New store openings and express locations helped Toys ‘R’ Us domestic total sales grow by 5.4% in December and comparable store sales by 2.2%, marking the fifth consecutive year of positive comparable store sales growth in the US for the New Jersey-based retailer.

Online sales growth (which is included in comparable store sales) was particularly strong during the holiday season.

In the International segment, total sales declined by 3.6% in the month of December, reflecting a comparable store sales decline of 5%, partially offset by sales from new locations.

For the nine-week holiday season, the International segment’s total sales declined 3.4%, including a comparable store sales decline of 4.7%. International total sales performance for the holiday season varied by country, driven by declines in the UK and Spain, partially offset by positive growth in Canada and Japan.

Across the entire company, the Core Toy and Learning categories brought in the strongest total sales growth, while the entertainment category, which includes videogame hardware and software, was the weakest as it continued to experience sales declines.