specialty stores under the name Imaginarium. Internationally, the company operates toy stores under the name Toys R Us. It also sells merchandise through its Internet sites and through mail order catalogues. Its products include: Action Figures Activities & Learning Arts & Crafts Baby Toys Bikes Scooters Ride-onsSkateboardsSkatesBlocksBuilding SetsModelsDollsFurnitureGames & Puzzles Pretend Play & Dress-Up Sports & Outdoor Play Stuffed Animals & Toys Vehicles & Die-Cast Video Game Toys 'R' Us International operates or franchises toy stores in more than 25 countries outside the US. These stores generally conform to traditional prototypical designs similar to those used by Toys 'R' Us, USA.

It also employs computerized inventory systems similar to those utilized by Toys 'R' Us, USA. SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM John H. Eyler, Jr Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Eyler joined Toys'R'Us, Inc. as President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2000. He was named Chairman in June 2001. Prior to joining Toys'R'Us, Inc., Mr. Eyler was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FAO Schwarz in New York. Mr. Eyler is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Toys'R'Us, Inc. Ray Arthur Chief Financial Officer Toys'R'Us, Inc.

Ray Arthur was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Toys'R'Us, Inc. in 2004. Mr. Arthur is an experienced finance and operating executive. As President of Toysrus. com, he was responsible for all aspects of the business and for driving Toysrus. com's diversification and expansion plans worldwide. Francesca L. Brockett Executive Vice President Chief Strategy and Corporate Structure Officer Francesca L. Brockett, is Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning and Business Development for Toys'R'Us, Inc.

In this position she is responsible for identifying and championing future growth opportunities and leading overall strategy development for the company. Deborah Derby Executive Vice President, Human Resources Toys'R'Us, Inc. Deborah Derby is Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Toys'R'Us, Inc. In this position, she oversees the Human Resource organization for all of the company's divisions worldwide. Christopher K. Kay Executive Vice President, Operations Corporate Secretary Toys'R'Us, Inc.

Christopher Kay, is Executive Vice President of Operations at Toys'R'Us, Inc. He also serves as the company's Corporate Secretary. He was promoted in February 2002 to his new position, he is responsible for key functions of the business including purchasing, MIS, real estate and construction, corporate communications, legal, guest services, labor planning and office operations. Major Products And Services ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Toys 'R' Us engages in the operation of over 1,500 retail stores worldwide, under the brand names: Toys 'R' Us, Babies 'R' Us, and Imaginarium. In the US, the company operates around 680 Toys 'R' Us stores, and about 180 Babies 'R' Us stores for infant toddlers, and approximately 35 educational specialty stores (Imaginarium). Internationally, it operates over 575 toy stores, including franchise and joint venture stores, under the 'Toys 'R' Us' brand name.

The company also sells merchandise through its Internet sites at web and web and through mail order catalogues. The company also operates combo stores, which sell apparel along with toys and games. Toys 'R' Us International operates or franchises toy stores in more than 25 countries outside the US. The company has approximately 114,000 employees worldwide. Toys "R "Us. Inc. and subsidiaries are located in: Head Office Toys 'R' Us, Inc.

(TRU) 1 Geoffrey Way Wayne, NJ 07470 United States: 1 973 617 5756 web R Us (Japan) Solid Square West Tower 12th Floor 580 Hori kawa-ChoSaiwa-Ku, Kawasaki 212-8566 Japan: 81 44 549 9072 F: 81 44 549 9140 web 'R' Us Limited Mitre House 160 Aldersgate StreetLondonEC 1 A 4 DD United Kingdom: 44 20 8881 6636 International growth Toys R Us has much scope for growth opportunities outside of the United States for the Toys R Us store format. During 2003, 37 Toys R Us stores were opened internationally, of which six are operated by the company. It plans to open approximately 36 additional Toys R Us stores internationally in 2004, of which approximately nine will be operated by it. In addition, Toys R Us Japan, an, operated three Babies R Us stores as of January 31, 2004 and plans to open six additional Babies R Us stores in Japan in 2004.

The company's conservative financial posture and expected reduction in leverage over the next few years is helping to overcome short-term financial difficulties. Moreover the company should be in a positive free cash flow position over the next few years. ThreatsCONCLUSIONRestriction of Imports A significant portion of the toys and other products sold by Toys 'R' Us are manufactured outside of the United States. As a result, any event causing a disruption of imports, including the imposition of import and trade restrictions or acts of war or terrorism, could increase the cost and reduce the supply of products available. This could in turn negatively affect net sales and profitability. Highly competitive environment The retailing industry is highly competitive, and revenues are sensitive to competitive pricing, promotional pressures, additional store openings and other factors.

Toys 'R'Us competes with discount and mass merchandisers, such as Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart, national and regional chains and local retailers. Competitive pressure from Wal-Mart and Target is expected to intensify in the fourth quarter, when both chains use toys to drive store traffic. This pressure will be sustained over 2004-2005, as Wal-Mart and Target continue to build stores and expand their selling space. COMPANY VIEW statement by John Eyler, chairman, president and CEO of Toys'R'Us, follows. This has been taken from the company's 2003 Annual Report: The Toys 'R 'Us Inc. portfolio of businesses experienced both significant disappointments and important successes in fiscal 2003. Our domestic Toys 'R 'Us and Kids 'R ' divisions Us faced considerable challenges and generated earnings results well below fiscal 2002 on an operating basis.

By contrast, we enjoyed record sales and earnings performances from Babies 'R 'Us, Toys 'R 'Us International, and Toysrus. com. In addition, operating disciplines continued to improve, highlighted by solid inventory and expense control as well as the completion of a three-year plan to refinance our debt and strengthen our balance sheet. season of renewed growth for the toy industry. Company View Our portfolio also experienced a number of important successes in 2003. Toys 'R 'Us International turned in another record year, and we grew our market share in virtually all of our international markets. Sales increased in local currencies, and these gains were enhanced by the impact of currency translation. Once we have gathered all necessary valuations and other relevant information, we will review potential strategic alternatives and make our recommendations to the Board of Directors.

The strength of our current financial position and liquidity put us in an excellent position to evaluate, and then implement, the best course of action to enhance shareholder value. At the same time, we will work diligently to make sure that the interests of our debt holders, vendors, and associates are also appropriately taken into account. In conclusion As fiscal year 2004 progresses, we are committed to operating our portfolio of businesses successfully and to completing the strategic review that will define the future of Toys 'R 'Us, Inc. I am proud to be a part of the 'R 'Us family and these great brands, and I would like to thank all of you for your continued confidence in Toys 'R'Us, Inc. and for the vital role you play in our success. WORKING CAPITAL ANALYSIS (3-YEARS): 2002 2003 2004 Current Assets... $2,631,000,000 $3,560,000,000 $4,684,000,000 Current Liabilities...

$2,000,000,000 $2,378,000,000 $2,772,000,000 Working Capital... 1.9343 1.9322 1.8233 Z-SCORE ABOVE 2.99 -- YOU " RE IN GOOD SHAPE-SCORE BETWEEN 2.99 and 1.81 -- WARNING SIGNS-SCORE BELOW 1.81 -- BIG TROUBLE -- COULD BE HEADING TOWARD BANKRUPTCY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS The liquidity ratios show an increase in the current and acid-test (quick) ratios during the last three years. This coincides with an increasing / stockpiling of inventory and an increase in short-term debt which is detrimental to Toys R Us' immediate debt paying ability. The Debt to Equity ratio is within the industry average which is welcome news to long-term creditor but unwelcome to common stockholders because they benefit from assets provided by creditors. The asset utilization ratios (Account receivable, Inventory turnover, Total asset turnover, etc) are all increasing which is a positive. However, the company's turnover ratios are much slower than the industry average which indicates too many obsolete goods on hand and / or overstocked inventory.

The Gross margin ratio is much lower than the industry average which indicates managements inability to control productions costs and a lower measure of profitability. The debt utilization ratios.