Wal Mart Tries to Jump-Start Christmas Toy Sales

Wal Mart has slashed prices on some toys to get a jump on the Christmas retail season.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based retail giant said it also will spend the next 10 days opening Christmas shops in its 3,500 U.S. stores in advance of the Christmas rush.

Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) said it hired a third-party to do a survey, which identified 10 popular toys. Wal-Mart said it then priced each toy at $10 to give parents a break. The toys are:

• Barbie and her dog, Tanner

• Barbie Mariposa

• Play-Doh Ice Cream Shop

• Assorted Littlest Pet Shop VIPs

• Hot Wheels Trick Tracks

• Hot Wheels Beast Bash

• Fur Real Newborn Animals

• Tonka Light and Sound Vehicles

• Doll Stroller

• Backugan by Spinmaster

“As consumers face higher prices for energy, a credit crunch and food inflation, we’re working to provide low prices on both everyday needs and on things people want so they can live better,” said John Fleming, Wal-Mart chief merchandising officer, in a prepared statement.