Toys“R”Us is one of the world’s leading retailers of toys, children’s apparel, and baby products, operating over 1,500 retail stores. For a recent year, Toys“R”Us reported the following net cash flows from operating activities (in thousands):

First quarter ending May 1, 2004 ... $(246,000)
Second quarter ending July 31, 2004 ... (63,000)
Third quarter ending October 30, 2004 . (415,000)
Year ending January 29, 2005 ..... 746,000

Explain how Toys“R”Us can report negative net cash flows from operating activities during the first three quarters yet report net positive cash flows for the year.