PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., Jan. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. retail researchers NPD Group said Friday strong toy sales in the fourth quarter pushed the sector to a 2 percent rise in the year compared to 2009.

Toy sales jumped 3 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the same quarter in 2009, pushing sales for the year to $21.87 billion. In 2009, $21.46 billion worth of toys were sold.

Close to half of the year's toy sales, $10.2 billion, occurred in the fourth quarter, the research group said.

The group said it was a good year for Plush and Building Set toys, with sales up 18 percent and 13 percent, respectively. Sales of Outdoor and Sport Toys rose 9 percent. Dolls and Infant/Preschool toys rose 6 percent.

But sales of Youth Electronics fell 22 percent. Sales Action Figures and their accessories dropped 15 percent and the category of Games/Puzzles fell 9 percent.

"Looking forward to 2011, there is much optimism coming off the strong holiday performance for toys. From our KIDS tracker, we know that toys is one of the top categories kids are spending their holiday gift cards on. With an improving economy, several movie releases, and a wide array of innovative product coming to market, 2011 looks to be another solid year for toy sales," said NPD Group industry analyst Anita Frazier.