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Guess Inc.'s (GES) fiscal second-quarter profit rose 12% as the apparel manufacturer posted a jump in North America wholesale and Asia revenue, helping results top expectations.

Rue21 Inc.'s (RUE) fiscal second-quarter profit climbed 20% on higher sales and margins. Shares fell 3.8% to $22.

Los Angeles-based Staples, Inc. announced the appointment of three international executives. John Barton was appointed executive vice president of international development, Anders Kristiansen president of Staples China and Noah Herschman chief of merchandising for Staples China. According to the company, Barton will be responsible for its Chinese, Indian and South American units, and will develop worldwide operational best practices. Barton will report directly to Mike Miles, president and COO, and most recently worked as the company’s executive vice president of real estate. Kristiansen will manage day-to-day operations for business in China, and will report to John Barton. Previously, Kristiansen

Shoe Carnival Inc.'s (SCVL) fiscal second-quarter profit more than quadrupled to a record on strong sales and higher margins. But shares fell 3% to $18.24 in after-hours trading as the shoe retailer's sales were at the low end of its guidance.

(Updates with comment from a Wal-Mart attorney.) Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

) Bloomingdale’s has opened its first outlet store, in Potamic Mills, Woodbridge, Va. A second unit is scheduled to open on Aug. 27, in Bergen Town Center, Paramus, N.J. With approximately 22,000-sq.-ft. of selling space, the store sells men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and accessories and intimate apparel. It has a stylish discount look, with a black and white motif. In October, Bloomingdale’s plans to open an outlet in Dolphin Outlet Center, Miami, Fla., followed by a store in Sawgrass Mills, Sunrise, Fla., in November.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sears Holdings Friedman most recently served as president, Americas for Razorfish, one of the world's largest interactive marketing and technology companies. During his tenure, he held numerous roles of increasing responsibility including president, Central Region and global managing partner - Retail & Consumer Goods Practice. Prior to Razorfish, Friedman spent 10 years with Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) as an associate partner working with retail and consumer products companies. "David is a great addition to our executive team. He brings to our company a proven track record of assisting numerous retail and consumer

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES Brown Shoe Co. (BWS) swung to a fiscal second-quarter profit, beating analysts' estimates, as sales and margins rose. The parent of the Famous Footwear store chain, and owner of brands including Naturalizer and Dr.

BigOutlet.com, a consumer electronics e-tailer, has announced the opening of its first retail store, in Pompton Plains, N.J. "We're looking forward to bringing the BigOutlet.com experience to the offline world," says BigOutlet.com marketing manager, Steven Kim. "The retail landscape for home electronics and appliance shopping has been steadily shrinking over the years, which has resulted in fewer and fewer choices for the consumer. BigOutlet.com has already very successfully filled this void on the Internet, and now we will begin to serve local customers as well, with all the incredible price advantages and superior service to, which our online customers

Barnes & Noble announced Tuesday two new appointments to strengthen the leadership team for its digital and e-commerce businesses. Jamie Iannone has been named president of Barnes & Noble Digital Products and John Foley has joined the company as president of Barnes & Noble eCommerce.In his new role, Iannone will be responsible for all Nook eReading devices, software, accessories and retail integration and experiences; eBooks and digital content; and third-party partnerships.Foley will manage the BN.com online retail business.Both will report to William Lynch, CEO of Barnes & Noble.