Walmart raised prices on over 1800 toy items at the end of November, according to a report by Bloomberg News.  Bloomberg obtained a copy of an internal memo sent to store managers dictating the increases, which were ordered “to better enable your store and the company to have a successful financial month.”

Earlier this holiday season, Walmart had to cut prices to match lower prices at Target (see “Walmart, Target Duke It Out on Toys.”

Walmart did announce a new round of price cuts that took effect last Friday night (the 17th), according to the Bloomberg report. 

Toys are getting the usual high levels of promotional attention this holiday season, with bookstores joining the fray with their new toy departments, and more pop-up stores from Toys ‘R’ Us.  But it appears that Walmart is competing less on price this holiday season, which may mean that it's willing to give up a little share, and some of the store traffic that brings, in exchange for higher margins.