ROSES STORES INC
10-K, 1996-04-10
VARIETY STORES
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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
<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
<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
<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
<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
<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
<PAGE>
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 
<PAGE>
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.  
<PAGE>
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
<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 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                         1995                          1994       
                                 High                   Low                            High                 Low 
<S>                                <C>                   <C>                           <C>                  <C>
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 
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Dividends              Total  
                                 High                   Low                           Per Share            Dividends
<S>                             <C>                   <C>                                <C>                  <C>
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  
</TABLE>
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
<PAGE>
ITEM 6: SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
(Not covered by Independent Auditors' Report)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Thirty-Nine  |     Thirteen
                             Weeks Ended  |    Weeks Ended
                             January 27,  |     April 29,                            Fiscal Years               
                                 1996     |        1995           1994           1993           1992            1991   
<S>                          <C>                  <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>             <C>
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
</TABLE>
(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.
<PAGE>
(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
<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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    (a)                                           Fiscal Years           
                                    1995         % to Net                 % to Net                       % to Net
                                  Proforma        Sales         1994       Sales             1993         Sales   
<S>                              <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>              <C>
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)%
</TABLE>

(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
<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.
<PAGE>
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
<PAGE>
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
<PAGE>
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
<PAGE>
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
<PAGE>
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
<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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 First Year
                            Principal Occupation During Last Five Years,         Elected A
Name and Age                Directorships in Public Registrants                  Director    

<S>                         <S>                                                  <C>
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
<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.
</TABLE>
     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.  
<PAGE>
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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   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)   
    
<S>             <C>   <C>           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>
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
<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
</TABLE>
_____________
     (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
<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
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        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)  

<S>                       <C>       <C>           <C>                        <C>
R. Edward Anderson        -         -             -   /137,500               -  
Dave Howard               -         -             -   / 25,000               -  
Kathy Hurley(2)           -         -             -   / 50,000               -  
Howard Parge              -         -             -   / 50,000               - 
Jeanette Peters           -         -             -   / 50,000               -   
</TABLE>
____________
(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-
<PAGE>
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.
<PAGE>
    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,
<PAGE>
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
<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"). 
<PAGE>
                   (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
<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.
<PAGE>
                   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
<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
<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
<PAGE>
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS  
(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts) 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                           Successor      |        Predecessor
                                          Thirty-Nine     |         Thirteen                   Predecessor
                                          Weeks Ended     |        Weeks Ended                 Years Ended       
                                          January 27,     |          April 29,            January 28,            January 29, 
                                             1996         |            1995                   1995                   1994   
<S>                                       <C>                          <C>                    <C>                  <C>
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)  
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.  
PAGE
<PAGE>
BALANCE SHEETS 
(Amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Successor           |          Predecessor
                                                    January 27,         |           January 28,         
                                                       1996             |              1995      
<S>                                                 <C>                 |              <C>
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
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
PAGE
<PAGE>
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              Retained           
                                         Voting              Non-Voting                       Earnings
                                       Common Stock         Class B Stock        Paid-In   (Accumulated)   Treasury Stock
                                    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount      Capital      (Deficit)   Shares    Amount 
<S>                                  <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>      <C>
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      -      $   -      
</TABLE>



See accompanying notes to financial statements.
PAGE
<PAGE>
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
(Amounts in thousands) 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Successor     |     Predecessor
                                            Thirty-Nine    |       Thirteen                           Predecessor
                                            Weeks Ended    |      Weeks Ended                         Years Ended      
                                            January 27,    |       April 29,              January 28,            January 29,
                                               1996        |         1995                    1995                   1994   
<S>                                           <C>                    <C>                    <C>                    <C>
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
</TABLE>
PAGE
<PAGE>
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)  
(Amounts in thousands) 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Successor     |      Predecessor
                                            Thirty-Nine    |        Thirteen                          Predecessor
                                            Weeks Ended    |       Weeks Ended                        Years Ended      
                                            January 27,    |        April 29,              January 28,            January 29,
                                               1996        |          1995                    1995                   1994   
<S>                                           <C>                       <C>                   <C>                   <C>
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     |            -                      -                      -   
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
PAGE
<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
<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)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Actual                                        Fresh-                 Restated   
                                             April 29,               Debt                   Start                  April 29,
                                               1995                Discharge              Accounting                 1995    
<S>                                        <C>                    <C>                      <C>                       <C>
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
</TABLE>
PAGE
<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
<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.
<PAGE>
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.
<PAGE>
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. 
<PAGE>
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
<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, 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
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
<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
<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
<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
<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
<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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Thirty-Nine    |         Thirteen
                                 Weeks Ended    |        Weeks Ended
                                 January 27,    |         April 29,               Fiscal Years    
                                    1996        |           1995                 1994                  1993 
<S>                              <C>                         <C>                 <C>                  <C>
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
</TABLE>
  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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Thirty-Nine     |        Thirteen
                                 Weeks Ended     |       Weeks Ended
                                 January 27,     |        April 29,                Fiscal Years  
                                     1996        |            1995                1994                  1993 
                                                 |  
           <S>                   <C>                         <C>                   <C>                   <C>   
           Current:                              | 
             Federal             $     952       |           -                     -                     -  
             State                     207       |           -                     -                     -  
                                     1,159       |           -                     -                     -  
                                                 |
           Deferred (benefit):                   |
             Federal                   (67)      |           -                     -                     -  
             State                      (9)      |           -                     -                     -  
                                       (76)      |           -                     -                     -  
                                 $   1,083       |           -                     -                     -  
</TABLE>
 
PAGE
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective
tax rate is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                         Thirty-Nine      |       Thirteen
                                         Weeks Ended      |      Weeks Ended
                                         January 27,      |       April 29,                Fiscal Years   
                                            1996          |          1995                 1994                  1993   
                                                          |           % of Pretax Earnings (Loss)      
                                                          |
           <S>                             <C>                     <C>                   <C>                   <C>
           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%         |           - %                   - %                   - % 
</TABLE>
 

  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.
<PAGE>
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
<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
<PAGE>
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.
<PAGE>
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
<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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Fiscal 1995(a)               
                                                                              Quarters Ended                
                                      April 29,     |           July 29,            October 28,              January 27,
                                        1995        |             1995                 1995                     1996   
                                                    | 
  <S>                               <C>                          <C>                  <C>                      <C>
  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 
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Fiscal 1994                  
                                                                           Quarters Ended                
                                      April 30,                July 30,            October 29,              January 28,
                                        1994                     1994                 1994                     1995   
  <S>                               <C>                         <C>                  <C>                      <C>
  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 
</TABLE>
(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.


                        ROSE'S STORES, INC.

                        SEVERANCE PAY PLAN

                   (Effective December 14, 1995)

                           INTRODUCTION

          The purpose of this Severance Pay Plan (the "Plan") is to enable
Rose's Stores, Inc. (the "Company") to offer a form of protection to Officers
and Selected Associates of the Company and its Affiliates in the event their
employment with the Company and its Affiliates terminates.

          Accordingly, the Company's Board of Directors has adopted this Plan,
upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, effective December 14,
1995, for Officers and Selected Associates of the Company and its Affiliates in
an effort to assist in replacing the loss of income caused by a termination of
employment under the circumstances described herein.

          The Plan, effective December 14, 1995, amends and supersedes any
severance plans, policies and/or practices of the Company or any Affiliate.  Any
Participant in the Plan shall not be eligible to participate in any other
severance plan, policy or practice of the Company or any Affiliate.


                             ARTICLE i
                            Definitions

          i.1  "Affiliate" shall mean the Company and any entity affiliated
with the Company within the meaning of Code Section 414(b) with respect to a
controlled group of corporations, Code Section 414(c) with respect to trades or
businesses under common control with the Company, Code Section 414(m) with
respect to affiliated service groups and any other entity required to be
aggregated with the Company under Code Section 414(o).  No entity shall be
treated as an Affiliate for any period during which it is not part of the
controlled group, under common control or otherwise required to be aggregated
under Code Section 414.

          i.2  "Associate" shall mean any individual employed by an Employer,
other than those employed on a temporary and/or seasonal basis as determined in
accordance with the Company's policies and practices.

          i.3  "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

          i.4  "Cause" shall mean (with regard to a Participant's termination
of employment with the Control Group):  (a) the refusal or willful failure by
the Participant to substantially perform his or her duties,(b) the Participant's
dishonesty, willful misconduct, misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty or
fraud with regard to the Control Group or any of their assets or businesses, or
(c) the Participant's conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere with respect to,
a felony (other than a traffic violation) or any other crime involving, in the
sole discretion of the Committee, moral turpitude.
<PAGE>
          i.5  "Change in Control" shall have the meaning set forth in
Appendix A attached hereto.

          i.6  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

          i.7  "Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board
or an administrative committee appointed by the Compensation Committee.

          i.8  "Company" shall mean Rose's Stores, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and any successor as provided in Article VI hereof.

          i.9  "Control Group" shall mean the Company and its Affiliates.

          i.10 "Disability" shall mean a disability resulting from a physical
or mental condition of such severity and probable prolonged duration as to
entitle a Participant to disability retirement benefits under the Federal Social
Security Act.

          i.11 "Effective Date" shall mean December 14, 1995.

          i.12 "Employer" shall mean the Company and any Affiliate which has
adopted this Plan in accordance with Section 6.1 hereof.

          i.13 "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended.

          i.14 "Exempt Associate" shall mean an Associate who is exempt from
minimum wage and overtime requirements pursuant to the Fair Labor and Standards
Act 29 U.S.C. Section 213.

          i.15 "Good Reason" shall mean (with respect to a Participant's
termination of employment with the Control Group):  (a) the complete elimination
of a Participant's position, unless the Participant is offered a comparable or
better position with the Employer as determined by the Committee, in its sole
discretion; (b) the Participant's constructive or voluntary termination, during
the sixty (60) day period prior to the Participant's Termination Date, due to
a material reduction in Salary; or (c) the Participant's constructive or
voluntary termination, during the sixty (60) day period prior to the
Participant's Termination Date,due to a material change in job responsibilities.

          i.16 "Hour of Service" shall mean each hour for which an Associate
is or will be directly or indirectly compensated by an Employer or an Affiliate
for the performance of the Associate's work duties.  Hours of Service shall be
credited (based on an Associate's normally scheduled Hours of Service) during
any period which an Associate is not working due to disability, leave of absence
or layoff so long as he or she is being paid by the Employer (other than through
any employee benefit plan).  Hours of Service also shall also be credited for
service in any branch of the armed forces of the United States by any person who
is an Associate on the date such service commenced, but only to the extent
required by applicable law.
<PAGE>
          i.17 "Officer" shall mean any of the following Associates of the
Company:  Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents or
Treasurers.

          i.18 "Participant" shall mean any Officer or Selected Associate,
or former Officer or Selected Associate who is receiving payments under the 
Plan.

          i.19 "Plan" shall mean the Rose's Stores, Inc. Severance Pay Plan.

          i.20 "Salary" shall mean a Participant's regular annual salary from
the Employer on his or her Termination Date exclusive of overtime, bonuses,
awards, imputed income or extraordinary payments.  In calculating the amount of
Severance Benefit, the Committee shall use the following guidelines:

               (a)   the monthly Salary rate shall be computed by dividing
                     the Participant's Salary by twelve (12);

               (b)   the weekly Salary rate shall be computed by dividing the
                     Participant's Salary by fifty-two (52); and

               (c)   with respect to an Associate who is a truck driver, the
                     weekly Salary rate shall be computed by dividing the
                     Associate's year to date earnings by the total number
                     of pay checks he or she has received during such year
                     as of his or her Termination Date multiplied by twenty-
                     six (26); such sum shall then be divided by fifty-two
                     (52).

          i.21 "Selected Associate" shall mean any Exempt Associate or any
other non-Exempt Associate who is regularly employed at the corporate office of
the Company.

          i.22 "Severance Benefit" shall mean the benefit paid to the
Participant by the Employer in accordance with Appendix B attached hereto.  Any
Severance Benefit shall be reduced by (a) any monies arising out of the
employment relationship which are owed to the Employer by the Participant, and
(b) deductions for taxes, withholding or benefits provided or elected hereunder.

          i.23 "Termination Date" shall mean the last official work day for
which the Participant receives pay for service with the Employer and specifi-
cally excludes any period for which a Severance Benefit payment is made.

          i.24 "Year of Service" shall mean each twelve (12) consecutive month
period commencing on the Associate's date of hire by the Employer and each
anniversary thereof.
                            ARTICLE ii
                             Benefits

          ii.1 Eligibility for Benefits.  Any Participant (a) whose employment
with the Control Group is terminated without Cause by an Employer; (b) who
terminates employment with the Control Group after the occurrence of a Good
<PAGE>
Reason event with regard to such Participant; or (c) who terminates employment
due to Disability, shall be entitled to a Severance Benefit in the manner set
forth in Section 2.2 below.  A Participant shall not be entitled to a Severance
Benefit under this Plan if he or she is terminated for Cause.

          ii.2 Amount and Form of Benefits.  Any Participant described in
Section 2.1 above shall receive his or her Severance Benefit in an amount
calculated in accordance with Appendix B attached hereto. Such Severance Benefit
shall be paid in the form of bi-weekly installments, unless otherwise specified
in Appendix B, with the first installment beginning as soon as administratively
feasible after the Participant's Termination Date.

          ii.3 Additional Benefits.  An Officer entitled to receive a
Severance Benefit in accordance with Section 2.1 shall also be entitled to
receive additional benefits as provided in (a) and (b) below:

               (a) An Officer shall be reimbursed for reasonable fees for
outplacement assistance or other reasonable expenses incurred in the pursuit of
subsequent employment.  The reasonableness of such fees and expenses shall be
determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.  The maximum reimbursement
for all fees and expenses incurred shall be ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

               (b) An Officer shall be entitled to continued medical, dental
and disability coverage under the plans in which he or she participated prior
to his or her Termination Date.  Such coverage shall be under substantially
similar terms and conditions as an active Associate for a period of three (3)
months following the Officer's Termination Date; provided that participation in
such plans shall cease if the Officer becomes employed on a full-time basis with
an Employer or any other employer, as determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Officer may not continue to
participate in any such plan on a pre-tax or tax-favored basis.  Any benefits
or payments under this section shall be in addition to any extended group health
plan coverage to which the Associate is entitled under the provisions of the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.

          ii.4 Release.  As a condition of receiving benefits hereunder, the
Participant shall be required to sign the Agreement of Release, attached as
Appendix C hereto.

          ii.5 Mitigation/Termination of Severance Benefits.  No Participant
entitled to receive a Severance Benefit hereunder shall be required to seek 
other employment or to attempt in any way to reduce any amounts payable to him
or her pursuant to this Plan.  However, any remaining installment payments
payable to a Participant under the Plan shall cease as of the date the Partici-
pant becomes actively employed on a full-time basis with an Employer or any 
other employer, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.  In the 
event the Participant obtains new employment, the Participant is required to 
immediately notify the Personnel Department of the Company in writing.  If the 
Participant does not provide such notice in a timely and accurate manner, as 
determined by the Committee, the Employer shall be entitled to terminate the 
Severance Benefit payments to the Participant and the Employer shall be entitled
to recover from the Participant the amount of any Severance Benefit payments 
that were made as a result of the failure to provide timely and/or accurate 
notice.
<PAGE>
                            ARTICLE iii
                              Funding

          iii.1Funding.  The Plan shall be funded out of the general assets
of the Company as and when benefits are payable under the Plan. All Participants
shall be solely general creditors of the Company.  If the Company decides to
establish any advance accrued reserve on its books against the future expense
of benefits payable hereunder, such reserve shall not under any circumstances
be deemed to be an asset of the Plan.

                            ARTICLE iv
                    Administration of the Plan

          iv.1 Plan Administrator.  The general administration of the Plan
on behalf of the Employers shall be placed with the Committee.

          iv.2 Reimbursement of Expenses of Committee.  The Company may, in
its sole discretion, pay or reimburse the members of the Committee for all
reasonable expenses incurred in connection with their duties hereunder.

          iv.3 Action by the Committee.  Decisions of the Committee shall be
made by a majority of its members attending a meeting at which a quorum is
present, or by written action in accordance with applicable law.  All decisions
of the Committee on any question concerning the selection of Participants and
the interpretation and administration of the Plan shall be final, conclusive and
binding upon all parties.

          iv.4 Decisions of Committee are Binding on All Persons.  The
Committee (or its delegate) shall have the exclusive right, power,and authority,
in its sole and absolute discretion, to administer, apply and interpret the Plan
and any other Plan documents and to decide all matters arising in connection 
with the operation or administration of the Plan.  Without limiting the general-
ity of the foregoing, the Committee shall have the sole and absolute discretion-
ary authority:  (a) to take all actions and make all decisions with respect to 
the eligibility for, and the amount of, benefits payable under the Plan; (b) to
formulate, interpret and apply rules, regulations and policies necessary to
administer the Plan in accordance with its terms; (c) to decide questions,
including legal or factual questions, relating to the calculation and payment
of benefits under the Plan; (d) to resolve and/or clarify any ambiguities,
inconsistencies and omissions arising under the Plan or other Plan documents;
(e) to decide for purposes of paying benefits hereunder, whether, based on the
terms of the Plan, a termination of employment is for Good Reason or for Cause;
and (f) except as specifically provided to the contrary in Section 4.11, to
process and approve or deny benefit claims and rule on any benefit exclusions. 
All determinations made by the Committee (or any delegate) with respect to any
matter arising under the Plan and any other Plan documents shall be final,
binding and conclusive on all parties.

          iv.5 Delegation of Authority.  The Committee may delegate any and
all of its powers and responsibilities hereunder to other persons by formal
resolution filed with and accepted by the Board.  Any such delegation shall not
be effective until it is accepted by the Board and the persons designated and
<PAGE>
may be rescinded at any time by written notice from the Committee to the person
to whom the delegation is made.

          iv.6 Retention of Professional Assistance.  The Committee may employ
such legal counsel, accountants and other persons as may be required in carrying
out its work in connection with the Plan.

          iv.7 Accounts and Records.  The Committee shall maintain such
accounts and records regarding the fiscal and other transactions of the Plan and
such other data as may be required to carry out its functions under the Plan and
to comply with all applicable laws.

          iv.8 Compliance with Applicable Law.  The Company shall be deemed
the Plan Administrator for the purposes of any applicable law and shall be
responsible for the preparation and filing of any required returns, reports,
statements or other filings with appropriate governmental agencies.  The Company
shall also be responsible for the preparation and delivery of information to
persons entitled to such information under any applicable law.

          iv.9 Liability.  No member of the Committee and no officer, director
or employee of the Company or any other member of the Control Group shall be
liable for any action or inaction with respect to his or her functions under the
Plan unless such action or inaction is adjudged to be due to gross negligence,
willful misconduct or fraud.  Further, no member of the Committee shall be
personally liable merely by virtue of any instrument executed by him or her or
on his or her behalf as a member of the Committee.

          iv.10 Indemnification.  Each Employer shall indemnify, to the full
extent permitted by law and its Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws (but
only to the extent not covered by insurance) its officers and directors (and any
employee involved in carrying out the functions of such Employer under the Plan)
and each member of the Committee against any expenses, including amounts paid
in settlement of a liability, which are reasonably incurred in connection with
any legal action to which such person is a party by reason of his or her duties
or responsibilities with respect to the Plan, except with regard to matters as
to which he or she shall be adjudged in such action to be liable for gross
negligence, willful misconduct or fraud in the performance of his or her duties.

          iv.11 Claims Procedure.  Any claim by a Participant with respect to
eligibility, participation, contributions, benefits or other aspects of the
operation of the Plan shall be made in writing to the Secretary of the Company
or such other person designated by the Committee from time to time for such
purpose.  If the designated person receiving a claim believes, following
consultation with the Chairman of the Committee,that the claim should be denied,
he or she shall notify the Participant in writing of the denial of the claim
within ninety (90) days after his or her receipt thereof (this period may be
extended an additional ninety (90) days in special circumstances and, in such
event, the Participant shall be notified in writing of the extension).  Such
notice shall (a) set forth the specific reason or reasons for the denial making
reference to the pertinent provisions of the Plan or of Plan documents on which
the denial is based, (b) describe any additional material or information
necessary to perfect the claim, and explain why such material or information,
if any, is necessary, and (c) inform the Participant of his or her right pur-
<PAGE>
suant to this Section 4.11 to request review of the decision.  A Participant may
appeal the denial of a claim by submitting a written request for review to the
Committee, within sixty (60) days after the date on which such denial is
received.

          Such period may be extended by the Committee for good cause shown. 
The claim shall then be reviewed by the Committee.  A Participant or his or her
duly authorized representative may discuss any issues relevant to the claim, may
review pertinent documents and may submit issues and comments in writing.  If
the Committee deems it appropriate, it may hold a hearing as to a claim.  If a
hearing is held, the Participant shall be entitled to be represented by counsel.
The Committee shall decide whether or not to grant the claim within sixty (60)
days after receipt of the request for review, but this period may be extended
by the Committee for up to an additional sixty (60) days in special
circumstances.  Written notice of any such special circumstances shall be sent
to the Participant. Any claim not decided upon in the required time period shall
be deemed denied.  All interpretations, determinations and decisions of the
Committee with respect to any claim shall be made in its sole discretion based
on the Plan and other relevant documents and shall be final, conclusive and
binding on all persons.
                             ARTICLE v
                     Amendment and Termination

          v.1  Amendment and Termination.  The Company reserves the right,
in its sole and absolute discretion to amend or terminate, in whole or in part,
any or all of the provisions of this Plan by action of the Board (or a duly
authorized committee thereof) at any time, provided that any amendment reducing
the benefits provided hereunder or any Plan termination (a) shall not be
effective prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date and (b) no such
amendment or Plan termination may take effect sooner than one (1) year following
the date on which the Board takes such action.  Any termination or amendment of
the Plan, however, shall not affect the Severance Benefit or other benefits
hereunder, if any, payable to any Participant who is entitled to such Severance
Benefit or other benefits as of the date of the amendment or termination of the
Plan.
                            ARTICLE vi
              Participating Employers and Successors

          vi.1 Participating Employers.  Upon approval by the Committee, this
Plan may be adopted by any Affiliate of the Company. Upon such adoption, the
Affiliate shall become an Employer hereunder and the provisions of the Plan 
shall be fully applicable to the Associates of that Affiliate.

          vi.2 Successors.  Subject to Section 5.1 hereof, the Company shall
require any successor or assignee, whether direct or indirect, by purchase,
merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or substantially all the business or
assets of the Company, expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to
perform the Company's obligations under this Plan, in the same manner and to the
same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession
<PAGE>
or assignment had taken place.  In such event, the term "Company", as used in
this Plan, shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor or
assignee to the business or assets which by reason hereof becomes bound by the
terms and provisions of this Plan.  In the event an Affiliate ceases to be a
member of the Control Group, it may by such written agreement, but shall not be
obligated to, continue the Plan as a separate plan and all reference to the
"Company" shall become reference to the Affiliate.  If this Plan is not
specifically continued by the Affiliate, it shall terminate as to Associates of
such Affiliate.  If this Plan is specifically continued by the Affiliate, the
Affiliate, but not the Company, shall be liable to the Associates of the
Affiliate for any benefits due hereunder.
                            ARTICLE vii
                           Miscellaneous

          vii.1Rights of Associates.  Nothing herein contained shall be held
or construed to create any liability or obligation upon the Employer to retain
any Associate in its service.  All Associates shall remain subject to discharge
or discipline to the same extent as if the Plan had not been put into effect.

          vii.2Headings.  The headings of the Plan are inserted for
convenience of reference only and shall have no effect upon the meaning of the
provisions hereof.

          vii.3Use of Words.  Whenever used in this instrument, a masculine
pronoun shall be deemed to include the masculine and feminine gender, and a
singular word shall be deemed to include the singular and plural, in all cases
where the context so requires.

          vii.4Controlling Law.  The construction and administration of the
Plan shall be governed by ERISA.  To the extent not so governed, it shall be
governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina (without reference to rules
relating to conflicts of law).

          vii.5Withholding.  The Employer shall have the right to make such
provisions as it deems necessary or appropriate to satisfy any obligations it
reasonably believes it may have to withhold federal, state or local income or
other taxes incurred by reason of payments pursuant to this Plan.  In lieu
thereof, the Employer shall have the right to withhold the amount of such taxes
from any other sums due or to become due from the Employer to the Participant
upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe.

          vii.6Severability.  Should any provisions of the Plan be deemed or
held to be unlawful or invalid for any reason, such fact shall not adversely
affect the other provisions of the Plan unless such determination shall render
impossible or impracticable the functioning of the Plan, and in such case, an
appropriate provision or provisions shall be adopted so that the Plan may
continue to function properly.

          vii.7Incompetency.  In the event that the Committee finds that a
Participant is unable to care for his or her affairs because of illness or
accident, then benefits payable hereunder, unless claim has been made therefor
<PAGE>
by a duly appointed guardian, committee, or other legal representative, may be
paid in such manner as the Committee shall determine,and the application thereof
shall be a complete discharge of all liability for any payments or benefits to
which such Participant was or would have been otherwise entitled under this 
Plan.

          vii.8Payments to a Minor.  Any payments to a minor from this Plan
may be paid by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion (a) directly
to such minor; (b) to the legal or natural guardian of such minor; or (c) to any
other person, whether or not appointed guardian of the minor, who shall have the
care and custody of such minor.  The receipt by such individual shall be a
complete discharge of all liability under the Plan therefor.

          vii.9Assignment and Alienation.  The benefits payable under the Plan
shall not be subject to alienation, transfer, assignment, garnishment, execution
or levy of any kind, and any attempt to cause any benefits to be so subjected
shall not be recognized.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
executed this ____ day of ________, 1995.

                               ROSE'S STORES, INC.


                               By: 

                               Title: 
<PAGE>
                            APPENDIX A

                         Change in Control

          A Change in Control shall be deemed to occur if: (i) any "person"
(as such term is defined in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) (a "Person") becomes a "beneficial owner" (as such term
is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
(a "Beneficial Owner") of securities of the Company representing 50.1% or more
of the total combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting
securities, (ii) the Company merges or is consolidated with any Person or
substantially all of the Company's assets are sold or disposed of to a Person
other than (a) in a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting
securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such event to conti-
nue to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by conversion into voting
securities of the surviving or parent entity) 50.1% or more of the combined
voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving or parent
entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or (b) a 
merger or capitalization effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company
(or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner,
directly or indirectly, of securities representing more than 50.1% or more of
the total combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting
securities, or (iii) during any period of not more than two (2) consecutive
years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and
any new director (other than a director designated by a Person who has entered
into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in (i) and
(ii) of this paragraph) whose election by the Board or nomination for election
by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds ()
of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning
of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so
approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof.
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX B

          Severance Benefits shall be paid in the following amounts and forms
according to the Participant's classification of employment.  Unless otherwise
specified, Severance Benefits shall be payable in bi-weekly installment payments
commencing as soon as administratively feasible following a Participant's
Termination Date.  The calculation for each classification is based on the
Participant's Salary as of the Termination Date and is as follows:
          -    Officers.
               A Severance Benefit based on twelve (12) months of Salary to
               be paid in (i) a lump sum representing six (6) month's Salary,
               paid to the Participant as soon as administratively feasible
               following the Officer's Termination Date and (ii) bi-weekly
               installments representing the remaining six (6) months Salary,
               to commence as soon as administratively feasible following the
               six (6) month anniversary of the Officer's Termination Date
               if, and only if, the Officer has not become employed on a full-
               time basis by an Employer or any other employer, as determined
               in the Committee's sole discretion.  Notwithstanding anything
               to the contrary, in the event of a Change in Control, the
               entire Severance Benefit shall be paid in a lump sum as soon
               as administratively feasible following the Officer's
               Termination Date.

          -    Director's, Senior Managers, Managers, and Senior Buyers with
               a Pay Grade of Ten (10) or Greater.
               A Severance Benefit based on three (3) weeks' Salary for each
               Year of Service, with a minimum of twelve (12) weeks' Salary
               and a maximum of twenty-six (26) weeks' Salary.

          -    Buyers and Store Managers.
               A Severance Benefit based on two (2) weeks' Salary for each
               Year of Service, with a minimum of twelve (12) weeks' Salary
               and a maximum of twenty-six (26) weeks' Salary.

          -    Managers and other Exempt Associates with a Pay Grade of Seven
               (7) to Nine (9).
               A Severance Benefit based on two (2) weeks' Salary for each
               Year of Service, with a minimum of six (6) weeks' Salary and
               a maximum of twenty-six (26) weeks' Salary.

          -    Managers and other Exempt Associates with a Pay Grade of One
               (1) to Six (6).
<PAGE>
               A Severance Benefit based on one (1) week's Salary for each
               Year of Service, with a minimum of four (4) weeks' Salary and
               a maximum of twelve (12) weeks' Salary.

          -    Truck Drivers.
               A Severance Benefit of one (1) week's Salary for each Year of
               Service, with a minimum of four (4) weeks' Salary and a maximum
               of twelve (12) weeks' Salary.

          -    Corporate Office Non-Exempt Associates.
               A Severance Benefit of one-half (1/2) week's Salary for each
               Year of Service, with a minimum of two (2) weeks' Salary and
               a maximum of eight (8) weeks' Salary.
<PAGE>

                                  APPENDIX C

                       AGREEMENT OF RELEASE
          Agreement made as of ______________________, by and between Rose's
Stores, Inc. (the "Company") with its principal office at 218 South Garnett
Street, Henderson, North Carolina 27536 and _____________________
_______________________, residing at
_____________________________________________________ (the "Associate").


                       W I T N E S S E T H:
          WHEREAS, the Associate's employment with the Company terminated or
will terminate on _____________________; and
          WHEREAS, the Associate and the Company desire to settle all matters
arising, directly or indirectly, out of the Associate's employment or the
conclusion thereof according to the terms of this Agreement.
          NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants
contained in this Agreement, as well as the payment of the monies hereafter
recited, Associate and the Company (the "Parties") agree as follows:
          1.   Concluding Employment.  Associate agrees that the Associate's
employment with the Company terminated or will terminate as of ______________
(the "Termination Date").  Associate hereby waives all rights to reemployment
or reinstatement from and after the Termination Date.

<PAGE>
         2.   Associate's Release and Indemnity.

          (a)  In consideration of the promises and covenants set forth in
this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby, acknowledged, Associate releases and forever
irrevocably discharges the Company, its past, present and future officers,
directors, agents, shareholders, employees, representatives and associates,
jointly and individually,(all of which are collectively referred to as "Released
Parties") from any and all claims, demands, charges, lawsuits, debts, actions
or causes of action, obligations, damages, sums of money, loss of services,
compensation, pain and suffering, attorneys fees, costs and expenses of suit and
liabilities whatsoever, which Associate had, now has or may have, whether the
same be in law, in equity, or mixed, upon or by reason of any manner or cause
existing as of the date of execution of the Agreement, including but not limited
to, any claim, action or cause of action arising under the Age Discrimination
in Employment Act, as amended ("ADEA"),the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 (Title VII)
and 1991, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended ("ERISA"), the
Americans with Disabilities Act, all Federal, state, and local civil rights
statutes, and any other statutory, equitable or common law claims.

          Except for those Severance Benefits expressly set forth in the Rose's
Severance Pay Plan (the "Plan") to be paid by the Company to Associate,Associate
expressly waives any and all benefits or claims under any prior severance policy
or program published by the Company, agreeing in lieu thereof to accept the
Severance Benefit as granted under the Plan.

          (b)  Associate agrees to indemnify the Company and its officers,
directors, agents, shareholders, employees, representatives and associates from
all claims including all attorney's fees, costs and expenses, arising out of
Associate's breach of this Agreement or any misrepresentation of fact made by
Associate which is contained in or made the basis of this Agreement. The Company
acknowledges that the only representations that Associate has made which are
contained in or made the basis of this Agreement are the representations
expressly set forth in this Agreement in writing as being made by the Associate
and the representation that Associate has not incurred any liability or expense
to the Company or contracted any unpaid debt with or on behalf of the Company
of which the Associate has not advised the Company prior to the execution 
hereof, and will not do so on or prior to the Termination Date.  The provisions 
of this Section 2 shall survive the Termination Date.

          3.   No Legal Action.  Associate represents that, as of the
effective date of this Agreement, he or she has not filed with any agency or any
court any complaints or lawsuits against the Company arising out of his or her
employment with or termination by the Company, and that he or she will not do
so at any time thereafter.

          4.   Company Covenants.

          (a)  As a material inducement to and in consideration of Associate
entering into this Agreement,and conditioned upon the waivers and releases given
by Associate herein, the Company agrees to pay Associate the Severance Benefit,
as calculated under Appendix B of the Plan, of $______________ (which represents
______ weeks Salary), payable in bi-weekly installments of $____________, less
<PAGE>
any taxes or other standard deductions ordinarily deductible from any of said
sums; subject however to termination of such payments at such time as Associate
becomes actively employed on a full-time basis, as set forth in the Plan.

          (b)  On the Termination Date, Associate will be entitled to whatever
rights, if any, to continuation coverage which are available under the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.

          5.   Termination of Associate's Authority and Use.

          (a)  Effective immediately, Associate is no longer authorized to
incur any expenses or obligations or liabilities on behalf of the Company.

          (b)  Associate warrants that no later than the Termination Date,
he or she shall return all property of the Company including,without limitation,
all reports, files, memoranda, records and software, credit cards, card-key
passes, door, file, vehicle, and other keys, computer access codes, disks and
instructional manuals, calculators and other physical or personal property which
have been provided for his or her use in connection with his or her employment
with the Company.

          6.   Confidential Information.

          (a)  Associate agrees that in the course of his or her employment
with the Company, he has acquired information ("Confidential Information") which
is (i) confidential and proprietary to the Company, and (ii) other technical,
business, or financial information, the use or disclosure of which may be
contrary to the Company interests.  Associate agrees that he or she will:  (i)
hold in confidence such Confidential Information at all times during and after
his or her employment with the Company; (ii) not disclose or communicate
Confidential Information to any third party; and (iii) not make use of
Confidential Information on his or her behalf or on behalf of any third party. 
Confidential Information specifically includes, but is not limited to,
information about individuals currently employed by the Company including, but
not limited to, the names of any such individuals and the terms of their
employment.  The Associate shall not, either directly or indirectly, disclose
any Confidential Information concerning the Company employees and,in particular,
shall not disclose any information, the use of which could result in the
resignation or other termination of employment by any current Company employee.

          (b)  Associate acknowledges that any unauthorized disclosure of
Confidential Information would cause irreparable damage to the Company.  In the
event of any violation or a threatened violation of this Section 6, the Company
shall be entitled to obtain preliminary and permanent relief enjoining
Associate's use or disclosure, or attempted use or disclosure, of Confidential
Information.  Associate agrees to pay all reasonable costs and attorney's fees
incurred by the Company in successfully enforcing its rights under this
provision.  The provisions of this Section 6 shall survive the Termination Date
and continue in full force and effect for a period of five (5) years thereafter.

          Associate may make reference to his or her status with the Company
provided no Confidential Information is disclosed.
<PAGE>
          7.   Disclaimer.  This Agreement shall, in no way be construed as
an admission by the Company or Associate that either has acted wrongfully with
respect to Associate's employment or the conclusion thereof, or that Associate's
rights were violated in any way by the Released Parties.  This Agreement may not
be received in evidence in any action or proceeding as an admission of liability
or wrongdoing on the part of the Released Parties.  Both parties specifically
disclaim any liability to each other or any other person.

          8.   Nondisclosure.  Associate agrees that he or she will not reveal
the terms of this Agreement to anyone other than his or her legal counsel,
financial consultant and immediate family, who will be bound to maintain the
confidence of the terms of this Agreement.

          9.   Voluntary Agreement.

          (a)  Associate acknowledges that he or she has carefully read and
fully understands all of the provisions of this Agreement, including the release
of any potential claims under ADEA.  Associate acknowledges that he or she has
voluntarily and knowingly signed this Agreement in exchange for valuable
consideration that Associate is not otherwise entitled to receive.

          (b)  Associate further acknowledges that, in entering this
Agreement, he or she has not relied upon any representation or statement made
by any of the Company agents or representatives which is not set forth in this
Agreement.

          10.  Period for Review and Consideration of Agreement.  Associate
acknowledges that he or she has been given at least [forty-five (45)/twenty-
one (21)]*  days to review and consider this Agreement before signing it.

          11.  Associate's Right to Revoke Agreement.  Associate is advised
that he or she may revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days of signing it. 
Revocation must be made by delivering a written notice of revocation to the Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary, Rose's Stores, Inc., P.O. Drawer 947,
Henderson, NC 27536.  If this Agreement is revoked by Associate in this seven
(7) day period, the Agreement will not be effective and enforceable.

          12.  Effective Date.  This Agreement shall not become effective
until the eighth day following Associate's execution of this Agreement (the
"Effective Date").

          13.  Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement is held to
be unenforceable, the enforcement of the remaining provisions shall not be
impaired.

          14.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon
the parties and their respective heirs, successors and assigns.

*Forty-five (45) days in the event of a group termination or reduction in force.
 Twenty-one (21) days in the event of a single termination not in connection 
 with any other termination or event.

<PAGE>
          15.  Modification.  This Agreement cannot be modified except by
written agreement signed by Associate and the Company's duly authorized officer.

          16.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement sets forth the entire
Agreement between the parties, and supersedes all prior agreements,
understandings, negotiations and correspondence between the parties concerning
the matters described in this Agreement.

          17.  Gender Neutral.  The use of masculine terms in this Agreement
includes the feminine and vice versa.

          18.  North Carolina Law Governs.  This Agreement shall be
interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of North
Carolina.

     PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.  THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF ALL
     KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.
<PAGE>
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and the Associate's hand has hereunto been set as of the date first set
forth above.

                               ROSE'S STORES, INC.

                               By:                                 

                               Title:                              

                               By:                                 
                                   Name of Associate


                        AMENDMENT NO. 4 

          This AMENDMENT NO. 4 (this "Amendment") dated as of
January 31, 1996 among The First National Bank of Boston ("FNBB"),
The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc. ("CIT"), BankAmerica Business,
Credit, Inc., Congress Financial Corporation, NatWest Bank N.A.,
LaSalle Business Credit, Inc. and Sanwa Business Credit Corpo-
ration as the Banks party to the Credit Agreement hereinafter re-
ferred to below and Rose's Store, Inc. (the "Borrower").

                      W I T N E S S E T H:

          WHEREAS, the Borrower is a party to the Revolving Credit
Agreement dated as of April 28, 1995 among the Borrower, the Banks,
FNBB as administrative agent (in such capacity, the "Adminis-
trative Agent") and FNBB and CIT as facility agents (in such
capacities, the "Facility Agents") (as such agreement has and may
be amended and restated, amended, supplemented or modified from
time to time, the "Credit Agreement");

          WHEREAS, the Borrower has asked the Banks to amend
certain provisions of the Credit Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, subject to all of the terms, conditions and
limitations set forth herein, the Banks are willing to amend
certain provisions of the Credit Agreement.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto hereby agree to the following:

          1.  Definitions.  Capitalized terms defined in the
preceding preliminary paragraphs shall have such meanings provided
therein and, unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms
which are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the meanings
assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.


          2.  Amendments to Section 1.1.  

          (a) The definition of Effective Borrowing Base Percentage
in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by replacing the
line in respect of the 5th calender week of November which
currently reads "5th clndr wk    58%" with the following line:

                "5th clnr wk    62%"

          (b) The definition of EBITDA in Section 1.1 of the Credit
Agreement is amended and restated to read as follows:


               EBITDA.  The Net Operating Income (or Deficit) of
     the Borrower for any period (which amount shall in accordance
<PAGE>
     with the definition thereof be determined after deduction of
     all expenses and other proper charges payable for such period)
     but before payment or provision in respect of such period for
     (i) income taxes, (ii) interest expense, (iii) commitment
     fees, agency fees, facility fees and other similar fees, (iv)
     adjustments relating to Lifo reserves in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting principles, (v) depreciation,
     amortization and other similar noncash charges, (vi) noncash
     reserves taken in such period for any and all obligations re-
     lating to store closings; provided however that the amount of
     any cash payments during such period and any and all
     subsequent periods in respect of all such obligations shall
     be treated as a reduction of EBITDA in the period of payment
     and (vii) noncash reserves taken in such period for any and
     all obligations relating to severance obligations; provided
     further that the amount of any cash payments during such pe-
     riod and any and all subsequent periods in respect of all such
     obligations shall be treated as a reduction of EBITDA in the
     period of payment.

          (c) The definition of Net Operating Income (or Deficit)
in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated to
read as follows:

          Net Operating Income (or Deficit).  The net income (or
     deficit) of the Borrower after deduction of all expenses,
     taxes, and other proper charges, determined in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting principles after eliminating
     therefrom (i) all extraordinary items of income (but not of
     expense or loss), (ii) all net gains (but not losses) from the
     sale, transfer or other disposition of any assets consisting
     or real estate interests (including, without limitation,
     leasehold interest), (iii) all other gains and items of income
     arising from transactions that are not in the ordinary course
     of the Borrower's retail business, including, without limita-
     tion, gains arising from income tax refunds or from the
     reversal of reserves previously taken in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting principles, and (iv) for the
     fiscal year ended January 27, 1996 only, the extraordinary
     charges incurred through the Effective Date in connection with
     the reorganization of the Borrower in connection with the
     Bankruptcy Proceeding.


     (d) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended by
adding the following definition in the proper alphabetical order:

     "Fourth Amendment Effective Date.  The date on which that
     certain Amendment No. 4 to this Credit Agreement, dated as of
     January 31, 1996 becomes effective in accordance with the
     provisions of paragraph 15 thereof.
<PAGE>

          3.  Amendment to Section 2.3. Section 2.3 of the Credit
Agreement is amended by (i) eliminating the following sentence cur-
rently contained therein: 

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Credit
     Agreement, on each anniversary of the Closing Date, the Total
     Revolving Commitment then in effect shall be permanently
     reduced in the amount of five million dollars ($5,000,000).

and (ii) replacing such sentence with the following sentence:

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Credit
     Agreement, as of and after the Fourth Amendment Effective
     Date, the Total Revolving Commitment shall be one hundred ten
     million dollars ($110,000,000).
     
     
          4.  Amendment to Section 2 (addition of new Section
2.10).    Section 2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
adding the following new Section 2.10 at the end thereof:

            2.10  Termination of LIBOR Option.  Notwithstanding
     anything to the contrary in this Credit Agreement, including
     without limitation, Section 2.6 and 2.7 hereof and Schedule
     2 hereto, on and after the Fourth Amendment Effective Date,
     the Borrower shall not be permitted to request a LIBOR Rate
     Loan, continue any LIBOR Rate Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan upon
     the expiration of the Interest Period with respect thereto,
     or convert a Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan.  Any
     Revolving Credit Loan that constitutes a LIBOR Rate Loan on
     the Fourth Amendment Effective Date shall be automatically
     converted to a Base Rate Loan on the last day of the Interest
     Period relating thereto.

          5.  Amendment to Section 3.2.  Subsection (b) of Section
3.2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read
as follows:

       (b)  The Borrower agrees to repay the Revolving Credit Loans
     such that for a period of thirty consecutive days  during
     every period from December 1 to and including the immediately
     succeeding January 31 (each such period, a "Cleandown Pe-
     riod"), the total aggregate outstanding amount of Revolving
     Credit Loans shall be no more than (x) $45,000,000, during
     such Cleandown Period ending January 31, 1996; provided
     however, that, for purposes of this clause (x) of this section
     3.2(b) only, any and all repayments of the Revolving Credit
     Loans with the proceeds of tax refunds and rebates received
     by the Borrower shall not be treated as reducing the total ag-
     gregate outstanding amount of Revolving Credit Loans; (y)
     $35,000,000, during such Cleandown Period ending January 31,
<PAGE>
     1997 and (z) $32,000,000, during such Cleandown Period ending
     January 31, 1998.
     

          6.  Amendment to Section 4.1.3.  Section 4.1.3 of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence
thereof.

          7.  Amendment to Section 9.2.  Subsection (j) of Section
9.2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the
phrase "for a period ending no later than one year after the
Closing Date only," with the phrase "for a period ending no later
than May 30, 1997,".

          8.  Amendment to Section 8.4.  Section 8.4 of the Credit
Agreement is amended by (i) deleting the word "and " at the end of
subsection (l) thereof, (ii) deleting the period at the end of
subsection (m) and adding "; and" in replacement thereof and (iii)
adding the following new subsection (n) at the end of such Section
8.4:

     (n) as soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty
     (30) days after the end of each month in each fiscal year of
     the Borrower, a report, in a format acceptable to the
     Administrative Agent, which sets forth an analysis of monthly
     income, by store and on a monthly and year-to-date basis, and
     such other by store information requested by the Ad-
     ministrative Agent.
 
     9.  Amendment to Section 10.1  Section 10.1 of the Credit
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety to read as
follows:

     "10.1 [Intentionally Omitted]"

     10.  Amendment to Section 10.2.  Section 10.2 of the
Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety to
read as follows:

          10.2.  Minimum EBITDA.  (a) Cumulative Monthly
EBITDA.  For each fiscal month set forth below, the Borrower
will not permit cumulative EBITDA for the period commencing
either (i) January 28, 1996 in the case of fiscal months in
the fiscal year ended January 25, 1997 and (ii) January 26,
1997 in the case of fiscal months in the fiscal year ended
January 31, 1998, and ending on the last day of each such
fiscal month (treated as a single accounting period) to be
less than the amount set forth below opposite such fiscal
month:         
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
        Fiscal Month          Minimum EBITDA
        February, 1996        ($1,000,000)
        March, 1996              (500,000)
        April, 1996            $1,900,000
        May, 1996              $4,100,000
        June, 1996             $5,000,000
        July, 1996             $4,900,000
        August, 1996           $4,800,000                    
        September, 1996        $6,000,000
        October, 1996          $6,800,000
        November, 1996        $11,800,000
        December, 1996        $19,300,000
        January, 1997         $12,700,000
        February, 1997          ($700,000)
        March, 1997             ($250,000)
        April, 1997            $2,000,000
        May, 1997              $4,600,000
        June, 1997             $5,600,000
        July, 1997             $5,500,000
        August, 1997           $5,500,000
        September, 1997        $6,700,000
        October, 1997          $7,500,000
        November, 1997        $12,400,000
        December, 1997        $19,700,000
        January, 1998         $13,100,000
        February, 1998          ($700,000)
        March, 1998             ($250,000)

(b) Quarterly EBITDA.  As of each date set forth below, the
Borrower shall not permit EBITDA for the single fiscal quarter
ended on such date to be less than the amounts set forth below
opposite such date:

        Fiscal Quarter Ended      Minimum EBITDA
        April 27, 1996             $1,900,000
        July 27, 1996              $2,600,000
        October 26, 1996           $1,500,000
        April 26, 1997             $2,000,000
        July 26, 1997              $2,800,000
        October 25, 1997           $1,600,000


In addition, the Borrower shall not permit EBITDA (i) for the
period commencing January 29, 1995 and ending October 28, 1995
to be less than $2,800,000, (ii) for the period commencing
January 29, 1995 and ending December 2, 1995 to be less than
$9,500,000, (iii) for the period commencing January 29, 1995 and
ending December 30, 1995 to be less than $15,000,000 and (iv)
for the fiscal year ending January 27, 1996 to be less than
$6,500,000.
<PAGE>

     11.  Amendment to Section 10.3.  Section 10.3 of the
Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety to
read as follows:

          10.3. Capital Expenditures and Capitalized Leases. 
As of any date in any fiscal quarter set forth below (each a
"Date"), the Borrower will not make any Capital Expenditures
if the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures for the pe-
riod commencing either (i) January 28, 1996 in the case of
dates in the fiscal year ended January 25, 1997 and (ii)
January 26, 1997 in the case of dates in the fiscal year ended
January 31, 1998, and ending on such date, would exceed the
amount set forth below in the respective fiscal quarter:

          Dates in Quarter Ended   Capital Expenditures

          April 27, 1996           $ 2,000,000
          July 27, 1996            $ 4,000,000 
          October 26, 1996         $ 5,700,000
          January 25, 1997         $ 6,000,000
          April 26, 1997           $ 2,100,000
          July 26, 1997            $ 4,200,000 
          October 25, 1997         $ 5,800,000
          January 31, 1998         $ 6,000,000
          
In addition, the Borrower shall not make any Capital Expendi-
tures with respect to the opening of new retail locations. 
The Borrower shall not make payments in respect of Capital-
ized Leases in an aggregate amount that exceeds (i) for the
fiscal year ended January 25, 1997, $200,000 in any fiscal 
quarter and (ii) for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998,
$225,000 in any fiscal quarter.


     12.  Amendment to Section 10.5.  Section 10.5 of the
Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety to
read as follows:

          Maximum Eligible Inventory.  The Borrower shall not
permit Eligible Inventory (excluding for this purpose only,
Eligible Inventory described in clause (iii) of the defini-
tion thereof) on the last date of any fiscal month set forth
below to be more than the amount set forth below opposite such
fiscal month:
<PAGE>
                         Maximum                
                         Eligible               
Fiscal Month             Inventory              


February, 1996           $176,800.000
March, 1996              $186,200,000
April, 1996              $189,300,000
May, 1996                $186,800,000
June, 1996               $185,100,000
July, 1996               $186,600,000
August, 1996             $186,300,000
September, 1996          $196,200,000
October, 1996            $216,200,000
November, 1996           $195,800,000
December, 1996           $161,700,000
January, 1997            $161,500,000
February, 1997           $178,300.000
March, 1997              $188,000,000
April, 1997              $191,800,000
May, 1997                $189,300,000
June, 1997               $187,800,000
July, 1997               $189,300,000
August, 1997             $189,100,000
September, 1997          $199,100,000
October, 1997            $219,000,000
November, 1997           $198,700,000
December, 1997           $164,000,000
January, 1998            $163,900,000
February, 1998           $180,000,000
March, 1998              $191,000,000



     13.  Amendments to Section 10 (new covenants).Section 10
of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the
following new Section 10.6, Section 10.7 and Section 10.8 at
the end thereof:

          10.6  Days on Hand Inventory. On the last day of any
     fiscal month set forth below, the Borrower shall not
     permit the product of (i) the quotient of Eligible In-
     ventory on such date divided by the Borrower's costs of
     good sold (as determined in accordance with generally
     accepted accounting principles) for the twelve month pe-
     riod ended on such date and (ii) three hundred sixty five
     (365) to be greater than the amounts set forth below
     opposite such fiscal month:
<PAGE>
     Fiscal Month        Days on Hand Inventory

     February, 1996         130
     March, 1996            137
     April, 1996            139
     May, 1996              137
     June, 1996             136
     July, 1996             137
     August, 1996           137
     September, 1996        144
     October, 1996          158
     November, 1996         144
     December, 1996         118
     January, 1997          118
     February, 1997         130
     March, 1997            137
     April, 1997            140
     May, 1997              138
     June, 1997             137
     July, 1997             138
     August, 1997           137
     September, 1997        144
     October, 1997          159
     November, 1997         143
     December, 1997         118
     January, 1998          116
     February, 1998         130
     March, 1998            137
     


          10.7  Maximum Exposure.  On any date in any fiscal
     month set forth below, the Borrower shall not permit the
     sum of (i) the outstanding amount of the Revolving 
     Credit Loans, (ii) the Maximum Drawing Amount on all
     Letters of Credit and (iii) all Unpaid Reimbursement Ob-
     ligations on such date to exceed the amount set forth
     below opposite such fiscal month:
     
            Fiscal Month           Amount

            February, 1996         $ 77,400,000
            March, 1996            $ 81,000,000
            April, 1996            $ 83,100,000
            May, 1996              $ 86,000,000
            June, 1996             $ 85,100,000
            July, 1996             $ 88,700,000
            August, 1996           $ 91,500,000
            September, 1996        $100,000,000
            October, 1996          $108,500,000
            November, 1996         $110,000,000
            December, 1996         $ 86,500,000
<PAGE>
            January, 1997          $ 59,700,000
            February, 1997         $ 77,400,000
            March, 1997            $ 82,000,000
            April, 1997            $ 85,000,000
            May, 1997              $ 85,000,000
            June, 1997             $ 86,500,000
            July, 1997             $ 90,500,000
            August, 1997           $ 96,000,000
            September, 1997        $105,000,000
            October, 1997          $110,000,000
            November, 1997         $110,000,000
            December, 1997         $ 86,500,000
            January, 1998          $ 60,300,000
            February, 1998         $ 77,400,000
            March, 1998            $ 82,000,000
            
            

          10.8  Interest Coverage Ratio.  As of each date set
     forth below, the Borrower will not permit the ratio of
     (a) the cumulative EBITDA for the period commencing ei-
     ther (i) January 28, 1996 in the case of dates in the
     fiscal year ended January 25, 1997 and (ii) January 26,
     1997 in the case of dates in the fiscal year ended Janu-
     ary 31, 1998, and ending on such date to (b) the cumula-
     tive interest expense for such period, to be less than
     the amount set forth below opposite such date:
     
          Period Ended        Required Ratio
          April 27, 1996             1.0 
          July 27, 1996              1.2
          October 26, 1996           1.1
          January 25, 1997           1.5
          April 26, 1997             1.0
          July 26, 1997              1.4
          October 25, 1997           1.2
          January 31, 1998           1.6


     14.  Amendment to Section 13.1.  Subsection (c) of Sec-
tion 13.1 is amended by deleting the proviso at the end
thereof.

     15.  Effectiveness of Amendment.  The amendments to be
made pursuant to Sections 2 through 14 of this Amendment shall
become effective upon the later to occur of (i) the Adminis-
trative Agent shall have received counterparts of this Amend-
ment signed by the Banks and the Borrower and (ii) the
Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent for the
pro rata account of each Bank in accordance with its Commit-
ment Percentage an amendment fee of $412,500.
<PAGE>
     16.  Matters Relating to Trade Letter of Credit.  The
Banks and the Borrower agree and acknowledge that the Admin-
istrative Agent shall (i) extend until a date no later than
May 30, 1997 the expiration date of that certain Letter of
Credit issued on May 8, 1995 for the benefit of a representa-
tive of the Borrower's trade creditors and (ii) permit the
expiration date of the subordinate lien on the Henderson
Property in favor of such representative to be extended until
a date no later than May 30, 1997, in each case pursuant to
documentation (including, without limitation, agreements of
such representative of the Borrower's trade creditors and
amendments to the existing subordination agreement between
such representative and the Facility Agents) and subject to
conditions acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole
discretion; provided that the Borrower satisfies all condi-
tions in Article 12 of the Credit Agreement at the time of
such extension of such Letter of Credit and at the time of
consummation of the transaction described in clause (ii)
hereof.

     17.  Matters Relating to Administrative Reserve.  The
Banks and the Borrower agree and acknowledge that the Admin-
istrative Agent has established an administrative reserve to
Eligible Inventory in the amount of five percent (5%) pursu-
ant to the last sentence of the definition of Eligible Inven-
tory. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that such re-
serve shall not be terminated or reduced without the consent
of each of the Banks.

     18.  Representations and Warranties; No Default.

          The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the
Banks, the Facility Agent and the Administrative Agent as
follows:

               (a)  Each of the representations and warran-
          ties contained in the Credit Agreement, the other
          Loan Documents or any in any document or instrument
          delivered pursuant to or in connection with the
          Credit Agreement are true at and as of the date
          hereof with the same effect as if made at and as of
          the date hereof (except to the extent of changes
          resulting directly from the transactions contem-
          plated or permitted by the Credit Agreement and the
          other Loan Documents and changes occurring in the
          ordinary course of business that singly or in the
          aggregate are not materially adverse to the Banks
          or the business or financial affairs of the Bor-
          rower, and to the extent that such representations
          and warranties relate expressly to an earlier date). 
          No event has occurred and is continuing on the date
          hereof that constitutes a Default or Event of
<PAGE>
          Default.

               (b)  The execution and delivery by the Bor-
          rower of this Amendment and the performance by the
          Borrower of its obligations hereunder in accordance
          with its terms:

                   (i)   are within the corporate powers of
               the Borrower, have been duly authorized by all necessary
               corporate action, and do not and will not contravene any
               provision of law applicable to the Borrower;

                  (ii)   do not require any approval, con-
               sent, order, authorization, or license by, or giving notice
               to, or taking any other action with respect to any
               governmental or regulatory authority, under any provisions of
               any laws or any governmental rules, regulations, orders or
               decrees applicable to and binding upon the Borrower, except
               such as have been obtained, and are in full force and effect
               and adequate for their purposes;

                 (iii)   do not require any filing, recording
               or enrolling of any instrument with any governmental or
               regulatory authority of any political subdivision thereof
               except such as have been obtained and are in full force and
               effect and adequate for their purposes;

                  (iv)   do not contravene the terms of the
               certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other corporate
               governance documents;

                   (v)   will not conflict with or result in
               any breach or contravention of or the creation of any Lien
               under any indenture, agreement, lease, instrument or
               undertaking to which the Borrower is a party or by which any
               of its properties, assets or rights is or will become bound
               or affected; and

                  (vi)   is and will be a valid and legally
               binding obligation of the Borrower and is and will be
               enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as limited
               by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or simi-
               lar laws relating to or affecting generally the enforcement
               of creditors' rights.

          (c)  The execution, delivery and effectiveness of
this Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided herein,
operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Ad-
ministrative Agent, the Facility Agents or any Bank under the
Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.  Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower agrees
and acknowledges that, except as expressly set forth herein,
<PAGE>
this Amendment shall not constitute a waiver by the Banks, the
Facility Agents or the Administrative Agent of any condition,
provision or covenant in the Credit Agreement or any Loan
Document, including, without limitation, any condition to
borrowings and shall not in any way preclude the Banks, the
Facility Agents or the Administrative Agent from exercising
all rights, powers and remedies under and in respect of the
Credit Agreement, the Loan Documents or otherwise

          (d)  The Borrower shall reimburse the Administra-
tive Agentand the Banks for all of their expenses, including,
without limitation, attorneys' fees and expenses, incurred in
connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, and
administration of the provisions, of this   Amendment and the
other documents and instruments contemplated hereby.

     19.  Governing Law.  This Amendment shall be deemed to
be a contract under the laws of the State of New York and
shall for all purposes be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of said State.

     20.  Miscellaneous.  The captions in this Amendment are
for convenience of reference only and shall not define or
limit the provisions hereof.  This Amendment may be executed
in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and
delivered shall be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one instrument.  In proving this Amendment,
it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than
one such counterpart.

<PAGE>
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Amendment as of the day and year first hereinabove set forth.

                          BANKS

                          THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON
                           as a Bank and as Administrative Agent



                          By:/s/ Elizabeth A. Ratto                             
                          Title:Vice President                          


                          THE CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.



                          By:/s/ Cyril Prince                             
                          Title:Vice President                          


                          BANKAMERICA BUSINESS, CREDIT, INC.,
                          


                          By:/s/ Illegible                             
                          Title:Vice President                          


                          CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                          (NEW ENGLAND)
                          


                          By:/s/ Kathleen J. Merritt                           
                          Title:Assistant Vice President                       



                          NATWEST BANK N.A.
                          
                          

                          By:/s/ Therese Earley                             
                          Title:Vice President                          
<PAGE>

                          LASALLE BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.
                          
                          


                          By:/s/ J.K. Williams                             
                          Title:Vice President                          


                          SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION
                          
                          
                          
                          By:/s/ Illegible                             
                          Title:Vice President                          


                          BORROWER



                          ROSE'S STORES, INC.
                          
                          

                          By:/s/ Jeanette Peters                             
                          Title:CFO and Senior Vice President                   


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Rose's
Stores, Inc., Form 10K for the thirty-nine weeks ended January 27, 1996, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000085149
<NAME> ROSE'S STORES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-27-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-27-1996<F1>
<CASH>                                             593
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,607
<ALLOWANCES>                                       398
<INVENTORY>                                    153,190
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               165,698
<PP&E>                                           5,277
<DEPRECIATION>                                     155
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 171,244
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           90,532
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        35,000
<OTHER-SE>                                       5,560
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   171,244
<SALES>                                        524,397
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               528,181
<CGS>                                          404,120
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  517,466
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,231
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,484
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,083
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,401
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,401
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .50
<FN>
<F1>The Company emerged from Chapter 11 on April 28, 1995.  The results included
above are for thirty-nine weeks and represent those of the successor company.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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