Article: Tops moves up merchandise mix; a once-raucous retailer remodels its image.(Tops Appliance City)

EDISON, N.J.--It ain't your typical Topsy let's-make-a-deal, kill-the-competition department: Forget about it!

It is a refined corner of the store displaying wood cabinets, marble counters, built-in refrigerators and waffle irons.

Welcome to the new Tops Appliance City, where you can buy a whole custom kitchen in addition to your big-screen television and dishwasher.

The electronics-appliance retailer shed its old raucous persona last year as it sought to alleviate serious growing pains. A decade ago, Tops was a one-store powerhouse generating Top 10 volume. Now it's a publicly held, eight-unit, regional chain coping with changing ...

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