The 'A' List

Wal-Mart heads the list of PLAYTHINGS Top 50 toy retailers after taking a back seat to Toys R Us last year. While this may come as no surprise to industry observers, as the two top toy sellers have yearly jockeyed for the spot, PLAYTHING s' latest tally did manage to come up with a few surprises.

Avon Products, a well-know personal hygiene and female cosmetics distributor, made the PLAYTHINGS Top 50 list as the number 38 top toy seller. The company, which sells merchandise through representatives via bi-weekly catalogs, has become one of Mattel's largest customers.

Also notable is the new entry to the Top 50 of Build-a-Bear Workshop, a company with outlets where consumers can create their own bears from provided plush and other materials; the company entered the list at number 45.

Several other non-traditional toy sellers are again on the Top 50 list. They include catalog company Lillian Vernon, which ranks number 46; Michaels Stores, a chain of craft outlets, which dropped a spot to 29 from 28 last year, and home shopping network QVC coming in at number 31, up from 34 on last year's list.

The complete list follows. An alphabetical listing of the Top 50, with contact information, appears on www.playthings.com.

KEY

EPS '00 = Estimated 2000 Playthings Sales in millions $

EPS '99 = Estimated 1999 Playthings Sales in millions $

% Change = % Change 1999-2000

'00 Stores = 2000 Stores

'99 Stores = 1999 Stores

NA = Not available

NS = No stores

R = Revised from updated information

EPS '00: $7,300; EPS '99: $6,500R; % Change: 12.3%;

'00 Stores: 2,624; '99 Stores: 2,522

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Jan. 31. Sales and store count are for U.S. stores only and exclude Sam's Club locations (ranked separately, see No. 22). The world's largest retailer opened 41 new discount stores, 12 Neighborhood Markets and 167 new Supercenters, including the conversion of 104 existing discount stores into Supercenters in 2000. Toys may be purchased in all units, as well as online at www.walmart.com. Opened its 1,000th Supercenter in St. Robert, Mo., in August. The toys and sporting goods merchandise category accounted for 7 percent of total sales in 2000 and 1999. Total 2000 sales were up 12.1 percent in 2000 to $121.9 billion. For the second quarter ended July 31, sales totaled $33.9 billion, up 14.2 percent from the second quarter of 2000. Comp store sales for the second quarter were up 5.6 percent. As of October, operated 1651 discount stores and 1026 Supercenters.

EPS '00: $6,933; EPS '99: $6,774; % Change: 2.3%;

'00 Stores: 710; '99 Stores: 710

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 3. Sales and store counts are for 710 Toys R Us units in 49 states and Puerto Rico, as well as 37 Imaginarium units in 13 states. Toysrus.com, No. 23, ranked separately. Has continued to convert stores into its Mission Possible format (containing Imaginarium shops, Teentronics shops and a 20 percent larger sales floor), with 415 units converted by the holiday season. This year, built its new 115,000 sq. foot flagship store in New York's Times Square, containing a Ferris wheel, life-size Barbie dollhouse and giant video screens. Total 2000 TRU sales were $7.1 billion, up 3.7 percent from $6.8 billion in 1999. For the second quarter ended Aug. 4, TRU sales totaled $1.2 billion, down 0.9 percent from the second quarter 2000. Operated 704 TRU and 42 Imaginarium units by end of second quarter.

EPS '00: $2,050; EPS '99: $2,000; % Change: 2.5%;

'00 Stores: 2,105; '99 Stores: 2,171

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Jan. 31. Sales and store counts are for U.S. stores only. Opened 16 discount stores and closed 77 during 2000; opened one Supercenter and closed six. Completed conversion of most stores to the Big K format in 2000. Toys also may be purchased online at www.bluelight.com. Internet site visitors may shop for toys by product category and by age. Relaunched its trademark bluelight special promotions in April and introduced its BlueLight Always marketing strategy in September, in an effort to move into an everyday-low-pricing model. Comp store sales increased 1.1 percent in 2000. Total 2000 sales were $37 billion, up 3.1 percent from $35.9 billion in 1999. Sales for the second quarter ended Aug. 1, totaled $8.9 billion, a 0.9 percent decrease from the second quarter of 2000.

EPS '00: $1,800; EPS '99: $1,675; % Change: 7.5%;

'00 Stores: 977; '99 Stores: 916

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 3. Sales and store counts are for the Target Stores division of publicly traded Target Corp. Opened 65 new units in 2000, including 14 new SuperTargets. Opened 13 new SuperTargets this summer and plans to have 60 to 62 open by fiscal year end. Toys may also be purchased online at www.target.com. Target's sales per square foot averaged $268 in 2000, up slightly from $264 in 1999. Comp store sales were up 12.3 percent in 2000. Target's 2000 sales totaled $29.3 billion, up 12.3 percent from $26.1 billion in 1999. Sales for the second quarter ended Aug. 4, were $7.3 billion, up 11.8 percent from $6.5 billion in the second quarter of 2000. Comp store sales for the second quarter were up 3.4 percent. As of October, operated 1019 units.

EPS '00: $1,800; EPS '99: $1,766; % Change: 1.9%;

'00 Stores: 1,365; '99 Stores: 1,320

Became a privately held company in Dec. 2000 through a management buyout backed by Bain Capital. Units operate under the banners of KB Toys, KB Toy Works, KB Toy Outlet, KB Toy Liquidators, KB Toy Express and online at KBkids.com. In April, acquired a substantial portion of eToys' (ranked separately, see No. 19) inventory and in May, acquired eToys' name and Web site. eToy online visitors are automatically sent to KBkids.com. In August, KB's Internet division began using a former eToys distribution center in Blairs, Va. Is testing during Holiday 2001, 29 licensed toy departments at select Sears (ranked separately, see No. 16) locations in Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit and Mobile, Ala. The licensed shops average 1,500 square feet of selling space.

EPS '00: $758; EPS '99: $224; % Change: 238.6%;

'00 Stores: 978; '99 Stores: 526

Subsidiary of publicly held Barnes & Noble (ranked separately, see No. 43), fiscal year ended Feb. 3. Part of a new video games and entertainment software division formed through acquisitions of Babbage's Etc. in Oct. 1999 and Funco in June 2000 (Funco's 1999 toy sales totaled $253.5 million). At fiscal year end, sold through 212 Babbage's, Etc., 261 Software, Etc., 102 GameStop, 396 FuncoLand, seven smaller format stores and online at www.gamestop.com. Filed for a public offering in August in order to reduce debt and fund unit growth. Total 2000 GameStop sales were $757.7 million, up 238.6 percent from 1999. For the second quarter ended Aug. 4, sales were $206.8 million, up 62.6 percent from second quarter of 2000. Comp store sales for the second quarter increased by 33.1 percent. Operated 990 stores at end of second quarter.

EPS '00: $659; EPS '99: $638R; % Change: 3.2%;

'00 Stores: 601; '99 Stores: 517

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 3. Sales and store counts are for U.S. locations only. Operates under the banners of Electronics Boutique, Stop 'N Save Software and EB GameWorld. Opened 84 new units in 2000. Also sells online at www.ebgames.com. Comp store sales for the year decreased 4.5 percent, primarily due to decreases in sales of PlayStation and Nintendo 64 software, as well as Pokémon toys and trading cards. Worldwide sales for 2000 were $766.3 million, up 5.6 percent from $725.5 million in 1999. For the second quarter ended Aug. 4, sales totaled $174.5 million, up 39.2 percent from $125.4 million in the second quarter of 2000. Comp store sales for the second quarter increased 24.8 percent.

EPS '00: $575; EPS '99: $475; % Change: 21.1%;

'00 Stores: 419; '99 Stores: 357

Publicly held, fiscal year ended March 3. Opened 62 new units in 2000, including entries into New York City and Norfolk, Va. Units averaged 45,400 sq. feet. In October, launched Best Buy Entertainment at www.bbe.bestbuy.com. The new site assists visitors in researching and exploring games, music and videos, with the ability to purchase products at www.bestbuy.com. In September, announced it's buying the Canadian chain Future Shop. In February, bought Musicland (ranked separately, see No. 26). Best Buy's entertainment software category, including video game hardware, software, computer software, constituted 19 percent of total sales in 2000 and 1999. Best Buy's 2000 sales were $15.3 billion, up 22.7 percent from $12.5 billion in 1999. For the second quarter ended Sept. 1, sales were $4.2 billion, up 31.4 percent from the second quarter of 2000.

EPS '00: $401; EPS '99: $241; % Change: 66.0%;

'00 Stores: 188; '99 Stores: 104

In May, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and suspended its Internet site, a joint venture with Online Retail Partners. In September, acquired by publicly-held The Right Start, a specialty kids home furnishings and apparel retailer operating 256 units. The Right Start's 2000 sales totaled $53.6 million. Zany Brainy acquired Noodle Kidoodle's 60 stores and inventory in July 2000. In 1999, Noodle Kidoodle's revenues were roughly $135 million. Zany Brainy's 2000 revenues have been restated to include the addition of Noodle Kidoodle as though they had been combined from the beginning of the year.

EPS '00: $346; EPS '99: $328; % Change: 5.5%; '00 Stores: 1; '99 Stores: NS

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Dec. 31. Sales for Mattel's U.S. Direct Marketing division only, including Pleasant Company and its American Girl dolls, doll fashions and accessories, books and a limited offering of complementary fashion apparel, as well as catalog and on line sales for Fisher-Price products, Barbie collectible and celebrity dolls and Hot Wheels products. Pleasant Company, with its expertise in direct marketing, drives the division. Beginning this year, direct marketing revenues are reported through its U.S. Girls, U.S. Boys and Infant & Preschool divisions.

EPS '00: $339; EPS '99: $340; % Change: -0.3%;

'00 Stores: 1,111; '99 Stores: 1,150

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Jan. 27. Toys are offered through its Big Book catalog, online at www.jcpenney.com and seasonally within infant and children's apparel departments. Under the leadership of CEO Allen Questrom, JCP has been rebuilding itself through the closing of non-performing stores (48 in 2000 and 44 more in Feb. 2001). Redesigned its Web site in March. Total retail sales (department store and catalog) totaled $18.8 billion in 2000, down 2.9 percent from $19.3 billion in 1999. For the second quarter ended July 28, retail sales totaled $3.8 billion, down 5.4 percent from 2000's second quarter. Second quarter comp store sales increased by 2.3 percent.

EPS '00: $334; EPS '99: $325; % Change: 2. 8%;

'00 Stores: 447; '99 Stores: 455

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 3. Operates stores in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Aug. 20 with plans to emerge from Chapter 11 in mid-2002. Units average 55,000 sq. feet of selling space and feature a toy department. Closed 47 stores by end of October 2001: 15 in Ohio; 12 in Pennsylvania; six in Indiana; four in Virginia; three each in Illinois and New York; and one each in Maine, Maryland, North Carolina and West Virginia. Opened five units in March, including two in Illinois and one each in Indiana, New Jersey and Ohio. Total 2000 sales, $3.9 billion, up 3 percent from 1999 total sales of $3.8 billion. For the second quarter ended Aug. 4, sales were $806 million, down 7.6 percent from the second quarter of 2000.

EPS '00: $295; EPS '99: $270; % Change: 9.3%;

'00 Stores: 147; '99 Stores: 127

Family-owned discount superstore celebrated its 66th anniversary in 2000. Opened the first two of its "signature series" units in August in the suburbs of Chicago. The new units have 197,000 sq. feet, smaller than the older 250,000 sq. feet formats and feature a more open, customer-friendly layout. Offers a baby registry and its Baby Club, a free membership club for parents of children under three, offering product giveaways and informational newsletters such as "Play, Baby, Play," a guide to age-appropriate toys for the first year. Total 2000 sales were an estimated $9.5 billion, an increase of 14.5 percent from an estimated $8.3 billion in 1999. As of September, operated 152 units in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

EPS '00: $265; EPS '99: $105; % Change: 152.4%;

'00 Stores: NS; '99 Stores: NS

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Dec. 31. Has a co-branded Web site with toysrus.com (ranked separately, see No. 23) offering toys and baby products, since Sept. 2000. toysrus.com buys and manages inventory, while Amazon houses inventory, manages the Web site and fulfills orders. Customers logging onto the toysrus.com site are automatically linked to amazon.com's toy store. Formed a co-branded store with imaginarium.com (part of toysrus.com) in July. In a deal announced in August and beginning in November, Circuit City (ranked separately, see No. 15) has added several thousand SKUs to Amazon's consumer electronics store. Amazon customers may order items online and pick up at local Circuit City stores. Total 2000 sales were $2.4 billion, up 61.7 percent from $1.5 billion in 1999.

EPS '00: $250; EPS '99: $185; % Change: 35.1%;

'00 Stores: 594; '99 Stores: 571

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 28. Sales and store counts are for the Circuit City Group and exclude the Carmax division. Toys may also be purchased online at www.circuitcity.com. Opened 23 new units and relocated two in 2000. Entertainment sales, including video game software, hardware and computer software, comprised 7 percent of 2000 total sales, up from 5 percent in 1999. Launched its "We're with you" marketing campaign in July. In August, announced a multi-year agreement with Amazon.com (ranked separately, see No. 14) to include several thousand SKUs on Amazon's Consumer Electronics store. Beginning in November, amazon.com customers can order online and pick up products at local Circuit City's. Total 2000 sales, $10.5 billion, down 1.3 percent from 1999. For the second quarter ended Aug. 31, sales totaled $2.04 billion, down 18.7 percent from the second quarter of 2000.

EPS '00: $236; EPS '99: $230; % Change: 2.6%;

'00 Stores: 863; '99 Stores: 858

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Dec. 30. Store count based on full-line department stores. Sells toys through its stores, its Wishbook catalog and online at www.sears.com and www.wishbook.com. Launched its "Where else?" marketing campaign in September to position itself as the destination for all household needs. Entered into an agreement with KB Toys (ranked separately, see No. 5) in September to test 29 "KB Toys at Sears" licensed departments in Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit and Mobile, Ala., during holiday 2001. The new licensed shops average 1,500 square feet of selling space. In 2000, full-line store sales were $23.4 billion, a 2.8 percent increase from $22.8 billion in 1999. As of third quarter, ended Sept. 29, operated 861 full-line units.

EPS '00: $224; EPS '99: $223R; % Change: 0.4%;

'00 Stores: 164; '99 Stores: 160

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 3. Sales and store counts are for ShopKo units only and do not include Pamida. Hardlines, including toys, comprised 55 percent of ShopKo's 2000 sales, down from 57 percent in 1999. Announced in January a "strategic reorganization" with the closing of 23 ShopKo stores and a related distribution center, completed by April 9. Opened a new distribution facility in Omaha, Neb. in February featuring a state-of-the-art conveyor system, serving 35 ShopKo stores in six states. Total 2000 sales for ShopKo were $2.7 billion, up 4 percent from $2.6 billion in 1999. For the second quarter ended Aug. 4, sales totaled $577 million, down slightly from $579 million in the second quarter of 2000. As of October, operated 141 units.

EPS '00: $209; EPS '99: $196R; % Change: 6.6%;

'00 Stores: 41; '99 Stores: 42

Owned by Vendex KBB of The Netherlands. In November, The Right Start, a publicly held, specialty kids home furnishings and apparel retailer, announced that it had reached an agreement to purchase certain assets of FAO Schwarz. The agreement is expected to close in January 2002 and includes its flagship store in New York, 22 U.S. stores, its Internet and catalog operation, as well as rights to FAO Schwarz's name. The Right Start acquired toy specialist Zany Brainy (ranked separately, see No. 9) in September. Sales converted from Euros based on Jan. 31 exchange rate for each year.

EPS '00: $205; EPS '99: $134; % Change: 52.8%;

'00 Stores: NS; '99 Stores: NS

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2000. Sales are for the trailing 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2000. Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March and closed down its Web site, eToys.com. Sold off BabyCenter.com to Johnson & Johnson just prior to filing for bankruptcy. In April KB Toys (ranked separately, see No. 5) purchased about $5.4 million of eToy's inventory and in May, KB Toys purchased eToys' trade names, logos, URLs and trademarks for $3.4 million.

EPS '00: $195; EPS '99: $173; % Change: 12.7%;

'00 Stores: 1,290; '99 Stores: 1,230

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 3. Officially changed its name from Consolidated Stores to Big Lots in May, with all units converting to the Big Lots name over the next two years. Units average 26,000 sq. feet. Toy department includes the Tonka, Barbie, Sesame Street, Disney, G.I. Joe and Star Wars name brands. Comp store sales for 2000 increased 3.7 percent, with sales led by seasonal goods. Total 2000 sales were $3.3 billion, up 11.7 percent from $2.9 billion in 1999. For the second quarter ended Aug. 4, sales totaled $748 million, a 5.6 percent increase over the second quarter of 2000. Comp store sales for the second quarter increased 1.8 percent. As of September, operated 1,326 closeout stores in 45 states.

EPS '00: $190; EPS '99: $173; % Change: 9.8%;

'00 Stores: 252; '99 Stores: 231

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Sept. 2, 2000. Sales and store count are for U.S. locations only for the trailing 12 months ended Feb. 18, 2001. Toys may be purchased at all warehouse clubs and online at www.costco.com. Brands carried include Barbie, Hot Wheels, Peg Perego and The Singing Machine, as well as Sony PlayStation 2 games and Game Boy games. Trailing 12 month sales were $32.8 billion, up 13.1 percent from 1999. Sales for Costco's fourth quarter ended Sept. 2, totaled $10.9 billion, up 5 percent from $10.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2000. Comp store sales for the fourth quarter increased by 5 percent. As of September, operated 268 warehouse clubs in the U.S.

EPS '00: $170; EPS '99: $163; % Change: 4.3%;

'00 Stores: 475; '99 Stores: 463

Fiscal year ended Jan. 31. Part of publicly held Wal-Mart Corp. Sales and store counts are for Sam's Clubs only (Wal-Mart stores ranked separately, see No. 1). Toys are available in all units, as well as online at www.samsclub.com. Opened 13 new units during 2000. Units average 122,107 square feet. Hardlines, including toys, comprised 21 percent of 2000 sales, down slightly from 22 percent in 1999. Total sales in 2000 were $26.8 billion, up 8.1 percent from $24.8 billion in 1999. For the second quarter ended July 31, sales totaled $7.3 billion, up 9.1 percent from $6.7 billion in the second quarter of 2000. Comp store sales for the second quarter increased 5.7 percent. As of October, operated 492 units.

EPS' 00: $167; EPS '99: $48R; % Change: 247.9%;

'00 Stores: NS; '99 Stores: NS

Part of publicly held Toys R Us, fiscal year ended Feb. 3. Sales are for toysrus.com, babiesrus.com and imaginarium.com, store sales are ranked separately. Has sold merchandise via the Internet at www.toysrus.com since 1998 and at babiesrus.com since July 2000. Toysrus.com created a co-branded store with amazon.com (ranked separately, see No. 14) in Sept. 2000. Babiesrus.com transitioned onto the Amazon platform in May and in July, TRU and Amazon launched its co-branded imaginarium.com site. In the partnership, amazon.com handles site development, order fulfillment, housing of inventory and customer service, while TRU identifies, buys, owns and manages inventory. Toysrus.com tripled its sales during holiday 2000. For 2000, total sales were $180 million, a 267 percent increase over $49 million in 1999.

EPS '00: $145; EPS '99: $140; % Change: 3.6%;

'00 Stores: NS; '99 Stores: NS

Wholly owned subsidiary of publicly held Federated Department Stores, fiscal year ended Feb. 3. Sells directly to consumer via catalogs, telemarketing and online at www.fingerhut.com. In October 2000, announced strategic downsizing plans including reducing its catalog and Web site product offerings. In January, announced plans to close its Duluth, Minn. call center. Federated's 2000 direct-to-consumer sales, including Fingerhut, Bloomingdale's by mail, bloomingdales.com, Macy's by Mail and macys.com totaled $1.9 billion, up 4 percent from 1999. Total Fingerhut sales for the second quarter ended Aug. 4, were $244 million, down 36.8 percent from the second quarter of 2000.

EPS '00: $145; EPS '99: NA; % Change: NA;

'00 Stores: 4,800; '99 Stores: NA

Privately held. Sales and store count are for Hallmark Gold Crown stores only. Hallmark Cards Inc. markets its products through 47,000 retail outlets in the U.S., including 4,800 certified Hallmark Gold Crown stores, more than 95 percent of which are independently owned. Independent dealers make all toy-buying decisions. Toy items vary from store to store and include plush, dolls, collectibles, infant toys and books. Through a partnership with Mattel, Hallmark will produce and offer a gift and stationery line based on the American Girl doll collection beginning in late 2002. Units will also also offer American Girl books, but not American Girl dolls. Total 2000 consolidated Hallmark Cards Inc. revenues were $4.3 billion, up 3 percent from 1999.

EPS '00: $140; EPS '99: $138; % Change: 1.4%;

'00 Stores: 1,331; '99 Stores: 1,345

Fiscal year ended Dec. 30. Purchased by Best Buy (ranked separately, see No. 8) in February and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary. As of August, operates 1,305 retail stores in 49 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands under the names of Sam Goody, Suncoast, Media Play and On Cue. Total 2000 sales were $1.9 billion, up 0.9 percent from $1.89 billion in 1999. For the second quarter ended Sept. 1, sales were $396 million, down slightly from $400 million in the second quarter of 2000. Units experienced flat comp stores sales for the second quarter, with sales of entertainment software, including video games and DVD movies, having double-digit growth.

EPS '00: $137; EPS '99: $145; % Change: -5.5%;

'00 Stores: 127; '99 Stores: 143

Fiscal year ended Feb. 3, part of publicly held Kroger. Operated 127 units in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington in 2000. The previous 16 units in Arizona merged with Fry's Food Stores, a wholly owned division of Kroger, to form Fry's Marketplace in 2000. Units average 145,000 sq. feet. Since the end of its second quarter in August, has opened new units in Ellensburg, Spokane and Tomwater, Wash., as well its 132nd unit in Boise, Idaho, in November. Toy brands carried include Fisher-Price, Little Tikes, Lego, Hasbro and Playskool.

EPS '00: $135; EPS '99: $125; % Change: 8.0%;

'00 Stores: 3,343; '99 Stores: 2,967

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2000. Sales and store counts are for the trailing 12 months ended Feb. 28, 2001. Toys may be purchased through all units, as well as online at www.walgreens.com. For fiscal year 2000, general merchandise, including toys, comprised 26 percent of Walgreen's total sales, down from 28 percent in fiscal 1999. Total 2000 trailing 12 month sales were $22.8 billion, up 16.6 percent from $19.6 billion in 1999. For the 2001 fiscal year, ended Aug. 31, 2001, sales totaled $24.6 billion, up 16.1 percent from fiscal 2000. Comp store sales for fiscal 2001 were up 10.5 percent. As of Sept. 30, operated 3,547 units in 43 states and Puerto Rico.

EPS '00: $118; EPS '99: $100; % Change: 18.0%;

'00 Stores: 628; '99 Stores: 559

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 3. Units are located in 48 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. The craft and hobby store chain opened 72 new units in 2000 and closed three. Units average 18,100 sq. feet of selling space. Toy products include wooden and plastic model kits and related supplies, kids crafts, plush toys and paint-by-number kits. Comp store sales for 2000 increased 5 percent. Total 2000 sales were $2.2 billion, up 19.5 percent from $1.9 billion in 1999. For the second quarter ended Aug. 4, sales totaled $486 million, up 12 percent from $434 million for the second quarter of 2000. Comp store sales were up 1 percent for the second quarter. As of October, operated 682 units.

EPS '00: $116; EPS '99: $94R; % Change: 24.3%;

'00 Stores: 92; '99 Stores: 71

Privately held, fiscal year ended Jan. 29. Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March. Initially planning to close only three-quarters of its 91 stores and to reorganize with those remaining. By early June had closed all its stores, liquidating inventory for about $30 million. Affiliated with the PBS network, the specialty toy company paid royalties to local stations and carried products related to popular shows. Early in 1999, had acquired 21 former Learningsmith store sites and had planned to open about 30 stores during 2001.

EPS '00: $112; EPS '99: $105R; % Change: 6.7%

'00 Stores: NS; '99 Stores: NS

Part of publicly traded Comcast, fiscal year ended Dec. 31. Toys may be purchased via its TV channel and online at www.qvc.com. QVC carries a wide variety of toys including dolls, games, plush, action figures, trains, radio-controlled cars and electronic toys. The shop-by-cable network reopened its flagship store at the Mall of America in August. The new location is 2,500 square feet and includes broadcast capabilities. In June, reached the 80 million U.S. household mark. Adds approximately 40,000 new customers to its roster every week. Total 2000 QVC sales were $3.5 billion, up 11.7 percent from $3.2 billion in 1999.

EPS '00: $110; EPS '99: $114; % Change: -4.1%;

'00 Stores: 161; '99 Stores: 140

Revenues are worldwide, excluding food/services/vending. Serving active-duty military personnel, guard and reservists, retirees and their families, AAFES uses its profits to fund Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Programs and to build or renovate new outlets for its products. Receiving no funding from the Department of Defense, AAFES funds its operating budget from the sale of merchandise, food and services. With more than 150 main stores or shopping centers, stores are located worldwide and in every state and are supplemented by catalog and Internet sales. The Internet has become the fastest growing segment for AAFES. 2000 Internet and catalog sales were $89 million. Total 2000 worldwide revenues were $7.3 billion.

EPS '00: $105; EPS '99: NA; % Change: NA;

'00 Stores: 1,196; '99 Stores: 1,137

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Jan. 27. Sales and store count are for the Marmaxx Group (T.J. Maxx and Marshalls). T.J. Maxx stores average 29,000 sq. feet and Marshalls average 31,000 sq. feet. Toy brands carried include Tomy, Pooh, Lionel, Madeline, Barbie, Lego and Colorforms. In March, began a $25 million advertising campaign of "You should go," with women explaining why they love shopping at T.J. Maxx. Total 2000 sales for the Marmaxx Group were $8.2 billion, up 5.8 percent from $7.8 billion in 1999. For the second quarter ended July 28, Marmaxx sales increased 6 percent to $2.1 billion. Comp store sales rose 2 percent for the second quarter.

EPS '00: $104; EPS '99: $109; % Change: -4.6%;

'00 Stores: 160; '99 Stores: 160

Massachusetts-based Learning Express is a franchised toy retailer focusing on high-quality developmental and educational toys and games. Stores typically encompass about 3,000 sq. feet and carry toys, games, puzzles, books and plush for kids from infant through teens. In-store sponsored activities include story times, craft workshops, toy and game demonstrations, play days, and appearances by children's entertainers and storybook characters.

EPS '00: $78; EPS '99: $50; % Change: 56.0%;

'00 Stores: 125; '99 Stores: 119

Franchised hobby and toy retailer with units in 42 states. Products may also be purchased online at www.hobbytown.com. Stores average 3,300 sq. feet. Fifty percent of toy sales derived from radio-controlled vehicles. Also offers activity toys, computer games, electric train sets/ accessories, games, puzzles and other outdoor toys. Customers may apply for a free discount "HobbyCard" at stores. Also offers its Hobby Outlook Magazine, a free publication presenting product information and in-store coupons. Total 2000 sales were $78 million, up 11.4 percent from 1999 sales of $70 million. As of August, operated 136 stores.

EPS '00: $78; EPS '99: $60R; % Change: 30.0%;

'00 Stores: 320; '99 Stores: 259

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 3. Toys may be purchased in all units, as well as online at www.kohls.com. Brands include Barbie, Lego, Fisher-Price, Little Tikes, Hot Wheels and Tonka. Units average 86,000 sq. feet. Opened 34 units during the first half of 2001, including entry into the Atlanta and Fayetteville/Ft. Smith, Ark., markets. Plans to open 70 new stores in 2002, including entry into the Boston and Houston markets. Sales for 2000 totaled $6.2 billion, up 35 percent from $4.6 billion in 1999. For the second quarter ended Aug. 4, sales totaled $1.5 million, up 20.7 percent from $1.3 million in second quarter of 2000. At end of October, operated 382 units.

EPS '00: $78; EPS '99: NA; % Change: NA; '00 Stores: 3,833; '99 Stores: 3,457

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Aug. 26, 2000. Sales and store count are for the trailing 12 months ended March 3, 2001. Units range from 6,000 to 8,000 sq. feet. Completed a major reallocation of space in 2000, devoting more to hardlines. Debuted its redesigned, informational Web site at www.familydollar.com in September. For fiscal 2000, hardlines, including toys, comprised 71.4 percent of total sales. Opened 502 new units in fiscal 2001 and closed 50. Trailing 12 month sales for 2000 were $3.4 billion, up 16.1 percent from $2.9 billion in 1999. For fiscal 2001, ended Sept. 1, total sales were $3.7 billion, up 17 percent from $3.1 billion in fiscal 2000. Comp store sales for fiscal 2001 increased 4.1 percent and hardline sales increased 8.5 percent. As of October, operated 4,169 units in 39 states.

EPS '00: $77; EPS '99: NA; % Change: NA; '00 Stores: NS; '99 Stores: NS

Direct seller of beauty and health items, as well as personal accessories, decorative accessories, apparel and toys. Markets to women in 139 countries through 3.4 million independent sales reps, with nearly a half million in the U.S. Opened this year centers in selected JCPenney stores selling a new line of Avon products called "beComing." The new line offers beauty products, as well as a selection of jewelry and accessories and well-being products. "BeComing Mom," a line of products for expectant mothers and their infants, is also offered. By October, 75 store-within-a-store locations had opened, with 20 more expected to open by year's end and another 200 slated to open in 2002. Worldwide revenues in 2000 were $5.7 billion; U.S. sales were $1.9 billion.

EPS '00: $75; EPS '99: $75; % Change: 0.0%;

'00 Stores: 2,640; '99 Stores: 2,898

Part of publicly held JCPenney (ranked separately, see No. 11), fiscal year ended Jan. 27. Toys may be purchased in stores and online at www.eckerd.com. Carries puzzles, games, toys and seasonal items. Brands include Milton Bradley, Mattel, Koosh Ball, Parker Brothers, Play-Doh, Slinky and Tyco. Non-pharmacy sales constituted 36 percent of sales in 2000 and 1999. Comp non-pharmacy sales were flat for 2000. Total 2000 sales were $13.1 billion, up 5.3 percent from $12.4 billion in 1999. For the second quarter ended July 28, sales totaled $3.4 billion, up 7.1 percent from $3.1 billion in the second quarter of 2000. Comp store sales for the second quarter increased 8.2 percent.

EPS '00: $67; EPS '99: $63; % Change: 6.3%;

'00 Stores: 5,109; '99 Stores: 5,087

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Dec. 31. Units average 2,300 sq. feet. Launched in June its "RadioShack Cool Things" store within Blockbuster units. The store-within-a-store concept was launched to 120 Blockbuster units in June, including 33 stores in Austin, 23 in Tulsa, 34 in Las Vegas and 30 in Norfolk, Va. Stores range in size from 150 to 600 sq. feet and feature home electronics, wireless handsets, gadgets and toys. Plans to rollout the concept nationwide in 2002. In 2000, personal electronics and seasonal, including toys, comprised 8.6 percent of total sales, down from 9.4 percent in 1999. Total 2000 sales were $4.8 billion, up 16 percent from $4.1 billion in 1999. For the third quarter ended Sept. 30, sales totaled $1.08 billion, down 5 percent from $1.14 billion in the third quarter of 2000.

EPS '00: $56; EPS '99: $60; % Change: -6.7%; '00 Stores: 23; '99 Stores: 24

Privately held, full-line specialty toy retailer offering name brand, developmental and educational toys. Stores are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia and Indiana. Stores include a "Try Me" play area for customers to try out product offerings. The company has launched its own brand of toys and kids furniture under the name "ITZA Great Toy Company." Shopping at home convenience is available on its Web site at www.familytoy.com.

EPS '00: $55; EPS '99: NA; % Change: NA; '00 Stores: 431; '99 Stores: 382

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Dec. 31 for the upscale closeout chain. Added 49 units in 2000. Stores average 7,784 sq. feet. Toy brand names include Playmobil, Lego, Barbie, Hot Wheels and Madame Alexander. In August 2000, acquired the inventory of toysmart.com. Comp store sales rose 8.8 percent in 2000. Total 2000 sales were $586.9 million, up 20 percent from $488.9 million in 1999. For the second quarter ended June 30, sales totaled $148.3 million, up 11.8 percent from the second quarter of 2000. Comp store sales increased 1.1 percent for the second quarter and 4.1 percent for the first half of fiscal 2001. Operated 451 units at the end of the second quarter.

EPS '00: $55; EPS '99: NA; % Change: NA; '00 Stores: 569; '99 Stores: 542

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 3. Sales and store counts are for Barnes & Noble locations only. Opened 32 units and closed five in 2000. Units range in size from 10,000 to 60,000 sq. feet. Toys are located within children's departments and include Thomas the Tank Engine, Madeline, Curious George, plush, games and puzzles. Comp store sales for 2000 increased 4.9 percent. Total 2000 sales were $3.2 billion, up 12.3 percent from $2.8 billion in 1999. For the second quarter ended Aug. 4, sales totaled $772.5 million, up 8.3 percent from the second quarter of 2000. Comp store sales for the second quarter were up 3 percent.

EPS '00: $51; EPS '99: $50R; % Change: 2.0%;

'00 Stores: NS; '99 Stores: NS

Acquired by online personal and professional development network Dreamlife from investment firm McGuggan in July. Will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the new parent company that will provide motivational training and educational tools for the more than 20,000 educational consultants selling the educational line throughout the U.S.

EPS '00: $50; EPS '99: NA; % Change: NA; '00 Stores: 40; '99 Stores: NA

Named as the 2001 Retailer Innovator of the Year from the National Retail Federation, Build-A-Bear Workshop offers a unique interactive/entertainment retail concept for customers to create their own customized stuffed animals and dolls. The customized creations range in price from $10 to $25, but there is no limit to the number and kinds of accessories that are also offered. With 66 stores opened by end of October and plans to open six more by the end of this year, the company has grown its business from a single store that opened in late 1997 in St. Louis. Scheduled to open in mid-November of this year will be a flagship store in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort in California.

EPS '00: $45; EPS '99: $40; % Change: 12.5%;

'00 Stores: 14; '99 Stores: 13

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Feb. 24. The catalog giant celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. Published 35 catalogs and mailed approximately 169 million catalogs in 2000. Toys are carried in the core catalog, published nine times in 2000 and in its Lilly's Kids catalog, published six times. Currently sells through 15 outlet stores, averaging 3,000 sq. feet, with toy departments averaging 500 sq. feet. Total 2000 sales were $287 million, up 2.2 percent from $281 million in 1999. For the second quarter ended Aug. 25, sales totaled $36.8 million, down 19.6 percent from the second quarter of 2000. The decrease in sales was attributed to reduction in circulation and consolidation of its Neat Ideas catalog into other titles.

EPS '00: $44; EPS '99: $44; % Change: 0.0%;

'00 Stores: 105; '99 Stores: 104

Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Dec. 26, 2000 after having emerged from similar protection in February 1999. In January, Bradlees' stock was delisted on the NASDAQ exchange. As of early April, going-out-of-business sales had been completed and all stores had been closed. The company's real property leases of 105 stores, three distribution centers and the headquarters, all located in the Northeast, were put on the auction block with Kohl's, Wal-Mart and Home Depot as possible beneficiaries of the sale. Total sales for 2000 were $1.5 billion, down 3 percent from 1999.

EPS '00: $43; EPS '99: $35; % Change: 22.9%;

'00 Stores: 145; '99 Stores: 131

Part of publicly held Toys R Us, fiscal year ended Feb. 3. Sales and store counts are for U.S. Babies R Us stores only. Features 24,000 to 42,000 sq. feet units with up to 40 room settings of furniture, as well as infant hardgoods, apparel, toys and gifts. Enhanced its baby registry system in 2000 by enabling guests to create, view and change entries via the Internet. In 2000, BRU experienced double-digit comp store sales growth and opened 16 new units. Plans to open 20 new units this year, six of which were opened by August. Toy brands include Fisher-Price, Safety 1st, Evenflo, Tomy Corp. and Hasbro. For 2000, total sales were $1.3 billion, a 26.4 percent increase over $1.0 billion in 1999. For the second quarter ended Aug. 4, BRU sales totaled $341 million, a 9.6 percent increase from $311 million in the second quarter of 2000.

EPS '00: $42; EPS '99: $38; % Change: 11.9%; '00 Stores: 31; '99 Stores: 31

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2000. Sales are based on trailing 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2000. Play Co. Toys & Entertainment, and its subsidiaries toysinternational.com, Play Co. Toys Canyon Country, all filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March. Operated 35 stores in 12 states just prior to its bankruptcy filing. A specialty retailer of educational, interactive electronic, specialty and collectible toys, traditional toys and games, the company also offered a limited amount of children's apparel and accessories. During fiscal year 2000, the company opened seven new stores and closed one due to a lease expiration.

EPS '00: $41; EPS '99: $36; % Change: 13.9%;

'00 Stores: 1,729; '99 Stores: 1,507

Publicly held, fiscal year ended Dec. 31. Stores operate under the names Dollar Tree, Dollar Express, Only One Dollar, Only $One and Dollar Bills. Traditional units range between 3,500 and 6,000 sq. feet and larger stores range from 7,000 to 12,000 sq. feet. In 2000, merged with Dollar Express, operating 132 stores in the Mid-Atlantic area. Built a new distribution center in Stockton, Calif. in 2000. Total 2000 sales were $1.7 billion, up 25 percent from $1.4 billion in 1999. For second quarter ended June 30, sales totaled $440 million, up 14.5 percent from the second quarter of 2000. At end of second quarter, operated 1,863 units in 36 states.