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ToysRUsFeature

When Toys "R" Us announced information technology was shutting downwardly for good this bound, it was a nostalgic whack in the shins for millions of adults who recollect the store as ane of the most exciting places to store, once upon a time. Speaking for myself, getting to actually become to Toys "R" Usa was something of a care for — my family didn't have a lot of coin when I was niggling, and virtually of my toys came 2nd-manus dorsum then. Because Toys "R" United states is liquidating as opposed to reorganizing or beingness acquired, all of the property the store endemic is upwards for sale. That includes some domain names that might raise eyebrows.

Every bit Geek.com reports, domains at present on the chopping cake include Sex Toys R Us, Kinky Toys R United states of america, Developed Toys R U.s.a., Porn R Us, and Naughty Toys R Usa. As they note, the practical explanation for this is simple: Like most companies, Toys R United states of america snapped up the domains that squatters might target to make a buck off its product lines, that customers might think were affiliated with its ain make (even if they weren't) and, inevitably, the domains that trolls might apply to target its products (IHateToysRUs). Some companies likewise become out of their way to larn common misspellings of their own names to prevent you from winding upwards buried six feet deep in spyware for the error of visiting "Amazoo" every bit opposed to Amazon. (Note: I don't really know if Amazon owns that domain, then don't get cocky when you visit it).

Just information technology'due south amusing to think most what might accept been, given that Toys R Us ultimately had to file for bankruptcy — even if that defalcation had much more to practise with private equity than whatsoever central trouble with the stores sales. That'due south non to say Toys R Us was in fabulous shape — it's non a good fourth dimension to be in retail, period — but a leveraged buyout in 2005 left the company loaded with billions of dollars in debt while the private equity firm that pulled the bargain off sucked value out of the company. It's the same story with other retail companies, including Sports Potency, Gymboree, Payless Shoesource, Claire's, and J. Crew.

In many cases, these firms face up challenging operating operating weather related to the growth of e-commerce sites and the refuse of the nearly American of American institutions, the shopping mall. Some of them would have (or will) collapse on their ain. But in many cases, the same firms facing down challenging online and retail weather are doing it while loaded with debt. Toys'R'Us, for example, had to make $400M in payments per twelvemonth on its debts.

Geoffrey

Is this… is this *legal?* at "NaughtyToysRUs? ;) Epitome by Philip Pessar

Now, imagine. Instead of a toxic descent into bankruptcy, Toys R Us could've whipped out some of those developed domain names, partnered with some streaming video sites, gotten in touch with some of the high-tech porn companies that oftentimes want to talk to us about their diverse projects, and rebranded itself equally the new leader in giraffe-themed adult amusement.

On 2d thought… maybe don't imagine that. I'one thousand not sure eight-year-old me can take information technology.