P.M. BRIEFING : Sears to Open More Super-Stores

Sears, Roebuck & Co. today announced that it will open 164 more Brand Central stores, bringing to 277 the number of home appliance-electronics super-stores it has opened since March.

The new stores will be opened in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

“These 164 openings represent nearly one-half of our national rollout this year,” said Marvin M. Stern, vice president, home appliances and electronics, for Sears Merchandise Group. “We see this as a great opportunity to strengthen Sears’ position in home appliances and electronics.”

Sears plans to open 400 Brand Central stores this year. It began opening Brand Central outlets last year.