For example, before buying the suburban Chicago retail property, named the Yorktown Center, Mr. Rosenberg said his team spoke with executives at more than 100 companies, including Toys 'R' Us, which KKR acquired in 2005 as part of a consortium.

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Hoffman helped build Priceline.com, the name-your-own-price travel site, part of tech holding company Walker Digital, and later headed up other Walker business units, including Priceline YardSale, which applied the auction model to selling everything from toys to refrigerators.

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Another option is layaway which is being offered at stores including Wal-Mart, Kmart, Best Buy, Toys r Us and T J Maxx.

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My absolute favorite is WOD Toys , shown in the fun video above, which offers kid-based exercise equipment including kettle bells and other gear.

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