31.   Discount retailers and others that sell merchandise for the home reported gains as people began spring cleaning and repairs.

32.   Discount retailers appear divided.

33.   Discount retailer Venture Stores Inc. was among declining St. Louis stocks.

34.   Discount retailers already have shelf space devoted to its hot-selling DeskJets.

35.   Discount retailers now sell the vast majority of cycles, according to an industry consultant.

36.   Discount retailers posted the strongest gains, with Wal-Mart and Kmart doing better than expected, but other merchants had disappointing sales.

37.   Dickstein last week wrested control of another discount retailer, Hills Stores Co. in a proxy fight.

38.   Discount retailer Grupo Elektra SA and consumer products wholesaler Grupo Casa Autrey SA also gained.

39.   Discount retailers, with the exception of industry leader Wal-Mart Stores Inc., are also expected to post declining results.

40.   Earnings at discount retailers, meanwhile, will likely rise because of strong sales of seasonal goods such as lawnmowers and garden tools early in the quarter.