Summary
'Toys "R" Us Inc., the retailer that filed for bankruptcy in North America, has been exploring options for its growing Asian business, including a potential initial public offering, people with knowledge of the matter said.
Toys "R" Us and some of its North American subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy last month, though its Asian unit wasn't included in the proceedings.
Toys "R" Us owns about 85 percent of the Asian venture, while Fung Group – the private holding company of Hong Kong businessmen Victor and William Fung – has the remainder.
Still, an IPO of the Asian unit would allow Toys "R" Us' private equity owners to recoup some of their investment by selling shares in a business that's still doing well.
Toys "R" Us dominates the $20.7 billion Asia Pacific market for traditional toys and games, according to research firm Euromonitor International.
Toys "R" Us Asia was set up in 1986 .
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