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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
(X) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended January 27, 1996
OR

( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File No 0-631

ROSE'S STORES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 56-0382475
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)

218 S. Garnett Street
Henderson, NC 27536
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (919) 430-2600

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, No Par Value

Stock Warrants (to purchase Common Stock)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. ( X )

(continued on following page)
PAGE

(continued from previous page)

APPLICABLE ONLY TO REGISTRANTS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE
PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has filed all documents
and report required to be filed by Section 12, 13, or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan
confirmed by a court. Yes X No

As of February 19, 1996, of the 10,000,000 shares of common stock delivered
to First Union National Bank of North Carolina as Escrow Agent pursuant to the
Modified and Restated First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization, the Company
has 8,158,316 shares of common stock outstanding. The remaining 865,936 shares
held in escrow will be distributed by FUNB in satisfaction of disputed Class 3
claims as and when such claims are resolved. If all pending claims are resolved
adversely to the Company, approximately 8,852,901 shares of common stock will
be outstanding. If all pending claims are resolved in accordance with the
Company's records, approximately 8,601,172 shares of common stock will be
outstanding. The foregoing estimates do not include any additional shares that
may be issued with respect to late-filed claims which the Bankruptcy Court may
allow which have not been filed as of the date hereof or the effect of negotiat-
ed settlements made for amounts in excess of amounts shown in the Company's
records. To the extent that escrowed shares of common stock are not used to
satisfy claims, they will revert to the Company and will be retired or held
in the treasury of the Company.

As of March 21, 1996, the aggregate market value of common stock held by non-
affiliates (assuming all pending claims are resolved adversely to the Company)
of the Registrant was approximately $18,046,671.
PAGE

PART I

ITEM 1: BUSINESS

(a) General Development of Business

Rose's* was organized in 1915 as a family partnership consisting of Paul H.
Rose and his wife, Emma M. Rose, who together opened a "5-10-25 cents" store in
Henderson, North Carolina. By 1927, when there were 28 stores, the business
was incorporated in the state of Delaware under the name of "Rose's 5, 10 & 25
cents Stores, Inc.". In 1962, the name was changed to "Rose's Stores, Inc.".
Over the years, Rose's has opened stores of a larger size. As a result, Regis-
trant's business has evolved from a chain of 5, 10 & 25 cents stores to a chain
of general merchandise discount stores.

On September 5, 1993, Rose's filed a voluntary petition for Relief under
Chapter 11, Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy
Code") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North
Carolina (the "Bankruptcy Court"). The Company's Modified and Restated First
Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan") was approved by Order of the
Bankruptcy Court on April 24, 1995. On April 28, 1995, the Plan became effec-
tive. Details of the bankruptcy proceedings are discussed in Note 1 of the
Financial Statements.

On March 1, 1996, the Company and Fred's, Inc. ("Fred's") entered into a
letter of intent (the "Letter of Intent"), providing for the acquisition by mer-
ger of the Company by Fred's (the "Merger"). Fred's is a publicly traded re-
tailer that operates approximately 200 stores in the southeastern United States.
The Letter of Intent provides that each share of the Company's common stock, no
par value ("Common Stock"), issued and outstanding (including stock held in
escrow according to the Plan) immediately prior to the effective time of the
Merger (other than the shares held in the treasury of the Company, which will
be canceled) will be converted into the "Conversion Number" of shares of Fred's
class A voting common stock ("Fred's Common Stock"). The "Conversion Number"
will be determined by dividing $2.15 by the "Fred's Average Price". The "Fred's
Average Price" is an amount equal to the average price of a share of Fred's
Common Stock for the 10 days immediately preceding the day before the printing
of the joint proxy statement to be distributed to stockholders of Fred's and the
Company in connection with the Merger; provided, however, that if the amount so
computed would (a) exceed $8.00, then the Fred's Average Price will be $8.00, or
(b) be less than $6.00, then the Fred's Average Price will be $6.00. The Letter
of Intent provides that the Merger is subject to the execution of a definitive
agreement and to the occurrence or (to the extent permitted by the definitive
merger agreement or applicable law) waiver of a number of conditions, including
the approval of the stockholders of the Company and Fred's.

(b) Industry Segments Registrant's business does not include industry
segments as defined under the Act.

(c) Narrative Description of Business

At the end of its last fiscal year, Registrant was operating 105 retail
stores in a region extending from Delaware to Georgia and westward to the
Mississippi Valley. All store buildings are leased. The stores range in size
from 24,000 square feet to 72,000 square feet. During the year, Rose's opened
no new stores and closed 8 stores.

Registrant operates one class of stores, known as "ROSES". The stores carry
a wide range of general merchandise and popularly priced consumer goods such as
clothing, shoes, household furnishings, small appliances, toiletries, cosmetics,
sporting goods, automobile accessories, food, yard and garden products,
electronics and occasional furniture. Registrant operates all of the departments
in its stores with the exception of the shoe departments.

* Reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to "Rose's", the "Registrant",
or "the Company" shall mean Rose's Stores, Inc.

PAGE

Sales are primarily for cash, although credit cards such as MASTERCARD, VISA
and DISCOVER are honored. During the past fiscal year, credit card sales
amounted to approximately 14% of gross sales in its 105 stores. Sales are
directly affected by general economic conditions in the southeastern states,
consumer spending, and disposable income.

Merchandising Inventories are purchased in two principal ways. Buyers
purchase and distribute merchandise to the various stores, and to a lesser ex-
tent the store managers purchase merchandise for their individual stores from
listings and sources approved by buyers. Rose's purchases from a large number of
suppliers and sells to a large number of customers and does not believe that the
loss of any one customer or supplier would have a materially adverse effect on
the Company. Rose's does not engage in any material research activities and has
no plans for new product lines.

Distribution Approximately 15% of merchandise is shipped directly to stores
from suppliers, and 85% is shipped to stores from Rose's distribution and
consolidating facilities located in Henderson, North Carolina. The majority of
trailers used in shipping are owned by Rose's; the majority of tractors are
leased.

Seasonal Aspects of Operations Rose's business is highly seasonal and
directly influenced by general economic conditions in its operating area. The
fourth quarter, which includes Christmas, is the period of highest sales volume.
During the past fiscal year, a total of approximately 30% of the year's gross
sales were made in the fourth quarter, beginning October 29, 1995.

Competition Rose's business is intensely competitive. Rose's Stores compete
directly with chains and independent stores such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target,
Ames, and Hills. Wal-Mart and Kmart and more recently Target and Hills have
been opening stores in the areas in which Rose's stores are located. Of the 105
stores, 28 Company stores faced new competitors' openings in 1995, compared to
10 stores in 1994 and five stores in 1993. In 1996, the Company expects to have
16 stores facing new competition. Increasing competition also results from
grocery and drug chains expanding merchandise lines to carry goods and products
normally identified with general merchandise and variety stores. In addition,
other distribution channels, such as telemarketing and catalogs also compete
with stores of the Registrant.

Associates* Rose's employed, on a full-time or part-time basis,
approximately 8,000 persons at fiscal year-end. Rose's considers its relations
with its associates to be good.


* Persons employed by Rose's Stores, Inc.
PAGE

ITEM 2: PROPERTIES

The following table shows the geographical distribution of the 105 Rose's
stores in operation on January 27, 1996:

State Number of Stores
North Carolina 47
Virginia 27
Georgia 8
South Carolina 6
Maryland 4
Mississippi 4
Kentucky 3
Delaware 3
Tennessee 2
West Virginia 1

TOTAL 105

During the fiscal year which ended January 27, 1996, Rose's opened no new
stores and closed 8 stores. The Registrant occupies approximately 5,437,000
square feet of store space (including office, stockroom, and other non-selling
areas). Rose's leases all store space from others under long-term leases which
are normally for initial terms of 15 to 20 years with one or more five-year
renewal options. (See Leased Assets and Lease Commitments, Note 15, to the
Financial Statements for additional information about the Registrant's
commitments under terms of long-term leases.)

Following is a table of the number of stores opened, closed and remodeled
in the last 5 years:

1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

Number of stores at the
beginning of year 113 172 217 232 256
Stores opened - - - - 3
Stores closed (8) (59) (45) (15) (27)
Number of stores at the
end of year 105 113 172 217 232

Remodeled stores 15 - 21 7 -

Most of the store fixtures are owned by the Registrant. The remaining
fixtures are manufacturers' racks that are supplied by vendors. Most of the
electronic equipment located in the stores, including point of sale equipment,
is leased by Registrant.

The Registrant owns its Executive and Buying Offices, its 860,300 square
foot central warehouse, an additional warehouse containing 134,400 square feet,
a 31,000 square foot graphic productions building and a 30,000 square foot data
center all of which are located in Vance County, North Carolina. Registrant also
leases facilities in Henderson, North Carolina for offices (approximately 30,000
square feet). Registrant also owns a 78,000 square foot warehouse in Henderson,
North Carolina, which is leased to a third party.
PAGE

On April 28, 1995, the Company closed on a $125,000,000 (subsequently amended
to $110,000,000) three-year revolving credit facility (the "Facility")(See Debt,
Note 7, to the Financial Statements). The Facility is secured by a perfected
first priority lien and security interest in all of the assets of the Company.
A second lien on the properties owned by the Company in Henderson, NC, was
granted to trade suppliers which extend credit to the Company. The second lien
expires April 30, 1996 (extended to May 30, 1997).

ITEM 3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Registrant's business ordinarily results in a number of negligence and
tort actions, most of which arise from injuries on store premises, injuries from
a product, or false arrest and detainer arising from apprehending suspected
shoplifters. General damages are covered by insurance, subject to specified
self-retention amounts, and are adjusted and managed by a third party claims
management service which also manages defense of the claims.

On September 5, 1993 (the "Petition Date"), the Company filed a voluntary
petition for Relief under Chapter 11, Title 11 of the United States Code (the
"Bankruptcy Code") with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern
District of North Carolina (the "Bankruptcy Court"). Pursuant to Section 362
of the Bankruptcy Code, the commencement of the Chapter 11 case created an
automatic stay as to claims which arose prior to the Petition Date. On April
26, 1994, the Bankruptcy Court approved an Alternative Dispute Resolution
Procedure (the "ADR Procedure") to liquidate pre-petition liability for certain
personal injury, property damage and commercial claims (the "Damages Claims").
The ADR Procedure is described on page 26 of the October 5, 1994 First Amended
Disclosure Statement Relating to First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (the
"Disclosure Statement"). Once liquidated under the provisions of the ADR
Procedure, or as otherwise provided, Damages Claims will be satisfied and
discharged under the terms of the Joint Plan of Reorganization (described
below).

The Registrant's liability for general damages and punitive damages for
claims which arose after the Petition Date is not considered material. No post-
petition legal proceedings presently pending by or against the Registrant with
respect to Post-Petition Date claims are described because the Registrant
believes that the outcome of such litigation should not have a material adverse
effect on the financial position of the Registrant.

Chapter 11 Reorganization

The following discussion provides general background information regarding
the Chapter 11 case, but is not intended as an exhaustive summary. For
additional information regarding the effect of the case on the Company, refer-
ence should be made to the Bankruptcy Code and to the October 5, 1994 Disclosure
Statement.

On September 5, 1993 (the "Petition Date"), the Company filed a voluntary
petition for Relief under Chapter 11, Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy
Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Eastern District of North Carolina (the "Bankruptcy Court").

Although the Company was authorized to operate its business as a debtor-
in-possession, it could not engage in transactions outside the ordinary course
of business without first complying with the notice and hearing provisions of

the Bankruptcy Code and obtaining Bankruptcy Court approval when necessary.

An Official Unsecured Creditors' Committee and an Official Equity Committee
were formed and acted during the case. These committees had the right to review
and object to certain business transactions and participated in the formulation
of the plan of reorganization and were joint sponsors of the plan. The Company
has been required to pay certain expenses of these committees, including legal
and accounting fees, to the extent allowed by the Bankruptcy Court.

Pursuant to certain consent orders entered by the Bankruptcy Court during
the course of the proceeding, the Company closed 102 of its stores and used a
portion of the proceeds from the sale of inventories and fixtures therefrom to
reduce liabilities to the Pre-Petition Secured Lenders to $26.4 million. In
addition, the Company closed an additional 7 stores in 1995 pursuant to consent
orders of the Bankruptcy Court.

In the Chapter 11 case, substantially all liabilities as of the Petition
Date were subject to settlement under a plan of reorganization voted upon by
certain impaired creditors of the Company. On October 4, 1994, the Company
filed with the Bankruptcy Court its First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization
(together with all amendments thereto approved by the Bankruptcy Court, the
"Joint Plan of Reorganization"). This Joint Plan of Reorganization was submitted
to the Court on behalf of the Company, the Pre-Petition Secured Noteholders,
Bank of Tokyo, Ltd., the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, and the
Official Committee of Equity Security Holders. Capitalized terms used herein
and not defined are defined in the Joint Plan of Reorganization.

The Company's First Amended Disclosure Statement Relating to First Amended
Joint Plan of Reorganization, dated October 5, 1994, was approved by the
Bankruptcy Court on October 5, 1994. The Joint Plan of Reorganization was
confirmed by order of the Bankruptcy Court dated December 14, 1994.

By orders dated February 3, 1995 and February 13, 1995, the Bankruptcy Court
approved technical modifications to the Joint Plan of Reorganization. On April
24, 1995, the Bankruptcy Court approved a Modified and Restated First Amended
Joint Plan of Reorganization (the "Modified Plan"), which (i) reflected payment,
under the exit financing facility obtained by the Company, of certain pre-
petition lenders of the Company in cash instead of secured notes, (ii) deleted
all references in the plan to certain "Alternative Treatment" provisions under
which the Company would have been required to liquidate inasmuch as all
requirements for emergence from Chapter 11 occurred as required under the Plan
and Modified Plan, and (iii) made other confirming and technical modifications
to the Plan. The Plan and Modified Plan will be referred to hereinafter
collectively as the "Plan".

The Effective Date of the Plan occurred on April 28, 1995. Pursuant to the
Plan, the Company (i) made cash payments of $26.4 million to its Pre-Petition
Secured Lenders and amounts owing under the debtor-in-possession financing
facility and various administrative and tax claims due at the Effective Date;
and (ii) distributed to the Escrow Agent ten million shares of the common stock
of reorganized Rose's (including 150,000 shares reserved for issuance to offic-
ers of the Company as a management incentive and retention program approved by
order of the Bankruptcy Court dated February 14, 1995) for distribution to un-
secured creditors to settle claims of $115 million to $130 million. Additional-
ly, shareholders of record as of the Effective Date became entitled to receive

their prorata share of 4,285,714 warrants. Each warrant entitles the holder to
purchase one share of common stock of the reorganized Rose's at a price
determined and periodically adjusted in accordance with applicable provisions
of the Plan. The warrants expire on April 28, 2002. In addition, RSI Trading,
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, was merged into the Company
under the Plan.

ITEM 4: SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to stockholders during the fourth quarter of the
fiscal year.

PART II

ITEM 5: MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER
MATTERS

INVESTOR INFORMATION

Rose's new common stock was delivered to First Union National Bank of North
Carolina as Escrow Agent on April 28, 1995, pursuant to the Modified and Restat-
ed First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (the Plan) for distribution on
allowed claims of unsecured creditors and to officers of the Company pursuant to
a consummation bonus plan approved by order of the Bankruptcy Court on February
14, 1995. Rose's stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market System ("NASDAQ";
symbol "RSTO"). Rose's had 3,209 shareholders of record of the new common stock
on March 4, 1996. High and low prices on the Company's common stock from the
Effective Date through January 27, 1996, as reported on NASDAQ are shown in the
table below:

Thirty-Nine Weeks
Ended January 27, 1996
High Low
2nd Quarter 3 3/8 1 57/64
3rd Quarter 3 1/4 1 5/8
4th Quarter 2 5/16 1 1/2

On the Effective Date, all shares of the Company's pre-emergence Voting
Common Stock and Non-voting Class B Stock were canceled under the Plan. The
shareholders of record of such stock as of such date became entitled to receive
their prorata share of 4,285,714 warrants to purchase the new stock of the
Company. One warrant was issued for every 4.377 shares of pre-emergence Voting
Common Stock or Non-voting Class B Stock and allows the holder to purchase one
share of the new common stock. See Stockholders' Equity, Note 11, to the
Financial Statements for additional information. The stock warrants are listed
on the Nasdaq National Market System ("NASDAQ"; symbol "RSTOW"). High and low
prices on the stock warrants from the first day listed (October 31, 1995)
through January 27, 1996, as reported on NASDAQ, are shown in the table below:

High Low
2nd Quarter NA NA
3rd Quarter 5/16 3/16
4th Quarter 1/4 1/16
PAGE

The pre-emergence stock was listed on NASDAQ; the Voting Common Stock had the
symbol "RSTOQ" and the Non-voting Class B Stock had the symbol "RSTBQ". Rose's
had 1,143 shareholders of record for the pre-emergence Voting Common Stock and
1,497 for Non-voting Class B Stock at April 28, 1995. High and low prices of
Rose's pre-emergence stock (adjusted to reflect the 2-for-1 stock split effected
in 1986) are shown in the table below:

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

Market Price Range and Dividends



1995 1994
High Low High Low

1st Quarter 7/16 1/32 11/16 3/14
2nd Quarter - - 1/2 1/8
3rd Quarter - - 7/16 1/8
4th Quarter - - 7/16 1/8



Dividends Total
High Low Per Share Dividends

1995 (through
April 28, 1995) 7/16 1/32 - -
1994 11/16 1/8 - -
1993 7 1/4 13/32 - -
1992 7 3 1/2 - -
1991 7 1/8 2 1/8 - -
1990 7 1/4 2 1/4 .210 3,991
1989 9 5/8 5 .210 4,138
1988 12 7 1/8 .210 4,194
1987 22 1/2 7 7/8 .210 4,316
1986 23 1/8 10 3/4 .200 4,115
1985 13 1/2 8 3/4 .190 3,900

There were no dividends paid for the new or pre-emergence common stock in 1995
and 1994. The previous Board of Directors suspended the payment of dividends
on the pre-emergence stock on January 24, 1991. In addition, the Predecessor
Company was precluded from paying dividends while the Chapter 11 case was
pending and the Registrant is restricted from paying dividends under the terms
of its exit financing facility.
PAGE

ITEM 6: SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
(Not covered by Independent Auditors' Report)


Thirty-Nine | Thirteen
Weeks Ended | Weeks Ended
January 27, | April 29, Fiscal Years
1996 | 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

Net sales $ 524,397 | 154,290 731,926 1,203,223 1,362,243 1,380,630
Leased department income 3,784 | 1,114 5,288 8,707 9,816 10,198
Earnings (loss) before |
reorganization expense, |
fresh-start revaluation, |
income taxes, and |
extraordinary item 5,484 | 542 6,617 (27,069) (59,509) (18,525)
Reorganization expense(b) - | (3,847) (57,899) (39,138) - -
Fresh-Start revaluation(c) - | (17,432) - - - -
Earnings (loss) before |
cumulative effect of |
accounting change and |
extraordinary item 4,401 | (20,737) (51,282) (66,207) (58,560) (23,304)
Cumulative effect of |
accounting change(d) - | - - - (5,031) -
Extraordinary item-gain |
on debt discharge(e) - | 90,924 - - - -
Net earnings (loss)(f) 4,401 | 70,187 (51,282) (66,207) (63,591) (23,304)
Per Share Results |
Earnings (loss) before |
cumulative effect of |
accounting change and |
extraordinary item .50 | (1.11) (2.73) (3.53) (3.14) (1.25)
Net earnings (loss) .50 | 3.74 (2.73) (3.53) (3.41) (1.25)
Cash dividends - | - - - - -
Total assets 171,244 | 204,561 183,186 308,105 337,040 416,318
Excess of net assets over |
reorganization value 25,371 | 32,201 - - - -
Reserve for income tax(g) 12,673 | - - - - -
Long-term obligations 2,108 | (h) (h) (h) 83,433 74,896

(a) In accordance with Fresh-Start Reporting, the Company adjusted its assets
and liabilities to reflect their estimated fair market value at the Effective
Date, and made certain reclassifications between gross margin and expenses and
changed the method of accruing certain expenses between periods (See Note 2 to
the Financial Statements). Accordingly, the selected financial data above for
the thirty-nine weeks ended January 27, 1996 is not comparable in material re=
spects to such data for prior periods. Furthermore, the Company's results of
operations for the period prior to reorganization are not necessarily indicative
of results of operations that may be achieved in the future.

(b) Included in the reorganization expense for 1994 is a provision of $43,000
for the costs of closing 59 stores in May 1994 and realigning corporate and ad-
ministrative costs. Included in the reorganization expense for 1993 is a provi-
sion of $39,500 for the costs of closing 43 stores in January 1994. Included in
the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 1995, 1994 and 1993 reorganization costs, in
addition to the costs of closing the stores, are the DIP facility fee amortiza-
tion and expenses, professional fees and other reorganization costs. Offsetting
the 1993 expense is a reversal of prior reserves for closings due to the antici-
pated rejections of closed store leases.

(c) The Fresh-Start revaluation of $17,432 reflects the net expense to record
assets at their fair values and liabilities at their present values in accord-
ance with the provisions of SOP 90-7 and to reduce noncurrent assets below their
fair values for the excess of the fair values of assets over the reorganization
value.

(d) In 1992, the Company adopted SFAS 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postre-
tirement Benefits Other Than Pensions," requiring the Company to accrue health
insurance benefits over the period in which associates become eligible for such
benefits. The cumulative effect of adopting SFAS 106 was a one-time charge of
$5,031.

(e) The extraordinary item-gain on debt discharge represents the extinguishment
of liabilities subject to settlement under reorganization proceedings in accord-
ance with the Plan.

(f) In 1991, the Company changed its method of accounting for LIFO inventories
from the use of the inflation index provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
to an internally generated price index to measure inflation in the retail prices
of its merchandise inventories. This change decreased 1991 cost of sales by
$21,428 (or $1.15 per share). Net loss would have been $44,732 in 1991 if the
change in accounting method had not been made. Also, included in net loss for
1991 is a provision for future store closings and remerchandising for the anti-
cipated costs of closing approximately 15 stores during fiscal year 1992.

(g) During 1995, the Company filed for and received a federal refund of $16,898
resulting from the carry back of losses described in Section 172(f) of the
Internal Revenue Code. Section 172(f) is an area of tax law without substantial
legal precedent or guidance. Accordingly, assurances cannot be made as to
whether the IRS would challenge the Company's ability to carry back such a sub-
stantial portion of losses under this provision. Consequently, an income tax
reserve of $12,673 has been recorded in the amount of the refund net of the col-
lection expenses which will be reimbursed if the Company's position does not
withstand any such challenge and the refund is reversed.

(h) Not comparable for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 1995, and the fiscal
years 1994 and 1993, the majority of the amounts comprising this item have been
reclassed to liabilities subject to settlement under reorganization proceedings.
PAGE

ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the percentage
which each item listed relates to net sales:


(a) Fiscal Years
1995 % to Net % to Net % to Net
Proforma Sales 1994 Sales 1993 Sales

Revenue:
Gross sales $700,325(b) 103.2% 756,356 103.3% 1,245,697 103.5%
Leased department sales 21,638(b) 3.2 24,430 3.3 42,474 3.5
Net sales 678,687(b) 100.0 731,926 100.0 1,203,223 100.0
Leased department income 4,898(b) 0.7 5,288 0.7 8,707 0.7
Total revenue 683,585 100.7 737,214 100.7 1,211,930 100.7
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales 519,727 76.6 555,087 75.8 932,238 77.5
Selling, general and
administrative 153,900 22.7 160,346 21.9 281,723 23.4
Depreciation and
amortization (3,349) (0.5) 9,257 1.3 12,984 1.0
Interest 6,927 1.0 5,907 0.8 12,054 1.0
Total costs and expenses 677,205 99.8 730,597 99.8 1,238,999 102.9
Earnings (loss) before
reorganization expense,
and income taxes (benefits) 6,380 0.9 6,617 0.9 (27,069) (2.2)
Reorganization expense (a) - - (57,899) (7.9) (39,138) (3.3)
Earnings (loss) before income
tax benefits 6,380 0.9 (51,282) (7.0) (66,207) (5.5)
Income tax expense 1,272 0.2 - - - -
Net earnings (loss) $ 5,108 0.7% (51,282) (7.0)% (66,207) (5.5)%


(a) On September 5, 1993, the Company filed a voluntary petition in the United
States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina seeking to
reorganize under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Company emerged from
Chapter 11 on April 28, 1995. Beginning in May 1995, the income statements re-
flect the application of Fresh-Start Reporting as described in Fresh-Start Re-
porting, Note 2 to the Financial Statements, and are therefore not comparable to
prior years. The 1995 year-to-date results are presented on a pro forma basis
to reflect the results as if the Company had adopted Fresh-Start Reporting at
the beginning of the year. The adjustments are related to interest expense,
reorganization costs, depreciation and amortization, advertising accrual, LIFO
shrinkage and income taxes.

(b) The Successor's proforma amounts represent the combination of the Success-
or's historical amounts with the Predecessor's historical amounts. See State-
ments of Operations included in the historical financial statements.
PAGE

Chapter 11 Proceedings

On September 5, 1993, the Company filed a voluntary Petition for Relief under
Chapter 11, Title 11 of the United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") with the
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina (the
"Bankruptcy Court") Case No. 93-01365-5-ATS.

Technical modifications to the Company's First Amended Joint Plan of
Reorganization (which was confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court on December 14,
1995) were approved by orders of the Bankruptcy Court dated February 3, 1995 and
February 13, 1995 and a Modified and Restated First Amended Joint Plan of
Reorganization (the "Plan") was approved by order of the Bankruptcy Court on
April 24, 1995. On May 1, 1995, the Company announced that it had satisfied all
conditions required under its plan of reorganization and had emerged from Chap-
ter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on April 28, 1995 (the "Effective
Date").

For a further discussion of the Chapter 11 proceedings, see Item 3: Legal
Proceedings and Note 1 to the Financial Statements.

In accordance with SOP 90-7, the Company adopted fresh-start reporting.
Under fresh-start reporting, a new reporting entity is created, and the Company
was required to adjust its assets and liabilities to reflect their estimated
fair market value at the Effective Date, which reduced depreciation and amorti-
zation related to property and equipment; and created a deferred credit, excess
of net assets over reorganization value, which is being amortized over 10 years.

At the same time, the Company made certain reclassifications between gross
margin and expenses and changed the method of accruing certain expenses between
periods. In addition, as a result of the Company's emergence, reorganization
expense and income taxes recognized by the Company prior to April 28, 1995, are
not comparable to amounts, if any, recognized subsequent to the Effective Date.
For further information, see Note 2 to the Financial Statements.

To facilitate a better comparison of the Company's operating results for the
periods presented, the following discussion is based on the results of opera-
tions which are presented on a pro forma basis (as described below) for 1995.
The combined historical statements of operations for the thirteen weeks ended
April 29, 1995 (Predecessor) and thirty-nine weeks ended January 27, 1996 (Suc-
cessor), are not included in the discussion due to the lack of comparability
caused by the adoption of fresh-start reporting at the end of the first quarter.
Certain items in the Successor's pro forma statements of operations are not
affected by fresh-start adjustments and are comparable to the historical com-
bined results of the Predecessor and the Successor.

The pro forma statements of operations combine the results of operations of
the Predecessor and Successor for 1995 and give effect to the transactions
occurring in conjunction with the Plan as if the Effective Date had occurred,
and such transactions had been consummated, on January 29, 1995. The statements
of operations have been adjusted to reflect: the reduction in depreciation and
amortization expense due to the write-off of property and equipment and property
under capital leases; reclassification of DIP interest from reorganization costs
to interest expense; the elimination of all other reorganization costs;
amortization of excess net assets over reorganization value; the effects of
changing to the accrual method for advertising; the reversal of LIFO credits;
accrual of additional shrinkage; and the recording of an appropriate income tax
expense.

Revenue

The Company reported sales in 1995 of $700,325, a decrease of $56,031 or
7.4% from 1994. A significant portion of the decrease is attributable to the
closing of 7 stores in May 1995 and 1 store in October 1995. Sales in same
stores for 1995 decreased 1.5% compared to 1994. Same store sales were
negatively affected by poor weather at the beginning of the year, a change in
layaway promotions and by a poor Christmas selling season for retailers in
general.

In 1994, the Company reported sales of $756,356, a decrease of $489,341 or
39.3% from fiscal 1993. The closings of 43 stores in January 1994 and 59 stores
in May 1994 were the reasons for the sales decrease. Same store sales for 1994
increased 1.2% from 1993.

In 1993, the Company reported sales of $1,245,697, a decrease of $158,605
or 11.3% from fiscal 1992. 1993 same store sales, on a comparable week-to-week
basis, decreased 7.7% from 1992. Prior to its bankruptcy filing, poor sales were
caused by out-of-stocks resulting from reduced purchases necessitated by the
Company's limited borrowing availability. Also, just prior to and immediately
after filing the petition under Chapter 11, many suppliers interrupted their
shipments of merchandise causing out-of-stock positions on most seasonal
merchandise. It took several months to restore inventory levels to acceptable
levels.

Sales have been adversely affected over the last three years as a result of
new competition. Wal-Mart and Kmart and more recently Target and Hills have
been opening stores in the areas in which Rose's stores are located. Of the 105
stores open in 1995, 28 faced new competitors, compared to 10 in 1994 and five
in 1993. In 1996, the Company expects to have 16 stores facing new competition.

Inflation has had little effect on the Company's operations in the last
three years.

Costs and Expenses

In 1995, the proforma cost of sales as a percent of sales increased .8% from
the 1994 percent to sales. This was due primarily to (i) higher shrinkage
resulting in an increase of the cost of sales rate by .8%, (ii) increased
markdowns resulting in an increase in the rate by .5%, and (iii) no LIFO credit
was recorded in 1995 resulting in an increase in the cost of sales rate by .7%.
These increases in the cost of sales were offset somewhat by the reclassifica-
tion of advertising co-op income and cash discounts to cost of sales resulting
in a decrease of 1.1% in the 1995 cost of sales.

In 1994, the cost of sales as a percent of sales decreased 1.7% from the 1993
percent to sales. This was due to (i) higher markup decreasing the cost of sales
rate by .7%, (ii) lower shrinkage resulting in a decrease of the rate by 1.1%,
and (iii) LIFO credit decreasing the rate by .6%. These improvements were offset
by higher markdowns and increases in freight costs.

In 1993, the cost of sales as a percent of sales decreased 3.5% from the
1992 percent to sales. This was due to (i) decreased markdowns resulting in a
decrease in the cost of sales rate of 1.6%, (ii) higher markup decreasing the
rate by 1.5%, and (iii) lower shrinkage resulting in a decrease of the rate by

1.1%. These improvements were offset somewhat by increases in the freight costs.
The Company took proactive measures in 1993 to reduce the shrinkage to a normal
rate. Some of these measures included strengthening the Company's loss
prevention department, implementing systems that automatically calculate
markdowns, establishing a shrink incentive program for the stores, and
implementing stronger store front-end controls.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percent of sales
were 22.7% in 1995 (proforma), 21.9% in 1994, and 23.4% in 1993. The 1995
proforma increase as a percentage of sales was due in part to the
reclassification of advertising co-op and cash discounts from SG&A to gross
margin and to the decline in 1995 sales. Included in 1995 SG&A, is a gain of
$4,701 which represents the effect of canceling a postretirement healthcare
benefit, a charge of $1,170 for severance costs related to recent downsizings
of approximately 175 positions in the home office, distribution and store
operations support staff, and a gain of $586 on the sale of a store lease. The
decrease in 1994 is due in part to the realignment of corporate and
administrative costs as well as a reduction in store expenses. The increase in
1993 is largely attributable to the decline in 1993 sales.

The Company made the decision in the first quarter of 1994 to close 59 stores
and realign corporate and administrative costs accordingly. A charge of $43,000
relating to these closings is included in the 1994 reorganization expenses of
$57,899. The reserve remaining at the end of 1994 was adequate to cover the
costs of closing an additional seven stores in May 1995.

As part of its business plan, the Company decided to close 43 stores in
January of 1994 and recognized an expense of $39,500 in 1993 associated with
these closings. Additionally, the Company recognized a $13,026 benefit
associated with the anticipated rejection of leases on stores already closed.
A net reorganization expense of $39,138 before taxes, relating to these closed
stores and other bankruptcy costs, was recorded during 1993. In addition, the
Company included in the 1993 reorganization costs, a write-off of $4,528 related
to unamortized costs of pre-petition debt.

Interest expense for 1995 pro forma was $6,927 and includes interest on the
DIP facility of $970. Interest for 1994 and 1993 including the interest on the
DIP facility was $9,352 and $13,292, respectively. Interest expense decreased
25.9% in 1995 (pro forma), 29.6% in 1994 (including DIP interest), and 4.2% in
1993 (including DIP interest), primarily due to payments made to pre-petition
secured lenders. Generally, under the Bankruptcy Code, interest on pre-petition
claims ceases accruing upon the filing of a petition unless the claims are
collateralized by an interest in property with value exceeding the amount of
debt. The Bankruptcy Court ordered the Company to make monthly adequate
protection payments to its Pre-petition Secured lenders which were booked as
interest.

Other

In February 1992, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income
Taxes". Statement 109 requires a change from the deferred method of accounting
for income taxes of APB Opinion 11 to the asset and liability method of
accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method of Statement
109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax

consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carry-
ing amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expect-
ed to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences
are expected to be recovered or settled. Under Statement 109 the effect on
deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in
income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Effective the first quarter of 1993, the Company adopted Statement 109.
The only effect of adopting Statement 109 was the establishment of a $5,760
current deferred tax liability and a $5,760 non-current deferred tax asset.
Under the guidelines provided by APB 11, the Company would have no current or
non-current deferred tax liability/asset.

The Internal Revenue Service has examined the Company's federal income tax
returns for the years 1988 through 1991. Claims arising from those examinations
have been settled subject to final review. The Company believes adequate
provision has been made for these claims. All state income and franchise tax
returns for taxable years ending prior to fiscal 1993 are not subject to
adjustment, primarily because of the application of certain facets of bankruptcy
law.

During 1995, the Company filed for and received a federal refund of $16,898
resulting from the carry back of losses as described in Section 172(f) of the
Internal Revenue Code. Section 172(f) is an area of tax law without substantial
legal precedent or guidance. Accordingly, assurances cannot be made as to
whether the IRS would challenge the Company's ability to carry back such a
substantial portion of losses under this provision. Consequently, an income tax
reserve of $12,673 has been recorded in the amount of the refund net of the
collection expenses which will be reimbursed if the Company's position does not
withstand any such challenge and the refund is reversed.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On April 28, 1995 (the "Effective Date"), the Company closed on its exit
financing loan, thereby satisfying the last condition of the Plan and emerged
from bankruptcy. The exit financing is a $125,000 (subsequently amended to
$110,000, see below) three-year revolving credit facility (the "Facility") with
a letter of credit sublimit in the aggregate principal amount of $40,000 with
the First National Bank of Boston and The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc., (the
"Banks") as facility agents. The Facility is secured by a perfected first
priority lien and security interest in all of the assets of the Company. The
interest rate on the Facility is either (a) the Banks' base rate plus 1.5%
payable monthly or (b) a LIBOR rate plus 3.75% payable at the expiration of the
LIBOR loan, depending on which option the Company chooses. Although there are
no compensating balances required, the Company is required to pay a fee of .5%
per annum on the average unused portion of the Facility. Borrowing availability
is based upon certain eligible inventory times a borrowing base percentage that
varies by month. Under the Facility, trade suppliers which extend credit to the
Company are supported by a $5,000 letter of credit and subordinated lien of
$15,000 in the real estate properties of the Company which expire April 30, 1996
(extended to May 30, 1997).

The Facility includes certain financial covenants and financial maintenance
tests, including those relating to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation

and amortization (EBITDA), debt service coverage, capital expenditures
limitations, minimum stockholders' equity, and minimum/maximum inventory levels,
which are measured quarterly. The Facility also includes restrictions on the
incurrence of additional liens and indebtedness; a requirement that the Facility
be paid down to certain levels for 30 consecutive days between December 1st and
February 15th each year; and a prohibition on paying dividends.

On January 31, 1996, the Company and the Banks agreed to an amendment to the
Facility that reduced the Facility size to $110,000. The covenants for the end
of fiscal 1995 and the remaining life of the Facility were amended and certain
covenants were added, including those related to days on hand inventory, maximum
borrowings exposure, and an interest coverage ratio. Also, the measurement
period for most covenants was changed from quarterly to monthly. In addition,
the LIBOR option was eliminated and the Banks agreed to extend the trade letter
of credit and subordinated lien until May 30, 1997. The Company was in
compliance with these covenants as of January 27, 1996. The Company's management
believes that the Company's current financing arrangement is adequate to meet
its liquidity needs.

The Company's current ratio for 1995 is 1.83 compared to 2.73 in 1994, and
3.32 in 1993, which included $4,000 of reclamation claims. In 1995, cash and
cash equivalents decreased $757, (combined Successor and Predecessor) compared
to a decrease of $10,605 in 1994 and a decrease of $7,146 in 1993. The Company's
working capital was $75,166 in 1995, $92,009 in 1994, and $173,640 in 1993. The
decrease in 1995 of $16,843 was due in part to the increased inventories as a
result of the write-off of $25,831 in LIFO reserves as part of Fresh-Start
Reporting, and an increase in investment in inventory, increased borrowings on
the line of credit, reclassification of pre-petition liabilities from liabili-
ties subject to settlement under reorganization proceedings and increased bank
drafts outstanding. The decrease in 1994 of $81,631 was due in part to a de-
crease in inventory related to closed stores and lower cash and cash equiva-
lents.

The fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.11 in 1995 (proforma), (0.65) in 1994,
and 0.00 in 1993. The fixed charge coverage ratio is defined as the sum of net
income before taxes, LIFO provision, interest, depreciation, and minimum rent
divided by the sum of interest and minimum rent. The ratio, excluding items that
are typically non-recurring such as reorganization costs, reserves for store
closings and remerchandising, was 1.11 in 1995 (proforma), 1.39 in 1994, and
0.74 in 1993.

In 1995 (combined Successor and Predecessor), $6,613 of cash was used by
operating activities, while $57,560 was provided in 1994 and $8,373 was provided
in 1993. The decrease in cash from operating activities in 1995 (combined
Successor and Predecessor) is due primarily to increased investments in
inventory. The increase in cash from operating activities in 1994 is due to a
decrease in inventory related to closed stores and reductions of inventory
prepayments. Declining sales, as well as an increased investment in inventory
and inventory prepayments contributed to the decline in cash from operating
activities in 1993.

Investing activities used cash of $5,381 in 1995 (combined Successor and
Predecessor), $1,281 in 1994, and $9,100 in 1993. The Company invested cash in
property and equipment totaling $5,431 in 1995 (combined Successor and
Predecessor), $2,015 in 1994, and $9,109 in 1993. The 1995 expenditures were
primarily for store improvements, and new computer software. The Company closed

8 stores in 1995, closed 59 stores in 1994, and closed 45 stores in 1993. The
Company plans to invest $6,000 in 1996 primarily for store remodels and new
computer software. The Company does not plan to open or close any stores in
1996.

Financing activities provided cash of $11,237 in 1995 (combined Successor
and Predecessor), used cash of $66,884 in 1994, and $6,419 in 1993. The Company
had net activity on its line of credit of $33,673 (combined Successor and
Predecessor). The Predecessor made $26,423 of payments on long-term debt in
1995, $65,437 in 1994, and $1,127 in 1993. The Company's debt agreements include
a restriction on the payment of cash dividends and the repurchase of stock.

On March 1, 1996, the Company and Fred's, Inc. ("Fred's") entered into a
letter of intent (the "Letter of Intent"), providing for the acquisition by
merger of the Company by Fred's (the "Merger"). Fred's is a publicly traded
retailer that operates approximately 200 stores in the southeastern United
States. The Letter of Intent provides that each share of the Company's common
stock, no par value ("Common Stock"), issued and outstanding (including stock
held in escrow according to the Plan) immediately prior to the effective time of
the Merger (other than the shares held in the treasury of the Company, which
will be canceled) will be converted into the "Conversion Number" of shares of
Fred's class A voting common stock ("Fred's Common Stock"). The "Conversion
Number" will be determined by dividing $2.15 by the "Fred's Average Price".
The "Fred's Average Price" is an amount equal to the average price of a share
of Fred's Common Stock for the 10 days immediately preceding the day before
the printing of the joint proxy statement to be distributed to stockholders
of Fred's and the Company in connection with the Merger; provided, however, that
if the amount so computed would (a) exceed $8.00, then the Fred's Average Price
will be $8.00, or (b) be less than $6.00, then the Fred's Average Price will
be $6.00. The Letter of Intent provides that the Merger is subject to the exe-
cution of a definitive agreement and to the occurrence or (to the extent permit-
ted by the definitive merger agreement or applicable law) waiver of a number of
conditions, including the approval of the stockholders of the Company and
Fred's. If the merger is approved, the Company's current plans for 1996 would be
subject to change.

ITEM 8: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

See Financial Statements contained elsewhere herein.


ITEM 9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None
PAGE

PART III

ITEM 10: DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The following is furnished with respect to each of the members of the Board
of Directors of the Registrant as of February 26, 1996:


First Year
Principal Occupation During Last Five Years, Elected A
Name and Age Directorships in Public Registrants Director


R. Edward Anderson (46) Chairman of the Board, President and 1994
Chief Executive Officer, Appointed
August 22, 1994; Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer,
October 19, 1992 to August 21, 1994;
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer January 12, 1990 to October
18, 1992.

Walter F. Loeb (71) President of Loeb Associates, Inc., 1995
February 1990 to present; Publisher of
the Loeb Retail Letter. He is a
director of Federal Realty Investment
Trust, InterTan, Inc., Wet Seal, Inc;
Mothers Work, Inc., and Gymboree
Corporation.

Joseph L. Mullen (49) Managing partner of Li Moran Inter- 1995
national (as managing partner, he served
as a Senior Officer of Leeward Creative
Crafts and Potamkin International), January
1994 to present; Vice President Hardlines for
Hill's Department Stores, Inc., for the
relevant period prior to January 1994.
While Mr. Mullen was employed at Hill's
Department Stores, Hill's filed for pro-
tection under Chapter 11 in February, 1991,
and emerged from Chapter 11 in 1992.

Joseph Nusim (60) President and Chief Executive Officer of 1995
Channel Home Centers Realty, a real estate
company, November 1994 to present; Chairman,
President, and Chief Executive Officer
of Channel Home Centers, 1990 to
November 1994. He is a director of
Herman's Sporting Goods, Scotty's Inc.,
and the International Mass Retailing
Association.

J. David Rosenberg, Esq. Partner of Keating, Muething & Klekamp 1995
(46) law firm.

PAGE

Harold Smith (72) President of Funding & Merchandising 1995
Resources Corp., 1990 to present;
President and Chief Operating Officer
of Woolco, prior to 1990. Formerly
President and Chief Executive Officer
of Goldblatts.

Elliot J. Stone (75) Management consultant to various retail 1995
stores, 1990 to present; Chairman,
President, and Chief Executive Officer
of Jordan Marsh Company and Vice
Chairman of the Board of Federated
Department Stores, prior to 1990. He
is a director of Catherines Stores,
Inc. and Holsen Burnes Group.

N. Hunter Wyche, Jr., Esq. Founding Partner of Wyche & Story law firm, 1995
(45) for the relevant period.

The following information is furnished with respect to each of the execu-
tive officers of the Registrant as of February 26, 1996

Name, Age, Position Business Experience During Past Five Years

R. Edward Anderson (46) Appointed August 22, 1994; Executive Vice
Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Financial Officer,
President and Chief October 19, 1992 to August 21, 1994;
Executive Officer Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer, January 12, 1990 to October 18, 1992.

Howard Parge (49) Appointed February 9, 1995; Vice President,
Senior Vice President, Operations, March 1992 to February 1995;
Operations Target Stores, District Manager, 1989
through 1991.

Jeanette R. Peters (40) Appointed Treasurer September 7, 1995;
Senior Vice President, Appointed Senior Vice President, Chief
Chief Financial Officer Financial Officer November 2, 1994; Vice
and Treasurer President and Controller April 24, 1991
through November 1994.

George T. Blackburn, II Appointed Vice President, Real Estate
(45) November 2, 1994; Elected Secretary
Vice President, Real February 17, 1993; Appointed Vice President,
Estate, General Counsel General Counsel April 19, 1991; formerly
and Secretary Partner of Perry, Kittrell, Blackburn &
Blackburn law firm for the relevant period
preceding April 19, 1991.

Dave Howard (45) Appointed August 11, 1995; Vice President
Senior Vice President, Information Systems April 13, 1994 through
Distribution and August, 1995. Director IS Development from
Information Services April 1991 to April 1994.

Officers of the Registrant are elected each year at the Annual Meeting of
the Board of Directors to serve for the ensuing year and until their successors
are elected and qualified.

Section 16(a) Reporting

The Registrant believes that all executive officers and directors of the
Registrant and all other persons known by the Registrant to be subject to Sec-
tion 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, filed all reports required to be
filed during fiscal year 1995 under Section 16(a) of that Act on a timely basis.
The Registrant's belief is based solely on its review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and
amendments thereto furnished to the Registrant during, and with respect to, its
most recent fiscal year by persons known to be subject to Section 16.

ITEM 11: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Cash And Other Compensation

The following table sets forth all the cash compensation paid or to be paid
by the Registrant, as well as certain other compensation paid or accrued, during
the fiscal years indicated, to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive
Officer, and the four other highest paid executive officers of the Registrant
for fiscal year 1995 in all capacities in which they served:


Summary Compensation Table
Long-Term Compensation
Annual Compensation Awards Payouts
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i)
Other (4) All Other
Name and Annual Restricted Options/ LTIP Compen-
Principal Salary Bonus Compen- Stock SARs Payouts sation
Position Year ($) ($) sation (1) Awards ($) (#) ($) ($)(2)


R. Edward 1995 407,692 - 4,518 127,122 137,500 - 6,198
Anderson 1994 322,936 - 6,265 - - - 5,760
President and 1993 265,923 - 7,383 - 12,750 29,806 6,900
Chief Executive
Officer

Kathy Hurley 1995 206,346 - 1,039 19,594 50,000 - 5,528
Senior Vice 1994 166,349 - 1,349 - - - -
President 1993 150,000 - 624 - - - 873
Merchandising(3)

Howard Parge 1995 175,323 - 5,592 17,531 50,000 - 4,784
Senior Vice 1994 144,900 - 4,291 - - - -
President 1993 143,958 - 2,238 - 4,000 - 1,039
Operations

Jeanette 1995 156,346 - 2,097 28,597 50,000 - 5,528
Peters 1994 109,015 - 2,288 - - - -
Senior Vice 1993 95,800 - 1,077 - - - -
President,
Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer
PAGE

David W. 1995 126,964 25,000 562 2,063 25,000 - 2,020
Howard 1994 103,077 - 705 - - - -
Senior Vice 1993 90,444 10,064 - - - - -
President
Distribution and
Information Services

_____________
(1) "Other Annual Compensation" consists of tax gross-ups on medical ex-
pense reimbursements.
(2) "All Other Compensation" consists of automobile allowance.
(3) Ms. Hurley resigned from the Registrant effective February 16, 1996.
(4) Outstanding Restricted Stock Awards at year-end consists of:

Date Year Value at
Name Granted Payable Shares(#) 1/27/96($)
R. Edward Anderson 7/5/95 1996 61,635 102,083
Kathy Hurley 7/5/95 1996 9,500 15,734
Howard Parge 7/5/95 1996 8,500 14,078
Jeanette Peters 7/5/95 1996 13,865 22,964
David W. Howard 7/5/95 1996 1,000 1,656

Stock Options Granted During Fiscal Year

No stock options of the Predecessor were granted during fiscal year 1995.
All options were canceled on April 28, 1995.

The Company's New Equity Compensation Plan was adopted on February 14, 1995
and was designed for the benefit of the executives and key employees of the
Company by allowing the grant of a variety of different types of equity-based
compensation to eligible participants. The plan provides for the granting of
a maximum of 700,000 shares of the Successor's stock. Under the New Equity
Compensation Plan, 387,500 nonqualified stock options were granted to officers
of the Company on July 27, 1995, which were issued in addition to the total
number of shares of New Rose's Common Stock issued on the Effective Date. Such
options were granted in the form of incentive stock options pursuant to Section
422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or, to the extent required
otherwise by law, nonqualified stock options). One-half of the options contain
an exercise price of $2.875 and have a term of five years. The remaining one-
half of the options contain an exercise price of $5.750 and have a term of seven
years. All of the options shall vest one-third on the first anniversary of the
Effective Date, one-third on the second anniversary of the Effective Date and
one-third on the third anniversary of the Effective Date.

As the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, R. Edward Anderson
received 35% of the options (corresponding to 137,500 shares of New Rose's Com-
mon Stock). The remaining options were allocated among the Company's Senior
Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents in amounts based on targeted awards, as
determined by the Company's Compensation Committee in its discretion based in
part on the recommendation of the Company's President and Chief Executive Offic-
er. Thus, Jeanette R. Peters (Senior Vice President), Howard R. Parge (Senior
Vice President), and Dave Howard (Senior Vice President) received a portion of
the remaining options as shown in the table below.
PAGE

Stock Options Exercised During Fiscal Year and Year End Values of Unexercised
Options

No stock options of the Predecessor were exercised in the thirteen weeks
ended April 29, 1995.

The following table sets forth information about unexercised stock options
and stock appreciation rights of the Successor by the named executive officers
of the Registrant during the thirty-nine weeks ended January 27, 1996. No stock
options or stock appreciation rights were exercised by the named executive
officers during the thirty-nine weeks ended January 27, 1996.

Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and FY-End Option Values


Shares Number of Unexercised Value of Unexercised
Acquired Options/SARs at In-the-Money Options
on Value FY-End(#) at FY-End($)
Exercise Realized Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name (#) ($) Unexercisable Unexercisable(1)


R. Edward Anderson - - - /137,500 -
Dave Howard - - - / 25,000 -
Kathy Hurley(2) - - - / 50,000 -
Howard Parge - - - / 50,000 -
Jeanette Peters - - - / 50,000 -

____________
(1) All options were out of the money at fiscal year end.
(2) Ms. Hurley resigned from the Registrant effective February 16, 1996.

Employment Contracts, Termination Of Employment And Change-In-Control
Arrangements

The Registrant has an employment contract with R. Edward Anderson which
provides for his active employment for an initial term ending May 28, 1998, with
automatic one-year renewal terms thereafter unless prior notice of termination
is given pursuant to the contract. Annual base salary under the contract was
increased from $395,000 to $425,000, effective August, 1995. All sums required
to be paid under the contract are shown in the summary compensation table above
for the applicable period. The contract includes a severance allowance under
which Mr. Anderson would be eligible to receive up to 24 months base salary,
continued health insurance coverage for 24 months, payment equal to 24 months
additional credits under any pension plan then in existence (if any), and full
vesting of all stock options and stock subject to vesting. The severance
allowance would be payable for termination without cause or constructive
termination by (i) reduction of salary, (ii) material change in job
responsibilities, (iii) assignment of duties inconsistent with position, (iv)
relocation of the principal executive offices outside a designated area, (v)
notice of intention not to renew the employment contract, or (vi) breach of a
material provision of the contract. In the event of a change of control, as
defined in the contract, Mr. Anderson would be eligible to receive (a) 36 months
base salary; (b) an amount equal to three times the greater of average cash
bonus or 50% of base salary; (c) continued health insurance coverage for 36
months; (d) payment equal to 36 months additional credits under any pension plan
then in existence (if any); (e) full vesting of all stock options and stock sub-

ject to vesting; and (f) a gross-up payment so that the net amount retained by
Mr. Anderson after deduction of any excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Code on the foregoing amounts (the "Company Payments") and any federal, state
and local income, payroll tax and excise tax upon the gross-up payment, but be-
fore deduction for any federal, state or local income or payroll tax on the Com-
pany Payments, shall be equal to the Company Payments.

The Letter of Intent provides that R. Edward Anderson, President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, will enter into an agreement with Fred's and
the Company, to become effective at the effective date of the Merger, providing
for a modification and limitation of the severance compensation payable to Mr.
Anderson under his existing employment agreement with the Company as a result of
the Merger and termination of his employment. The Letter of Intent also contem-
plates that Mr. Anderson will enter into a consulting agreement with Fred's,
effective at the effective time of the Merger.

The Registrant maintains a severance plan (the "Severance Plan") providing
for the payment of certain benefits upon the cessation of employment of officers
and other employees designated in the plan. The Severance Plan, which became
effective on December 14, 1995, replaces a severance program which was authoriz-
ed by the Bankruptcy Court on April 1, 1994. Under the Severance Plan, each
officer as defined in the plan would be eligible to receive up to 12 months base
salary, up to one-half of such amount being paid in installments which would
cease upon re-employment. Each such officer would also be entitled to receive
$10,000 of outplacement expenses and continued coverage in medical and disabili-
ty benefits programs for 3 months. The severance allowance would be payable for
actual termination of employment without cause or constructive termination by
(i) elimination of job position, (ii) material reduction in salary, or (iii)
material change of job responsibilities. In the event of actual or constructive
termination following a change of control, as defined in the Severance Plan, the
described base salary payment would be made in one lump sum.

Compensation of Directors

Directors who are officers of the Registrant receive no additional
compensation for service on the Board of Directors or committees. Directors
who are not officers are paid $24,000 per year as retainer, plus $1,500 per day
for each meeting of the Directors attended and for each committee meeting held
on a day other than the date of a meeting of the Board of Directors, and
reimbursement for their actual travel expenses. Directors who are not officers
are paid $500 a day for each committee meeting held on the same day as a meeting
of the Board of Directors and $500 for each telephone conference meeting.
Committee members are reimbursed for their actual travel expenses.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The Compensation Committee of the Registrant during the thirty-nine weeks
ended January 27, 1996 was composed of Messrs. Loeb (Chairman), Mullen, Stone,
and Wyche. From January 29, 1995 until April 28, 1995, the Compensation
Committee was composed of Messrs. Busbee (Chairman), Allbright, Maynard and
Montgomery. None of the members of the Compensation Committee were officers or
employees of the Registrant during the last fiscal year or in prior fiscal
years. None of the Executive officers of the Registrant served as a member of
the board of directors or as a member of the compensation committee of another
entity during the last fiscal year. Consequently, there are no interlocking re-
lationships between the Registrant and other entities that might affect the
determination of the compensation of the Directors and executive officers of the
Registrant.

ITEM 12: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

All existing stock of the Predecessor was canceled as of the effective date
of the Joint Plan of Reorganization. See Item 3 for a discussion of the issuance
of the common stock of reorganized Rose's.

There were no stockholders known to the Registrant to be the beneficial
owners, as of March 14, 1996, of more than five percent (5%) of the New Common
Stock of the Registrant.

The table below gives the indicated information of equity securities of the
Registrant beneficially owned by each director, nominee, the chief executive
officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers, and, as
a group, by such person and other executive officers:

Common Percent Percent
Name Stock of Class Warrants of Class

R. Edward Anderson 61,635 * 5,649 *

Walter Loeb - * - *

Joseph L. Mullen - * - *

Joseph Nusim - * - *

J. David Rosenberg - * 6,854 *

Harold Smith - * - *

Elliot Stone - * - *

Hunter Wyche - * - *

Dave Howard 1,000 * - *

Kathy Hurley(a) 9,500 * - *

Howard Parge 8,500 * - *

Jeanette Peters 13,865 * - *

All of the above and other
executive officers as a
group (14) persons 103,000 1.2% 12,503 *
______________________
Footnotes:
* Less than 1% of shares that will be outstanding if all outstanding claims
are settled adversely to the Company.
(a) Ms. Hurley resigned from the Registrant effective February 16, 1996.

ITEM 13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

There were no related transactions or business relationships with executive
officers of reorganized Rose's during the thirty-nine weeks ended January 27,
1996, that would require disclosure. Prior to Mr. Wyche becoming a director of
the Successor Company, the firm of Wyche and Story, of which Mr. Wyche is a
partner, was paid $98,000 during the 1995 fiscal year for legal fees as local
counsel to the official committee of unsecured creditors in the Registrant's
Chapter 11 Reorganization pursuant to orders entered by the Bankruptcy Court.
Mr. Mullen entered into a consulting agreement with the Company in February,

1996, to serve as interim general merchandise manager for an indefinite term at
a per diem rate of $1,250 plus expenses. Accordingly, he will not receive a per
diem as a director. Following is the description of related transactions with
directors or executive officers of the Predecessor during fiscal year 1995. The
directors whose related transactions are described below were directors until
April 28, 1995. The amounts shown include all amounts paid at anytime during
fiscal year 1995.

Pursuant to existing leases, during the past fiscal year the Registrant paid
The Rosemyr Corporation ("Rosemyr") $189,685 as rent for its store building in
Morganton Shopping Center, Morganton, N.C.; $315,730 for its store building in
Newmarket Plaza Shopping Center, Newport News, Va. (Rosemyr owns a 31.5%
interest); $4,684 in rent for office space in Henderson, N.C.; and $9,863 for
parking facilities in Henderson, N.C; paid Emrose Corporation ("Emrose") under
pre-existing leases $33,726 in rent for office space in Henderson, N.C. and
$1,667 for lease of storage facilities; and paid H.H.C. Co., Inc. ("H.H.C.")
$6,713 in rent during the past fiscal year for a store building in High Point,
N.C., which was closed during 1994. Messrs. John T. Church and George Harvin,
who were directors of the Predecessor, were executive officers and/or held
beneficial ownership interests in Rosemyr, Emrose, and H.H.C. Co., Inc.

In the opinion of Management, all of the foregoing leases and other
transactions are competitive, and the rents paid approximate the rate of rent
paid by the Registrant to independent landlords under leases for comparable
property negotiated at comparable times, and represent the fair market value for
comparable transactions.

PART IV

ITEM 14: EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Independent Auditors' Report

Statements of Operations for the thirty-nine
weeks ended January 27, 1996, thirteen weeks
ended April 29, 1995, and the years ended
January 28, 1995 and January 29, 1994

Balance Sheets - January 27, 1996 and
January 28, 1995

Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the
thirty-nine weeks ended January 27, 1996,
thirteen weeks ended April 29, 1995, and
the years ended January 28, 1995 and
January 29, 1994

Statements of Cash Flows for the thirty-nine
weeks ended January 27, 1996, thirteen weeks
ended April 29, 1995, and the years ended
January 28, 1995 and January 29, 1994

Notes to the Financial Statements

PAGE

2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable
or not required, or because the required information is
included in the financial statements or notes thereto.

3. EXHIBITS

Exhibit
No. Page

10.1 Employment Agreement with R. Edward Incorporated
Anderson, Chairman of the Board, by reference
President and Chief Executive Officer,
dated May 29, 1995 (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
July 29, 1995).

10.2 New Retirement Benefits Savings Plan, Incorporated
effective July 1, 1995. (Incorporated by by reference
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant's
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 29, 1995).

10.3 Order of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Incorporated
Eastern District of North Carolina, Raleigh by reference
Division dated February 13, 1995, approving
the amendment changing the record date for
distributions of the New Rose's Warrants
and New Rose's Common Stock Secondary
Distribution to the Effective Date of the
Plan (Incorporated by reference to
Registrant's Form 8-K dated February 13, 1995).

10.4 Order dated April 24, 1995, approving the Incorporated
Modified and Restated First Amended Joint by reference
Plan of Reorganization dated April 19, 1995
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (c)(2)
to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
dated April 24, 1995).

10.5 The Registrant's Revolving Credit and related Incorporated
agreements (Incorporated by reference to by reference
Exhibit (c)(1) through (c)(10) to Registrant's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 1995):

(a) Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of
April 28, 1995, among the Registrant as
Borrower, the lending institutions listed
on Schedule 1 to the Agreement and The
First National Bank of Boston and The
CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc., as
Facility Agents and The First National
Bank of Boston as Administrative Agent
(the "Credit Agreement").

(b) Security Agreement dated as of April 28,
1995, between the Registrant and The
First National Bank of Boston as Collat-
eral Agent for the lending institutions
who are parties to the Credit Agreement.

(c) $62,500,000 Revolving Credit Note dated
April 28, 1995, issued to The First
National Bank of Boston pursuant to the
Credit Agreement.

(d) $62,500,000 Revolving Credit Note dated
April 28, 1995, issued to The CIT Group/
Business Credit, Inc., pursuant to the
Credit Agreement.

(e) Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents and
Security Agreement dated as of April 27,
1995 by and among Registrant, First
National Bank of Boston, The CIT Group/
Business Credit, Inc., pursuant to the
Credit Agreement.

(f) Master Release Agreement dated as of
April 28, 1995 by and between General
Electric Capital Corporation and Registrant.

(g) Post-Effective Date GE Assumption Agree-
ment dated as of April 28, 1995 by and
between General Electric Capital Corpora-
tion and Registrant.

(h) GE Deferred Obligations Agreement dated
as of April 28, 1995 by and between
General Electric Capital Corporation and
Registrant.

(i) Warrant Agreement dated as of April 28,
1995, between the Registrant and First
Union National Bank of North Carolina as
Warrant Agent.

(j) Escrow Agreement dated as of April 28,
1995, between the Registrant and First
Union National Bank of North Carolina as
Escrow Agent.

10.6 Letter of Credit and Mortgage Trust Agreement Incorporated
dated May 8, 1995 (Incorporated by reference by reference
to Exhibit (c)(1) to Registrant's Current Report
on Form 8-K dated April 28, 1995).

PAGE

10.7 Second Deed of Trust dated May 8, 1995 Incorporated
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (c)(2) by reference
to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
dated April 28, 1995).

10.8 Standby Letter of Credit dated May 8, 1995 Incorporated
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (c)(3) by reference
to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
dated April 28, 1995).

10.9 Severance Pay Plan dated as of December 14,
1995.

27. Financial Data Schedule

99.1 Waiver and Amendment No. 1 dated as of Incorporated
July 31, 1995 (Incorporated by reference to by reference
Exhibit 99.1 to Registrant's Current Report
on Form 8-K dated July 31, 1995).

99.2 Waiver and Amendment No. 2 dated as of Incorporated
September 8, 1995 (Incorporated by refer- by reference
ence to Exhibit 99.2 to Registrant's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 31, 1995).

99.3 Waiver and Amendment No. 3 dated as of Incorporated
September 29, 1995 (Incorporated by reference by reference
to Exhibit 99.3 to Registrant's Current Report
on Form 8-K dated July 31, 1995).

99.4 Waiver and Amendment No. 4 dated as of January
31, 1996.

(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

The Registrant filed the following reports on Form 8-K during the last
quarter of the period covered by this report:

Report on Form 8-K dated October 28, 1995, Incorporated
reporting under Item 5 the monthly and year- by reference
to-date financial results and other financial
data for the period ended October 28, 1995,
together with projected financial information
for similar periods as contained in the
Company's plan for the year ended January 27,
1996. The financial results were included as
an exhibit in Item 7.

Report on Form 8-K dated December 2, 1995, Incorporated
reporting under Item 5 the monthly and year- by reference
to-date financial results and other financial
data for the period ended December 2, 1995,
together with projected financial information
for similar periods as contained in the Company's
revised plan for the year ended January 27, 1996.
The financial results were included as an exhibit
in Item 7.

Report on Form 8-K dated December 30, 1995, Incorporated
reporting under Item 5 the monthly and year- by reference
to-date financial results and other financial
data for the period ended December 30, 1995,
together with projected financial information
for similar periods as contained in the Company's
revised plan for the year ended January 27, 1996.
The financial results were included as an exhibit
in Item 7.

Report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 1996, Incorporated
reporting under Item 5 the agreement in by reference
principle regarding the acquisition by merger
of Rose's by Fred's.
PAGE

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, Rose's Stores, Inc. has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



ROSE'S STORES, INC.


By: /s/ R. Edward Anderson
R. Edward Anderson, President and
Chief Executive Officer


By: /s/ Jeanette R. Peters
Jeanette R. Peters, Senior Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer




Date: April 10, 1996


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Regis-
trant and on the dates indicated:



/s/ R. Edward Anderson /s/ J. David Rosenberg
R. Edward Anderson, Director J. David Rosenberg, Director


/s/ Walter F. Loeb /s/ Harold Smith
Walter F. Loeb, Director Harold Smith, Director


/s/ Joseph L. Mullen /s/ Elliot J. Stone
Joseph L. Mullen, Director Elliot J. Stone, Director


/s/ Joseph Nusim /s/ N. Hunter Wyche, Jr.
Joseph Nusim, Director N. Hunter Wyche, Jr., Director






MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 27, 1996

The financial statements on the following pages have been prepared by
management in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Management is responsible for the reliability and fairness of the financial
statements and other financial information included herein.
To meet its responsibilities with respect to financial information,
management maintains and enforces internal accounting policies, procedures and
controls which are designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are
safeguarded and that transactions are properly recorded and executed in
accordance with management's authorization. Management believes that the
Company's accounting controls provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance
that errors or irregularities which could be material to the financial state-
ments are prevented or would be detected within a timely period by Company
personnel in the normal course of performing their assigned functions. The con-
cept of reasonable assurance is based on the recognition that the cost of con-
trols should not exceed the expected benefits. Management maintains an internal
audit function and an internal control function which are responsible for eval-
uating the adequacy and application of financial and operating controls and for
testing compliance with Company policies and procedures.
The responsibility of our independent auditors, KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, is
limited to an expression of their opinion on the fairness of the financial
statements presented. Their opinion is based on procedures, described in the
second paragraph of their report, which include evaluation and testing of
controls and procedures sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that the
financial statements neither are materially misleading nor contain material
errors.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors meets periodically with
management, internal auditors and independent auditors to discuss auditing and
financial matters and to assure that each is carrying out its responsibilities.
The independent auditors have full and free access to the Audit Committee and
meet with it, with and without management being present, to discuss the results
of their audit and their opinions on the quality of financial reporting.




/s/ R. Edward Anderson
R. Edward Anderson
President and
Chief Executive Officer


/s/ Jeanette R. Peters
Jeanette R. Peters
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
PAGE

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

The Board of Directors
Rose's Stores, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Rose's Stores, Inc. (the
"Successor"), as of January 27, 1996, and the related statements of operations,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks then ended. We
also have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Rose's Stores, Inc. (the
"Predecessor") as of January 28, 1995, and the related statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 1995,
and for each of the fiscal years in the two-year period ended January 28, 1995.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of the Successor as of January
27, 1996, and the Successor's results of operations and cash flows for the
thirty-nine weeks then ended, and the financial position of the Predecessor as
of January 28, 1995, and the Predecessor's results of operations and cash flows
for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 1995, and for each of the fiscal years
in the two-year period ended January 28, 1995, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, effective April 29,
1995, the Company was required to adopt "Fresh-Start" reporting principles in
accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant's State-
ment of Position 90-7, "Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization under
the Bankruptcy Code." As a result, the financial information for the period
subsequent to the adoption of Fresh-Start reporting are presented on a different
cost basis than for prior periods and therefore, are not comparable.



/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Raleigh, North Carolina KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
March 26, 1996
PAGE

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)



Successor | Predecessor
Thirty-Nine | Thirteen Predecessor
Weeks Ended | Weeks Ended Years Ended
January 27, | April 29, January 28, January 29,
1996 | 1995 1995 1994

Revenue: |
Gross sales $ 540,918 | 159,407 756,356 1,245,697
Leased department sales 16,521 | 5,117 24,430 42,474
Net sales 524,397 | 154,290 731,926 1,203,223
Leased department income 3,784 | 1,114 5,288 8,707
Total revenue 528,181 | 155,404 737,214 1,211,930
Costs and Expenses: |
Cost of sales 404,120 | 116,838 555,087 932,238
Selling, general and administrative 115,895 | 35,486 160,346 281,723
Depreciation and amortization (2,549) | 1,812 9,257 12,984
Interest 5,231 | 726 5,907 12,054
Total costs and expenses 522,697 | 154,862 730,597 1,238,999
Earnings (Loss) Before Reorganization |
Expense, Fresh-Start Revaluation |
Income Taxes, and Extraordinary Item 5,484 | 542 6,617 (27,069)
Reorganization Expense (Note 13) - | (3,847) (57,899) (39,138)
Fresh-Start Revaluation (Note 2) - | (17,432) - -
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes |
and Extraordinary Item 5,484 | (20,737) (51,282) (66,207)
Income Taxes (Benefits) |
Current 1,159 | - - -
Deferred (76) | - - -
Total 1,083 | - - -
Earnings (Loss) Before Extraordinary |
Item 4,401 | (20,737) (51,282) (66,207)
Extraordinary Item - Gain on Debt |
Discharge (Note 2) - | 90,924 - -
Net Earnings (Loss) $ 4,401 | 70,187 (51,282) (66,207)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share Before |
Extraordinary Item $ .50 | (1.11) (2.73) (3.53)
Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share $ .50 | 3.74 (2.73) (3.53)


See accompanying notes to financial statements.
PAGE

BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)


Successor | Predecessor
January 27, | January 28,
1996 | 1995
|
Assets |
Current Assets |
Cash and cash equivalents $ 593 | 1,350
Accounts receivable 7,209 | 12,140
Inventories 153,190 | 119,567
Other current assets 4,706 | 12,163
Total current assets 165,698 | 145,220
|
Property and Equipment, at cost, |
less accumulated depreciation and amortization 5,122 | 34,707
Other Assets 424 | 3,259
$ 171,244 | 183,186
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) |
Current Liabilities |
Short-term debt $ 33,673 | -
Debtor-in-possession financing - | 600
Bank drafts outstanding 9,530 | -
Accounts payable 23,845 | 23,392
Accrued salaries and wages 7,456 | 7,821
Reserve for store closings 261 | 8,530
Pre-petition liabilities 4,632 | -
Other current liabilities 11,135 | 12,868
Total current liabilities 90,532 | 53,211
|
Liabilities Subject to Settlement Under |
Reorganization Proceedings - | 156,474
Excess of Net Assets Over Reorganization Value, |
Net of Amortization 25,371 | -
Reserve for Income Taxes 12,673 | -
Deferred Income 974 | 1,993
Other Liabilities 1,134 | 6,694
|
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) |
Common stock, Authorized 50,000 shares; |
issued 8,158 at 1/27/96 (Note 11) 35,000 | -
Preferred stock, Authorized 10,000 shares; |
none issued - | -
Voting common stock (Canceled 4/28/95) |
Authorized 30,000 shares; issued |
10,800 shares at 1/28/95 - | 2,250
Non-voting Class B stock (Canceled 4/28/95) |
Authorized 30,000 shares; issued |
12,659 shares at 1/28/95 - | 18,795
Paid-in capital-stock warrants (Canceled 4/28/95) - | 2,700
Paid-in capital 1,159 | -
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 4,401 | (40,313)
40,560 | (16,568)
Treasury stock, at cost (Canceled 4/28/95) - | (18,618)
|
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) 40,560 | (35,186)
|
$ 171,244 | 183,186

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
PAGE

STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands)


Retained
Voting Non-Voting Earnings
Common Stock Class B Stock Paid-In (Accumulated) Treasury Stock
Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital (Deficit) Shares Amount

Balance January 30, 1993 10,800 $ 2,250 12,659 $ 19,017 $ 2,700 $ 77,176 (4,775) $(19,034)
Net loss for fiscal year 1993 - - - - - (66,207) - -
Other - - - (222) - - 74 416
Balance January 29, 1994 10,800 2,250 12,659 18,795 2,700 10,969 (4,701) (18,618)
Net loss for fiscal year 1994 - - - - - (51,282) - -
Balance January 28, 1995 10,800 2,250 12,659 18,795 2,700 (40,313) (4,701) (18,618)
Net earnings for thirteen
weeks ended April 29, 1995 - - - - - 70,187 - -
Cancellation of former equity and
elimination of retained
earnings (10,800) (2,250) (12,659) (18,795) (2,700) (29,874) 4,701 18,618
Issuance of new equity
under the Plan (Note 11) 8,158 35,000 - - - - - -
Balance April 29, 1995 8,158 35,000 - - - - - -
Net earnings for thirty-nine
weeks ended January 27, 1996 - - - - - 4,401 - -
Paid-in capital - taxes - - - - 1,159 - - -
Balance January 27, 1996 8,158 $35,000 - $ - $ 1,159 $ 4,401 - $ -




See accompanying notes to financial statements.
PAGE

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)


Successor | Predecessor
Thirty-Nine | Thirteen Predecessor
Weeks Ended | Weeks Ended Years Ended
January 27, | April 29, January 28, January 29,
1996 | 1995 1995 1994

Cash flows from operating activities: |
Net earnings (loss) $ 4,401 | 70,187 (51,282) (66,207)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings |
(loss) to net cash provided by |
(used in) operating activities: |
Depreciation & amortization (2,549) | 1,812 9,257 12,984
(Gain) loss on disposal of property |
& equipment (46) | (1) (278) 98
Deferred income taxes (76) | - - -
Additional paid-in capital 1,159 | - - -
LIFO expense (credit) - | (364) (4,816) 179
Write off of deferred financing costs - | - - 4,528
Provision for closed stores & severance 1,170 | - 43,000 26,474
Gain on termination of postretirement |
healthcare (4,701) | - - -
Fresh-Start revaluation & debt discharge - | (73,492) - -
Cash provided by (used in) assets & liabilities: |
(Inc.) dec. in accounts receivable 824 | (630) 2,917 (1,773)
(Inc.) dec. in inventories 31,939 | (40,291) 91,817 (13,948)
(Inc.) dec. in other assets 3,183 | (3,620) 6,455 (9,898)
Inc. (dec.) in accounts payable (13,797) | 14,361 (17,152) 35,051
Inc. (dec.) in other liabilities (177) | (2,142) (9,429) 724
Inc. (dec.) in income taxes 12,673 | - - 8,005
Inc. (dec.) in reserve for store closings (4,674) | (1,108) (13,060) 13,088
Inc. (dec.) in deferred income (507) | (201) (303) (1,250)
Inc. (dec.) in accumulated PBO 47 | 7 434 318
Net cash provided by (used in) operating |
activities 28,869 | (35,482) 57,560 8,373
Cash flows from investing activities: |
Purchases of property & equipment (4,921) | (510) (2,015) (9,109)
Proceeds from disposal of property |
& equipment 45 | 5 734 9
Net cash used in investing activities (4,876) | (505) (1,281) (9,100)
Cash flows from financing activities: |
Net activity on line of credit (24,981) | 58,654 - -
Net activity on debtor-in-possession facility - | (600) 600 -
Payments on pre-petition secured debt - | (26,423) (65,437) (1,127)
Payments on unsecured priority & |
administrative claims (2,463) | (1,593) - -
Principal payments on capital leases (346) | (281) (2,047) (2,358)
Inc. (dec.) in bank drafts outstanding 3,768 | 5,502 - (3,128)
Other - | - - 194
Net cash provided by (used in) |
financing activities (24,022) | 35,259 (66,884) (6,419)
Net inc. (dec.) in cash & cash equivalents (29) | (728) (10,605) (7,146)
Cash & cash equivalents at beginning of period 622 | 1,350 11,955 19,101
Cash & cash equivalents at end of period $ 593 | 622 1,350 11,955

PAGE

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
(Amounts in thousands)


Successor | Predecessor
Thirty-Nine | Thirteen Predecessor
Weeks Ended | Weeks Ended Years Ended
January 27, | April 29, January 28, January 29,
1996 | 1995 1995 1994

Supplemental disclosure of additional noncash |
investing & financing activities: |
Retirement of net book value of assets |
in reserve for store closings $ 17 | 623 7,018 4,054
Write-off of inventory in reserve |
for store closings - | - - 43,661
Capital lease obligations entered |
into for new equipment 374 | - - -

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
PAGE

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended January 27, 1996; Thirteen Weeks Ended April 29, 1995;
and Years Ended January 28, 1995; and January 29, 1994
(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

1 REORGANIZATION AND EMERGENCE FROM CHAPTER 11

The Company filed a petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code ("Chapter 11") on September 5, 1993 (the "Filing Date").
The Company's Modified and Restated First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization
(the "Plan") was consummated on April 28, 1995 (the "Effective Date").

The Plan provided for, among other things, the cash payment of $26,423 to the
Company's pre-petition secured lenders and amounts owing under the debtor-in-
possession revolving credit agreement (Note 7) and various administrative and
tax claims due at the Effective Date (Note 8), and the distribution of common
stock of reorganized Rose's to be issued pursuant to the Plan to creditors (Note
11). Additionally, stockholders of record as of the Effective Date received
their pro-rata share of warrants (Note 11) and the shares of stock, stock
options, and stock warrants of the Company's Predecessor were canceled. In
addition, RSI Trading, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, was
merged into the Company under the provisions of the Plan. Also, a new board of
directors was elected for the Successor. Upon consummation of the Plan, the
Company obtained $125 million of post-emergence financing (Note 7).

Under Chapter 11, the Company elected to assume or reject real estate leases,
employment contracts, and unexpired executory pre-petition contracts subject to
Bankruptcy Court approval. The Company established and recorded its estimated
liabilities for such items and settled or carried forward portions of the
liabilities (for assumed leases) at the Effective Date.

2 FRESH-START REPORTING

In 1990, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position 90-7 ("SOP 90-7") "Financial Reporting by Entities in
Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code" (sometimes called "Fresh-Start
Reporting"). The application of Fresh-Start Reporting changed the Company's
basis of accounting for financial reporting purposes. Specifically, SOP 90-7
required the adjustment of the Company's assets and liabilities to reflect their
estimated fair market value at the Effective Date. At the same time, the Company
made certain reclassifications between gross margin and expenses and changed the
method of accruing certain expenses between periods. Accordingly, the statements
of operations and changes in cash flows commencing May 1995, and the balance
sheets beginning with April 1995, are not comparable to the financial informa-
tion for prior periods.

In accordance with SOP 90-7, the reorganization value of the Company was
determined as of the Effective Date. The reorganization value of $35,000 was
derived by an outside company using various valuation methods, including
discounted cash flow analyses (utilizing the Company's projections), analyses
of the market values of other publicly traded companies whose businesses are
reasonably comparable, and analyses of the present value of the Company's
equity.

PAGE

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The adjustments to reflect the consummation of the Plan and the adoption of
Fresh-Start Reporting, including the gain on debt discharge for liabilities
subject to settlement under reorganization proceedings, the adjustment to re-
state assets and liabilities at their fair value, and the adjustment to non-
current assets for the excess of the fair value of net assets which exceeded
reorganization value, have been reflected in the financial statements below:

BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)


Actual Fresh- Restated
April 29, Debt Start April 29,
1995 Discharge Accounting 1995

Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 622 622
Accounts receivable 12,076 (2,841)(a) 9,235
Inventories 160,111 25,018 (b) 185,129
Prepaid merchandise 7,100 7,100
Other current assets 2,475 2,475
Total current assets 182,384 - 22,177 204,561

Property and Equipment, at cost,
less accumulated depreciation
and amortization 33,703 (33,703)(c) -

Other Assets 6,302 - (6,302)(c) -
$ 222,389 - (17,828) 204,561
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of capital lease
obligations $ 400 400
Bank drafts outstanding 5,762 5,762
Accounts payable 37,642 37,642
Short-term debt 58,654 58,654
Reserve for store closings and
remerchandising 4,952 4,952
Accrued salaries and wages 5,212 50 (d) 5,262
Pre-petition liabilities - 4,352 (e) 4,352
Other current liabilities 9,543 3,878 (f) 13,421
Total current liabilities 122,165 4,352 3,928 130,445

Liabilities Subject to Settlement
Under Reorganization Proceedings 130,276 (130,276)(g) -
Excess of Net Assets Over
Reorganization Value - 32,021 (h) 32,021
Capital Lease Obligations 593 593
Deferred Income 1,792 (311)(i) 1,481
Accumulated Postretirement Benefit
Obligation 6,055 (1,034)(j) 5,021
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (38,492) 90,924 (k) (17,432)(l) 35,000
$ 222,389 (35,000) 17,172 204,561

PAGE

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(2) Continued

Explanations of adjustment columns of the balance sheet are as follows:

(a) To reflect appropriate current value of accounts
receivable
(b) Adjusted inventories to current market value
(c) Wrote off long-term assets
(d) Increased bonuses payable as a result of emergence from
bankruptcy
(e) Reclassified pre-petition priority claims and cure
amounts
(f) Accrued an additional year of property taxes to reflect
such taxes on assessment date basis, increased insurance
and loss reserves, and accrued any remaining
reorganization costs to be incurred after emergence
from Chapter 11
(g) Unsecured pre-petition claims settled as follows:
(a) $4,352 of priority claims and cure amounts
reclassified to current liabilities
(b) The remaining unsecured claims settled with stock
(h) The excess reorganization value was allocated to non-
current assets, with any excess recorded as a deferred
credit to be amortized over the period of 8 years
(i) Reduction of deferred income to current value
(j) Adjustment to reverse unrecognized gain on transition
obligation
(k) Extraordinary item-gain on debt discharge
(l) Value of new company established

During the third quarter, the excess of net assets over reorganization value
was decreased by $3,945 for increases in the reserve for workers' compensation
claims and an additional allowance for receivables of the Predecessor.

The following unaudited pro forma statement of operations reflects the
financial results of the Company as if the Plan had been consummated on January
29, 1995:
Pro forma
Year Ended
January 27,
1996
Total revenue $ 683,585
Total costs and expenses 677,205
Earnings before income taxes 6,380
Income taxes 1,272
Net earnings $ 5,108
Earnings per share $ 0.58
PAGE

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The unaudited pro forma statement of operations has been adjusted to reflect:
the reduction in depreciation and amortization expense due to the write-off of
property and equipment and property under capital leases; reclassification of
DIP interest from reorganization costs to interest expense; the elimination of
all other reorganization costs; amortization of excess net assets over
reorganization value, the effects of changing to the accrual method for
advertising; the reversal of LIFO credits; accrual of additional shrinkage; and
the recording of an appropriate income tax expense.

3 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Fresh-Start Reporting The Company has implemented the required accounting
for entities emerging from Chapter 11 in accordance with the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountant's (AICPA) Statement of Position 90-7, "Financial
Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code" (SOP 90-7),
and reflected the effects of such adoption in the balance sheet as of April 29,
1995. Under Fresh-Start Reporting, the balance sheet as of April 29, 1995,
became the opening balance sheet of the reorganized Company. Since Fresh-Start
Reporting was reflected in the balance sheet as of April 29, 1995, the financial
statements as of January 27, 1996, are not comparable in material respects to
the financial statements of the Predecessor since the January 27, 1996 financial
statements are that of a reorganized entity. Accordingly, a vertical black line
is shown to separate post-emergence operations from those ended prior to April
29, 1995 in the financial statements.

Financial Statements The Company's financial statements include the accounts
of a wholly-owned subsidiary for fiscal years ending January 28, 1995 and Jan-
uary 29, 1994. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. In Jan-
uary 1995, the wholly-owned subsidiary was merged with the Company.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Nature of Operations The Company is a retail concern with 105 general
merchandise discount stores located in the southeastern United States.

Fiscal Year Due to the emergence from Chapter 11, fiscal year 1995 is
comprised of the thirty-nine weeks ended January 27, 1996 (Successor), and the
thirteen weeks ended April 29, 1995 (Predecessor). Fiscal years 1994 and 1993
ended on January 28, 1995; and January 29, 1994, respectively. Fiscal years
1994 and 1993 contained 52 weeks.

Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with
a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Interest-bearing cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates
market. Bank drafts outstanding have been reported as a current liability.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Inventories Substantially all merchandise inventories are valued on a
last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost basis.

Debt Issuance Costs The costs related to the issuance of debt are capital-
ized and amortized to interest expense straight-line over the life of the re-
lated debt.

Revenue Sales are recorded at the time merchandise is exchanged for tender.
The Company does not make any warranties on the merchandise sold, but allows
customers to return merchandise which reduces sales. In many cases, the Company
returns damaged goods to the vendor for credit or has negotiated a damage
allowance to offset the cost of writing off the merchandise. In the case of
layaways, sales are recorded for the total amount of the merchandise when the
customer puts the merchandise on layaway. If the layaway is not paid in full
by the end of 60 days, the Company's policy is to cancel the layaway, reduce
sales and return the merchandise to stock.

Depreciation and Amortization The provision for depreciation and
amortization is based upon the estimated useful lives of the individual assets
and is computed principally by the declining balance and straight-line methods.
The principal lives for depreciation purposes are 40 to 45 years for buildings
and 5 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Improvements to leased
premises are amortized by the straight-line method over the term of the lease
or the useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Capitalized
leases are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term or
life of the asset, whichever is shorter. The amortization of the excess of net
assets over reorganization value is included with depreciation and amortization.
Retroactively, the Company changed the amortization period to 8 years. The
amortization of the excess of net assets over reorganization value was $2,705
for the thirty-nine weeks ended January 27, 1996.

Profit-Sharing and 401(k) Plan The Company's noncontributory trusteed
profit-sharing plan was merged into the 401(k) plan maintained by the Company
effective July 1, 1995. The merger was approved by the Board of Directors on
February 15, 1995. The Company's 401(k) plan covers employees who meet minimum
service requirements and who elect to participate. Contributions are at the
discretion of the Company while participants' contributions are voluntary.

Income Taxes The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes", effective January 31, 1993 and reported
that the cumulative effect of that change in the 1993 statement of operations
was immaterial. Under Statement 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are
recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between
the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and
their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in
which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under
Statement 109, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in
tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment
date.

Advertising The Company expenses the cost of advertising during the month
the sale is effective.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Earnings (Loss) Per Share Earnings (loss) per share is computed on the
estimated number of shares that will be outstanding if all pending claims are
resolved adversely to the Company for the thirty-nine weeks ended January 27,
1996, and on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period
for prior periods. The average number of shares used to compute earnings (loss)
per share was 8,853 shares for the thirty-nine weeks ended January 27, 1996;
18,758 shares for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 1995 and fiscal year 1994;
and 18,740 shares in 1993. The exercise of outstanding stock options would not
result in a dilution of earnings per share for 1995 and are excluded from the
calculation. The exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants would have
resulted in an anti-dilutive effect on loss per share for 1994 and 1993 and are
excluded from the calculation.

4 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

A summary of accounts receivable as of January 27, 1996 and January 28, 1995,
is as follows:
January 27, | January 28
1996 | 1995
Layaway receivables $ 2,496 | 2,651
Other receivables 5,111 | 9,514
7,607 | 12,165
Allowance for doubtful accounts (398) | (25)
$ 7,209 | 12,140

Other receivables consist primarily of amounts due from vendors for returns,
co-op advertising, shoe department income, and coupons.

The Company does not provide for an allowance for doubtful accounts for
layaways because the Company holds the merchandise. The Company adjusted the
allowance for doubtful accounts for other receivables as part of Fresh-Start
Reporting (see Note 2).

5 INVENTORIES

A summary of inventories as of January 27, 1996 and January 28, 1995 is as
follows:
January 27, | January 28,
1996 | 1995
|
Inventories valued at FIFO cost $ 153,190 | 145,762
LIFO reserve - | (26,195)
Inventories substantially valued |
at LIFO cost $ 153,190 | 119,567

As a part of Fresh-Start Reporting (See Note 2), the LIFO reserve was written
off and the base year inventory was restated to the April 29, 1995 value. Since
the January 27, 1996, inventory at its LIFO cost is greater than its FIFO cost,
no LIFO reserve is warranted.

During fiscal year 1994, inventories were reduced, resulting in the
liquidation of LIFO inventory layers. The effect of this inventory liquidation
was a reduction in the costs related to closed stores of approximately $3,419.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment, adjusted for Fresh-Start Reporting (see Note 2),
consists of the following:
January 27, | January 28,
1996 | 1995
Land $ - | 641
Buildings 27 | 20,408
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment 2,871 | 82,978
Improvements to leased premises 2,005 | 13,164
Total 4,903 | 117,191
Less accumulated depreciation |
and amortization (155) | (83,265)
4,748 | 33,926
Capitalized leases 374 | 6,400
Less accumulated amortization - | (5,619)
374 | 781
Net property and equipment $ 5,122 | 34,707

The Company adopted Fresh-Start Reporting as of April 29, 1995, which
required that a portion of the excess of the fair value of net assets which
exceeded reorganization value be allocated to property and equipment. This
adjustment resulted in the write-off of net property and equipment of $33,703
as of April 29, 1995. Management does not believe that these assets are
operationally impaired. The adoption of Fresh-Start Reporting did not result
in any significant change in the remaining useful lives of the Company's
property and equipment.

7 DEBT

Debt outstanding was as follows:
January 27, | January 28,
1996 | 1995
Senior notes, interest payable semi- |
annually at 11.00% and principal payable |
1993 to 1998 $ - | 21,136
Term note, interest payable monthly |
at 11.00% and principal payable |
1993 to 1998 - | 5,063
Pre-petition interest - | 224
Total Debt - | 26,423
Less: Liabilities subject to settlement |
under reorganization proceedings - | (26,423)
Current portion (See Note 8) - | -
|
Debt due after one year $ - | -
|
Borrowings under Debtor-in-Possession |
Financing $ - | 600
Borrowings under Revolving Credit |
Facility $ 33,673 | -

PAGE

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On April 28, 1995, the Company closed on its exit financing loan, thereby
satisfying the last condition of the Plan and emerged from bankruptcy. The exit
financing is a $125,000 (subsequently amended to $110,000; see below) three-
year revolving credit facility (the "Facility") with a letter of credit sublimit
in the aggregate principal amount of $40,000 with the First National Bank of
Boston and The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.,(the "Banks") as facility agents.
The Facility is secured by a perfected first priority lien and security interest
in all of the assets of the Company. The interest rate on the Facility is either
(a) the Banks' base rate plus 1.5% payable monthly or (b) a LIBOR rate plus
3.75% payable at the expiration of the LIBOR loan, depending on which option the
Company chooses. Although there are no compensating balances required, the
Company is required to pay a fee of .5% per annum on the average unused portion
of the Facility. Borrowing availability is based upon certain eligible inventory
times a borrowing base percentage that varies by month. Under the Facility,
trade suppliers which extend credit to the Company are supported by a $5,000
letter of credit and subordinated lien of $15,000 in the real estate properties
of the Company which expires April 30, 1996.

The Facility includes certain financial covenants and financial maintenance
tests, including those relating to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization (EBITDA), debt service coverage, capital expenditures
limitations, minimum stockholders' equity, and minimum/maximum inventory levels,
which are measured quarterly. The Facility also includes restrictions on the
incurrence of additional liens and indebtedness; a requirement that the Facility
be paid down to certain levels for 30 consecutive days between December 1st and
February 15th each year; and a prohibition on paying dividends.

On the Effective Date, pursuant to the Plan, the Company paid in full the
claims of its Pre-Petition Secured Lenders in the amount of $26,423, all amounts
owing to GE Capital Corporation (the "Debtor-in-Possession (DIP) Facility"), and
various administrative and tax claims as defined in the Plan.

As of January 27, 1996, $33,673 was outstanding in direct borrowings under
the Facility, and $11,610 of letters of credit were outstanding. The average
direct borrowings were $66,501 in 1995 with an average daily weighted annual
interest rate of 9.8%. The maximum amount of direct borrowings under the
Facility at any period end was $83,579 in 1995. As of January 27, 1996 the
Company has unused borrowing availability of $19,690.

On January 31, 1996, the Company and the Banks agreed to an amendment to
the Facility that reduced the Facility size to $110,000. The covenants for the
end of fiscal 1995 and the remaining life of the Facility were amended and
certain covenants were added, including those related to days on hand inventory,
maximum borrowings exposure, and an interest coverage ratio. Also, the
measurement period for most covenants was changed from quarterly to monthly.
In addition, the LIBOR option was eliminated and the Banks agreed to extend the
trade letter of credit and subordinated lien until May 30, 1997. The Company
was in compliance with these covenants as of January 27, 1996.

The Company entered into the DIP Facility as of September 20, 1993, with G.
E. Capital Corporation, as lender, under which the Company was allowed to borrow
or issue letters of credit up to $125,000 for general corporate purposes,



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

subject to certain restrictions defined in the DIP Facility. The term of the DIP
Facility was for twenty-four months unless extended by the lender and the
Bankruptcy Court upon request by the Company. The DIP facility was terminated
on the Effective Date. The DIP Facility included limitations on capital
expenditures, limitations on the incurrence of additional liens and indebted-
ness, limitations on the sale of assets, limitations on adequate protection pay-
ments, and a prohibition on paying dividends. The DIP Facility also included
financial covenants pertaining to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, and amortization) and net cash flows. The DIP Lender had a super-
priority claim against the property of the Company, other than real property.

The DIP Facility had a sub-limit of $35,000 for the issuance of letters of
credit. As of January 28, 1995 approximately $9,416 in letters of credit were
outstanding.

At the Company's option, the Company could borrow at an index rate, which
was the highest prime or base rates of interest quoted by specified banks or the
latest annualized yield on 90 day commercial paper, plus 1.25% or at the LIBOR
rate plus 2.25%. Although there were no compensating balance requirements, the
Company was required to pay a fee of .5% per annum of the average unused portion
of the DIP Facility.

At January 28, 1995, $600 was outstanding under the DIP Facility. The
average borrowings under the DIP facility were $13,700 in 1995 and $9,320 in
1994 with a daily weighted average annual interest rate of 8.6% in 1995 and 7.4%
in 1994. The maximum amount of borrowings outstanding under the DIP Facility at
any period end was $21,100 in 1995 and $34,975 in 1994.

As a result of the Company's Chapter 11 filing on September 5, 1993 (See
Note 1), the remaining amount of pre-petition secured debt and accrued interest
totaling $26,423 at January 28, 1995, was classified as "Liabilities Subject to
Settlement Under Reorganization Proceedings" (See Note 8). These liabilities
were settled with proceeds from the Facility when the Company emerged from
Chapter 11 on April 28, 1995.

On May 29, 1992, the Company signed an agreement with its long-term lenders
to restructure the principal payments of its long-term debt. The agreement re-
sulted in a six and one-half year amortization of the then outstanding long-
term notes of $102,500. The restructuring of the term notes required a fee
payment. The agreement with some of the long-term lenders granted them warrants
exercisable into the Company's Non-Voting Class B stock at an option price of
$5 per share. These warrants were canceled upon emergence in accordance with
the Company's Plan of Reorganization. Also on May 29, 1992, the Company signed
an agreement with its banks to provide revolving credit facilities through May
31, 1994, including an amount designated for letters of credit related to
imports. The Company pledged inventories located in approximately 50% of its
stores and a collateral pool of $26,500 to its long-term lenders and banks. The
$26,500 collateral pool consisted of the Company's Distribution Center and, to
the extent necessary, the inventory located in the Distribution Center. In
addition, all other real property and equipment were pledged as collateral. The
Company also pledged approximately $3,000 of inventory to a long-term lender to
collateralize the lender's deferral of previously scheduled payments.
PAGE

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

At the time of the Company's filing on September 5, 1993, debt and accrued
interest totaling $92,762 were outstanding under its long-term notes and debt
and accrued interest totaling $15,617 were outstanding under its revolving
credit facilities. The Bankruptcy Court ordered the Company to make certain
adequate protection payments relating to cash collateral and proceeds resulting
from the stores closed in 1993 and 1994 that were pledged to its lenders and
banks. In 1993 and 1994, the Company made adequate protection payments totaling
$16,518 and $65,437, respectively, to its lenders in accordance with the related
Bankruptcy Court orders. The payments were applied against debt and accrued
interest outstanding as of September 5, 1993, in accordance with the applicable
loan documents.

8 LIABILITIES SUBJECT TO SETTLEMENT UNDER REORGANIZATION PROCEEDINGS AND
PRE-PETITION LIABILITIES

Liabilities subject to settlement under the reorganization proceedings were
separately classified and consisted of the following:

Fiscal Years
1995 | 1994
Pre-petition secured debt and interest $ - | 26,423
Accounts payable - | 83,991
Lease rejection claims - | 36,724
Accrued liabilities - | 9,336
Liabilities subject to |
settlement under reorganization $ - | 156,474
Pre-petition liabilities $ 4,632 | -

During the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 1995, the liabilities subject to
settlement under reorganization proceedings increased by $1,818 due primarily
to an additional accrual for lease rejection claims for the seven stores closed
in 1995. As of the Effective Date, the Company paid $1,593 and reclassified to
current liabilities $4,352 of priority claims and cure amounts included in the
remaining liabilities subject to settlement under reorganization proceedings.
The pre-petition secured debt and interest were paid with proceeds from the exit
financing when the Company emerged from Chapter 11 (See Note 7.) Subsequent to
the Effective Date, the Company paid $2,463 of pre-petition liabilities and
established an additional liability of $2,743 for pre-petition workers'
compensation insurance claims.

The remaining liabilities subject to settlement at April 29, 1995 of $125,924
were written off as these were settled or are in the process of being settled
in common stock. The Company is actively negotiating with creditors and/or
seeking the court-ordered disallowance of claims which have been filed in the
Chapter 11 proceeding and are disputed by the Company. The Company estimates
that the ultimate liability for unsecured claims will be approximately $119,000.
There are currently approximately $112,000 in allowed claims which have received
distributions of common stock pursuant to the plan of reorganization (See Note
11), and there are approximately $9,700 of disputed claims remaining which may
receive distributions of common stock pursuant to the plan.

PAGE

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Additional bankruptcy claims and pre-petition liabilities may arise from the
settlement of disputed claims. Consequently, the amount included in the balance
sheet as pre-petition liabilities may be subject to further adjustment.

9 INTEREST EXPENSE

Interest expense consisted of the following:

Thirty-Nine | Thirteen
Weeks Ended | Weeks Ended
January 27, | April 29, Fiscal Years
1996 | 1995 1994 1993
Long-term debt $ - | 683 5,494 9,629
Short-term debt 4,757 | 16 118 917
Capital leases 72 | 27 295 579
Other 402 | - - 929
Interest expense $ 5,231 | 726 5,907 12,054

The Company paid interest (including prepaid bank fees) of $1,888 for the
thirty-nine weeks ended January 27, 1996, $3,650 for the thirteen weeks ended
April 29, 1995, $7,100 in 1994, and $8,944 in 1993. The interest paid includes
$291 in the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 1995, $612 in 1994, and $299 in 1993
related to the DIP facility classified as reorganization expense.

10 RESERVE FOR FUTURE STORE CLOSINGS

During 1994, the reserve for future closings was increased by $43,000 to
provide for the effect of 59 stores closed in May 1994. Liabilities subject to
settlement under reorganization proceedings were increased by $15,585 for relat-
ed closed store lease rejection claims. The reserve remaining at the end of
1994 was adequate to cover the costs of closing an additional seven stores in
May 1995.

The closed store reserve decreased $4,691 in the thirty-nine weeks ended
January 27, 1996 and $1,731 in the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 1995 and
increased $26,489 in 1994. Following are the cash and noncash changes to the
reserves in 1995 and 1994:
Thirty-Nine | Thirteen
Weeks Ended | Weeks Ended Fiscal
January 27, | April 29, Year
1996 | 1995 1994
Noncash activity: |
Reserve for additional store closings $ - | - (43,000)
Closed store lease rejection benefit - | - (148)
Retirement of net book |
value of assets 17 | 623 7,018
Benefit from liquidating |
LIFO inventory - | - (3,419)
Cash expenses 4,674 | 1,108 13,060
(Increase) decrease in the |
closed store reserve $ 4,691 | 1,731 (26,489)

PAGE

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The cash expenses include the operating results until closing, rental
payments and costs of removing fixtures from closed stores. The Company closed
an additional store in the third quarter of 1995. The proceeds of the sale of
that store lease were sufficient to cover the costs of closing expenses and
inventory write-offs; therefore, the Company recognized a net gain of $586 in
the fourth quarter of 1995.

11 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Effective April 28, 1995, the Company authorized 50,000 shares of Common
Stock and 10,000 shares of Preferred Stock. No Preferred Stock has been issued.
Pursuant to the Plan, the Company issued and delivered to First Union National
Bank of North Carolina ("FUNB"), as Escrow Agent for the unsecured creditors of
the Company, 9,850 shares of the Company's new Common Stock for distribution on
allowed claims of unsecured creditors in accordance with a schedule for
distributions set forth in the Plan; and 150 shares of the Company's new common
stock were delivered to the Escrow Agent for distribution to officers of the
Company pursuant to a consummation bonus plan approved by order of the Bank-
ruptcy Court on February 14, 1995.

During the thirty-nine weeks since emergence, distributions of the common
stock, no par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock") were made to holders
of Allowed Class 3 Unsecured Claims (as defined under the Plan) in accordance
with the provisions of the Plan. As the result of distributions of the Common
Stock pursuant to the Plan, as of February 19, 1996, the Company has 8,158
shares of Common Stock outstanding of the 10,000 shares of Common Stock which
were delivered to FUNB pursuant to the Plan on the Effective Date. In addition,
as of February 19, 1996, and pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, 976 shares
have reverted to the Company from escrow to be retired or held in the treasury
of the Company.

The remaining 866 shares held in escrow will be distributed by FUNB in
satisfaction of disputed Class 3 claims as and when such claims are resolved.

The disputed Class 3 claims which remain unresolved at January 27, 1996 were
primarily claims of landlords with respect to leases which were rejected during
the course of the Chapter 11 proceeding and general liability claims being
resolved under an alternative dispute resolution program established by the
Bankruptcy Court. If all pending claims are resolved adversely to the Company,
approximately 695 additional shares of Common Stock will be issued and
outstanding, and there will be a total of approximately 8,853 shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding. If all pending claims are resolved in accordance
with the Company's records and/or position as to such claims, approximately 443
additional shares of Common Stock will be issued, and there will be a total of
approximately 8,601 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. The foregoing
estimates do not include any additional shares that may be issued with respect
to late-filed claims which the Bankruptcy Court may allow which have not been
filed as of the date hereof or the effect of negotiated settlements made for
amounts in excess of amounts shown in the Company's records. To the extent that
escrowed shares of Common Stock are not used to satisfy claims, they will revert
to the Company and will be retired or held in the treasury of the Company.

PAGE

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On the Effective Date, all shares of the Company's pre-emergence Voting
Common Stock (8,262 shares) and Non-Voting Class B Stock (10,496 shares) were
canceled and the record owners of such stock as of such date became entitled to
warrants to purchase the new common stock of the Company. One warrant was issued
for every 4.377 shares of pre-emergence Voting Common Stock or Non-Voting Class
B Stock and allows the holder to purchase one share of the new common stock.
The total number of warrants issued were 4,286. The warrants may be exercised
at any time until they expire on April 28, 2002. The initial warrant exercise
price of $14.45 was calculated pursuant to a formula set forth in the Plan. The
formula requires that the total allowed and disputed claims of the Company's
unsecured creditors be divided by 9,850, the number of shares of the reorganized
Company's stock to be issued under the Plan. The exercise price will be
recalculated on each of the first three anniversaries of April 28, 1995 to
reflect adjustments to the total of allowed and disputed claims of the Company's
unsecured creditors, and will be further adjusted on the fourth, fifth and sixth
anniversaries to reflect 105%, 110% and 115%, respectively, of the total of the
allowed and disputed claims of the unsecured creditors. Although there can be
no assurance, the Company anticipates that the warrant exercise price will
decrease as certain disputed claims are resolved over time.

12 STOCK OPTIONS

All stock options outstanding under the Predecessor's Equity Compensation
Plan, which was approved by the stockholders on May 22, 1991, and the Adjunct
Stock Plan, which was approved on October 19, 1992, were canceled on April 28,
1995, the effective date of the Plan of Reorganization.

Information regarding the Predecessor's stock option plan is summarized
below:

Price Number of
Range Shares

Outstanding, January 29, 1994 $2.50 - 7.00 1,730
Canceled 2.50 - 7.00 (823)
Outstanding, January 28, 1995 2.50 - 7.00 907
Exercisable, January 28, 1995 2.50 - 7.00 669
Canceled 2.50 - 7.00 (907)
Outstanding, January 27, 1996 - -
Exercisable, January 27, 1996 - -

The Company's New Equity Compensation Plan was adopted on February 14, 1995
and was designed for the benefit of the executives and key employees of the
Company by allowing the grant of a variety of different types of equity-based
compensation to eligible participants. The Plan provides for the granting of
a maximum of 700 shares of stock. Under the New Equity Compensation Plan, 388
nonqualified stock options were granted on July 27, 1995. The option price per
share is $2.875 for the first half of the shares and $5.750 for the remainder
of the shares. The options vest over a three year period. One half of the
options expire in five years and the remainder in seven years. As of January
27, 1996, no options had been canceled or exercised.

PAGE

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

13 REORGANIZATION COSTS

Professional fees and expenditures directly related to the filing have been
segregated from normal operations and are disclosed separately. The major
components of these costs are as follows:


Thirty-Nine | Thirteen
Weeks Ended | Weeks Ended
January 27, | April 29, Fiscal Years
1996 | 1995 1994 1993

Closed store provision $ - | - 43,000 39,500
Closed store lease rejections - | - - (13,026)
DIP financing fees and expense |
amortization - | 1,342 3,445 1,238
Write-off of pre-petition debt |
issue costs - | - - 4,528
Professional fees and other |
bankruptcy related expenses - | 2,505 11,454 6,898
Total reorganization costs $ - | 3,847 57,899 39,138

The 1994 store closing provision covered the costs incurred in closing 59
stores in May 1994 and closing 7 stores in May 1995. The 1993 store closing
provision covered the costs incurred in closing 43 stores in January 1994. The
store closing provision included penalties to be incurred upon the rejection of
related building and personal property leases.

In addition, during Fresh-Start Reporting, the Company increased the
liability for reorganization costs by $1,666 to cover post-emergence expenses.
At January 27, 1996, $158 remains in the liability for reorganization costs.

14 INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense consists of the following:


Thirty-Nine | Thirteen
Weeks Ended | Weeks Ended
January 27, | April 29, Fiscal Years
1996 | 1995 1994 1993
|

Current: |
Federal $ 952 | - - -
State 207 | - - -
1,159 | - - -
|
Deferred (benefit): |
Federal (67) | - - -
State (9) | - - -
(76) | - - -
$ 1,083 | - - -


PAGE

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective
tax rate is as follows:



Thirty-Nine | Thirteen
Weeks Ended | Weeks Ended
January 27, | April 29, Fiscal Years
1996 | 1995 1994 1993
| % of Pretax Earnings (Loss)
|

Income taxes (benefits) at |
federal statutory rates 34.0% | (34.0)% (34.0)% (34.0)%
State income taxes, net of |
federal income tax benefits 4.6 | (4.3) (4.3) (4.3)
Amortization of excess value (19.0) | - - -
Reorganization items - | 39.3 6.6 2.5
Net operating loss |
carryforward - | (1.0) 31.7 35.6
Other 0.1 | 0.0 0.0 0.2
19.7% | - % - % - %



The tax effects of temporary differences since the Effective Date that give
rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax lia-
bilities at January 27, 1966, are presented below:

January 27,
1996
Current deferred tax assets:
Reserves $ 473
Capitalized inventory 14
Co-op credits 29
Gross current deferred tax assets 516
Current deferred tax liabilities:
Reserves (401)
Percentage rent (18)
Gross current deferred tax liabilities (419)
Net current deferred tax assets $ 97

Non-current deferred tax assets:
Inventory -video tapes $ 104
Gross non-current deferred tax assets 104
Non-current deferred tax liabilities:
Fixed assets (125)
Gross non-current deferred tax liabilities (125)
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities $ (21)

In connection with the adoption of Fresh-Start Reporting (Note 2), the
carrying values of several assets were adjusted. As a result, SFAS No. 109, in
conjunction with SOP 90-7 (Note 2), requires that any tax benefits realized
after the Effective Date, from cumulative temporary differences, net operating
loss carryovers and tax credit carryovers be reported in the future as an
addition to paid-in capital rather than as a reduction in the tax provision in
the statements of operations.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

At January 27, 1996, the Company has certain net operating loss carry-
forwards totaling $162,000 which are scheduled to expire during the period 2008
through 2011. These NOLs will likely be reduced or their availability
restricted, in accordance with provisions of federal tax laws. All of the
factors necessary to evaluate the appropriate treatment, and the resulting
reduction or restriction of the NOLs, have not been determined, and accordingly,
the amount and availability of NOLs cannot be determined. The Company also has
substantial potential state net operating loss carryovers. It is difficult,
however, to quantify the utilizable amounts of such state operating losses
because of the uncertainty related to the mix of future profits in specific
states.

The Internal Revenue Service has examined the Company's federal income tax
returns for the years 1988 through 1991. Claims arising from those examinations
have been settled subject to final review. The Company believes adequate
provision has been made for these claims. All state income and franchise tax
returns for taxable years ending prior to fiscal 1993 are not subject to
adjustment, primarily because of the application of certain facets of bankruptcy
law.

During 1995, the Company filed for and received a federal refund of $16,898
resulting from the carry back of losses as described in Section 172(f) of the
Internal Revenue Code. Section 172(f) is an area of tax law without substantial
legal precedent or guidance. Accordingly, assurances cannot be made as to
whether the IRS would challenge the Company's ability to carry back such a
substantial portion of losses under this provision. Consequently, an income tax
reserve of $12,673 has been recorded in the amount of the refund net of the
collection expenses which will be reimbursed if the Company's position does not
withstand any such challenge and the refund is reversed.

15 LEASED ASSETS AND LEASE COMMITMENTS

The Company has entered into leases for store locations which expire during
the next 20 years. Computer equipment, transportation equipment and certain
other equipment are also leased under agreements which will expire during the
next five years. Management expects that leases which expire in the normal
course of business will be renewed or replaced by other leases. Under Chapter
11, the Company renegotiated or rejected leases that it may otherwise have
retained had no filing been made.

PAGE

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

At January 27, 1996, minimum rental payments due under the above leases are
as follows:
Capital Operating
Leases Leases
1996 $ 373 18,092
1997 322 16,800
1998 241 14,710
1999 241 13,127
2000 97 11,087
Later Years - 53,589
Total minimum lease payments 1,274 127,405
Imputed interest (rates
ranging from 7.6% to 11.3%) (254)
Present value of net minimum
lease payments 1,020
Less current maturities 274
Capital lease obligations $ 746

Executory costs, such as real estate taxes, insurance, and maintenance, are
generally the obligation of the lessor.

Amortization of capitalized leases was approximately $220 in the thirteen
week ended April 29, 1995, $1,746 in 1994, and $2,191 in 1993. The capital lease
assets were written off in Fresh-Start Reporting (See Note 2), thus no
amortization was incurred in the thirty-nine weeks ended January 27, 1996.

Total rental expense for the three years ended January 27, 1996 was as
follows:

Thirty-Nine | Thirteen
Weeks Ended | Weeks Ended
January 27, | April 29, Fiscal Years
1996 | 1995 1994 1993
Operating Leases: |
Minimum rentals $ 15,787 | 5,265 22,481 40,842
Contingent rentals 2,990 | 843 4,309 5,205
$ 18,777 | 6,108 26,790 46,047

Contingent rentals are determined on the basis of a percentage of sales in
excess of stipulated minimums for certain store facilities and on the basis of
mileage for transportation equipment.

Rent expense for the thirty-nine weeks ended January 27, 1996, did not
include any payments to lessors controlled by or affiliated with directors of
the Successor. Included in rent expense was $132 for the thirteen weeks ended
April 29, 1995, $665 for 1994, and $908 for 1993, paid to lessors controlled by
or affiliated with certain directors of the Predecessor.

16 POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS

The Company provided health insurance benefits for retirees who met minimum
age and service requirements until they reached the age of sixty-five. In
addition, the associate must have been covered under the active medical plan at

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

the time of retirement to be eligible for postretirement benefits and must have
agreed to contribute a portion of the cost. The plan was not funded. The
expected cost of retiree health care benefits was charged to expense during the
year that the employees rendered service.

Effective December 30, 1995, the Board of Directors terminated postretirement
and post-service benefits under the Rose's Stores, Inc. Health Care Plan, except
for one year of benefits for current retirees. The termination of these benefits
resulted in a gain of $4,701.

The adoption of Fresh-Start Reporting required the accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation to be adjusted to fair value. This adjustment resulted in
a $1,034 decrease in the liability at April 29, 1995 (See Note 2).

The periodic postretirement benefit cost under SFAS 106 was as follows:

Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Costs:

Thirty-Nine | Thirteen
Weeks Ended | Weeks Ended
January 27, | April 29, Fiscal Years
1996 | 1995 1994 1993
Service costs $ 76 | 28 236 203
Interest costs 249 | 93 493 451
Other - | (39) 72 12
Net periodic costs $ 325 | 82 801 666

The present value of accumulated postretirement benefit obligations and the
amount recognized in the balance sheets were as follows:

Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligations:

January 27, | January 28,
1996 | 1995
Retirees $ 367 | 2,354
Fully eligible active plan |
participants - | 780
Other active plan participants - | 1,840
367 | 4,974
Unrecognized gain (loss) - | 1,074
Total accumulated postretirement |
benefit obligations $ 367 | 6,048

The weighted average discount rate used in determining the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation was 7.5% for fiscal year 1994.

17 SEVERANCE RESERVE

The Company completed a downsizing of the Home Office, Distribution and Store
Operations support work force by approximately 175 positions on February 23,
1996. The Company accrued $1,170 in other current liabilities as of January 27,
1996, for the costs associated with the downsizing. The expense is included in
selling, general and administrative. No payments had been made as of year-end.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

18 CONTINGENCIES

Certain claims, suits and complaints arising in the ordinary course of
business have been filed or are pending against the Company. In the opinion of
management and counsel, all material contingencies are either adequately covered
by insurance or are without merit.

19 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On March 1, 1996, the Company and Fred's Inc. ("Fred's") entered into a
letter of intent (the "Letter of Intent"), providing for the acquisition by mer-
ger of the Company by Fred's (the "Merger"). Fred's is a publicly traded re-
tailer that operates approximately 200 stores in the southeastern United States.
The Letter of Intent provides that each share of the Company's common stock, no
par value ("Common Stock"), issued and outstanding (including stock held in
escrow according to the Plan) immediately prior to the effective time of the
Merger (other than the shares held in the treasury of the Company, which will
be canceled) will be converted into the "Conversion Number" of shares of Fred's
class A voting common stock ("Fred's Common Stock"). The "Conversion Number"
will be determined by dividing $2.15 by the "Fred's Average Price". The "Fred's
Average Price" is an amount equal to the average price of a share of Fred's Com-
mon Stock for the 10 days immediately preceding the day before the printing of
the joint proxy statement to be distributed to stockholders of Fred's and the
Company in connection with the Merger; provided, however, that if the amount
so computed would (a) exceed $8.00, then the Fred's Average Price will be $8.00,
or (b) be less than $6.00, then the Fred's Average Price will be $6.00. The
Letter of Intent provides that the Merger is subject to the execution of a
definitive agreement and to the occurrence of (to the extent permitted by the
definitive merger agreement or applicable law) waiver of a number of conditions,
including the approval of the stockholders of the Company and Fred's.
PAGE

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

20 QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

Following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations during the
years ended January 27, 1996 and January 28, 1995:


Fiscal 1995(a)
Quarters Ended
April 29, | July 29, October 28, January 27,
1995 | 1995 1995 1996
|

Gross sales $ 159,407 | 168,488 162,937 209,493
Leased department sales 5,117 | 5,764 4,995 5,762
Leased department income 1,114 | 1,178 1,140 1,466
Cost of sales 116,838 | 122,471 119,900 161,749
Income (loss) before |
reorganization expense, |
income taxes, and |
extraordinary item 542 | (92) (775) 6,351
Reorganization expense (3,847) | - - -
Fresh-Start revaluation (17,432) | - - -
Earnings (loss) before |
extraordinary item (20,737) | - - -
Extraordinary item - |
gain on debt discharge 90,924 | - - -
Net earnings (loss) $ 70,187 | (92) (775) 5,268
Earnings (loss) per share |
before extraordinary item (1.11) | (0.01) (0.09) 0.60
Net earnings (loss) |
per share $ 3.74 | (0.01) (0.09) 0.60



Fiscal 1994
Quarters Ended
April 30, July 30, October 29, January 28,
1994 1994 1994 1995

Gross sales $ 174,583 175,231 178,531 228,011
Leased department sales 5,514 6,368 6,088 6,460
Leased department income 1,300 1,150 1,248 1,590
Cost of sales 126,696 127,535 129,178 171,678
Income (loss) before
reorganization expense (767) (936) 1,434 6,886
Reorganization expense (58,781) 7,971 (3,936) (3,153)
Net income (loss) (59,548) 7,035 (2,502) 3,733
Income (loss) per share $ (3.17) 0.38 (0.13) 0.20

(a) On September 5, 1993, the Company filed a voluntary petition in the United
States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina seeking to
reorganize under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Company emerged from
Chapter 11 on April 28, 1995. Beginning in May 1995, the statements of
operations reflect the application of Fresh-Start Reporting (Note 2), and are
therefore not comparable to prior years.