Toy retailer Toys R Us has reported a 3% growth in net sales for the second quarter ended July 30, driven by store openings and favourable exchange rates at its overseas operations.

However, like-for-like sales fell 2.2% in the US and international markets. The company widened its net loss to $34m (£21.4m) compared with $14m (£8.8m) in the second quarter of last year, which it said reflected the impact of one-time tax benefits in 2010.

Sales in the toy and learning categories grew 15% and 11% respectively. However, sales in the entertainment category fell 13%.