Content about Childhood

New York -- Toys “R” Us posted a wider loss for its fiscal third quarter due primarily to an increase in interest expenses. The retailer said it lost $105 million for the quarter ended Oct. 27, compared with a loss of $93 million in the year-ago period.

Toys “R” Us attributed the wider loss to a $29 million increase in its interest expenses due to an issuance of senior notes and repayment of other senior note

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us announced that it is extending its free layaway program through Dec. 16, due to significant positive response by consumers. The free offer was originally slated to end on Oct. 31. The chain was the first retailer to offer free layaway, starting in September. Since then, other companies have also stepped up with enhanced layaway programs, including Walmart and Kmart.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us on Tuesday said it will offer a price-match guarantee on all items in its namesake and Babies “R” Us stores this holiday season.

Beginning immediately and continuing through Christmas Eve, the company said it will match competitors’ in-store pricing on identical items, any time a customer presents a local competitor’s current print advertisement showing the item available for less.  

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us said Tuesday that it will waive upfront service fees for its holiday layaway program, kicking off immediately and running through Oct. 31.

The retailer will also remove its minimum purchase requirement, and customers have until Dec. 16 to pick up orders.

Year-round layaway programs will continue, but will have the customary $5 service fee attached.

Shanghai, China -- Mattel announced Monday that it has closed its much-acclaimed Barbie flagship store, which opened March 2009 in Shanghai.

The El Segundo, Calif.-based toy manufacturer, which officially closed the store’s doors on Monday, cited a change in strategy as reason for the closure. Mattel said in a statement that it plans to promote the Barbie brand via road tour -- on a pink tour bus.