The State of The Stores
Changes afoot in Playthings' annual retailer rankings
By Dana French -- Gifts and Dec, 11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM
A quick look at America's 2007 Top 25 playthings retailers reveals one undeniable truth: video games and their related handheld and console systems, along with computer games, ruled the children's entertainment industry last year. Nintendo's Wii, first launched in the U.S. during holiday 2006, was by far the leader of the video game console pack, followed by its main competitors, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3.
The video game leader
GameStop, in the No. 3 spot on our survey for the past three years, continued to benefit from video games' widening appeal. It lead the electronic entertainment retail segment's charge, recording $5.44 billion in video game-related playthings sales last year, a gigantic 27.4 percent increase from its 2006 sales of $4.27 billion. And the popularity of Wii is only part of that story.
GameStop has been on a store-opening rampage since acquiring rival Electronics Boutique in 2005. The retailer ended last year with a whopping 4,061 domestic stores, 643 more units than the mighty Wal-Mart. The video game specialist opened a net 262 U.S. stores in 2007, continuing a torrid expansion plan that saw the retailer gain a net 175 U.S. stores in 2006 and another net 272 U.S. stores in 2005.
The result was nearly an upset among the industry's top 2 titans. Amazing as it may sound, GameStop trailed No. 2 Toys 'R' Us by a mere $71 million in sales last year. The video game retailer's results shrunk a previously wide gap between it and Toys 'R' Us. In 2006, the difference between the two retailers was $1.13 billion and more than $2.56 billion in 2005.
Video game sales also played a large part in the positive performance of another chain on the Top 25 list, No. 5 Best Buy, which experienced double-digit sales growth last year. The consumer electronics chain garnered $1.37 billion in 2007 toy and video game sales, an increase of 13.2 percent from its 2006 sales of $1.21 billion. Helping its results was the opening of a net 101 domestic stores last year.
Overall, the electronic/entertainment specialist channel, consisting of GameStop, Best Buy and No. 7 Circuit City, pulled in a combined $7.28 billion last year, a remarkable 22.7 percent sales gain, the highest gain of any distribution channel on the Top 25.
Discounters still on top
Among the top 2 retailers on our list, it wasn't even close. Wal-Mart maintained its No. 1 position with $11.39 billion in 2007 toy and video game sales, moving a staggering $5.88 billion more in merchandise past its check-out scanners than Toys 'R' Us, the No. 2 toy retailer, did. Wal-Mart, in the top spot on our list since 2000 and The NPD Group's toy industry retail ranking since 1998, sold toys and video games through 3,418 doors in 2007 and alone comprised more than a third of our Top 25's total playthings sales.
At No. 4, Target's 2006 growth curve slowed last year with 2007 sales of $3.51 billion, an increase of 1.6 percent over its 2006 toy and video game sales of $3.45 billion.
Among the industry's deepest discounters, there was a new name on this year's Top 25 list. Dollar Tree jumped onto our ranking in the No. 25 spot this year thanks to 2007 toy sales of $142 million. The dollar store opened 192 net stores during 2007 and saw its total sales for the year increase 6.9 percent. 2008 is proving even more successful for Dollar Tree. Its overall sales for the first six months of 2008 were up 10.2 percent, a result attributed to cash-strapped consumers seeking solace in rock bottom prices for everything from dish detergent to die-cast cars.
Overall, the discount department store channel comprised more than half of the Top 25, bringing in $17.27 billion in 2007 toy and video game sales, an increase of 3.6 percent over the channel's 2006 combined sales of $16.67 billion.
A mixed bag for toy specialists
Toys 'R' Us held its own last year, posting a 2 percent increase in playthings sales and turning around its 2006 decline. The privately-held retailer is also taking a bite out of the video game pie, recently attributing its 2008 second quarter gains to increases in the video game category, specifically strong demand for Nintendo's Wii Fit accessory unit.
Meanwhile, Toys 'R' Us' primary pure play toy retailing competitor, No. 11 KB Toys, experienced the greatest decline among the Top 25 last year, posting a 31.4 percent sales decrease and dropping four spots on the ranking.
The privately-held company closed 140 stores during 2007 and idled one of its three distribution centers. It was the continuation of a consistent decline for the nation's largest mall-based toy store chain. It shuttered a net 70 stores during 2006 and 110 stores during 2005. To help turn the tide, KB early this fall expanded its Super Value and Extreme Value discount-priced merchandise programs, and got a jump on the holiday competition by slashing prices on 200 toys from several major manufacturers to less than $10.
Toys 'R' Us' sister division, No. 24 Babies 'R' Us, garnered a 5.7 percent increase in 2007 plaything sales, the largest percentage increase among its toy and kid specialist cohorts.
As a channel, the toy and children's product specialists collectively sold $6.83 billion worth of product in 2007, a decrease of 0.7 percent from 2006 sales of $6.88 billion.
Other ups and downs
No. 12 Costco experienced solid growth during 2007, posting a 6 percent increase in toy sales. The warehouse membership club opened 20 net locations during the year. Costco's chief competitor, Sam's Club, pulled in $220 million in 2007 playthings sales, a 0.9 percent increase over 2006.
No. 16 Walgreen saw double-digit growth last year. The drug store giant had 2007 toy sales of $228 million, an increase of 10.7 percent from 2006 sales of $206 million.
No. 14 Army & Air Force Exchange Service, provider of playthings to servicemembers and their families through 174 stores both domestic and worldwide, saw its toy and video game sales decline 15 percent from 2006 to 2007.
TOP 25 RETAILERS
| Rank, Company, Headquarters | Estimated 2007 playthings sales in millions $ | Estimated 2006 playthings sales in millions $ | % change 2006 to 2007 | 2007 playthings stores | 2006 playthings stores |
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NA = Not available R = Revised from updated information
All Playthings Top 25 Toy Retailers sales information, except for publicly held companies that break out line-of-business sales for toys, are Playthings market research estimates. All data for calendar year ending Dec. 31, 2007, fiscal year end or trailing 12 months closest to date. Source: 2008 Playthings Market Research |
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| 1 Wal-Mart | $11,385 | $10,750 | 5.9% | 3,418 | 3,331 |
| Bentonville, Ark. | |||||
| Publicly held, fiscal year ended Jan 31. Sales and store counts are for U.S. stores only, including discount and supercenter stores and exclude Neighborhood Markets and Sam's Club (see No. 17). Also sells toys online. Opened seven new discount stores and closed two last year and opened 191 supercenters, including 109 discount conversions to supercenters. The entertainment, electronics and toys category accounted for 14 percent of total sales in both 2007 and 2006. Comp store sales increased 1.6 percent in 2007. Total 2007 sales were $129.5 billion, up 5.8 percent from $226.3 billion in 2006. Net U.S. sales for the six months ended July 31, 2008, were $123.13 billion, up 7.6 percent from $114.45 billion in the first six months of 2007. | |||||
| 2 Toys 'R' Us | $5,510 | $5,400R | 2.0% | 585 | 586 |
| Wayne, N.J. | |||||
| Division of privately held Toys 'R' Us Inc., fiscal year ended Feb. 2. Sales and store counts are for Toys 'R' Us stores in the U.S. and include online sales of toysrus.com and babiesrus.com. Store formats include 553 traditional toy stores, 28 side-by-side Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us stores and four 'R' superstores, which combine a full-size Toys 'R' Us and full-size Babies 'R' Us under one roof. Closed four total stores last year and opened three. In April 2008, launched a proprietary line of eco-friendly toys, including wooden activity toys, natural cotton plush animals and organic cotton dolls. Comp store sales increased 2.2 percent in 2007. Total 2007 sales were $5.96 billion, up 1 percent from $5.89 billion in 2006. | |||||
| 3 GameStop | $5,439 | $4,270 | 27.4% | 4,061 | 3,799 |
| Grapevine, Texas | |||||
| Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 2. Operates stores in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe, primarily under the GameStop name as well as two websites—gamestop.com and ebgames.com. Publishes Game Informer, a multi-platform video game magazine with about 2.9 million subscribers. Sales and store counts are for U.S. stores only, including ones in Guam and Puerto Rico. Stores, averaging about 1,500 square feet with more than 4,500 SKUs, carry a balanced mix of new and used video game products and PC entertainment software. Opened 586 new stores last year—328 in the U.S.—with plans to open approximately 575 to 600 new stores worldwide this year. Total 2007 worldwide sales were $7.09 billion, up 33.4 percent from $5.32 billion in 2006. Worldwide sales for the six months ended Aug. 2, 2008, were $3.62 billion, up 38.2 percent from $2.62 billion in the first six months of 2007. | |||||
| 4 Target | $3,505 | $3,450 | 1.6% | 1,591 | 1,488 |
| Minneapolis | |||||
| Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 2. Opened 85 new Target Stores and closed 15 and opened 33 new SuperTargets in 2007. Also sells toys online. Features its own specialty toy boutique as well as major brands. Comp store sales increased 3 percent last year. The electronics, entertainment, sporting goods and toy category accounted for 22 percent of 2007 total sales, down from 23 percent in 2006. Total 2007 sales were $61.5 billion, up 6.2 percent from $57.9 billion in 2006. Sales for the six months ended Aug. 2, 2008, were $29.27 billion, up 5.3 percent from $27.79 billion in the first six months of 2007. | |||||
| 5 Best Buy | $1,370 | $1,210 | 13.2% | 923 | 822 |
| Eden Prairie, Minn. | |||||
| Publicly held, fiscal year ended March 1. Sales and store counts are for U.S. stores only, including Puerto Rico. Also sells online at Bestbuy.com. In 2007, opened 155 new stores, relocated nine and closed 18. Plans this year include opening 85 to 100 new Best Buy stores and relocating four. Comp store sales gain in the entertainment software product category of 6.1 percent was due to the sales growth in video gaming hardware and software, as a result of the increased availability of hardware and a greater selection of software. Entertainment software, including video gaming hardware and software, as well as computer software, accounted for 20 percent of total sales, up from 19 percent the previous two years. Total 2007 domestic sales were $33.33 billion, up 7.4 percent from $31.03 billion in 2006. Domestic sales for the six months ended Aug. 30, 2008, were $15.59 billion, up 11.8 percent from $13.94 billion in the first six months of 2007. | |||||
| 6 Kmart | $1,000 | $1,080 | -7.4% | 1,382 | 1,388 |
| Hoffman Estates, Ill. | |||||
| Part of publicly held Sears Holdings Corp., fiscal year ended Feb 2. Sears is ranked separately, see No. 23. At fiscal year end operated 1,327 discount stores and 55 supercenters. Also sells toys online. Discount stores average 93,000 square feet and supercenters average 165,000 square feet. Comp store sales declined 4.7 percent last year. Total 2007 Kmart sales were $17.3 billion, down 7.5 percent from $18.6 billion in 2006. Sales for the six months ended Aug. 2, 2008, were $7.74 billion, down 6.1 percent from $8.24 billion for the first six months of 2007. | |||||
| 7 Circuit City | $475 | $455 | 4.4% | 693 | 654 |
| Richmond, Va. | |||||
| Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 29. Multi-channel company where customers can shop in stores, on the Web and via the telephone. Sales and store counts are for U.S. stores only. During fiscal 2008, introduced a new superstore format called "The City," a highly interactive environment with 20,000 square feet. Entertainment category, including game hardware and software, as well as PC software, accounted for 12.3 percent of 2007 sales, up from 11.1 percent in 2006. Comp store sales of video game hardware, software and accessories again grew double digits last year. Total 2007 domestic sales were $11.14 billion, down 6 percent from $11.86 billion in 2006. Domestic sales for the three months ended May 31 were $2.17 billion, down 8.8 percent from $2.38 billion in the first three months of 2007. | |||||
| 8 American Girl | $432 | $440 | -1.8% | 6 | 4 |
| Middleton, Wis. | |||||
| Part of publicly held toymaker Mattel, fiscal year ended Dec. 31. Sales and store counts are for direct-to-consumer sales of American Girl merchandise and its children's publications which are sold to certain retailers. Sells historical dolls, books and accessories as well as the Just Like You and Bitty Baby brands. Also operates American Girl Place stores in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles and American Girl Boutique and Bistro in Atlanta and Dallas. The Bistro stores in Atlanta and Dallas opened in August and November of 2007, respectively. Also has a retail outlet in Oshkosh, Wis. In October, will relocate its flagship Chicago store to one that is 17,000-square-feet larger. Total 2007 American Girl Brand sales were $431.5 million, down 1.9 percent from $440 million in 2006. American Girl Brand sales for the six months ended June 30 were $130.2 million, up 9.7 percent from $118.7 million in the first six months of 2007. | |||||
| 9 Meijer | $410 | $400 | 2.5% | 181 | 175 |
| Grand Rapids, Mich. | |||||
| Privately held and family-owned and operated. In business for 74 years. Is recognized as the inventor of one-stop shopping. Operates supercenters in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky. All stores are open 24-hours and average 200,000 to 250,000 square feet. Opened five new stores in 2007. Added an e-commerce feature to its website in October 2007. Meijer.com offers more than 100,000 general merchandise products, including toys, most of which are not offered in stores. Corporately emphasizes green efforts and won an Environmental Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its leadership in conserving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its transportation and freight activities. Total 2007 sales estimated at $14.4 billion. | |||||
| 10 Build-A-Bear Workshop | $384 | $378R | 1.6% | 254 | 220 |
| Saint Louis | |||||
| Publicly held, fiscal year ended Dec. 29. Sales and store counts are for U.S. stores only, including Puerto Rico and exclude 18 stores in Canada, 46 stores in the U.K. and Ireland, three in France and 53 franchisee stores in international locations. Also sells online at Buildabear.com. Stores, averaging 2,750 square feet, carry more than 30 different styles of animals. Announced in September it would close its Friends 2B Made concept, a line of make-your-own dolls and related products launched in 2004. The nine locations, only one a separate store, are scheduled to close by the end of next year's third quarter. In December 2007, extended its in-store interactive experience online with the launch of its virtual world at Buildabearville.com. In 2008, expects to open 20 new stores in North America. Total 2007 worldwide net retail sales were $468.2 million, up 8.2 percent from $432.6 million in 2006. Worldwide net retail sales for the six months ended June 28 were $215.3 million, up slightly from $215 million in the first six months of 2007. | |||||
| 11 KB Toys | $360 | $525 | -31.4% | 430 | 570 |
| Pittsfield, Mass. | |||||
| Privately held, owned by investment firm Prentice Capital Management. Closed 140 stores last year and shut its distribution center in Montgomery, Ala., in October. Continues to operate distribution centers in Arizona and New Jersey. Operates under the banners of KB Toys, KB Toy Works and KB Toy Outlet. Denver-based The Parent Company operates KB's online store. Rolled out its "Extreme! Value" program in July, a refinement of the 2007 Super Value program that offered low-priced, high-value toys everyday. "Extreme! Value" offers temporary price cuts, as much as 50 percent, on already bargain-priced Super Value toys. KB bills itself as the nation's largest mall-based specialty toy retailer. | |||||
| 12 Costco | $355 | $335 | 6.0% | 391 | 371 |
| Issaquah, Wash. | |||||
| Publicly held, fiscal year ended Sept. 2. Sales and store counts are for the trailing 12 months ended Feb. 17 and include only stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, including its two Costco Home stores in Kirkland, Wash., and Tempe, Ariz. Also sells online. Opened 20 new clubs during the trailing 12 months. Planned to open 16 to 18 new clubs, including four to five relocations, during fiscal 2008. Hardlines, including toys, accounted for 21 percent of fiscal 2007 sales, up from 20 percent in fiscal 2006. Total 2007 trailing 12 month sales were $66.52 billion, up 8.8 percent from $61.16 billion in fiscal 2006. Net sales for the 52-week fiscal year 2008, ended August 31, 2008, were $70.95 billion, up 12 percent from the previous fiscal year. | |||||
| 13 Big Lots | $272 | $292 | -6.8% | 1,353 | 1,375 |
| Columbus, Ohio | |||||
| Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 2. Broadline closeout retailer. Opened seven stores during 2007 and closed 29. Comp store sales increased 2 percent last year. Sales per square foot were $158 in both 2007 and 2006. The "other" category, including toys, accounted for 13.3 percent of 2007 total sales, down from 14.1 percent in 2006. Total 2007 sales were $4.66 billion, down 1.8 percent from $4.74 billion in 2006. Net sales for the six months ended Aug. 2, 2008 were $2.26 billion, up 2 percent from $2.21 billion for the first six months of 2007. | |||||
| 14 Army & Air Force | $243 | $286 | -15.0% | 174 | 177 |
| Exchange Service, Dallas | |||||
| Revenues based on worldwide sales, excluding food, services and vending. Market areas include worldwide Army and Air Force military posts and bases serving active-duty military personnel, guard and reservists, retirees and their families—some 7.3 million customers. Receives no funds from the Department of Defense. Has more than 150 main stores or shopping centers worldwide and in every state. Also merchandises toys, including bikes and video games, through online sites and print catalogs. Began converting stores to a new prototype two years ago. Total 2007 sales were $8.7 billion, down 2.4 percent from $8.9 billion in 2006. | |||||
| 15 Michaels Stores | $240 | $243 | -1.2% | 908 | 863 |
| Irving, Texas | |||||
| Fiscal year ended Feb. 2. Sales and store counts are for U.S. Michaels stores only and do not include Michaels Stores in Canada or Aaron Brothers stores. Opened 45 net U.S. stores in 2007. Stores average 18,400 square feet. This September, opened its 1,000 store and unveiled its first new corporate logo in more than 30 years. The general and children's crafts category, including toys, accounted for 41 percent of total sales in 2007 and 2006. Toys offered include wooden and plastic model kits and related supplies, kids' crafts, plush and paint-by-number kits. Comp store sales decreased 0.7 percent last year. Total 2007 U.S. sales were $3.56 billion, down 0.6 percent from $3.58 billion in 2006. For the first six months ended Aug. 2, 2008, sales were up 1 percent over the first six months of 2007. | |||||
| 16 Walgreen | $228 | $206 | 10.7% | 6,237 | 5,641 |
| Deerfield, Ill. | |||||
| Publicly held, fiscal year ended Aug. 31. Sales and store counts are for the trailing 12 months ended Feb. 29. Sells through stores operating in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, plus online. Entered its 49th state, Hawaii, with one store opening in November 2007. Will open in Alaska summer 2009, giving the chain a presence in all 50 states. In January, acquired 20 drugstores in Puerto Rico from a family-owned chain of 61 drugstores based on the island. This summer, announced it would reduce its organic drugstore growth from 9 percent for the most recent fiscal year to about 8 percent this fiscal year, down to 5 percent by fiscal 2011. Toys offered include action figures, dolls, plush, board games, handheld electronic games, R/C toys, bikes, scooters, ride-ons, books, pretend play and puzzles. General merchandise sales, including toys, accounted for 25 percent of sales. Total 2007 trailing 12 month sales were $56.54 billion, up 10.9 percent from $50.99 billion in 2006. Sales for the first three fiscal 2008 quarters ended May 31 were $44.44 billion, up 10.2 percent from $40.34 billion for the first three quarters of fiscal 2007. | |||||
| 17 Sam's Club | $220 | $218 | 0.9% | 591 | 579 |
| Bentonville, Ark. | |||||
| Fiscal year ended Jan. 31, division of publicly held Wal-Mart. Sales and store counts are for Sam's Club division only. Also sells online. Opened 12 new clubs last year. Clubs range between 72,000 and 190,000 square feet and average 132,000 square feet. Hardgoods, including toys, accounted for 18 percent of 2007 sales, down from 19 percent in 2006. Comp stores sales last year increased 4.9 percent. Total 2007 sales were $44.36 billion, up 6.7 percent from $41.58 billion in 2006. Sales for the six months ended July 31, 2008, were $23.4 billion, up 7.8 percent from $21.7 billion for the first six months of 2007. | |||||
| 18 Dollar General | $193 | $193 | 0.0% | 8,194 | 8,229 |
| Goodlettsville, Tenn. | |||||
| Fiscal year ended Feb. 1. Became a subsidiary of Buck Holdings, controlled by investment funds affiliated with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., in July 2007. Opened 365 new stores during fiscal 2007 and closed 400 underperforming stores. Discount stores average 6,900 square feet of selling space and operate in 35 states, primarily in the southern, southwestern, midwestern and eastern U.S. Seasonal products, including toys, accounted for 15.9 percent of 2007 total sales, down from 16.5 percent in 2006. Comp store sales increased 2.1 percent for 2007. Total 2007 sales were $9.49 billion, up 3.5 percent from $9.17 billion in 2006. Sales for the six months ended August 1 increased 8.4 percent, including a 7.8 percent increase in same store sales. | |||||
| 19 Family Dollar | $182 | $190 | -4.2% | 6,509 | 6,319 |
| Matthews, N.C. | |||||
| Publicly held, fiscal year ended Sept. 1. Sales and store counts are for the trailing 12 months ended March 1. Opened 300 new stores during fiscal 2007 and planned to open 300 more in fiscal 2008. Stores operate in 44 states. Plans to continue expanding its food offerings, while also emphasizing its Treasure Hunt strategy. Seasonal and electronics products, including toys, accounted for 11.7 percent of fiscal 2007 sales, down from 12.5 percent in fiscal 2006. Comp store sales increased 0.9 percent for fiscal 2007. Total 2007 trailing 12 month sales were $6.80 billion, up 1.6 percent from $6.69 billion in 2006. Sales for the first three fiscal 2008 quarters ended May 31 were $5.22 billion, up 0.3 percent from $5.2 billion for the first three quarters of fiscal 2007. | |||||
| 20 Fred Meyer | $180 | $172 | 4.7% | 158 | 152 |
| Portland, Ore. | |||||
| Part of publicly held Kroger, fiscal year ended Feb. 2. Currently operates 147 stores under the Fred Meyer nameplate and 31 under the Marketplace banner. Is phasing out older, smaller stores to make room for a larger prototype. Replaced one of its oldest units, a 40,000-square-foot location in Clark County, Ore., opened in 1968, with a 141,000-square-foot store, this year. Fred Meyer stores range in size from 66,000 square feet to 174,000 square feet. Operates gas stations in 49 of its units, as part of its one-stop shopping philosophy. Rolled out high-definition, 3-D customer assistance kiosks in all Fred Meyer stores this June. Total 2007 sales estimated at $8.2 billion. | |||||
| 21 QVC | $170 | $163 | 4.3% | 7 | 7 |
| West Chester, Pa. | |||||
| Part of publicly held Liberty Media Corp., fiscal year ended Dec. 31. Markets and sells a wide variety of consumer products through its televised shopping programs on the QVC networks, via the internet and at its flagship store at Minnesota's Mall of America, its Studio Store located at QVC headquarters and five Outlet stores in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Florida. Toys offered include action figures, dolls, trains, educational toys, video game hardware and software, PC software, models, puzzles, books, plush, R/C toys, role play, ride-ons and construction toys. For the past two years, the home category, including toys, accounted for 44 percent of U.S. net revenues. In fall 2007, QVC launched a national branding campaign to help drive awareness of its programming and products. Total 2007 domestic sales were $5.21 billion, up 4.5 percent from $4.98 billion in 2006. Domestic sales for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were $2.357 billion, down slightly from $2.358 billion in the first six months of 2007. | |||||
| 22 Kohl's | $161 | $155 | 3.9% | 929 | 817 |
| Menomonee Falls, Wis. | |||||
| Fiscal year ended Feb. 2. Operated 929 stores in 47 states at the end of the fiscal year. Opened 112 new stores in 2007, entering Idaho and Wyoming. Plans to open 50 stores in 2008 and remodel another 60. Among the categories of toys Kohl's offers through its stores and website are action figures, dolls, activity tables, blocks and building toys, books, games, video games and accessories, bikes, scooters, learning toys, puzzles, remote control toys, plush and cars/trucks. Children's sales, including toys, accounted for 12.7 percent of total sales in 2007. Total 2007 sales were $16.47 billion, up 5.6 percent from $15.6 billion in 2006. Sales for the six months ended Aug. 2, 2008, were $7.3 billion, up 2.6 percent from $7.2 billion in the first six months of 2007. | |||||
| 23 Sears | $155 | $165 | -6.1% | 935 | 935 |
| Hoffman Estates, Ill. | |||||
| Part of publicly held Sears Holdings Corp. Fiscal year ended Feb. 2. Operated 860 full-line stores and 75 Sears Essentials/Grand stores at fiscal year end. Also sells toys and video games online and through catalogs. Relaunched its Wish Book catalog last year, its first full-line holiday catalog in 14 years. Domestic full-line comp store sales declined 4 percent last year. Total 2007 sales were $27.8 billion, down 4.6 percent from $29.2 billion in 2006. Sears domestic merchandise sales for the six months ended Aug. 2, 2008, were $12.47 billion, down 6.7 percent from $13.37 billion in the first six months of 2007. | |||||
| 24 Babies 'R' Us | $148 | $140R | 5.7% | 260 | 251 |
| Wayne, N.J. | |||||
| Division of privately held Toys 'R' Us Inc., fiscal year ended Feb. 2. Sales and store counts are for Babies 'R' Us stores only. Operates stores in 42 states. Stores average 35,000 square feet and offer 24,000 items. The big box specialist's merchandise, including toys, focuses on newborns to 4-year-olds. Opened nine stores last year. Toy brands include Fisher-Price, Baby Einstein, Infantino, Tiny Love, Lamaze, Movers & Shakers and VTech. Began offering green baby registries, featuring natural and organic items that are good for both baby and the planet, in May. Comp store sales increased 2 percent in 2007. Total 2007 sales were $2.49 billion, up 5 percent from $2.38 billion in 2006. | |||||
| 25 Dollar Tree | $142 | NA | NA | 3,411 | 3,219 |
| Chesapeake, Va. | |||||
| Fiscal year ended Feb. 2. Dollar Tree Inc. became the new parent holding company for Dollar Tree Stores in March 2008. Stores operate under the banners of Dollar Tree, Deal$ and Dollar Bills. Opened 208 new stores, acquired 32 leases and closed 48 stores during fiscal 2007. Believes its optimal store size is between 10,000 and 12,500 square feet. Purchases 55 percent to 60 percent of its merchandise domestically. Variety merchandise, including toys, accounted for 48.1 percent of 2007 total sales, down from 48.9 percent in 2006. Bills itself as the leading operator of discount variety stores offering merchandise at the fixed price of $1. Total 2007 sales were $4.24 billion, up 6.9 percent from $3.97 billion in 2006. Sales for the six months ended Aug. 2, 2008, were $2.1 billion, up 10.2 percent from the first six months of 2007. | |||||
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