Zany Brainy secures spot as No. 1 in specialty niche.(Brief Article)

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA. -- Zany Brainy's announcement that it's buying Noodle Kidoodle gives the company entry into eight new states and solidifies its standing as the country's largest specialty toy retailer.

For both retailers, alike in strategy and merchandise, the benefits of a partnership were too hard to ignore, especially since overlap in competing markets was minimal. By joining forces, these top two players in the educational and specialty toy business will create a stronger company that will profit from cost-saving synergies in areas such as administration and buying.

"It's one of the more natural fits in retail you'll find. The companies--philosophically, geographically and in terms of …