NEW YORK (AP) – Toys R Us may have filed for Chapter 11 reorganization, but the toy chain is revving up its holiday hiring.
The Wayne, New Jersey-based chain said Thursday it will be accepting job applications for part-time holiday positions at stores and distribution centers in the U.S. That includes a new position called a toy demonstrator, who will help kids test out toys.
Toys R Us plans to hire more than 12,500 for the top six markets, including Groveport, Ohio, where it will be looking to staff more than 2,400 for its distribution facility that handles online orders. It hired more than 10,900 workers for the top five markets a year ago.
It declined to offer actual overall hiring figures for the holiday season, but in the past, overall holiday hiring was about 40,000.
The company, which operates around 1,600 stores, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late Monday heading into the all-important holiday season, which makes up around 70 percent of annual toy sales. Toys R Us said Monday it has received $3.1 billion in new financing that will allow it to pay its employees and suppliers through the period.