NEW YORK — Toys R Us Inc. is introducing a layaway program for larger-ticket items such as bikes and cribs ahead of the holiday season, the company said today.

The largest U.S. toy retailer said the program is effective immediately in stores nationwide. Customers can put a variety of items on hold and make a series of payments until the item is paid in full.

There's no online layaway at Toys R Us, though there might be in the future, the company said. The Wayne, N.J.-based company said the program is likely to keep going after the holidays, though terms may change.

OBAMA EXPLORING WAYS TO BOOST JOBS

WASHINGTON — President Obama is considering all options to create jobs, including another stimulus package, while trying to pull the economy out of a deep recession and deal with a record deficit, White House advisers said yesterday.

With more than half of the $787 billion recovery package yet to be spent, Obama aides said the administration is not ready to commit to additional measures.

Unemployment stands at 9.8 percent, with more than 4 million jobs lost this year. The deficit has reached $1.4 trillion and the national debt $11.9 trillion.

CHEVRON ANNOUNCES NEW NATURAL GAS FIND

SAN RAMON, Calif. — Energy company Chevron Corp. said yesterday it has made an additional discovery of natural gas in the giant Gorgon gas field being developed off the northwest coast of Australia.

Chevron said the Achilles-1 exploration well, located about 100 miles off the coast, was drilled to 14,800 feet.

Chevron owns half the project and is the field operator. ExxonMobil and Shell each hold a 25 percent stake.

In August, Chevron announced discoveries in wells off Western Australia state. The first gas is expected to be delivered in 2014.

Deals to export gas already have been signed with China, India, Japan and South Korea.