Babies "R" Us, the infant and toddler necessity provider that shuttered its doors back in 2018, is slated for a revival. In a somewhat nostalgic twist for those who grew up in the '90s, the store is returning with a modern retail strategy: integrating within Kohl's department stores. Northern Illinois will see a resurgence of the Babies "R" Us brand with 11 new locations, as reported by NBC Chicago.
Following a strategic partnership with Kohl's announced in March of this year, Babies "R" Us plans to nest its store-within-a-store concept in 200 Kohl's locations across the nation. The rollout will commence next month and continue through the fall, marking a significant move in the retail landscape. The company aims to cater to an assorted demand with offerings that include clothing, strollers, car seats, and diverse infant gear. As detailed in the release, each store will dedicate between 750 to 2,500 square feet of space to the baby-centric inventory.
Tom Kingsbury, CEO of Kohl's, expressed optimism about the venture, highlighting the potential within the baby gear market. "We see significant opportunity in the baby gear category," Kingsbury stated in a release, "and partnering with Babies 'R' Us is another example of how we are finding new ways to optimize our assortment and further establish Kohl’s as the go-to brand for families."
In Illinois, shoppers can anticipate the arrival of Babies “R” Us in locations ranging from Chicago's Bucktown to Springfield at the Kohl's store prolifically located at 2901 S. Veterans Pkwy. Other stores in the state will join the roster including those in Batavia, Bloomington, and Edwardsville. And it's not just Illinois; Kohl's stores in neighboring states like Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin are also getting their own Babies R Us mini-stores.
For in-depth information on the upcoming Babies “R” Us locations, aficionados of the brand can refer to the list provided by NBC Chicago's coverage of the story. From well-known brands such as Graco and Fisher-Price to Chicco and Boppy, the retail spaces plan to offer a considerable range of products for modern parents and their little ones.
