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SALT LAKE CITY — Online discount retailer Overstock.com reported a 19% increase in total net revenue for the first quarter, thanks to a 21% increase in average order size.  

Overstock.com’s total net revenue for the quarter was $312 million, up from $262 million for the first quarter of last year, even though the company reported a small decrease in the number of customer orders. Its net income for the quarter surged to $8 million, up from $2.7 million for the same period last year. 

With 6,700 stores in 12 markets, Tesco is a formidable competitor globally, but Walmart won’t have to worry about competing with the company on its home turf.

New York -- A Wednesday report by Women’s Wear Daily said Libby Wadle been named president of the J. Crew brand, charged with overseeing both the retail and direct businesses of J. Crew, Crewcuts and J. Crew factory outlets. She was previously EVP.

Former chief administrative officer James Scully has been promoted to COO.

San Francisco -- In a presentation to shareholders at its annual investor meeting on Wednesday, Gap CEO Glenn Murphy outlined growth initiatives that include taking Old Navy international via a franchising route, and expanding on its online programs.

Dallas -- Venture Commercial said Monday that The Plaza at Preston Center, in Dallas, will see the Texas debuts of Sprinkles Ice Cream and True Food Kitchen this spring, and international retailers LUBLU Kira Plastinina and Aftershock London have selected The Plaza for their flagship U.S. stores.

Venture, which serves as the exclusive broker for the lifestyle center located in the heart of the Park City neighborhood, also said that Sprinkles Cupcakes and Calypso St. Barth are expanding and/or relocating their stores at The Plaza.

San Diego -- Sony Electronics is revving up its retail expansion, opening the doors to three newly remodeled Sony Stores and several brand new Sony Gallery experiences during the past few months. The company also unveiled a smaller-store format called Sony Gallery.

Following the debut of the redesigned Sony Store in the Simon Mall Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., Sony announced it will open three new concept stores located in Miami, San Diego, and Orlando, Fla. The remodels will bring the total of U.S. redesigned stores to eight.

New York -- Overstock.com founder Patrick M. Byrne has returned as CEO of online discount retailer.

Byrne took a medical leave of absence in February to address cardiac issues thought to be associated with cancer treatments received much earlier in his life.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Pier 1's fourth-quarter earnings fell 46% compared with last year, when the chain recorded a large, one-time tax benefit.

The company earned $61.7 million in the three months that ended March 2, compared with $115.2 million in last year's quarter. Revenue rose 16% to $551.6 million. Same-store sales climbed 7.9%.

For the full year, Pier 1 earned $129.4 million on $1.7 billion in revenue.

For its current fiscal year, the chain expects to open 30 stores.