21.   That may crimp sales of autos to Thai consumers and increase the cost of cars that contain imported components.

22.   The unusually cool weather that crimped sales in recent months helped make the new lines of fall clothing more appealing, retailers said.

23.   The unusually cool weather that crimped sales when retailers were trying to sell warm-weather clothes earlier this summer boosted sales of fall lines, retailers said.

24.   Warm weather, though, crimped sales of the cold-weather merchandise in the final two weeks.

25.   Intel on Tuesday beat earnings expectations and IBM on Wednesday met projections, but the companies also said that business remains tough and stands to crimp future sales.

26.   Sales have been crimped by cold weather, rising energy costs, growing consumer debt, investment losses and higher interest rates, he said.