TRU looks to score with kids sports site - Toysrus.com - Brief Article

DSN Retailing Today, Oct 13, 2003 by Doug Desjardins

WAYNE, N.J. -- Toysrus.com will add a full line of sporting goods to its e-commerce mix during the holidays with the opening of a "Sportsrus.com" Web site. The new site opened in late September and carries nearly 1,000 top brands.

The site will carry more than 30,000 items ranging from standard sporting goods to apparel, footwear, games and exercise equipment. Sportsrus.com will also carry a full line of gear and equipment for adults.

Toysrus.com president Ray Arthur said the goal is to make Sportsrus.com a place to shop for both young kids just starting out in sports and older children involved in organized youth league team sports.

"We want to be the leading experts in children's sporting goods with products for children in every age group," said Arthur.

Sportsrus.com will also have a prominent spot on the new sporting goods tab on Amazon.com. Toysrus.com has a 10-year strategic alliance with Amazon.com in which Amazon handles several roles, including the housing and shipping of the company's merchandise.

The introduction of Sportsrus.com gives Toys "R" Us a larger online presence heading into the holidays. During the fourth quarter of 2002, Toysrus.com posted its first profitable quarter with an operating profit of $3 million.