Toys R Us Exits Saskatchewan as Canadian Store Network Shrinks

Toys R Us is in the process of fully exiting Saskatchewan, marking another significant step in the rapid contraction of its Canadian store network. Clearance and final sale signage has appeared at the company’s remaining locations in Saskatoon and Regina, signalling the end of Toys R Us operations in the province and reinforcing broader concerns about the retailer’s long-term footprint in Canada.

The Saskatchewan closures follow the recent shutdown of all Toys R Us stores in British Columbia and come as the chain’s national store count has fallen sharply. According to reporting by the Edmonton Journal, Toys R Us now operates just 22 stores across Canada, down from a peak of 103 locations. The pace and scale of the retrenchment have prompted growing speculation among industry observers about the future of Toys R Us stores in Canada under the current ownership structure.

What was once a coast-to-coast specialty retailer has become a far more limited regional presence in a relatively short period of time.

Final Sale Activity Signals End of Saskatchewan Operations

As of January 27, 2026, both remaining Toys R Us locations in Saskatchewan are operating in active clearance mode. Prominent signage at the Saskatoon and Regina stores indicate that they are closing and that “Everything must go!”

The Saskatoon store, located near 20th Street East and Idylwyld Drive, has been a fixture in the city since 1992.In Regina, the Toys R Us store at 730 Albert Street is also in full liquidation. The property has been listed for sale through brokerage Urban Reform Realty Inc. 

The Saskatchewan wind-down comes shortly after Toys R Us completed its full exit from British Columbia. Earlier this month, the retailer closed its final BC store in Langley, ending a decades-long presence in the province. That closure followed earlier shutdowns in Vancouver, Burnaby, and Richmond throughout 2025.

With British Columbia fully exited and Saskatchewan now in the process of being vacated, Toys R Us’s Western Canadian footprint has been reduced to a small number of Alberta locations. Even in Alberta, the network has been significantly pared back, reflecting the uneven regional impact of the company’s restructuring.

For landlords and municipal stakeholders, the loss of Toys R Us in multiple Western provinces highlights the growing challenge of backfilling large specialty retail boxes, particularly those designed for single-tenant use.

National Store Count Drops to 22 Locations

The Saskatchewan closures are part of a broader national contraction that has accelerated over the past year. An Edmonton Journal report circulated in late January found that Toys R Us Canada has closed another 19 stores in roughly two months, reducing its operating total to just 22 locations nationwide.

That figure represents the most current and precise national store count cited in mainstream reporting and reflects a dramatic decline from the retailer’s historical peak. By late 2025, Toys R Us had already shrunk from 103 locations to approximately 40. The latest wave of closures has nearly halved that number again.

While closures and liquidation sales remain ongoing, meaning the total could continue to change, the 22-store figure underscores the speed at which the retailer’s footprint has contracted.

Ontario now accounts for the majority of remaining Toys R Us locations, while Quebec’s presence has been reduced to a minimal number of stores. At least one Quebec property is actively being marketed for sale, suggesting that further retrenchment in that province remains possible.

Mounting Legal and Financial Pressures

The wave of Toys R Us Canada store closures has unfolded alongside mounting legal and financial pressures. According to the Canadian Press and other national outlets, the company is facing lawsuits from at least six toy suppliers seeking more than $4 million for unpaid merchandise.

In addition, commercial landlords have launched legal action claiming approximately $31.3 million in unpaid rent tied to former and existing Toys R Us locations across multiple provinces. These disputes involve properties in Ontario, British Columbia, and other regions affected by recent closures.

While Toys R Us has not publicly commented in detail on the litigation, the scope of the claims has intensified scrutiny of the retailer’s financial position and raised questions about its ability to stabilize its remaining operations.

Ownership Under Putman Investments

Toys R Us Canada is owned by Putman Investments, a Canadian retail investment firm led by Doug Putman, which acquired the business in 2021. The Canadian operation functions independently from the former U.S. Toys R Us parent, which liquidated in 2018 before later re-emerging in a limited format.

Despite that independence, the current trajectory of Toys R Us Canada reflects many of the same structural pressures that have challenged specialty retail more broadly, including high occupancy costs, intensified competition from big-box and online retailers, and sustained shifts in consumer purchasing behaviour.

Industry analysts note that the scale of recent closures suggests a defensive strategy focused on reducing liabilities rather than expanding or repositioning the brand.

Questions About the Road Ahead

With only 22 stores remaining nationwide and entire provinces now eliminated from its footprint, some industry observers are openly questioning whether Toys R Us will sustain a meaningful physical retail presence in Canada under its current ownership.

While the company has not announced plans for a full national shutdown, the pace of closures and the concentration of remaining stores in just a few regions suggest that maintaining a coast-to-coast network is no longer viable. The brand’s Canadian future under its current ownership also appears increasingly unlikely.

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Toys R Us Closes Final British Columbia Store in Langley