The latest news from the world of toy, game and collectibles retailing, including financial results, store openings and closings, promotions and marketing efforts, product exclusives and other business developments. en-us http://www.playthings.com/community/Toy+Retailing+News/47323.html?nid=3588 2009 Reed Business Information. Subject to its http://www.playthings.com/info/6435883.html Terms of Use. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:48:28 MST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6667364.html?nid=3588 June 25, 2009—Toys "R" Us has lengthened by nearly two years the maturity date of its senior secured credit facility to May 21, 2012. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:38:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6667037.html?nid=3588 June 23, 2009—Specialty toy store franchisor TT&B is building a new corporate center and flagship store for its Brilliant Sky Toys & Books retail brand to better accommodate the company’s growth. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:51:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6665105.html?nid=3588 June 12, 2009—Toys “R” Us and Amazon.com this week reached a settlement agreement in the 5-year-long dispute that severed their online toy retailing partnership. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:02:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6664072.html?nid=3588 [Corrected] June 9, 2009—Toys ‘R’ Us recorded a $35 million net loss in the first quarter of 2009 as lower same-store sales and the negative impact of foreign currency exchange outweighed the impact of operational improvements. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:02:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6661285.html?nid=3588 May 28, 2009—Online retailer Ty’s Toy Box is teaming with licensor Nelvana Enterprises for a Canada-only online store. Thu, 28 May 2009 11:51:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6661138.html?nid=3588 WAYNE, N.J.—Toys “R” Us has acquired storied independent toy retailer FAO Schwarz for an undisclosed sum. Thu, 28 May 2009 08:26:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6660216.html?nid=3588 May 22, 2009—Video game retailer GameStop reaped record sales and earnings for the first quarter but forecasts trouble ahead on expectations of dropping same-store sales. Fri, 22 May 2009 12:50:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6658079.html?nid=3588 May 13, 2009—KB Toys has tapped Streambank, an intangible asset consulting firm, to oversee the sale of the retailer’s intellectual property. Wed, 13 May 2009 11:18:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6656917.html?nid=3588 May 7, 2009—Discovery Communications and Toys “R” Us are lengthening their direct-to-retail partnership with a new multi-year agreement for Animal Planet branded toys. Thu, 07 May 2009 09:20:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6655991.html?nid=3588 May 4, 2009—Toys “R” Us will launch a nationwide campaign this month to help provide baby blankets to thousands of infants in need in the United States in collaboration with Save the Children. Mon, 04 May 2009 08:56:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6655444.html?nid=3588 April 30, 2009—Build-A-Bear Workshop recorded an $800,000 net loss for its fiscal first quarter of 2009 following a 21 percent drop in retail sales, a result hurt in part by the timing of Easter sales. Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:46:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6654960.html?nid=3588 April 29, 2009—Toys “R” Us today officially announced the roll out “R” Market shops featuring convenience-oriented food and child-care staples at more than 260 Toys “R” Us stores. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:34:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6650207.html?nid=3588 April 8, 2009—Toys “R” Us today officially announced the debut of Ganz’s Webkinz plush at its toy stores and website, and the pending debut of the virtual world-enhanced plush line at its Babies “R” Us stores next month. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:47:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6648766.html?nid=3588 April 2, 2009—Toys ‘R’ Us Inc.’s fiscal 2008 numbers are in, and they’re not bad compared to a retail landscape littered with struggling competitors and an overall domestic toy business that saw sales decline during the period. Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:59:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6649486.html?nid=3588 April 2, 2009—Lakeshore Learning Materials is recalling approximately 4,000 of its What’s Inside? Soft Toy Boxes because one of its accessories can pose a choking hazard. Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:55:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6648656.html?nid=3588 April 2, 2009—Toys “R” Us has introduced $1-$2-$3 Fun! feature shops in the front of its stores nationwide that spotlight approximately 100 budget-friendly products priced at $3 or less. Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6648621.html?nid=3588 April 1, 2009—FAO Schwarz has added a MAKE-branded paint-your-own pottery studio to its flagship Fifth Avenue store. Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:28:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6647283.html?nid=3588 Spring Awakening Belmont, Mass. Belmont Toys Puzzles of all sizes have been "huge" in the post-holiday period, with games, playsets and other indoor activity items holding their own ahead of the spring/summer rush for outdoor playthings, according to Belmont's Beth Dodd. "Puzzles have been flying out of here," she tells Playthings. Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6647281.html?nid=3588 Business pundits and entrepreneurs shout from the rooftops that you should think big to achieve success. However, in our current economic environment, thinking small is much more practical, helpful and—done right—profitable. I'm not suggesting that you should be small-minded, that's a different concept altogether. Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6647280.html?nid=3588 As the northern states begin warming and spring gets underway across the country, thoughts of summer playtime are never far behind. Now is the time when every kid begins dreaming of long summer days filled with outdoor fun—whether in the yard, at the pool or at the beach—and the time when toy retailers are stocking up on the best in new water-based playthings. Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST