Clean Machine

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (Union, N.J.) has reported a 26.5 percent gain in net sales and an 8 percent gain in same-store sales for its second quarter ending Aug. 31, 2002.

For the fiscal first half of the year, net sales jumped 30.3 percent and same-store sales increased by 10.4 percent.

As of August 31, the retailer was operating 433 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico, including 24 new stores opened during the fiscal second quarter — an additional 690,000 square feet. Since the beginning of its fiscal third quarter this month, 10 new Bed Bath & Beyond stores have been opened. The retailer says it plans to open approximately 41 additional stores, in both new and existing markets, during the balance of its fiscal 2002.