11.   Margins narrowed as the stores had to take larger markdowns to move merchandise.

12.   Moving the merchandise means aggressive markdowns, and analysts think that pressure will continue to take its toll for much of the current quarter.

13.   Now that merchandise must be moved out en masse to make way for fall clothes.

14.   On the one hand, after two extremely tough holiday seasons, companies are thrilled to be moving so much merchandise, which could result in great earnings news.

15.   On the other hand, competition has never been more intense among those trying to move the merchandise.

16.   PCs have almost as short a shelf life as hamburger, and dealers lose money unless they can move the merchandise quickly.

17.   Since last October, Owens has also been moving this merchandise on the Web.

18.   Some say consumers are holding out until the last minute in an attempt to get bigger discounts from retailers eager to move merchandise.

19.   Still, several economists said the deep discounts that moved merchandise out of the stores could be good for the overall economy.

20.   Still, analysts said the discounts that moved merchandise out of the stores should be good for the overall economy.