New Stores 'R' Us

Toys “R” Us (Paramus, N.J.) will increase capital expenditures by 50 percent this year so that it can build new stores and renovate current ones. The retailer predicts spending will total some $600 million by Feb. 2, 2002, up from $402 million the previous year.

The company will convert 250 U.S. stores into its C-3 format, an enhanced design featuring wider aisles and a more open store plan. Three new toy stores will be built abroad, in addition to 20 new Babies “R” Us stores in the U.S. and 12 Imaginarium stores (selling educational-type merchandise).