Borders is adding significant toy and game sections to the Children’s Departments in over 500 stores.  The company says the toys and games it’s stocking were chosen because of their “role in promoting discovery, fostering creativity, and helping build cognitive skills in youngsters.”   The departments will be staffed (at least some of the time) with a “dedicated kids specialist.” 

Borders is targeting three distinct age groupings with its offerings:  three and under, three through seven, and seven through 12.  Books for indendent readers (8-12) are being placed in a new section next to the Children’s Department, expanding the floor space for kids’ products over-all. 

Borders is also carving out new space for teens in its stores (see “Borders Creating In-Store Teen Boutiques”).