Mass Merchant

ABILENE, Kan. - Duckwall-ALCO Stores announced that Wayne Peterson has joined the company as SVP and CFO, effective Sept. 20.

Peterson has 30 years of experience in the retail industry, most recently as CFO of Minyard Food Stores, based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He began his career as a financial analyst with Jewel Food Stores and progressed to CFO positions at Buttrey Food and Drug Stores Company, Copelands' Enterprises Inc., Homeland Holding Corporation, and then Minyard.

UNION, N.J. - Bed Bath & Beyond reported net earnings of 70 cents per diluted share ($181.8 million) in the fiscal second quarter ended Aug. 28, an increase of approximately 35% versus net earnings of 52 cents per diluted share ($135.5 million) in the same quarter a year ago. Net sales for the fiscal second quarter of 2010 were approximately $2.137 billion, an increase of approximately 11.6% from net sales of approximately $1.915 billion reported in the fiscal second quarter of 2009.

WAYNE , N.J. - Toys“R”Us announced that it has unveiled its annual Holiday Hot Toy List, filled with 36 items that are new this year and offer outstanding value in quality, price and play.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - Sears.com announced that it has become the exclusive retailer of NEXT, a popular U.K. fashion retailer, NEXT, the U.K.'s popular fashion retailer that offers beautifully designed and high-quality apparel, shoes and accessories.

MINNEAPOLIS (Sep. 22) - Target announced that it has revamped a number of stores in its home town. The company reported that more than 25 Target stores in the Twin Cities metro area have been redesigned to further deliver one-stop shopping convenience for guests.

Among the changes is an increased food selection that offers 90% of the categories found in a SuperTarget. Interactive displays and wider aisles were implemented to make the shopping experience more enjoyable, Target said.