Toys "R" Us Holiday Sales Rise 2%

Toys "R" Us Inc. said its core sales rose 2% in November and December, excluding currency impacts, lifted by strong online sales and growth in Canada and Japan.

The closely held retailer said same-store sales grew 1.4% in its domestic business, helped by online sales and sales in its toy and learning categories. That helped offset declines in its entertainment and electronics category.

Abroad, Toys "R" Us posted 3.1% core sales growth for the nine-week period ended Jan. 2. Positive same-store sales in Canada and Japan offset weakness in Europe.

Toys "R" Us has long struggled with running out of goods during the important holiday season. This year, the retailer filled shelves with more products and created an algorithm to better predict when goods would run low. Chief Executive David Brandon, who took the helm in July, has been working to get the company back on track as he prepares to take it public and provide its private-equity owners with a long-awaited exit.

Holiday sales results from retailers have been a mixed bag so far, with strong results from retailers such as L Brands Inc. and disappointing sales from big names such as Macy's Inc. and Gap Inc.

Traffic to physical stores continued to decline as consumers shift toward online shopping and spending on travel and restaurants. Overall, retail sales rose 3.3% from Oct. 31 through Jan. 4, about the same pace as they grew the previous year, according to First Data Corp.

Write to Chelsey Dulaney at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 08, 2016 10:25 ET (15:25 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.