31.   The photography industry heavily promoted digital technology this year, as did many retailers.

32.   While Continente and Pryca thrive, other Spanish retailers are doing less well.

33.   Yet retailers could do more to display and demonstrate modules, developers said.

34.   Youth-oriented clothing retailers also did well during September.

35.   Bernstein said a review of Better Business Bureaus and consumer complaint Web sites also suggests that online retailers did a better job meeting their shipment commitments.

36.   Elsewhere on the NYSE, computer makers Digital Equipment and Hewlett-Packard posted strong gains, as did electronics retailer Best Buy.

37.   Home furnishings and electronics retailers did well for much of the year, and especially so at Christmas, their second-straight winning holiday season.

38.   The shopping atmosphere in Thailand remained quiet during the festive season, so the only thing retailers can do is to try to stimulate the market and consumer demand.

39.   While many value-oriented retailers did well, other merchants, most notably department stores and apparel retailers, languished amid slowing consumer spending.

40.   Hong Kong retailers generally do about a quarter of their business in December alone.