Toys 'R' Us narrows field of buyers

DSN Retailing Today, March 14, 2005

WAYNE, N.J. -- Toys "R" Us has reportedly narrowed down the list of potential buyers for its toy store division to four groups, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The report identified the companies as Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.; a partnership of Apollo Advisors LLP and Permira Advisors LTD; a partnership between Bain Capital LLC and Vornado Realty Trust; and a group made up of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Kimco Realty Corp.

and Cerberus Capital Management. Bids for the 685-store toy division are reported to be between $3 billion and $3.5 billion. Toys "R" Us spokeswoman Susan McLaughlin declined to comment on the report, saying that the company "does not comment on marketplace rumors and speculation."