31.   RETAIL SALES ROBUST IN APRIL Retail sales rose half a percent in April, with gains in sales of building materials, autos, apparel and general merchandise.

32.   Sales in general merchandise and apparel have been particularly sluggish.

33.   Supermarket consolidation is being propelled by the trend of Wal-Mart, Kmart and other general merchandise retailers to open grocery departments.

34.   That resulted in strong sales gains at department and general merchandise stores, but poor showings at apparel retailers.

35.   The kiosks are in drugstores, grocery stores and general merchandise shops.

36.   The New York-based general merchandise retailer said it had no announcements for today and declined to comment on the rise in its stock price.

37.   The move surprised other Fifth Avenue merchants, especially when he moved up the avenue just weeks later to become vice president and general merchandise manager at Bergdorf Goodman.

38.   The redesigned stores will have color codes that separate merchandise into three categories -- purple for general merchandise, green for food and beauty and blue for pharmacy products.

39.   The stores have been introducing supercenters combining general merchandise with groceries.

40.   The report said delivery of furniture and general merchandise also has been affected just as the Christmas retail season is about to kick into high gear.