• Reuters, Tuesday, September 21, 2010 10:51 AM

Dhanya Skariachan reports that Toys R Us is hoping that a wide assortment of toys -- from Mattel's $13 plush toys that sing when squeezed to "Leapster Explorer," a $70 handheld gaming device that doubles as an e-reader and photo-and-video recorder -- will make for a Merry Holiday Season at the cash register.

The 587-outlet retailer will officially unveil its 36-item Holiday Hot Toy List later today. Other products that make the cut include squishy pencil-toppers called "Squinkies," "Disney Princess & Me" dolls, and a Lego board game.

"Our list has a wide range of prices on it," says Lisa Harnisch, Toys R Us vp and divisional merchandise manager. "So depending on parents and gift-givers' budgets, we do have gifts for every ... giver."

The retailer also will open 600 Toys R Us Express temporary stores in the U.S this year -- more than six times more than it opened in 2009 -- and is hiring 10,000 workers to staff them.

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