RETAILING
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Mattel Expects $5-Million Charge: Mattel said it expects to report an unanticipated pretax charge to 1992 earnings of about $5 million because of problems experienced by Lionel Corp. The Edison, N.J.-based retailer recently lost its financing and it has stopped paying its landlords and suppliers, including Mattel. Lionel, which is operating under bankruptcy law protection, has shut 13 stores since Christmas and plans to close another 27 because of disappointing holiday sales.
