In early holiday push, Wal-Mart cutting toy prices

by Nicole Maestri
Boston.com

New York - Wal-Mart Stores Inc is cutting prices on popular toys and ramping up the opening of Christmas shops in its U.S. stores as the retailer tries to win sales from cash-strapped shoppers ahead of what could be the worst holiday season in 17 years.

Wal-Mart said on Wednesday that it will sell ten toys, including certain Barbie dolls and Tonka trucks, for $10 each. It is also putting its Christmas shops on the "fast track" and intends to open the shops, which sell ornaments and holiday decor, in its stores nationwide by October 10.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Linda Blakley said its shoppers, who are increasingly living paycheck to paycheck, are indicating that they will start their holiday shopping earlier this year to stretch their limited budgets.

"Given current conditions, some (shoppers) need to spread out their Christmas shopping over a longer time-frame than they may have last year," she said.

Last year, Wal-Mart cut prices on hot toys on September 30 to try to persuade hesitant shoppers to spend on holiday items.

But this year, retailers are bracing for what some economists predict could be the worst Christmas season since 1991, when the nation had only recently emerged from a recession.

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