Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Toys R Us Pumped Up for Holiday Offensive

Chain plans to open 80 temporary stores in time for holiday shopping season

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 15, 2009 1:28 AM CDT

(Newser) – Toys R Us is getting ready to go on the offensive in the battle for holiday sales, the Washington Post reports. The company—which snapped up the KB Toys and FAO Schwarz brands earlier this year—plans to open 80 temporary "Holiday Express" stores in malls across the country, and will open toy shops in 260 of its Babies R Us locations.

The moves mark a new aggressiveness from the firm, which was hit hard by a price war with Wal-Mart and Target a few years ago. "They seem to be steamrolling," one analyst says. "I see Toys R Us looking around and saying, 'Hey, we're stronger than a lot of people.'" Wal-Mart and Sears officials say their toy sales are strong and they're ready to take on the competition.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

A shopper moves along the aisle at Toys R Us in Bell Garden, Calif. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Customers shop and ride the ferris wheel at Toys R Us in New York's Times Square. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, file)

Shoppers line up at Toys R Us in Times Square. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

We're energized by the opportunities this holiday season for those who are aggressive. - Toys R Us chief executive Jerry Storch

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Man Robs Store on 'Shop With a Cop' Night

It didn't go well for David Sherman, 49

(NEWSER) - We don’t want to imply that there’s a right time to shoplift, but there’s definitely a wrong one, and that wrong one is on "Shop With a Cop" night. David Sherman, 49, tried to make off with a $79 DVD player from a Nebraska Walmart on Wednesday, apparently unaware that more than two dozen cops were in the store, WFIE 14 reports. More»

Slashed Prices Signal Retailer Worries

Chains hoping deep discounts will move merchandise

(NEWSER) - While store bargains may have shoppers saying "ho, ho, ho," they've got retailers thinking: "Oh-oh." Heavy discounts in the last days before Christmas are a signal companies are worried they'll be stuck with inventory that isn't moving off the shelves. Retailers had high hopes for the season, but sluggish sales are forcing them now to be “much more aggressive in terms of promotion," a retail consultant tells the New York Times . Toy prices are being slashed as much as 50% at Toys R Us and 70% at Amazon, and gifts have been discounted 50% at places like Restoration Hardware. More»

Black Friday Sets $11.4B Record

Consumers shrug off unemployment, pessimism, and spend

(NEWSER) - Holiday shoppers put their economic fears on layaway on Friday, and instead bought and charged their way to a record huge Black Friday, reports Bloomberg . With $11.4 billion spent at retail stores and malls on Friday, spending was up 6.6% from last year, the biggest one-year gain since 2007. “A solid Black Friday suggests the rest of the season should be pretty good,” said one retail expert. “Those who have jobs have been willing to spend.” More»

Yep, 'Black Midnight' Worked

Analysts say earlier hours could become the norm

(NEWSER) - Despite outcry and even protests beforehand, it appears the strategy of opening as early as 10pm Thursday night worked for Black Friday retailers, meaning “ Black Midnight ” or even “ Black Thursday ” will likely become the norm. The Los Angeles Times reports that Toys R Us, Sears, and Target all reported longer lines than usual, and at least one mall also experienced significantly better traffic. Early estimates show sales increased 10% to 14%, the AP reports, and retail analysts agree sales are likely up from last year. “After seeing what I saw last night I can't imagine that this is going to be a one year only shot,” says one. More»

Black Friday Shoppers Riot Over $2 Waffle Makers

Plus, more pepper spray

(NEWSER) - The Black Friday craziness continues: Mashable points to a truly terrifying video of Walmart shoppers completely losing it over a display of $2 waffle makers. Mediaite , meanwhile, spotted the second video in the gallery below, in which police officers reportedly deployed pepper spray on over-enthusiastic Walmart shoppers in North Carolina. Gawker also has a good collection of insane videos, two of which are highlighted here. Click for more scenes from the day , or read about another, even more disturbing, pepper spray incident . More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Toys R Us Pumped Up for Holiday Offensive