Toys“R”Us® confirm Christmas Browsing Event for families affected by autism.
Toys“R”Us®, Britain’s biggest toy and baby care stores are to hold their Second Christmas Browsing Event exclusively for families affected by autism and additional needs next weekend.
The Toys“R”Us® event will take place on Sunday 15th November, and is planned to be a browsing event for families allowing them to enjoy a relaxed environment to pick out some ideal Christmas gifts for their children together. The event was originally initiated in 2014 by our store in Leeds in collaboration with Victoria Holdsworth, Founder of local autism group – Autism friendly UK, since then Toys“R”Us® has agreed to offer the same experience to other families affected by autism and additional needs across the country. Since then the National Autistic Society has provided information and advice to all Store Managers to help them gain understanding.
All Toys “R” Us stores* will be inviting families to their local store to experience an environment suited to their children’s needs. Reduced fluorescent lighting, no loud music or tannoy announcements and autism friendly signage are just some of the initiative’s Toys“R”Us® will be carrying out to ensure a more calming influence in store.
Mike Coogan, Toys“R”Us® Marketing and eCommerce Director said “Our teams are passionate about toys and we want to offer the opportunity for all children and young adults to experience the fun in a toy shop regardless of their disability. We understand toys are more personal to many additional needs individuals, so being able to relax and pick something special themselves and enjoy the facilities and content of the store, the same as other children can do without concerns will help in making their Christmas truly magical”.
The Stores will open 1 hour prior to the official store opening times. Due to Sunday Trading legislation, Toys“R”Us® are unable to perform any sales transactions, process any Direct purchases or complete any Returns during this period but will action at the official store opening time at 10am (Scotland), 11am (England & Wales) or 1pm (Northern Ireland).
This may cause concerns to some families whose children may struggle with the patience of waiting between choosing their items and their parents being able to pay for them due to Sunday Trading laws. Any parents, who wish to return later that morning to pay for shopping, will be offered this opportunity.
WHERE AND WHEN?
The Toys“R”Us® autism friendly browsing experience takes place in every Toys “R” Us store (with the exception of Belfast CastleCourt).
DATE: SUNDAY 15TH NOVEMBER
TIMES: England and Wales- 10am to 11*am, Scotland 9am to 10*am, Northern Ireland 12am to 1*pm.
Exceptional Times
For further information on your local event, please contact your local Toys “R” Us store.
Stores will open to general public as usual at the times asterisked above. Due to Sunday Trading legislation, Toys“R”Us® are unable to perform any sales transactions, process any Direct purchases or complete any Returns until the official store opening time at 10am (Scotland), 11am (England & Wales) or 1pm (Northern Ireland).