Can't find Elmo? Get the bike instead

With one week left in the annual quest to fill children's wishlists, toy stores have turned into battlefields.

Parents loaded down with purchases carefully try to sidestepitems that have been cast aside, littering store aisles.

Casting a glance at crumpled pieces of scratch paper, theytrudge to the next aisle, only to discover the must-have toy on achild's list is on other lists as well. It's out of stock.The retailers who've watched this scene over and over have onepiece of advice: "Now's the time to start working on the `B' list,"said Mark Pritchard, senior toy buyer at Target Stores.Toy industry sales are expected to top $13 billion thisChristmas, but most of the furor - and shopper store struggles - hascentered on four runaway hits - Tickle Me Elmo, Happy HolidaysBarbie, Nintendo 64 and Talking Buzz Lightyear.Despite the ads and media hype, children this year really wantthe same kinds of toys they've favored every year, say shopping mallSantas who visit with children all day long. A poll of Santas by theNational Retail Federation found the most-requested toys includePower Rangers, Barbie, bicycles, computer games, "Toy Story"characters, train sets, remote-controlled race cars, Baby Go Bye-Byeand Sega."What most kids want in 1996 is what they've wanted for the last40 to 50 years - a bike, a train and a doll - and it doesn't have tobe Holiday Barbie," said Pam Rucker, a spokesman for the NationalRetail Federation. "The media and parents tend to latch onto onething every year."But for those parents who are still intent on finding one of thehottest toys, there is a glimmer - but just a glimmer - of hope.Tyco Toys Inc. has boosted its production of the $29 Tickle MeElmo, and now expects to sell 1 million of the dolls. The rushorders have enabled chains such as Toys "R" Us to issue rain checksfor the plush red toy that giggles and talks when it's tickled.