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Change Is In The Air For Toys R Us
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 Toys "R" Us Inc. is poised to reclaim the No. 1 toy retailer position it lost to Wal-Mart a few years ago. President and chief executive John Eyler, speaking at its annual shareholder meeting yesterday, announced plans to introduce more exclusive toys to the chain, in addition to increasing salaries for sales help. Toys "R" Us is bringing stuffed animals to the company�s retail mix in an aisle called Animal Alley. The retailer hopes that every person who passes through the aisle will pick up an animal and buy it. Other exclusive toys include a miniature tool line from The Home Depot, specialized Barbie dolls and licensed toys with the name of the cable channel Animal Planet. Exclusive toys accounted for roughly 12.5% of the chain�s sales this year, up from 5% in 1999. The retailer expects that number to increase to 20% in 2001. Toys "R" Us will also increase employee pay. Wages for workers at 185 stores will rise to $10 to $12 per hour from $7 per hour by October. Those stores will also increase the number of sales associates by 25%. The retailer plans to have all wage increases in effect by the 2001 holiday season. Eyler also announced that Toysrus.com, the retailer�s e-commerce arm, would not be profitable this year. He expects the division to be profitable by 2003 or 2004. Toys "R" Us Inc. recorded earnings of $279 million for the most recent fiscal year, compared with losses of $132 million in 1999 and earnings of $490 million in 1998. Source: Chain Store Age [Posted 6/09/2000]
  
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