Toys R Us blames games for low sales

Toys R Us has posted international sales of $965m for its second quarter ending July 31, 2010 – a drop of $26m year-on-year.

The retailer said in a statement: Comparable store net sales grew 0.6 per cent in the US and declined 3.2 per cent in the international segment, as increases in most product categories were offset by a decline in video games.”

In the US gross profit reached $57m, down from $79m the year before. However net sales rose from $1.576bn to $1.6bn.

The news comes following a drop in sales at HMV and Argos. Both retailers posted their latest financial reports last week and attributed weak video game sales to the dip in profit.

Toys R Us also announced it will open 600 temporary outlets in the US in the run up to Christmas.